Swimbait reel suggestions

[Cbump]

My Tatula 150p couldn’t cut It when I stepped up to bigger swimbaits. So it’s going back to deep crank duties and I’m getting a new reel. I like the Tatula 300 and can get It on Digitaka for about $220. 
However, I’m open to other reels in that price range. Just don’t know what’s out there. 
Any ideas? 

[Hammer 4]

Here are some suggestions..?

 

[Revival]

How heavy are your bigger swimbaits?

 

I use the Tatula 200 for S Waivers but if I’m going bigger, I’m getting the 300 for sure.

 

 

[softwateronly]

2 hours ago, Revival said:

How heavy are your bigger swimbaits?

 

I use the Tatula 200 for S Waivers but if I’m going bigger, I’m getting the 300 for sure.

 

 

 

X 2^^     Somewhere near/over 3oz feels a lot better on the 300.

 

scott

[Cbump]

I don’t know exact weight but this was a 7” smashtech. 

[Cbump]

Someone in the other thread said the weight of my bait shouldn’t cause backlashes. I don’t know. All I know is when I throw bigger baits I can put It all the way to 20 on the brakes and It still overruns if I cast any harder than a lob. My rod is a Dobyns Fury 795sb. 
 

Is there a JDM version of the Tranx for cheaper than the US model? 

[ATA]

2 hours ago, Cbump said:

Someone in the other thread said the weight of my bait shouldn’t cause backlashes. I don’t know. All I know is when I throw bigger baits I can put It all the way to 20 on the brakes and It still overruns if I cast any harder than a lob. My rod is a Dobyns Fury 795sb. 
 

Is there a JDM version of the Tranx for cheaper than the US model? 

Japanese version called Grapler. I had one, Great reels. I am using two Abu Toro Beast 60 size and one tranX 300 size. I like three of them so far. But today if someone ask me, Ill go with TranX 300-400 and Curado 200 DC for smaller (6oz swimbaits).

[Cbump]

The US Tranx 300 is less expensive than even the JDM Tat 300. Might go with It. 

[garroyo130]

3 hours ago, Cbump said:

Someone in the other thread said the weight of my bait shouldn’t cause backlashes. I don’t know. All I know is when I throw bigger baits I can put It all the way to 20 on the brakes and It still overruns if I cast any harder than a lob. My rod is a Dobyns Fury 795sb. 
 

Is there a JDM version of the Tranx for cheaper than the US model? 

 

With a heavier more aerodynamic bait id go 0 brakes before turning them all the way up 

[Cbump]

The new Lexa 300 hd looks good. 

[PourMyOwn]

14 minutes ago, Cbump said:

The new Lexa 300 hd looks good. 

I really like mine.

[Cbump]

28 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

 

With a heavier more aerodynamic bait id go 0 brakes before turning them all the way up 

 
Im not sure this huge chunk of plastic I was throwing was very aerodynamic. 

[A-Jay]

44 minutes ago, Cbump said:

The US Tranx 300 is less expensive than even the JDM Tat 300. Might go with It. 

I throw swimbaits south of the border for Mexican Freak Bass.

Started out with a Calcutta 300D which was very good.

However once the Tranx 300 came out, I went that way,

and I've been very happy.

A-Jay

[Tail Slap]

I know of no other LoPro of similar size that has the strength and durability of the Lexa HD line.  The abuse I have seen a 300HD take was staggering.  Further I would choose a 21 Lexa TW / 21 Tats over a tranx (not counting the 500.) 

 

As you can get a 21 Tat 300 for just under $220 from Digitaka  not sure where a USDM Tranx can be found for that price. 

 

If you want to read a personal not pro staff review of a tranx 300.  SOL forum has a thread spanning yrs of this abusive review.

 

"Daiwa  Lexa HD 300 and 400 size low profile reel review"

 

Just ignore the 3 members that had a ticking match in the thread.  They confused things by injecting opinions of a much older ver of the Lexa in it. 

 

The things Sudsy put that reel thru.  Over yrs of use/abuse I think the only thing done infrequently was grease added to gear and oil to spool bearings.   Come to think about it just do a search for posts by Sudsy in that thread as its splut up so much over 20 pages.

[Cbump]

51 minutes ago, Tail Slap said:

I know of no other LoPro of similar size that has the strength and durability of the Lexa HD line.  The abuse I have seen a 300HD take was staggering.  Further I would choose a 21 Lexa TW / 21 Tats over a tranx (not counting the 500.) 

 

As you can get a 21 Tat 300 for just under $220 from Digitaka  not sure where a USDM Tranx can be found for that price. 

 

If you want to read a personal not pro staff review of a tranx 300.  SOL forum has a thread spanning yrs of this abusive review.

 

"Daiwa  Lexa HD 300 and 400 size low profile reel review"

 

Just ignore the 3 members that had a ticking match in the thread.  They confused things by injecting opinions of a much older ver of the Lexa in it. 

 

The things Sudsy put that reel thru.  Over yrs of use/abuse I think the only thing done infrequently was grease added to gear and oil to spool bearings.   Come to think about it just do a search for posts by Sudsy in that thread as its splut up so much over 20 pages.

Sorry I was looking at the price of the Tranx 150 ($209). 
 

The Lexa HD 300 is looking more and more like the reel I want. Especially with the power handle. 

[WC53]

I was going to say Okuma but they might be made by Doya

[Cbump]

What model okuma?

[dodgeguy]

19 minutes ago, WC53 said:

I was going to say Okuma but they might be made by Doya

DOYO !!!! And what would be wrong with that ? Okuma makes their own reels.

https://strikeandcatch.com/where-are-okuma-reels-made/

[WC53]

18 minutes ago, Cbump said:

What model okuma?

Citrix or maybe KomodoSS. Pretty solid reels although I think the are outclassed by the Tranx or Curado 300 in terms of smoothness.  I haven’t tried the LexaHD to offer an opinion.  It has been a couple years since I fished the Okumaa.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/okuma-citrix-komodo-51414.html

[Tail Slap]

57 minutes ago, Cbump said:

Sorry I was looking at the price of the Tranx 150 ($209). 
 

The Lexa HD 300 is looking more and more like the reel I want. Especially with the power handle. 

No worries.  I actually did the same thing look after your first post about price.  I wanted to confirm before posting.  I saw $209 and was amazed,  then I saw it was the smaller one too.

 

I think the tranx is a fine low pro and likely for lmb swimbaits will work well.  It's when you compare it with heavier use you can see the difference in strength.  It's very much like comparing the old Calcutta TE to the Conquest.  It's those micro gears that give that awesome buttery smooth feel to the Conquest.  There is no free lunch when you get to the extremes in gear tooth design.  IMO the path Diawa took with their hyperdigi tooth geometry was the better balance. 

 

I think this maybe but one reason why the tranx 500 was never updated to this gear design.  It was built from the ground up with strength and durability as the focus.

 

If I was to choose for freshwater to use as it comes from Daiwa between the 21 Lexa TW vs the 21 Tatula, I would choose the latter as it has the hyperdigi bronze main with SS pinion.  The Lexa is just the older digi cut.   I am not sure but I think you could possible swap gears if you wanted the hyper cut. If you wanted the CRRB  bearings. 

 

If you wanted the most durable then definately go with the Lexa HD with all SS gear set.  This is especially true if you plan sw use as this reel has proven itself in that enviornment with standard maintenance.   Baitcasters are so much easier to do maintenance on that spinning reels.

 

(Just an FYI,  know in the HD line that 400 is a much bigger reel.  It's a full 6oz IIRC more than the HD 300.  In low pros that's a huge jump in weight and size.  Make sure you need that much line cap and strength to pay that weight size penalty. Can not see ever needing more than the 300 for FW outside a dedicated muskie reel throwing double 10s etc. Even then plenty use the 300 with no issues)

 

 

1 hour ago, WC53 said:

Citrix or maybe KomodoSS. Pretty solid reels although I think the are outclassed by the Tranx or Curado 300 in terms of smoothness.  I haven’t tried the LexaHD to offer an opinion.  It has been a couple years since I fished the Okumaa.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/okuma-citrix-komodo-51414.html

Did I just see a few days ago Shimano is releasing a new Curado 300?  Thought I saw it plus a couple new spinning reels.  A new Saragosa SW BFC A for billfish and a new line Miravel between the Ulterga and NASCI.

 

I think the Curado was actually a 200dc so never mind on that one for this thread but still should be of general interest.

[Cbump]

Yeah I think I’ll get the lexa 300 and use that combo for big swimbaits and for sharks/tarpon next time I go to Florida. What say you? 

[WC53]

Baby sharks and tarpon

[Cbump]

I’ve caught 6’ sharks on ugly stiks and Abu 6500 with mono. Surely this could do It. 

[PourMyOwn]

1 hour ago, Cbump said:

Yeah I think I’ll get the lexa 300 and use that combo for big swimbaits and for sharks/tarpon next time I go to Florida. What say you? 

I think it will treat you well. It's a nimble winch of a reel. 

[Cbump]

Next question. Line? 
 

20lb Sunline armilo? 
20lb CXX? 
Izorline XXX? 
 

25lb?