Suggestions On A Swimbait Reel 300 Vs 400 Low Pro Vs Round

[clh121787]

Aside from the obvious more line capacity,and more consistent line recovery per turn of the handle. What are the pros/cons of a 400 round reel. I'm thinking calcutta, c,d or conquest, or a curado 300e. Low pro I'm thinking more comfortable. Better ergos. Maybe better for more applications. I have a new orochii xx leviathon. For swimbaits and need a good reel. (It's also the best carolina rig stick I've ever used... talk about some bone jarring hooksets)

[VolFan]

You'd be hard pressed to get better than a Curado 300 D or E regardless for General swimbait usage. What type and size baits are you going to throw? I use a 200 DHSV for a lot of sub 3 ounce baits, but there's a big difference in casting a 7 inch Slammer and a 7 inch Punker. I've never felt the need to go to a 400 size however. Unless you're fishing in the 6 plus ounce range, 20 lb test mono or copolymer has always been my all around line, and you just don't need a 400 size to hold a functional amount of it.

[clh121787]

Idk but I don't want to be limited because of my reel. On either side of the weight spectrum. Probably hard gills spro bbz 1 8 inch. Megabass I slide 185. R2sea slide baits. Hudds 316 pro wakes I'd say max probably 8oz min 2 oz. As the rod is rated .5-8oz. I'd like a reel that could handle the same range as the rod.

[VolFan]

Be careful with going to max rating on most rods. Usually the "sweet spot" is right around the middle of the range. The rod might be rated for that range, but I would gear the reel to what you feel like you'll fish the most. You can certainly fish the lighter Baits on a 400 sized reel, but what line you choose may be a more determining factor. If you spool with 25 or even 30 lb test for the larger baits, you'll kill a lot of action on baits(especially glides) lower in the weight spectrum.

[catch anything]

okuma citirx or komodo 

[Big Bait Fishing]

a 4oo size reel is overkill . for me , 100 yards of line wether it be 20,25, or 30 lb. , is all i need on my reel . i choose low profile reels , the Revo toro is a beast of a reel , smooth and very strong , it's line rating is 14/200 which i can spool 120 yards of 20 lb. line on it , 95-100 yards of 30 lb. , which like i said is plenty , plus the Revo toro has low gearing i like since i'm primarly throwing hudd like baits that you reel as SLOW as you can , it seems a lot of 300 size low profile reels are starting to come in 6.4:1 or 7.1:1 gears which is way too fast for my taste . i'm not a shimano guy at all but a lot of people also like the 300 size curado , round reels are just not at all to my liking , i palm my low profile reels , so those soup can reels are out , but i do hear good things about Diawa's Luna reel in the 300 size , i guess it's up to you and your tastes , good luck

[clh121787]

Thanks for the input. Some things to think about. I'm even thinking about running 65 braid and using a 6-8 foot leader and adjusting Lear size to the baits Im throwing. I try not to keep it too technical and just fish.

[Jrob78]

Thanks for the input. Some things to think about. I'm even thinking about running 65 braid and using a 6-8 foot leader and adjusting Lear size to the baits Im throwing. I try not to keep it too technical and just fish.

I would personally avoid the braid.  I know some guys use it with swimbaits but I don't believe it to be a good choice.  Check out the newest Shimano round reels, the 300 Calcutta D and 14/15 Conquest, they are much smaller than previous versions and palm well.  The Conquest is one sweet reel and not too expensive if you buy from Japan.  

[VolFan]

If you're set on a 400 round reel, you could even do a Shimano Cardiff in the 400 size for less than a Benjamin, and if it doesn't work you can sell it for a minimal loss or keep it and get something for your smaller bait range. Great reel, and it responds well to tuning when needed.