Baitcast Reel Size

[MID10ACBOY]

OK Y'ALL, i like a reel with a little more to it. A larger reel, such as an ambassedeur, is much more comfortable to me than a smaller baitcast reel. Problem being the smaller low profile reels seem to be the ones with all the bells and whistles. Is there a high quality reel out there thats larger than say a Curado 301 and smaller than an ambassedeur with all the features. Oh, by the way, I am southpaw. Thank you in advance for any help and/or advise.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

The tatula isn't a huge reel, but it is definitely bigger than a lot of other LP casting reels today. I'd take a look at it.

[John G]

You kinda mentioned price when you mentioned bells and whistles and high quality so my recommendation is the Shimano Antares HG. I have no idea how it stacks up size wise to a Curado 300 but I do know that in my hands, it's feels considerably larger than a 200 size Curado. It also has all of the bells and whistles that one could possibly want in a low profile bass reel.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Calcutta TE 101/201 sizes, ABU Morrum ($$) 3601

[Goose52]

That Abu Morrum 3600 is on my "someday" list! John mentioned the current model Antares and to that you could add the Calais 200DC. Another round reel to consider would be the Conquest 200. DVT mentioned the Calcutta TE 100/200 size reels - another fine choice but they are out-of-production so you'd have to buy used.

All of these reels have LOTS of bells and whistles. Of the five mentioned, the (2012) Antares and 2014 Conquest have the latest and greatest features from Shimano.

Now that we've given all these spendy recommendations...did you have a price range in mind?

[MID10ACBOY]

I do not have a specific price, I'll do some research, hunt down a store where i can hold them, and go from there. I really appreciate all the feedback and recommendations, thank you.

[roadwarrior]

Shimano CTE200GT or the "wrong hand" version, CTE201GT

[F14A-B]

Shimano , oh heck... What DVT & Roadwarrior said.....

[Goose52]

It's hard to get an idea of size from this image...but here are the players mentioned so far (except the Abu Morrum 3600!).

 

Left to right:  Ambassadeur 5000, Calais 200DC, 2012 Antares, 2014 Conquest 100, last-gen Conquest 100, Calcutta CTE-100GT, Calcutta CTE-200GT.

 

Using the Ambassadeur 5000 as the reference point:

• The CTE-200GT is nearly as big in diameter but "palms" quite a bit smaller due to the recessed reel foot found on the Calcutta/Conquest reels.
• The CTE-100GT and older-gen Conquest 100 are next smaller in size.
• The 2014 Conquest 100 palms very small compared to an Ambassadeur, and is smaller than the old Conquest 100 and CTE-100GT. If you went with a 2014 Conquest, you would probably want the 200 (both for size and line capacity).
• The Calais 200DC and 2012 Antares are approximately the same size, and are considered to be "large" (and heavy) by todays low-profile standards. They palm much smaller than an Abu 5000.  I don't have a Curado 300E so I can't compare them to that reel...but I have a feeling they are smaller than the CU300.

There are other reels that might be candidates for you as well - larger low-profile reels, and round reels, intended for larger freshwater and inshore saltwater species.

 

Good luck in your decision!

 

[new2BC4bass]

Nice picture......as always.  Great information, too.

[Goose52]

Thanks. NOW - I have to work on getting that Morrum...................................