RyanPerrey Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 300 or 301 (left hand retrieve) Cardiff's are a great and light weight reel. I've been fishing with them for 4+ years now and they honestly still out cast my newer Curado 301. The only minor issue I've had with them is when they are new. Be sure you hand tighten the 3 screws that secure the side plate as tight as you can before each trip. It takes a few times then the screws stay locked. I never tried using a wrench because I didn't want to risk stripping out the threads. macman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YELOSUB Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 I started with the Cardiff 300 which served me well and never had a problem... Switched to the Lexa 300, have (2) of them, and love them...I throw everything with them...One is spooled with 20# and the other is spooled with 25#...Holds plenty in each # test... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Carscaddon Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 I haven't seen any posts on this subject in a while and I hope my question will hopefully get us back to the original topic which is best reel under $150. My predicament is I have gift cards to bass pro that are $135. I can add $ to them to make it $150 but I don't have much more than that. Currently a brand new Lexa 300, which sounds awesome, is $200. I'd love a low-profile swimbait reel mainly for 4 oz and under baits. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brushhawg1 Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 I have a Cardiff 300 and an Abu C3 both work well. One note is the Cardiff is noisey on the cast , even though I maintain my reels. Not sure if it's just mine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOZ Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 IMO for the price range you mentioned a Cardiff is the way to go. Not low profile, but definitely has a good hand feel. I use a Cardiff 301 and I think its a great reel. I keep it spooled with 20/25lbxxx. It is nice and smooth and the thing will cast a 2-4 oz bait a mile. Its definitely in your price range too. BassPro has it for 119$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rj3anderson Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 I have one forsale if your interested thats not made anymore. One of my favorite reels I just don't need 2 anymore. Lews inshore wide spool with power crank. Pm me if you are interested. I have never had problem with less. The reel isn't super huge and is salt water resistant. Lumpy2181 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpoppabass Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 Bps usually has a reel trade in, never did it but I think it is an automatic discount kind of thing. That would give u more room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSlant Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 http://m.basspro.com/Abu-Garcia-Revo-Winch-Baitcast-Reel/product/1207130446084/ All damn day... D.Harper603 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Harper603 Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 http://m.basspro.com/Abu-Garcia-Revo-Winch-Baitcast-Reel/product/1207130446084/ All damn day... Abu all day! I've been considering one of these rather than spending the money on a toro beast or a nacl 50 BigSlant 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASS_SWINGER Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 Lexa......cardiffs are junk ive had them fall apart on me when i use to work at this fishing shop new out of the box when i was literally just showing a customer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d-camarena Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 ^ junk? Lol. Lol. Lol. Ive had 2 for the longest time. Ive made probably around a million casts with them and never have they given up. Maybe YOU dont like them but to say they are junk is pure ignorance. I had a diawa break on my first cast, i never said it was a junk reel. I just had a bad one thats it. I still think diawas are not junk BOZ and MA Frog Man 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSlant Posted February 15, 2017 Report Share Posted February 15, 2017 Abu all day! I've been considering one of these rather than spending the money on a toro beast or a nacl 50 It's a great reel..I have a few and I use them on my smaller swimbaits..casts a negotiator a mile D.Harper603 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwyche19 Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 For sure the cardiff, can horse in a good sized bass and is a workhorse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
253caster Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 The Okuma Citrix in the 300 size works great and is right in that price range. They make a 5.4:1 as well, but its not on TW. Its also low profile and palms decently if you have big hands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Ramen Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 Currently a brand new Lexa 300, which sounds awesome, is $200. They are $150 on eBay. BPS and TW are expensive places to buy reels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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