Large capacity baitcaster, but not a saltwater reel?

[Elkins45]

I know this is a bass fishing forum but I’m looking for a new baitcaster that would primarily be used for musky casting. My normal bass baitcasters handle great and work OK but the drags are suboptimal for really big fish. What I really don’t want is the annoying “flip to cast” lever on downrigger or offshore reels. Who makes a decently affordable big baitcaster that still handles like a bass reel?

[roadwarrior]

I don't know what you consider "affordable", but a gently used Calcutta 350 is an option.

Both Penn and Abu Garcia are other options I would suggest. If you decide on a used reel,

post WTB in our Flea Market. 

[NHBull]

Calcutta all day long and twice on Sunday.

Calcutta Conquest and will it to your great grandchildren?

 

Tranx is also a good option

[Elkins45]

I have my grandad’s early 70’s Ambassadeur but I don’t love the synchronized level wind. It really limits casting distance with lighter lures...although most of my musky lures are pretty hefty.

[jimmyjoe]

   I don't know exactly what you mean by "handles like a bass reel", but I have the TranX 300a and I love it. I used to use the 5000 and 5500 Ambassadeurs, but I developed arthritis and couldn't use them anymore. The 300a is the ONLY 300-size reel that I have found that fits my grip and doesn't trigger the pain. (I hate pain.) I fish for bass where there are pike and musky, and it works great.

   Even though it's a low profile reel, it's a 300-size low profile reel, so it ain't no shrinking violet. That's why I wondered what you meant by "handles like a bass reel". But if you want an authoritative reel for musky in a compact size, I think it's the way to go.

   I know what you mean about the Avet and Accurate reels; they're not easy to handle. This one is.

   Good luck to you, and I hope this helps!   ??      jj

[Vilas15]

Best options:

Shimano Tranx 300, 400

Daiwa Lexa WN or HD 300, 400

Abu Garcia Maxtoro (budget option)

Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast

Abu Garcia Revo Toro S

 

Round reels (not sure if they have a synchronized levelwind):

Shimano Cardiff

Shimano Calcutta B or D, 300 or 400 size.

 

Okuma and Lews also have a 300 size that may aimed more at bass swimbaits but could get it done with lighter musky baits.

 

I fish a Lexa 400 for big baits and an Abu C3 ambassadeur for smaller baits. If I get another reel I'd go with Tranx 300, everyone seems to love them.

[Bluebasser86]

Okuma Citrix or Komodo have the capacity and major, lockdown drags to handle big fish.

[slonezp]

Any round reel will work. I'm partial to Abu Garcia. Another option is the Revo Toro

[Tackett1980]

Why do you need a baitcaster?  I’ve caught plenty of fish Bigger than Muskie on spinning gear...

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Tackett1980 said:

Why do you need a baitcaster?  I’ve caught plenty of fish Bigger than Muskie on spinning gear...

Deep salt-water fish on spinning gear? You betcha.

 

Baitcasters aren't the be-all/end-all for big fish. Just gotta get the RIGHT spinning gear for them.

[Nibbles]

Revo Toro Beast is probably your best all-round option in terms of cost, palmability, quality of components, and drag power.

 

That thing has 20+ lbs of drag, twice that of most low profile baitcasters which top out at around 10 - 12. And has non super high gear ratio options which is nice when you want that extra torque.

 

Plus it's just a solid smooth reel - might not be the very best for tossing 1/4 oz jigs into the wind, but if you're muskie fishing I think you'll be just fine.

 

On the Shimano side you have the Curado 300E, Tranx 300, and Conquest Calcutta 300 all of which are solid options.

 

Daiwa's offerings are a bit more limited and not as high line cap - the Luna is a solid reel but a bit heavy and unrefined, the Pluton is smooth and constructed well but heavy, bulky, and doesn't actually have all that beefy of a drag. The Ryoga is an option but the newer 1016 ones dont have as high line capacity as the Shimanos and the drag is around 12 lbs from what I recall. You also tend not to find as many good deals on the Plutons and Ryogas because they are much more enthusiast reels compared to the Curado or Tranx.

[Elkins45]

On 9/25/2020 at 2:04 PM, Tackett1980 said:

Why do you need a baitcaster?  I’ve caught plenty of fish Bigger than Muskie on spinning gear...

I don’t like fishing with spinning reels. Never have.

[Vilas15]

On 9/25/2020 at 1:04 PM, Tackett1980 said:

Why do you need a baitcaster?  I’ve caught plenty of fish Bigger than Muskie on spinning gear...

 

6 hours ago, Nibbles said:

Daiwa's offerings are a bit more limited and not as high line cap - the Luna is a solid reel but a bit heavy and unrefined, the Pluton is smooth and constructed well but heavy, bulky, and doesn't actually have all that beefy of a drag. The Ryoga is an option but the newer 1016 ones dont have as high line capacity as the Shimanos and the drag is around 12 lbs from what I recall. You also tend not to find as many good deals on the Plutons and Ryogas because they are much more enthusiast reels compared to the Curado or Tranx.

No reason to mess with any of those other Daiwas. Lexa is the best option, though not as tough as a tranx from some issues Ive seen online.

On 9/25/2020 at 1:04 PM, Tackett1980 said:

Why do you need a baitcaster?  I’ve caught plenty of fish Bigger than Muskie on spinning gear...

Vertical jigging is a lot different than casting baits weighing a couple ounces. Much easier long distance casting on a baitcaster. Also considering youre casting to targets and sometimes need to stop the bait short of shore/weeds/wood. Big blades like a double 10 cowgirl pull harder than any large deep crankbait, literally impossible to fish on spinning gear. Theres a reason 99% of musky guys use baitcasters.

[Elkins45]

Do the Daiwa Millionaire reels have synchronized lever wind? 

[Tackett1980]

22 hours ago, Vilas15 said:

 

No reason to mess with any of those other Daiwas. Lexa is the best option, though not as tough as a tranx from some issues Ive seen online.

Vertical jigging is a lot different than casting baits weighing a couple ounces. Much easier long distance casting on a baitcaster. Also considering youre casting to targets and sometimes need to stop the bait short of shore/weeds/wood. Big blades like a double 10 cowgirl pull harder than any large deep crankbait, literally impossible to fish on spinning gear. Theres a reason 99% of musky guys use baitcasters.

I mean, people like what they like, and I’m ok with that.  OP says he does not like spinning gear, which is fine he is a humans person with his own opinion to which he is entitled.  I personally would melt down every bait caster on planet earth if I could, but that’s me.  But unless I just misread your post, it seems to me like your trying to argue that you can’t fish large lures or cast as accurately with spinning gear, which I must disagree with.  Performance with spinning gear vs. baitcasters when comparing apples to apples is exactly the same these days and has been proven as such time and time again.  
 

Saying you want to use baitcasters because you prefer them, and vice versa, is fine I have no issue with that statement.  But trying to say that one does x or y better than the other in the year 2020 I would have to, respectfully of course, disagree with.  
 

I mean no disrespect in my post, nor am I trying to hijack the OPs topic.  Just trying to have a discussion with a fellow angler.

[Vilas15]

42 minutes ago, Tackett1980 said:

Saying you want to use baitcasters because you prefer them, and vice versa, is fine I have no issue with that statement.  But trying to say that one does x or y better than the other in the year 2020 I would have to, respectfully of course, disagree with.

There are advantages and disadvantages to spinning and baitcasting reels. Baitcasters are better for musky fishing. Period. They have differences when it comes to bass fishing too. I like mostly spinning, but nobody prefers to fish a 10XD on a spinning rod for a reason.

[ATA]

You need Tranx 200/300/400 any of them in higher drag(with power handle).

[Tackett1980]

8 hours ago, Vilas15 said:

There are advantages and disadvantages to spinning and baitcasting reels. Baitcasters are better for musky fishing. Period. They have differences when it comes to bass fishing too. I like mostly spinning, but nobody prefers to fish a 10XD on a spinning rod for a reason.

Agree to disagree.  “Nobody” is a broad statement.  I’ll refrain from continuing our discussion in the OPs thread though.  Happy fishing everyone!  

[soflabasser]

Shimano makes very good baitcasters that can be used for muskie fishing.

[Vilas15]

9 hours ago, Tackett1980 said:

Agree to disagree.  “Nobody” is a broad statement.  I’ll refrain from continuing our discussion in the OPs thread though.  Happy fishing everyone!  

Fair point. 

 

OP, Id go with the Abu Garcia maxtoro. Low profile and only $150 retail.

[BrianMDTX]

On 9/27/2020 at 8:43 AM, Elkins45 said:

Do the Daiwa Millionaire reels have synchronized lever wind? 

My old Millionaire 3H does. 

[Elkins45]

So just to follow up: Sportsman’s Warehouse had a Shimano Cardiff 300:in stock so that’s what I bought. I haven’t hooked a fish with it yet but I’m really happy with how it casts and handles.

[Vilas15]

On 10/17/2020 at 9:19 PM, Elkins45 said:

So just to follow up: Sportsman’s Warehouse had a Shimano Cardiff 300:in stock so that’s what I bought. I haven’t hooked a fish with it yet but I’m really happy with how it casts and handles.

That'll work!