Reel for Swimbait Rod

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, the rod I'm eyeing is the Okuma Guide Select 7'11" Heavy/Moderate Fast swimbait rod. Do I have to use a round casting reel or could I use a low profile reel on it? This will be for small to medium swimbaits (1 - 4oz.). I was thinking of putting either my Curado DC 150 or my Concept Z on it as they both hold a decent amount of line (135 yards of 12lb. mono for both I believe). If it's almost a necessity for a round reel i may shelve the swimbait rod idea for another day as I don't have money for a rod AND reel right now.

[A-Jay]

Fishing 1 to 4 oz swimbaits on 12 lb line might not be the best plan. 

Go with a 300 size reel and at least 20 perhaps 25lb line.

Tranx 300 is nice.

A-Jay 

[OnthePotomac]

I use a Curado K for my swims.. Very husky reel and very smooth. I have it spooled with 15lb Invizx.  but then I do not throw big honkin swim baits.  Nothing over an once and most are plastics.  I am with A-Jay in that if you are going into big swims, go with the Curado 300, or Tranx, both very fine reels.

[Brett's_daddy]

4 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Fishing 1 to 4 oz swimbaits on 12 lb line might not be the best plan. 

Go with a 300 size reel and at least 20 perhaps 25lb line.

Tranx 300 is nice.

A-Jay 

yeah, I was just stating the specs but was thinking 50lb braid with a 20lb. mono leader. I know the Tranx is a nice reel but like I said, if I can't use one of the reels I already own I'll table the whole swimbait rod idea for now.

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Okay, the rod I'm eyeing is the Okuma Guide Select 7'11" Heavy/Moderate Fast swimbait rod. Do I have to use a round casting reel or could I use a low profile reel on it? This will be for small to medium swimbaits (1 - 4oz.). I was thinking of putting either my Curado DC 150 or my Concept Z on it as they both hold a decent amount of line (135 yards of 12lb. mono for both I believe). If it's almost a necessity for a round reel i may shelve the swimbait rod idea for another day as I don't have money for a rod AND reel right now.

If either of your two current reels have a gear ratio higher than 6:3:1 then you'll feel them working hard

with baits over 2oz and especially lipped baits. Then there's the issue of the clutch mechanisms dealing with weight in excess of that. You can still play with reasonable baits if you limit them. A Ganteral Jr, Shellcracker G2, and other hard and soft baits in that weight range and a touch higher will be no problem if you wanna play.

[Tizi]

I use a Lexa 300 with 20 lb big game.

[Brett's_daddy]

44 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

If either of your two current reels have a gear ratio higher than 6:3:1 then you'll feel them working hard

with baits over 2oz and especially lipped baits. Then there's the issue of the clutch mechanisms dealing with weight in excess of that. You can still play with reasonable baits if you limit them. A Ganteral Jr, Shellcracker G2, and other hard and soft baits in that weight range and a touch higher will be no problem if you wanna play.

Hmmm...those two reels are 7.4:1 and 7.3:1 respectively. I do have some lower gear ratio reels though in a 6.3:1 Daiwa Fuego and Shimano SLX...neither of those reels has the spool capacity though right?

[Crankin4Bass]

How about a Cardiff 300 for $120?

 

http://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-CARDIFF.html

 

[Brett's_daddy]

Just now, Crankin4Bass said:

How about a Cardiff 300 for $120?

 

http://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-CARDIFF.html

 

Not bad but $120 is about all I have and the rod will cost that. Like I said, I'm really trying to make use of the reels I have but if that's not a possibility than I may just have to forget about it for now.

 

[PhishLI]

Just now, Brett's_daddy said:

6.3:1 Daiwa Fuego and Shimano SLX...neither of those reels has the spool capacity though right

If you're looking for perfection, no. Spool capacity is only one part of the equation though, and so is gear ratio, but forget that for now. One day you'll have the proper stuff. In the meantime you can use what you have within limits. You can get a decent amount of 20lb big game on those reels and play. Don't cast all the line off and you'll be fine for now. At least you'll find out if this type of fishing is for you.

[Brett's_daddy]

2 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

If you're looking for perfection, no. Spool capacity is only one part of the equation though, and so is gear ratio, but forget that for now. One day you'll have the proper stuff. In the meantime you can use what you have within limits. You can get a decent amount of 20lb big game on those reels and play. Don't cast all the line off and you'll be fine for now. At least you'll find out if this type of fishing is for you.

I'm really just looking for a better rod to throw like Gantarel Jr., Shellcracker G2, S-Waver 168/200, Spro BBZ! 6", 7" Savage Gear Shine Glide etc. in that range...maybe a Huddleston 68...along those lines.

[Nathan.bass.canada]

If you want to get into the swimbait rod and reel for the cheap, get the shimano corvalus at around 70-80$ and whatever rod you want. Using a standard size reel like the ones you stated will end up is prematurly ending their functionnal life. 3-4oz baits arent kind on gear and a good reel will help a lot. The are many good options round or low profile depending on your tastes.

 

nathan

[webertime]

Get a Tatula HD for about $100

Or a Fuego CT.  1-4 oz baits dont really need a 300 reel.  

 

[Brett's_daddy]

1 minute ago, webertime said:

Get a Tatula HD for about $100

Or a Fuego CT.  1-4 oz baits dont really need a 300 reel.  

 

I got a Fuego CT already...6.3:1.

[webertime]

7 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

I got a Fuego CT already...6.3:1.

Then you are set.  Mine has plenty of 20lb Seaguar Abrazx on it.

[Fishingmickey]

You might take a look at some of the Abu Garcia Ambassadors. I know the C3 & C4's used to be very nice reels. Check Ebay or Amazon and you can probably get one at a very nice price. They have the line capacity and they are robust enough for swimbaits.

FM

 

P.S. I said used to because the ones I had were made in Sweden and were pretty much top of the line 20+ years ago. They have stood the test of time.

 

[Drew03cmc]

Buddy, I've used everything from Citica 200D to Lexa 300h. I preferred and liked my Ardent Apex Magnum the best. They were all good at certain things. The older 200B Curados make a great starter swimbait reel. 

[BoatSquirrel]

16 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Okuma Guide Select 7'11" Heavy/Moderate

This was my first swimbait rod.  Good stick but for another $25, the iRods Genesis JrSwimbait rod smokes it.  Bought it also the large swimbait stick.  Vastly superior to the Okuma, so much easier to throw.  Put a Tatula200 on that IRrods and Kaboom!

Best of luck with your purchase.

[redmeansdistortion]

13 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

You might take a look at some of the Abu Garcia Ambassadors. I know the C3 & C4's used to be very nice reels. Check Ebay or Amazon and you can probably get one at a very nice price. They have the line capacity and they are robust enough for swimbaits.

FM

 

P.S. I said used to because the ones I had were made in Sweden and were pretty much top of the line 20+ years ago. They have stood the test of time.

 

New production C3 and C4 reels are made in Sweden as well.  That said, I'd buy one used.  Their design hasn't changed much the last 15 years aside from minor differences and one can save quite a bit buying used.  For a swimbait setup, I'd opt for the C3 with its 5.3:1 ratio over the C4 and the 6.3:1.

[WRB]

23 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

I'm really just looking for a better rod to throw like Gantarel Jr., Shellcracker G2, S-Waver 168/200, Spro BBZ! 6", 7" Savage Gear Shine Glide etc. in that range...maybe a Huddleston 68...along those lines.

R2Sea 200 S-Waver is 8" weighs 3 1/2 oz, all the others are under 2 1/3 oz. Lures weighing over 3 oz I suggest the 300 size reel and line 20 lb to 25 lb test mono/Copoly.

You can get by with braid using a leader to increase reel line capacity until you have a backlash.

Line over .015D reduces the 150/200 size low profile reel line capacity to around 100/110 yards. Your average casting distance with swimbaits is 50+ yards. Line capacity isn't linear it's based on spool diameter circumference. As the spool empties the circumference drops radically, the majority of the line is on the upper 75% of the spool.

At 50 yards the 150-200 size spool is less then 1/2 full. 300 size reel using .015D  line a 50 yard cast the spool is still 75% full, the IPT is about 80% vs less then 40% with the smaller spools. 

You can use whatever you want but there is a reason to use 300 size reels with swimbaits do to the long casting distances.

Tom

[JustJames]

d**n you are cheapie out on the reel but buy 30 bucks lure. 12lb line on 2-4 oz, one small error and your lure would fly away.

Anyway, I do use bass reel for medium size up to 2oz, curado 200IPG and Cardiff 200 but this will be using in creek, small cove or short range target. I use 15lb izorline line on 7’ XH rod.

You would be better off with Cardiff 300 for that 7’11 rod and 1-4oz lure. 

 

 

[NHBull]

Just got my sone 2 Tranx for Mexico.....its a no brainer!

[GreenPig]

I fish a couple tuned Abu 6500's, Lew's Super Duty wide speed spool, Revo Toro Beast 60, and a Tranx 400 for swimbaits. The Tranx and Revo Toro Beast have much stronger drags and cast control handle windy conditions better. I'd suggest a Tranx 300 as it can handle about any swimbait. No braid for me when bigger swimbaits are involved. 

[Michigander]

The Daiwa Millionaire round reels are only like $50-$60, you could try one of those. Unless the community firmly believes they are junk.

 

There's also some heavier saltwater spinning gear... 

[Hammer 4]

You could get away with a 200 size reel for the 2 oz baits and under, however as Tom pointed out, throwing the 3 oz and heavier baits will be a problem, meaning your casts will be much shorter than if you used a 300 size reel, been there, done that. I used that same Okuma rod with a 201 Cardiff, and tried throwing 3 1/2 oz baits, really never could get em out there far enough, then I bought a 301E Curado, and then the distance was way better, and much easier to cast.

 

Like Boat Squirrel, I use the same set up for my 6" Huds.