What reel is best for fishing medium to large swimbaits?

[Murieta Bass Man]

I just purchased a Kistler Magnesium swim bait rod and I wanted some recommendations on to what kind of reel is best for fishing medium to large swim baits. I was leaning towards the Revo Toro 50, but several of my friends have suggested a round reel for this application such as the Shimano Cardiff. What do you guys think?

[Hammer 4]

My first choice would be a Shimano Calcutta, get the best model you can afford.

I throw most of my baits with the Shimano Curado 301, I did have a Cardiff, wound up trading it for the Curado. Any of the 300 to 400 type round reels will get the job done.

[Murieta Bass Man]

Hammer,

What type of line do you use on your curado 300 for this application?

[Lcomfort]

For my big siwm baits I fish them on a Daiwa Luna 203 or a Daiwa Royga 2020.

I have a Daiwa Black sheep that I use and can handle pretty good size swim baits as well but I really dont like it for that app.

You can get a Luna 203 for fairly cheap used and they are really good reels and would be my first choice if I didnt want to spend a lot of coin on a Swim bait reel.

I would go with a high quality 20-25# Mono or FC.

When you say med to large Swim baits give me an idea what is med to large to you? For Hard swim baits I really prefer round reels.

[B-Dozer]

For my big siwm baits I fish them on a Daiwa Luna 203 or a Daiwa Royga 2020.

I have a Daiwa Black sheep that I use and can handle pretty good size swim baits as well but I really dont like it for that app.

You can get a Luna 203 for fairly cheap used and they are really good reels and would be my first choice if I didnt want to spend a lot of coin on a Swim bait reel.

I have not seen too many Luna's used around. I have been looking for that or an Abu Garcia C5 which are hard to find since they stop making them. Cabela's used to make(sell) an excellent round reel also. I have a few of those. 

[SeanW]

Some guys feel a need for a special reel. Im the opposite, but then again I use a Abu Garcia Revo so Im way ahead of the game. Its 22lb drag system is more then enough and I can hold plenty of 25lb fluorocarbon. Ive caught hundreds of swim bait fish on this reel, and its also what Byron Velvick uses. I just use a standard Revo STX and slow the reel speed. The only reason you would need a different reel is if your trolling a couple hundred yards behind the boat instead of casting. To be honest 20lb Big Game is more then enough line for almost any swimbait. A Curado does not have a stong enough drag in my opinion.

[Lcomfort]

My dad use a Abu Garcia  Record Casting Reel and likes its for baits up to about 4-5ozs so that might be a nice reel for you thats priced well. Ive never messed with it so I cant tell you to much about it but he doesnt skimp on his gear and if he likes/uses it that speaks something for the reel. He also uses a Pluton as well...

Like I said before I would go with a Luna or a Royga2020/Pluton 200 size. the Pluton/Royga are built like a tank and so fluid smooth its crazy and cast like a rocket they also make a really nice hallow body swim bait reel to, I use my Daiwa BBS mostly for that app but the pluton does that well to. they look good and I really dont think you could tear one up thats one SOLID reel.

Another thing I just thought about is a Okuma Akena my nephew has one that he uses for big baits well big to him meaning like the BBZ1 shad so 1-2oz baits but it would handle much larger baits and he loves it he wanted it so I bought him a new one on Ebay for around 80 bucks shipped and from how he likes it I think it would make you a fine lower priced reel.

[Hammer 4]

Hammer,

What type of line do you use on your curado 300 for this application?

20 lb Yozuri ultrasoft for SS baits, and 55lb Samurai braid for top water/floating baits.

Some guys use 30lb mono for bigger baits, but I feel the breaking strength of the yozuri holds up pretty good.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I have a Revo Toro 50HS that I use for most swimbaits and a Cardiff 300A that I use on my muskie rod.  I have contemplated using the Cardiff for swimbaits, it just feels better and fishes better than the Toro.  Not to mention, the price of the Cardiff is much less.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Cardiff 301 and 401

Curado 301

Abu STX for braid applications (not too often)

[DTack]

I know a lot of people including Velvick use the Revo Toro, I have though about going to the lower profile reels, and when I have the money available I'll probably be picking up a Curado 300.

Right now I use a Cardiff 300a and I like it.

[steezy]

Daiwa Pluton, its built like a tank but smooth as silk.

[J Francho]

Calcutta 200B or 300B and 25# P-Line CXX.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Daiwa Pluton, its built like a tank but smooth as silk.

Maybe with braid.

20 or 25lb line will fill it up too quickly.  It's only rated for 120yds of 17lb in its biggest size.

I use 20-25lb line as an example because that is what most medium to large swimbaits are used with.

[FishinTN]

I got a old ABU amb. pro maxx 5600 (I think is the model), would that be a good use for it?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I got a old ABU amb. pro maxx 5600 (I think is the model), would that be a good use for it?

I don't see why not. I'm not sure of the line capacity of that particular reel, but if you can get a decent amount of line on it then give it a shot.

Nice thing is that you already have it.  If it doesnt work well, then you really are no worse off.

[slonezp]

I have a Toro 50HS and actually prefer to throw them on my Abu 5500c3

[rayrock99]

I use a curado300 & cardiff300a.