Round Reel Conundrum

[crankbank]

Hi Guys,

 

I know there has been a lot of discussions on round reels lately (i.e. best one <$350), but I still haven't been able to decide on the one that I would like to purchase this off season.

 

The reel is going to go on my Mike Long 806 Dobyn's.  Gonna throw a wide range of swimbaits, primarily in the 2-5oz range. Using Maxima 25lb Mono (0.020").

 

I have attempted to narrow it down to 3 reels, all in different price ranges.  I would like to here your opinions on which reel has the best value (Also- any other suggestions that may be better and if the reel size is sufficient for the line listed above).

 

Cardiff 300

 

Luna 253

 

New Conquest 200 (currently $398 shipped on jpangler)

 

 

 

 

 

I know the Calcutta 250DC can be found for a solid price on some sites, but i would like to try and limit it to under $400 (although between now and the spring time I may crack and go big).

 

 

 

 

Any feedback is much appreciated.

[Raul]

Between those three the Calcutta is a no brainer.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

 You have a very generous budget for a round reel. If your heart is set o one of these it comes down to personal preference and design features. Personally, I'd be looking at ABU C3, C4, Cardiff or Calcutta and spend the rest on baits. 

[A-Jay]

You're right - there has been an enormous amount of info provided here recently on the subject of round reels for swim baits. 

 

Can you please be more specific as to what information you're looking for that has not already been mentioned in any of those previous threads ?   The answers may perhaps help you with your decision.

 

Otherwise - as mentioned, it all boils down to personal preference - I use & rather like the Calcutta 300D.

 

A-Jay

[crankbank]

You're right - there has been an enormous amount of info provided here recently on the subject of round reels for swim baits. 

 

Can you please be more specific as to what information you're looking for that has not already been mentioned in any of those previous threads ?   The answers may perhaps help you with your decision.

 

Otherwise - as mentioned, it all boils down to personal preference - I use & rather like the Calcutta 300D.

 

A-Jay

 

 

I suppose this is a decision that comes down to me.  The main decision I am trying to make is if the performance jump between a $110->$280->$400 reel is worth it.

 

Is the difference between the high $200 level reels much higher than the sub 150 reels (abu/shimano), but not worth the leap to the $400 reel? Or is the $400 reel light years above the others?

 

I guess this has already been answered on here plenty of times. Without any hands on real world use, it is just hard to know the difference in performance between the reels.  

[Goose52]

I have attempted to narrow it down to 3 reels, all in different price ranges.  I would like to here your opinions on which reel has the best value.

 

Best value?  Easy - the Cardiff 300. Why?  It is a quality reel, with an established reputation of handling swimbaits, has the right line capacity, will do all you need it to do, and is 25% of the price of the Conquest.  Now, do you have a preference in braking systems?  Cardiff is centrifugal, Luna is Magforce Z.  That preference might help you decide but keep in mind you're MORE than doubling the price of the reel if you select the Luna.  The Conquest?  Over-engineered, over-built, an heirloom reel, loved by many (including me), but best "value"...probably not.

 

I think DVT gave great advice...      Swimbaits are expensive

[A-Jay]

I suppose this is a decision that comes down to me.  The main decision I am trying to make is if the performance jump between a $110->$280->$400 reel is worth it.

 

Is the difference between the high $200 level reels much higher than the sub 150 reels (abu/shimano), but not worth the leap to the $400 reel? Or is the $400 reel light years above the others?

 

I guess this has already been answered on here plenty of times. Without any hands on real world use, it is just hard to know the difference in performance between the reels.  

 

I would highly recommend the TW Reel Demo program to you - it's a chance to get a hands on.

Even though it's for only a week or so, it's a decent way to find out what's the deal.

 

I will warn you, the only 2 reels I demoed - I Bought.

 

As for if the difference in price is it worth it ?  It is if you believe it is, or it's not if you don't believe it to be.

 

 

A-Jay

[Raul]

In what you would rather travel, in a VW Beetle or in a Rolls Royce ? if I have the money I'd rather have my butt comfortably placed in the absolute best money can buy -----> Calcutta !

[OK Bass Hunter]

Buy the Calcutta.

[powerduster]

I've also been having a difficult time deciding on a round reel as well. Only I been looking at the calcutta d and higher end daiwa millionaires like the supertuned cv-z, such as the bay casting special or sw. As for your line choice, I would go with 12lb at the most and maybe even 14lb would be okay, but kind of big. 25lb is a little too much even for the 300 I would think. Good luck with your decision.

[A-Jay]

I've also been having a difficult time deciding on a round reel as well. Only I been looking at the calcutta d and higher end daiwa millionaires like the supertuned cv-z, such as the bay casting special or sw. As for your line choice, I would go with 12lb at the most and maybe even 14lb would be okay, but kind of big. 25lb is a little too much even for the 300 I would think. Good luck with your decision.

 

The OP is throwing 2-5 oz swim baits with this reel.  12 or even the 14 lb line you recommended is generally considered , well it's not considered at all.  It much too light of a line.

 

A-Jay

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Get some abu 5500s c3s 120$ new and between 30$ and 100$ used.

[IAY]

The OP is throwing 2-5 oz swim baits with this reel.  12 or even the 14 lb line you recommended is generally considered , well it's not considered at all.  It much too light of a line.

 

A-Jay

 

Well, 14 pound Sufix Siege has the same diameter as 20 pound standardized mono line, so its not necessarily true. I hate the western line industry because of this random assignment.

[A-Jay]

Well, 14 pound Sufix Siege has the same diameter as 20 pound standardized mono line, so its not necessarily true. I hate the western line industry because of this random assignment.

 

Clearly we all have our preferences when it comes to line type & size.

 

 Fishing 2 - 5 ounce swim baits on 12-14 pound mono is not some thing I have any experience doing.

 

If this is your standard tackle set up and you have registered routine success, I'd like to congratulate you on being the first finesse swim baiter I've heard of.

 

A-Jay

[IAY]

Clearly we all have our preferences when it comes to line type & size.

 

 Fishing 2 - 5 ounce swim baits on 12-14 pound mono is not some thing I have any experience doing.

 

If this is your standard tackle set up and you have registered routine success, I'd like to congratulate you on being the first finesse swim baiter I've heard of.

 

A-Jay

 

I don't think you understand my point...Stating whether the line is 12-14 pound really doesn't mean anything, since there are plenty of people in Japan who fish .330mm diameter actually 16 pound test line for 1-3 oz baits, when the 12 pound siege is .358 mm. What is the point of saying its "12 pound line" When you have the breaking strength close to 20 pounds? 

[IAY]

To answer the OP's question; Conquest is going to have tough time getting on much of 25 pound Maxima green (little bit less than 80 yards), and you will be struggling with the IPTs.

[powerduster]

The OP is throwing 2-5 oz swim baits with this reel.  12 or even the 14 lb line you recommended is generally considered , well it's not considered at all.  It much too light of a line.

 

A-Jay

doh, somehow that part slipped my mind. however, he did ask about spooling with mono to which i suggested was too heavy for the kind of reels he was asking about. 12 lb and 14 monofilament would be a more appropriate size in my opinion. if it were me casting up to 4oz, i would use 20lb suffix 832, which if i remember correctly, breaks at over 40lb. i could go a lot heavier for abrasion resistance, but i like the extra distance it affords me. i never had the thin diameter break from shock either.

[crankbank]

Best value?  Easy - the Cardiff 300. Why?  It is a quality reel, with an established reputation of handling swimbaits, has the right line capacity, will do all you need it to do, and is 25% of the price of the Conquest.  Now, do you have a preference in braking systems?  Cardiff is centrifugal, Luna is Magforce Z.  That preference might help you decide but keep in mind you're MORE than doubling the price of the reel if you select the Luna.  The Conquest?  Over-engineered, over-built, an heirloom reel, loved by many (including me), but best "value"...probably not.

 

I think DVT gave great advice...      Swimbaits are expensive

 

Tough to argue against this- thanks for the response!

[crankbank]

To answer the OP's question; Conquest is going to have tough time getting on much of 25 pound Maxima green (little bit less than 80 yards), and you will be struggling with the IPTs.

 

Wish we had a better idea of when the 300s were being released...

[John G]

i never had the thin diameter break from shock either.

I have.

I have had 30# PP break a couple of times from shock when throwing a 3/4oz Zara Spook. All it takes is a hard enough cast where the lure comes to a stop in mid air and there goes your exspensive swimbait.

[crankbank]

Anyone have experience with the Pluton or Ryoga? Better than the Conquest?

[ThatZX14Fella]

In what you would rather travel, in a VW Beetle or in a Rolls Royce ? if I have the money I'd rather have my butt comfortably placed in the absolute best money can buy -----> Calcutta !

I prefer a Ferrari, but everyone prefers different things.

[Goose52]

Anyone have experience with the Pluton or Ryoga? Better than the Conquest?

 

I have a Ryoga 1016 arriving tomorrow or Monday but haven't any on-the-water experience with one yet.  The 1016 is too small for your chosen line at any rate. I haven't heard of anyone on the board mentioning if they had a Ryoga 2020 but I believe there are some Pluton owners on the board that might chime in.

 

In general, and only speaking from theory, not experience, I don't think the Ryoga is going to be "better" than any of my Conquests..................it's going to be "different."  Different braking system, different "feel" while cranking under load, but still a very high-quality, robust reel.  I like having different gear to play with - adds to the overall experience.

[A-Jay]

I don't think you understand my point...Stating whether the line is 12-14 pound really doesn't mean anything, since there are plenty of people in Japan who fish .330mm diameter actually 16 pound test line for 1-3 oz baits, when the 12 pound siege is .358 mm. What is the point of saying its "12 pound line" When you have the breaking strength close to 20 pounds? 

 

You are correct - I didn't.

 

I do now. 

 

Thanks for the clarification.

 

A-Jay

[crankbank]

I have a Ryoga 1016 arriving tomorrow or Monday but haven't any on-the-water experience with one yet.  The 1016 is too small for your chosen line at any rate. I haven't heard of anyone on the board mentioning if they had a Ryoga 2020 but I believe there are some Pluton owners on the board that might chime in.

 

In general, and only speaking from theory, not experience, I don't think the Ryoga is going to be "better" than any of my Conquests..................it's going to be "different."  Different braking system, different "feel" while cranking under load, but still a very high-quality, robust reel.  I like having different gear to play with - adds to the overall experience.

 

I appreciate your feedback (and everyone else's)... good luck with the Ryoga!