swimbait reels

[Rick Perez]

I'm in the market for a reel to throw Swimbaits! I'm a lefty and all my reels are Curado's and I have used my Curado's for this application but for some reason it just doesn't have that good of a feel to me perhaps because of the weight of the Swimbaits.
I would like to pick up something NEW but would like to get some suggestions from all the Swimbait folks. I don't throw Swimbaits that often but I think this coming year I will be throwing them more.

thanks in adavance.
Rick

[WildDog3]

Shimano Cardiff either 300 or 400 series are a great swimbait reel for around 100 bucks. If you wanna step it up go with a Calcutta. You said your a lefty so the new Curado 300 wouldn't work for ya. As you can tell I'm a shimano guy

[Slippy]

I have the new Cardiff 300, its a bit larger in size to hold the bigger diameter lines. Its also a heavy duty Salmon style reel so throwing the heavy bait dosent damage the bearings.

Its a great $100.00 reel, i recommend it.

[survivor]

For the Mission size swimbaits(LA Sliders, midsize Castaics) I found the Shimano Curado 300 is a great reel for that application. Again the Cardiffs are good and I've seen guys using Abu Garcia 6500C4 for swimbait use, this doesn't count for using the Huddlestons or Triple Trout, that's another story. Then you have to jump up to like a 400 Series Shimano Calcutta. Just my 2 cents.
Paul aka survivor

[supermat]

I use the 400 series Calcuttas. I've had no problems with Shimano, which model you choose is based on your budget. The Cardiff will work but just isn't as smooth as the higher models, whether or not that matters depends on how much you use the reel. The Calcutta TE or the Conquest are AWESOME choices if they're within your budget.

[Tony M]

For the larger swimbaits I use the Quantum CBC30PT. It is smooth and holds 270 yards of 14 lb. test. It also has a good drag. Look at one before you decide.
Tony M

[Quantum_Kid]

I ditto Tony M

Good luck picking one out!

Scott

[onemorebass]

Hey Rick,
It kind of depends on how much you want to spend and do you prefer round style reels or low profiles.

Round reels:

The cardiff series(300 or 400) reels hold up good for all around swimbaiting. The $100 price is nice too. The only thing I noticed about the Cadiff 400, is that it is a little larger than the Calcutta 400 and doesn't fit in MY hand comfortably.

The Calcutta 400, probably the most popular and dependable. All the guys I fish with use and love them.

Low profiles:

As Tony mentioned, the Quantum CBC30PT is a great reel. Low profile and casts very well. My only con to the Cabo is the thumb bar release is on the side and not in the middle (you have to get used to it). It's priced well and holds plenty of 25lb.

The Curado 300 is obviously a nice reel, but the price and no lefty option doesn't help you out.

BTW: Which rod are you using to throw your baits?

If you can, take your rod down to your local shop and match up all the reels available to see which one fits best for you.

Good Luck!

[flipthatjig]

i've been using the Calcutta 400 and the reel is amazing. i used to use an Abu Garcia 5600 C4 and it work well. but if u want the best go with the Calcutta 400 and u wont be disappointed. pair it up with a shimano Crucial swimbait rod and ur fishing with the best.
only bad thing is i dont think the Calcutta 400 comes left handed.
good new the Crucial rod is left or right handed

[Barry Watson]

I use the Calcutta 400 with 30 # power Pro and a 20 pound Flourocarbon Vanish leader. Rod is Lamiglas XFT 766.

Very smooth and great distance.

[TWinger]

My question is what does not feel right? If the feel of the Curado is ok, ie. size in your hand and balance is good, is it then the workings of the reel? The retrivel speed, is it wrong, hard to crank not the right feel, you can change it by going to a 5 to 1 ratio. I did this and it helped slow the presentation down and made it easier to crank all day. Gave me the feel I was looking for.

[strpline]

Calcutta 400b. It has a large spool to hold plenty of bigger pound test lines. It has a lower gear ratio to keep the bigger baits in contact with structure. It has good size grips on the handle to hold on to, and it's a shimano.

[supermat]

Twinger,
My experience with the lower profile reels is not so much a matter of feel as much as a matter of components. The positive aspects of the larger calcuttas are first that they hold more line. Its not that you really need that much line to throw a swimbait but if you have it a major break off won't end a day of fishing. The more important purpose for the large reels is that they're built to withstand the pressure of larger baits. The wear and tear that a heavy lure puts on a low profile reel is far greater than it was designed to withstand so they tend to have component failures after some use. It could happen after the first hard day of use or it could be after a hard season, I guess that just depends on the individual reel and how nice the particular components in it are.

[bassindon69]

It does depend on what you want to spend. I have not had a Calcutta TE yet. The Cardiff or Okuma Induron are great for the buck for sure and work very well. I use those two and Calcuttas. Some like 300's some like the 400's I like the 400's. I am sure other reels work well also but these are the ones I started with and are happy with.
Its tough to beat a 7.6 or 7.11 Okuma rod and Okuma Induron or Shimano Cardiff for 200.oo bucks. These can get anyone started and not break the bank.

Best of luck to ya.

Don.

[Sacto John]

Its tough to beat a 7.6 or 7.11 Okuma rod and Okuma Induron or Shimano Cardiff for 200.oo bucks.

Ditto

[StockOption]

This is the big bait rig I'm thinking of asking for for Christmas:

Rod: Shimano Crucial S711H
Reel: Shimano Cardiff 301A Lefty

I'm typically a Shimano guy so I think I'll be very happy with this rig.

Thanks for all the replies in this thread it has been most helpful.

[Dynastyworms]

bassindon is on the mark! I have and okuma 7'11"h with abu 5500 c3 and 7'11"xh okuma with okuma induron idx 400 both combo's and 25lbs bulk spool of p-line for under $400.

[Rick Perez]

StockOption,
I think that's the exact set up I plan to ask Santa for this x-mas!
and I think I will ask Santa for a few swimbaits to be put in my
x-mas stocking!!

thanks
Rick

[Phil]

PEOPLE PEOPLE SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR MORE SWIMBAITS AND BUY A GARCIA AMBASSADUER 5600 C4 FOR $74.80 OR A 6600 C4 FOR $83.95 SPOOL IT WITH TRILENE 20 OR 25LB TRANSITION VANISH FLUOROCARBON FOR $16.00 AND IT WILL LAST YOU FOREVER OR AT LEAST 1000 FISH OR MORE....

JUST OUR .02

JIGS

[Slippy]

cool now i can pick through your new swimbait selection next time we fish after x-mas Rick .....hahaha

[Rick Perez]

Slippy,
I was told a long time ago that it's ok to share my toys but if you break it you own it. I look forward to fishing with you soon.

Rick