All-around Shimano swimbait reel choice?

Micropterus salmoides · Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:05 pm

I want to purchase one Shimano swimbait reel for use with the 8" Huddleston, 8" Triple Trout, 7-9" MS Slammer, 7-9" Original A.C. Plug, Lunker Punker Jr., Shellcracker, 3:16 Wake Bait Jr., Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill. What would you guys recommend? If I had enough to get two now I would most likely get the Calcutta TE 400 and the Curado 300DSV or one of the smaller Calcuttas. That way I'd have one reel for the larger swimbaits and another smaller profile reel for working the Lunker Punker Jr. and wakebaits.

bassindon69 · Post by **bassindon69** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:14 pm

Looks like you have 2 Great Choices. How about a Cardiff 400 and a Curado 300 for the price of a Calcutta 400 TE?
Thats what I just did

Don.

Popper · Post by **Popper** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:18 pm

I've purchased 2 Curado 300's for throwing swim baits, and for frog fishing, and never looked back. The cast, retrieve and drag are just awesome!
Just love that reel..................

Ed

Phil Burgess · Post by **Phil Burgess** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:19 pm

CALCUTTA 400 B

plungers · Post by **plungers** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:09 pm

Curado 300

Chaozu · Post by **Chaozu** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:37 pm

Curado 300 for small baits, Calcutta 400 for the big stuff.

Steve Ericksen · Post by **Steve Ericksen** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:35 am

Curado 300 - it's the deal!

Mark-C · Post by **Mark-C** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:01 am

One point about the TE is that the line guide tracks along the spool when line is pulled out. On the 300 it stays stationary and can sometimes line up on opposite ends of the spool, which is a bit of a drawback if you get the big hookup at that point. I own both reels and and really like them both.

big_gorilla · Post by **big_gorilla** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:16 am

Get the Curado 300 hands down it is an awesome reel and right now there is a $50 mail in rebate till I believe April 19.

mm · Post by mm » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:51 am

With the harsh treatment that swimbait reels sometimes get, buy the best you can afford.
You really get what you pay for when buying swimbait reels.
I personally have had three Cardiff 300`s fail me in the last 6 months when used only for the medium to smaller baits like the Mattlures and the smaller hardbaits.
All the Calcuttas will serve you very well, but I wouldn`t go any smaller than the 300 size, with the TE models being the best of all.
The Curado 300 is also very good too if you like a low profile reel,and the $50 rebate makes it very affordable.
I have all of the above, and you won`t go wrong with any of them.
Good luck!