Do I really need a big reel for small swimbaits?

[HopelesslyAddicted]

I have been bitten by the swimbait bug and I'm in the process of getting properly equipped.  I plan to throw mostly small swimbaits, and the only "heavy" thing I will end up throwing is the Mattlures Hardbass.  That bait was just too beautiful to pass up.

Everything else I'm planning on throwing will be in the 1-3 oz range, so do I really need a big reel for this?  I understand that most guys use thicker line for this so line capacity is an issue but the way I see it, for the type of fishing I'm going to do, I won't need much more than a hundred yards of "thicker" line.

Also if you guys have any suggestions for casting reels that would be perfect for this I'm all ears... 

[Hammer 4]

By big reel, do mean something other than a low pro baitcaster.?

Before I got my 301 Curado, I was throwing up to 8" swimbaits on my Chronarch, or BPS extreme reels..so no, for fishing for lmb's you don't really need a big reel, unless you need to make really long cast's. For example, the Chronarch almost got spooled when I'd throw the 8" lunker Punker. If your fishing for say, stripers, then I'd opt for a large capacity reel.

[Big Bait Fishing]

no you don't . when choosing a reel for swimbaits , you want to look for optimal gearing . for swimbaits you want a slower gear ratio as to be able to work your baits at the speed you want . also just as important is that you want a reel to be able to hold plenty of the # test line you will be using . i use a low profile baitcaster that is just a little bigger than standard size low profile reels , i use the Revo toro 51 , it can hold plenty of 20,25, and 30 lb. line . i have the 5.4:1 gear ratio which is great for most swimbaits but i am gonna get the Revo toro winch that has a 4.6:1 gear ratio , gonna use it for Hudds , and big top water wake baits . so take those two things - line capacity and gear ratio - into account for making a decision on the reel you want for swimbaits

reels good for throwing small swimbaits -

1. Revo winch

2. curado e5

3. Revo Inshore

4. smaller round reels

reels for bigger baits-

1. Revo toro

2. Revo toro winch

3. Diawa luna

4. Shimano curado 300e

5. Shimano calcutta

6. shimano cardiff

[HopelesslyAddicted]

Thanks guys.

Hammer, yeah I mean could I just use a 200 size Curado or should I use a 301 like you?

pgersumky, as long as I have enough line and the right gear ratio I'm good right?

This will be just for bass fishing.

[Nine Miler]

reels for bigger baits-

1. Revo toro

2. Revo toro winch

3. Diawa luna

4. Shimano curado 300e

5. Shimano calcutta

6. shimano cardiff

Wow, made the list. Amazing for such a heavy reel.  :

Oh, to the OP- there are numbers there, but these are in no particular order.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't use large swimbaits but i do throw lots of lures in the 1-3 oz range. IMO it's the rod that counts much more than the reel, I use only spinning.  The rod has to be able to load up properly and handle the lure weight, the size of the reel only matters if I need line capacity or more horsepower for larger species( have caught many fish over 20# on a 2000 reel).  It's doubtful while bass fishing you need to have a reel with lots of line capacity,50- 100 yds runs probably won't happen.  Even a 2000 reel holds at least 200 yds of 20# braid.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

The Shimano Cardiff 300 is the best swimbait reel for the price.

Ask Fourbizz or Don M

[J Francho]

I have a Calcutta 200B on my swimbait rod, a 7-9 HF.  It's big enough, but after tossing some baits on my friends Conquest 300, I'm thinking the bigger reel really is the better reel for the job. 

[HopelesslyAddicted]

I have a Calcutta 200B on my swimbait rod, a 7-9 HF. It's big enough, but after tossing some baits on my friends Conquest 300, I'm thinking the bigger reel really is the better reel for the job.

How could I turn down advice from Ronald Martin?  ;D

[Hammer 4]

Again, it also depends on the baits your throwing, i.e., a Mattlure's hard gill doesn't fly as far as a 8" punker, there for you can get by with a smaller line capacity, with baits that are areo dynamic, and fly pretty far, then you might want a reel with more line..Lot's of good reels to choose from.

[Micro]

I just bought a Shimano Calcutta 200GTB for this very purpose.  I will be using it for baits up to the size of a Mattlures Hard Gill.  Haven't picked the rod yet.  I'm confident that this reel will have all the capacity and durability I need for these baits, and heavier if I choose to go a bit heavier. 

[J Francho]

The GTB has less capacity than a B.  With a hard gill floater, I can run out about 3/4 of the spool, using 20 lb. CXX.  Another point to think about is that I cast the floating baits as far as I can, and back off from the spot, while peeling line out.  You need some capacity for that trick.  I do feel long casts are necessary for success with swimbaits, even at night.  The 200B I'm using right now is barely enough for the 1-4 oz. baits I'm using.

[Micro]

I'm confident the 200GTB will be sufficient.  It holds 110 yards (330 feet) of 14 lb line.   I'll have around 300 feet using 17lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid.  If it isn't, I'll buy a new spool. 

[HopelesslyAddicted]

Good stuff guys, this is exactly what I wanted to hear being talked about.

20lb CXX J Francho? d**n that must never break.

I'm pretty sure I want a low profile reel for this.  What are the best ones in the 200$ and below range?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Depends on what you are throwing.

For lipless floaters (Mattlures Hardgill, 3:16 Freestyle Shad and Herring) and Randall's slow sinking High Power Herring, I prefer the Curado 301 for the faster retrieve speed. They can be had for around 200, most of the time under that amount.

I really, really like to burn the baits mentioned and seem to get most of my strikes this way.

Honestly, with a fast reel, you can slow down to a crawl. It's tough to match going the other way, wishing you could crank it faster than you will be able to with a slower reel.

[BASSclary]

Depends on what you are throwing.

For lipless floaters (Mattlures Hardgill, 3:16 Freestyle Shad and Herring) and Randall's slow sinking High Power Herring, I prefer the Curado 301 for the faster retrieve speed. They can be had for around 200, most of the time under that amount.

I really, really like to burn the baits mentioned and seem to get most of my strikes this way.

Honestly, with a fast reel, you can slow down to a crawl. It's tough to match going the other way, wishing you could crank it faster than you will be able to with a slower reel.

I find that if you weld the head of a Philips head screw to the exact center of your handle you can use a cordless DeWalt drill to go super mighty fast. (HAHA I actaully did this to one of my really junky $25 Quantums and fished with it ! ;D)

[Hammer 4]

I have to agree with Speed..the 300 series is hard to beat..

[J Francho]

Good stuff guys, this is exactly what I wanted to hear being talked about.

20lb CXX J Francho? d**n that must never break.

I'm pretty sure I want a low profile reel for this. What are the best ones in the 200$ and below range?

Would you want to throw a $70 lure on something like Vanish? 

I'm looking at a Curado 300 EJ for exactly what Wayne was talking about.  120 yards of 20 lb., 32 IPT, low pro...  Might have to lose that handle.