Swimbait Reel

[J Francho]

I've seen lots of reports about issues with the Lexas on swimbait forums.

[JustJames]

6 hours ago, Scarborough817 said:

okay so i was given a $100 bass pro gift card for valentines

BTW congrat on your 100 gift card for valentines. I only got some strawberries dipped chocolate on valentines and only $25 gift card on new year.? Believe me it d**n hard to shop BPS when you only have 25 bucks on hand.

[Scarborough817]

good or bad ones?

[J Francho]

Just now, Scarborough817 said:

good or bad ones?

Issues are never good.

[JustJames]

You can find lexa 300 pretty cheap now.

my local got both on sale for 109 I think. I was looking at it for maybe spares for my luna 253 but decided against it(actually not me decided but my wife)

[Caliyak]

4 minutes ago, Scarborough817 said:

i have but the price is what kills me, any opinions on the max toro?

I have not handled the Toro. But, if you are looking for that mid-large reel, check out the Piscifun Thunder. 

[J Francho]

3 minutes ago, JustJames said:

luna 253

Those are very nice reels.

[WRB]

The reason you use a round reel is the increased spool capacity without going to extra wide reels. The 400 series Calcutta and Cardiff are narrower deeper spools then Abu 6500. I use 300 series Callcuta or Cardiff for swimbait reels, they hold 165 yards of 25 lb Mono* and sense I can only cast 50 to 60 yards, no reason for a larger reel. 

Level wind worm gears are exposed and get dirty quickly and nearly every round bait casting reel uses the disengaged level wind design today, the wider reels no level wind.

If you are a Garcia Abu reel fan, go with that brand. I personally don't know of a swimbait angler that uses Abu reels.

Tom

*Armilo Deifer

[JustJames]

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

Those are very nice reels.

Thanks but because I can't find reg Calcutta 300, or 300GTE anywhere and the price was too much for some of the used one. 

[J Francho]

You have to usually go to JDM sources for those.

[CroakHunter]

Since you are unsure about using a round reel, what about a tatula 200hd, lews super duty wide spool, or another with a bunch of line capacity 

[Scarborough817]

34 minutes ago, WRB said:

The reason you use a round reel is the increased spool capacity without going to extra wide reels. The 400 series Calcutta and Cardiff are narrower deeper spools then Abu 6500. I use 300 series Callcuta or Cardiff for swimbait reels, they hold 165 yards of 25 lb Mono* and sense I can only cast 50 to 60 yards, no reason for a larger reel. 

Level wind worm gears are exposed and get dirty quickly and nearly every round bait casting reel uses the disengaged level wind design today, the wider reels no level wind.

If you are a Garcia Abu reel fan, go with that brand. I personally don't know of a swimbait angler that uses Abu reels.

Tom

*Armilo Deifer

the only one i am aware of is tim from tactical bassin who uses revo toros but his other setups (dobyns 806sb) are setup with cardiffs

47 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Issues are never good.

What kind of issues?

[WRB]

9 minutes ago, Scarborough817 said:

the only one i am aware of is tim from tactical bassin who uses revo toros but his other setups (dobyns 806sb) are setup with cardiffs

Should have added 6500C! I was a fan of Abu Ambassadeur reels for decades when they were made in Sweden, the Chinese made are very questionable reels do to the uncontrolled materials used. Each to his own madness.

My Calcutta's as are over 25 years old now and work just as smooth and cast perfectly with minimal maintenance, annual cleaning. The Daiwa Luna is an excellent reel.

Tom

[bigturtle]

If BPS sells tatula HD, those are good options. I have the HD 153 on my swimbait setup

[OnthePotomac]

If this will help, my brother lives in Michigan and often ends up with toothy critters on the line and he uses the faster speed BPS ProQualifier and loves it for swim baits.  He calls it a little work horse.

[Shimano_1]

I'll back up the lews super duty..regular one or wide spool if you need more line capacity.  I can't make myself use a round reel even tho I grew up with round garcia reels. May be a little over budget but if you can afford it I think it'd be worth it!

[MassYak85]

20 hours ago, J Francho said:

I've seen lots of reports about issues with the Lexas on swimbait forums.

Seconded, I have experienced it first hand. The reel is still usable but if you aren't used to holding down the thumb bar during the cast it will catch you off guard. 

18 hours ago, bigturtle said:

If BPS sells tatula HD, those are good options. I have the HD 153 on my swimbait setup

Also seconded, just got one for lighter swimbaits. It's a great reel. 

[J Francho]

On 3/9/2018 at 5:01 PM, Scarborough817 said:

What kind of issues?

Spool engagement/release mechanism issues, symptoms similar to what MassYak85 detailed.

[Scarborough817]

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Spool engagement/release mechanism issues, symptoms similar to what MassYak85 detailed.

i've decided on the cardiff i had it on the rod yesterday and it just fits perfectly in my hand, now i just have to wait for my bps to get some in stock

[RB 77]

On 3/9/2018 at 6:36 AM, Scarborough817 said:

okay so i was given a $100 bass pro gift card for valentines, so now i'm looking into things i could be getting or at least cutting the cost of down. i have been looking into the shimano cardiff. having never owned a round reel i am a little hesitant, i went in a held one but im still not sure i would love it. are there any other reels from bass pro you guys recommend for fishing swimbaits i was looking for either a 5:1 or a 7:1 ratio i was hoping to keep it under 150.

 

I was also potentially looking at upgrading my jig rod are there any recommendations for that as well?

 

The Cardiff is a fine reel. I have owned one and it performed just fine. I know own all Calcutta's and they are outstanding reels for the money if you would like to move up in price a bit, otherwise the Cardiff should service your needs for years just fine.