Is there a better 200 sized casting reel for 1-3 oz swimbaits than a Curado K?

[Ohioguy25]

I have an 8.5:1 Curado K that I am used to and plenty happy with. I need to get a 3rd casting reel as I took this from another setup to use w my SB rod and am wondering if that isn’t the setup I should be modifying?

[softwateronly]

6 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I have an 8.5:1 Curado K that I am used to and plenty happy with. I need to get a 3rd casting reel as I took this from another setup to use w my SB rod and am wondering if that isn’t the setup I should be modifying?

In general, I prefer 7speed reels but I really think an 8 speed works against you fishing any swimbait.  It’s easy to over work glides and magdrafts. . I would look into something lower. 
 

scott

[Ohioguy25]

4 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

In general, I prefer 7speed reels but I really think an 8 speed works against you fishing any swimbait.  It’s easy to over work glides and magdrafts. . I would look into something lower. 
 

scott

Gotcha. Should I change brands/models too or just a slower Curado?

[softwateronly]

3 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Gotcha. Should I change brands/models too or just a slower Curado?

In bc I’ve only owned shimano and diawa. Not the best person to ask. I think the curado and tatula are both very good platforms. So stick with the curado. It’s a workhorse you’re familiar with. 
 

scott

[waymont]

The Tatula 150 or 200 are better for your needs.

The 150 is rock solid reel 

[Big Swimbait]

...or a Tranx 200.

[Ohioguy25]

56 minutes ago, waymont said:

The Tatula 150 or 200 are better for your needs.

The 150 is rock solid reel 

What gear ratio?

[waymont]

30 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

What gear ratio?

7 speed for me

[WRB]

Line type/diameter determines reel line capacity.

Larger swimbaits you want line that will not break the lure off if you should backlash for example. It’s common to cast bigger swimbaits with longer rods over 50 yards, the reduced line capacity drastically impacts IPT. Ideally you want the spool over 2/3 full after making a longer cast.

Tom

[FishTank]

Even though I like the Curado K, it would not be my first choice for 1-3oz swimbaits. For that size I have been using a Daiwa Tatula 300 or a Daiwa Zillion HD. I would also suggest, like above, the Tranx 200. For line, I like 20lb and 25lb Sunline Defier Armilo. 

[WRB]

20# Armilo? 19# or 22#, 25# is .016D* all I used for 5 years.

* = to most 17# mono/copoly.

Tom

[FishTank]

10 minutes ago, WRB said:

20# Armilo? 19# or 22#, 25# is .016D* all I used for 5 years.

* = to most 17# mono/copoly.

Tom

Typo on my part.... 22lb. 

[Hammer 4]

A 8 speed reel would be the Last reel I'd use for larger swimbaits. The fact is, very seldom if ever do I burn swimbaits. The BIG bass do not like to chase fast moving baits, because they expend to much energy for the amount of protien they would get. They are ambush feeders for the most part, they got big by being smart.

As for the reel, I prefer 300 size reels, for the reason that Tom mentioned above. Line is Armilo in either 17 or 19 lb test depending on where I'm fishing. For me, I want to make the longest cast I can with bigger swimbaits, which would include glide baits.

I've tried 200 sized reels, and the 300 just works better for me.

[Ohioguy25]

9 hours ago, WRB said:

Line type/diameter determines reel line capacity.

Larger swimbaits you want line that will not break the lure off if you should backlash for example. It’s common to cast bigger swimbaits with longer rods over 50 yards, the reduced line capacity drastically impacts IPT. Ideally you want the spool over 2/3 full after making a longer cast.

Tom

Does that Armilo Defier have good resistance against snapping on backlash or not as good as big game?

[WRB]

Big game has good knot strength, impact strength* and abrasion resistance, the down side is diameter per pound test  and smoothness, 25% larger diameter and varies in diameter and casting performance vs Armilo.

5 Years casting 25# Armilo with swimbaits between 2 to 7oz never lost a lure from breaking off or any other reason.

Down side to Armilo is price, performance is excellent. 

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

9 minutes ago, WRB said:

Big game has good knot strength, impact strength* and abrasion resistance, the down side is diameter per pound test  and smoothness, 25% larger diameter and varies in diameter and casting performance vs Armilo.

5 Years casting 25# Armilo with swimbaits between 2 to 7oz never lost a lure from breaking off or any other reason.

Down side to Armilo is price, performance is excellent. 

Tom

Yeah, I think mine is 19 lb. Heaviest bait I’m throwing is 2.5 oz, think I should bump it up to 25#?

[waymont]

33 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Yeah, I think mine is 19 lb. Heaviest bait I’m throwing is 2.5 oz, think I should bump it up to 25#?

I wouldn’t go that high. 15, 17, or 20 is the highest I’d go.

I use 40lb braid to a FC leader/mono leader.

 

when you use braided line, the diameter is thinner so you don’t have to use such a big reel.

[Ohioguy25]

12 minutes ago, waymont said:

I wouldn’t go that high. 15, 17, or 20 is the highest I’d go.

I use 40lb braid to a FC leader/mono leader.

 

when you use braided line, the diameter is thinner so you don’t have to use such a big reel.

Because of spool capacity, action of the bait or line shy fish?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

4 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Because of spool capacity, action of the bait or line shy fish?

All three in my book, and oddly you ranked them in importance in my opinion.   Although spool cap and action imparted on the bait is really tied at #1 for me.

 

A rather small difference in line diameter makes quite a big difference on how the bait works I've found.   Fish swerve or mouth these baits for the most subtle of reasons.   They get a super long look at them, many times follow them for a half minute, examining everything about them.   

 

[Tatulatard]

Tatula 150, Tatula 200, Tatula 300 are all in the ballpark in spool capacity.  The 150/200 have the same spool dimensions as the 200k with the arbor of the 150 being slightly larger and the arbor of the 200 being slightly smaller.  The 300 gets a narrow but large diameter spool with similar line capacity to the 200 with its wide but short spool.  If you want to stick to the 200k form factor then the tranx 200 is a silver 200k with an aluminum side plate and some saltwater protection provisions.  

[Born 2 fish]

My recommendation would be the tatula 200 in 6.3. For bigger Swimbaits that’s what I use for my bigger swimbaits and it works perfect for me.

[PhishLI]

16 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I have an 8.5:1 Curado K that I am used to and plenty happy with. I need to get a 3rd casting reel as I took this from another setup to use w my SB rod and am wondering if that isn’t the setup I should be modifying?

Is your situation the same as it was? River fishing and sitting in a yak with 75' casts the norm, and only occasional swimbait fishing? If so, and if you like the K that much, then get another. It'll be fine for this duty. Even the Tatula 150 would be fine here if you'd like to try something different that plays well with heavier mono. If you see yourself eventually fishing from a platform where you can stand up and bomb cast, the Curado 300 is a very nice reel. So is the Tatula 200.

[ska4fun]

Way better reels: Tatula 200, 300 and 150...

[waymont]

4 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Because of spool capacity, action of the bait or line shy fish?

All of these things. I like leaders because of the shock absorption and having better abrasion resistance.

[Ohioguy25]

15 hours ago, ska4fun said:

Way better reels: Tatula 200, 300 and 150...

Better how?