Bigger Swimbait Reels

[Jeffrey Walker]

Anyone have any experience with how the zillion HD compares to the Antares MD?

 

Lookng for a reel to throw bigger swim baits, glide baits, etc. 

[Phil77]

Get a round reel. A tuned Abu, Cardiff or a calcutta will work better than a low profile reel. You won't have to worry about line capacity either with a round reel. Or you could go all out and get a tranx or whatever the daiwa version is.

[Hammer 4]

Can't really answer your ? without knowing the weight range of baits you intend to throw.

[Cbump]

I will say the new JDM HD is not what I would consider a big swimbait reel at all. Can’t speak to the US model. 
 

Agree on a round reel. I’m have an Ambassadeur built up at the moment that is going to be freaking awesome. With all the upgrades though it’s costing me more than I meant to spend though lol. 
 

Another option is the Lexa HD. 

[Tatulatard]

I would go with the tatula 300.  The usdm zillion hd is great but doesn't hold a ton of line if using big diameter mono or flouro.  The jdm zillion hd holds even less line and is not a "bigger swimbait reel".  Line capacity isn't a big issue to me.  The big glide baits don't cast far anyways.  It's more like the bigger reels like the tatula 300 have better braking and just cast the big baits better.  Maybe its the big diameter spools.  

 

[Hulkster]

what about a Tranx 300? I have the 400A and its amazing for big baits (I use it for pike and hopefully musky one day, I'm still trying for my first lol

[A-Jay]

7 minutes ago, Hulkster said:

what about a Tranx 300? I have the 400A and its amazing for big baits (I use it for pike and hopefully musky one day, I'm still trying for my first lol

I like the Tranx 300 quite a bit.

And the Calcutta 300D is no slouch either. 

A-Jay

[NavyToad]

Think line capacity. Low profiles other than reels like the Tranx or Lexa won’t get you where you need to go.

[roadwarrior]

I am a BIG fan of the Shimano Conquest 100.

https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-CALCUTTA_CONQUEST_100-200_A.html?utm_source=kingeider&utm_medium=pr&utm_term=calcutta&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=reels

[casts_by_fly]

53 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I am a BIG fan of the Shimano Conquest 100.

https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-CALCUTTA_CONQUEST_100-200_A.html?utm_source=kingeider&utm_medium=pr&utm_term=calcutta&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=reels

 

Fair enough for smoothness and quality, but wouldn't the line capacity be a little light?  70 yards of 14 lb translates to about 40 yards of 20 lb test which is what I'd expect the OP to be throwing big swimbaits on.  I don't fish big swimbaits, so I'm asking to learn.

[roadwarrior]

Maybe the 200. 120 yards of #50.

[Jeffrey Walker]

2 hours ago, NavyToad said:

Think line capacity. Low profiles other than reels like the Tranx or Lexa won’t get you where you need to go.

Ah-ha moment thank you!

[ATA]

I personally use Abu Toro Beasts 60 size for my swimbait application because I need to make so many casts during the day and low profile reel will help me a lot.

Also I use tranX 300 and 400 size, TranX 400 have more line capacity of all above.

What I understand is you dont use more than first 100 yards of the line, Except sometimes when I trolling something like dips 250 which I had about 200 yards of line out which all of my reels are very capable. 

the toros and TranX 300 will have 300 yards of Maxquadro 65lb.

I have 200 yards on them and 75 yards of Seaguar 20/25lb top shot.

 

[WRB]

With swimbaits weighing 4 oz to 7 oz that are slow sinking you want to use either 20 to 25 lb FC or Copoly line in lieu of braid imo. 

You will be casting over 60 yards often and requires loading up the 8’+ rod fully to launch the swimbait. If you backlash using braid kiss off the swimbait unless it floats!

Ideally the line should sink about the same rate as the swimbait to reduce line bow for better strike detection.

Line .016D to .020D you need a 300+ size reel, 5.3:1- 6.3:1 ratio to keep the IPT  consistent.

Tom

[Hulkster]

On 8/25/2022 at 8:56 AM, A-Jay said:

I like the Tranx 300 quite a bit.

And the Calcutta 300D is no slouch either. 

A-Jay

awesome arsenal! whats the smoke colored line on the bottom reel? it looks awesome

[Cbump]

17 hours ago, Hulkster said:

awesome arsenal! whats the smoke colored line on the bottom reel? it looks awesome

It’s that defier you see on the bottom left. Waiting on my swimbait reel to get finished up and I’m putting the same line on It!