Which reel???

[21qdodge]

I’m looking to buy a new reel. I was deciding between the curado dc, the tranx 200, and the chronarch mgl. I’m mainly going to use it for bass fishing. I’ll be throwing bigger baits and top water. Anything helps

[GetFishorDieTryin]

How big is big? and what kind of topwater?

[NHBull]

Weight would help, but with what your looking at, I would add the Bantam if it’s an option.  

[jimmyjoe]

   You said "mainly" use it for bass fishing. What else will you use it for?

   And as @Rusty_Shackleford said, how big are "bigger baits"?       jj

[21qdodge]

I would like to be able to throw A rigs. Small swim baits and mainly frogging and buzzbaits. 

[ATA]

how much is the budget? I would go with Antares MD DC, or lower budget with Shimano tranx 200 0r 300

[21qdodge]

Max three hundred. I can’t afford past that 

[jimmyjoe]

  Of the three you mentioned, I personally would only consider the TranX, especially for frogging.   jj

[Born 2 fish]

Of those 3 the tranx 

[NHBull]

I have 2 Tranx and they are pretty good?

[PhishLI]

12 hours ago, 21qdodge said:

I’m looking to buy a new reel. I was deciding between the curado dc, the tranx 200, and the chronarch mgl. I’m mainly going to use it for bass fishing. I’ll be throwing bigger baits and top water. Anything helps

None of the reels you've listed are considered bigger bait reels. The Tranx 200 is built for salt, but isn't more of a reel than the Curado K, and in some ways it's less, other than a slightly longer handle and many corrosion resistance features. Plus it has a heavier spool which limits it's usefulness with lighter baits including frogs. I have one. I'd skip it if you throw 1/2oz frogs. I wouldn't think to throw bigger baits with a plastic framed reel like a Chronarch. I don't with mine, but who knows, it might hold up. The Curado DC holds just slightly less line than the Tranx 200 or the Curado K. If you're committed to one the reels you've listed, I'd pick that. It's pretty versatile throwing a wide range of lure weights.

[21qdodge]

Thank you guys

Should I just go with the 300 to 400 sized tranx? 

[jimmyjoe]

11 hours ago, 21qdodge said:

I would like to be able to throw A rigs. Small swim baits and mainly frogging and buzzbaits. 

 

1 hour ago, 21qdodge said:

Thank you guys

Should I just go with the 300 to 400 sized tranx? 

 

  Yes, I'd go with the TranX. I don't know whether you need the 300 size or not, though. That's a musky reel, a real monster. I have one, and had 65 lb. braid on it this fall. It would throw a Pad Crasher, but not all that far. I initially got it for pike and musky, with bass on the side, so to speak.

   Right now, I have it out to be de-greased and re-lubed. Next year might prove to be more interesting than this year.

   There are people here who use the 300 size TranX. Not a huge number, but a few. @A-Jay might be one. Those people could probably tell you whether the 300 size is appropriate for the uses you've listed.

   Good luck!    jj

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

 

  Yes, I'd go with the TranX. I don't know whether you need the 300 size or not, though. That's a musky reel, a real monster. I have one, and had 65 lb. braid on it this fall. It would throw a Pad Crasher, but not all that far. I initially got it for pike and musky, with bass on the side, so to speak.

   Right now, I have it out to be de-greased and re-lubed. Next year might prove to be more interesting than this year.

   There are people here who use the 300 size TranX. Not a huge number, but a few. @A-Jay might be one. Those people could probably tell you whether the 300 size is appropriate for the uses you've listed.

   Good luck!    jj

I agree with @jimmyjoe  the Tranx 300 is a lot of reel.

I use it mainly south of the border to swimbaits & heavy A-Rigs

on 20lb & 25 lb FC. 

Basically baits the are pushing at least 1 ounce; usually more though

Great reel for me though. 

A-Jay

[21qdodge]

What about the shimano curado 300 k? 

[jimmyjoe]

25 minutes ago, 21qdodge said:

What about the shimano curado 300 k? 

 

   I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. But have you decided whether or not the 300-size reels fit your needs?     jj

[JustJames]

Have you seen or compare 200 and 300 size in person? Most of bass fishing 200 size is good with enough line capacity. I use my Curado 200i from 3/8oz jig up to 2-3oz lure. 300 is way over kill both weight and size when using in normal bass fishing. Most of big swimbait 3-8oz guys use bigger reel for line capacity and bigger/stronger gear for chucking big heavy bait.

[ATA]

19 hours ago, 21qdodge said:

Max three hundred. I can’t afford past that 

Tranx is your best choice, 200 or 300 as you wish. I would get 300 because have more use for another application you might  need in future.

[21qdodge]

I’m left handed when it comes to retrieve and the tranx 200 only comes in the 7.2:1 gear ratio. Is that too fast for small swim baits and A rigs? 

[jimmyjoe]

5 minutes ago, 21qdodge said:

I’m left handed when it comes to retrieve and the tranx 200 only comes in the 7.2:1 gear ratio. Is that too fast for small swim baits and A rigs? 

 

   Not if you can discipline yourself to slow down when you need to. The actual gear train is strong and reliable, no qualms there.     jj

[21qdodge]

Thank you so much

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, 21qdodge said:

I’m left handed when it comes to retrieve and the tranx 200 only comes in the 7.2:1 gear ratio

Are you fishing saltwater?

[21qdodge]

Nope

[PhishLI]

9 hours ago, 21qdodge said:

Nope

If salt isn't in the equation, and you're not committed to one of the three reels you've listed in your original post, then just get a Curado K 200. The baits you've listed are in it's wheelhouse regarding lure weights. Plus you can get it in the retrieve and gear ratio you want. Shimano recently  released a PG(Power Gear) version.

 

I've had the Tranx 200 and the K 200 apart on my bench. I realize people believe otherwise but the Tranx 200 isn't more of a heavy duty reel than the K 200 by much, if anything. That's a fact. It's selling point is greater salt resistance due to bushings instead of bearings in key places, a seal, and water shedding coatings. The Tranx 300 is a different animal in comparison. Its truly a heavy duty reel, and it's larger spool filled with line is heavy. You'll have a tough time chucking frogs with it when you combine it with a rod rated to throw A-rigs and swim baits. You'll straddle that line better with a reel like the K 200, or the Tranx 200, but it's build features are useless for your application.

[Boomstick]

9 hours ago, 21qdodge said:

Nope

The Tranx is more or less a saltwater Curado K. If you aren't fishing saltwater, I would think you could save a few bucks and go with the Curado K 200 and that should work well for you.