M4TT Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Ok so I'm in the process of getting a swimbait reel. What I'm going to be throwing is SS250s, Triple Trouts, Hudds, Slammers and punkers. I've already read the threads about the lexa 300s, calcuttas, curados, etc. but what I want to know is... If you were able to go back in time, would you still have bought your lexa, curado, etc. or would you have waited and saved up for a conquest or Calcutta? Right now I have about $300 ready to drop on a reel but want to know what you guys would do.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyW Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 conquest is my go to , curados not a fan of anything in past 8 years . Lexa for the price you can get them on flea bay kinda hard to beat . Im more of a round reel guy so conquest all the way!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggfeast Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Daiwa Millionaire SW or CV-Z in 203 size or larger for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSlant Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Abu for life... big shooter wm60 for a larger low pro reel And the NaCl 50/51 or big shooter Never look back TopHawg, Rod Wynn, Az_urban_swimbaiter and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nadinesmom Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 love my calcutta 400 TE, hate my 400D. go with either the TE or the conquest if you like round reels. Those 2 reels will last FOREVER. Tbernz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMarino Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 (edited) If i could go back in time I wouldnt change anything LOL iRod swimbait rods + lexa 300s are sick! Had loomis + cardiffs then upgraded to curado dsvs a while ago back and the lexa for me hands down fishes great the last few seasons. Even took it to the saltwater for tuna and had no issues, used braid as backing to get more line and that reel had plenty of power to fight big tuna let alone crank in a double digit bass. I have Calcuttas and I do use them in saltwater I dont throw them much with swimbaits, maybe troll/longline a floater now and then, but I perfer the low profile feel of the lexa overall for casting and grinding. Edited December 13, 2015 by JohnMarino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Get_Biggens Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 400te for every swimbait reel jcolo4sho 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA Frog Man Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I would have waited personally. But on the other hand buying all that stuff showed me what worked for me northeast_trev, johnnnydukess and ETBA 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridaswimb8er Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I'm a fan of the Curado 301e and Conquest. kenh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iay Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 It honestly depends on what you want from a reel. Do you just want to fish those lures you described above? Then any of those mid tier options would do the job. Do you want something that "Wow"s you every single time you hold it in your hand and turn the handle? Then Conquest, and Ryoga Shrapnel is the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridaswimb8er Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 but if I could truly go back in time as it applies to swim baiting, I'd pay off whomever I needed to, to get the S/U store to stock a friggin beanie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynem Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I really like a Curado 301e paired with a MH rod (Dobyns 395, etc) for accurately and quietly casting 2.5 to 4 oz baits around tight quarters cover. For bigger baits or in more open water I much prefer the newer Calcutta Conquest. For a round reel it sits pretty low on the rod. I don't have large hands but I still find it very comfortable. It's built like a tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic Man CP Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I seriously recommend trying out some reels/setups before committing. I have all of the reels you described, and personally I love the strength and feel of my round Calcuttas, but hate that I can't get more than the tip of my thumb on the spool when casting a heavy bait like a 250 like I can a low profile reel. I've even gone to lengths of removing some of the upper support structure on my round reels, and it greatly helped but still ended up going back to my Curados. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reelfish Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Calcutta TE (conquest) is the gold standard in my option. Unless you want to shell out big dollars for a Black Sheep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenh Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Curado 300's have always been fine for me, the only problem is line capacity...I can almost spool it when throwing lg punkers. Calcuttas are great reels but the top bar makes it difficult to hold the spool at times when throwing heavier baits, which as we all know can have devastating effects! Magic Man CP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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