Help with reel selection
ajschn06
Posted 12/18/2015 8:32 AM (#796617)
Subject: Help with reel selection




Posts: 58


Looking at a new reel and was looking for some opinions. Right now I am looking at these 4:

Shimano Curado 300
Daiwa Lexa 300
Shimano Cardiff 300
Shimano Calcutta 300d

I won't be doing anything fancy- smaller to midsize Bucktails, a few crankbaits and Jerkbaits. The max weight I will probably throw is 3 oz. What I'm trying to do is balance a good quality of reel with how often I really get to use it. I'm probably looking at about 50 hours of Musky fishing a year.

What are your thoughts folks, and would a Calcutta 200 get the job done or is that too small?
Zinox
Posted 12/18/2015 8:39 AM (#796619 - in reply to #796617)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection




Posts: 1100


I would go with the calcutta 300D (think that's what you mean with the lowest reel you mentioned) I use it on a bass swimbait rof for smaller stuff awesome reel
ajschn06
Posted 12/18/2015 8:39 AM (#796620 - in reply to #796617)
Subject: RE: Help with reel selection




Posts: 58


Looking around I'll probably be staying closer to 2 oz, and the biggest bucktail probably something like a double Showgirl. Id really like to be able to get away with a 200 Calcutta.
hoosierhunter
Posted 12/18/2015 8:40 AM (#796621 - in reply to #796617)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection





Posts: 427


I have been doing a lot of research lately, you might want to look at the new revo toro S. Sounds like it would be ideal for what you are looking for.
Zinox
Posted 12/18/2015 9:15 AM (#796624 - in reply to #796617)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection




Posts: 1100


IMO the 300D is a lot more handy for a light set up, then the new revo toro series, after having thrown both quite a bit.
Nupe
Posted 12/18/2015 9:29 AM (#796627 - in reply to #796621)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection




Posts: 519


Location: Bloomington, IL
hoosierhunter - 12/18/2015 8:40 AM

I have been doing a lot of research lately, you might want to look at the new revo toro S. Sounds like it would be ideal for what you are looking for.


I second this. I have a few of them now and the new Toro S and Toro Beast are just flat out awesome reels.
14ledo81
Posted 12/18/2015 10:10 AM (#796639 - in reply to #796627)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection





Posts: 4269


Location: Ashland WI
Nupe - 12/18/2015 9:29 AM

hoosierhunter - 12/18/2015 8:40 AM

I have been doing a lot of research lately, you might want to look at the new revo toro S. Sounds like it would be ideal for what you are looking for.


I second this. I have a few of them now and the new Toro S and Toro Beast are just flat out awesome reels.


3rd. I like my Toro S a lot.
JakeStCroixSkis
Posted 12/18/2015 11:32 AM (#796657 - in reply to #796617)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection





Posts: 1425


Location: St. Lawrence River
Yep i woould say go Revo Toro S before the curado, lexa, or cardiff. 300d's are sweet too though..
ajschn06
Posted 12/18/2015 12:38 PM (#796669 - in reply to #796624)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection




Posts: 58


Zinox - 12/18/2015 9:15 AM

IMO the 300D is a lot more handy for a light set up, then the new revo toro series, after having thrown both quite a bit.


Would there be any reason to entertain moving up to the 400? For a Rod I am thinking St Croix Triumph Musky 7' MH.
Muskydanno621
Posted 12/18/2015 12:46 PM (#796670 - in reply to #796669)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection




Posts: 92


All above are good choices but stay away from the Cardiff. Even for light duty i would not use a rod less than 8 feet long though. Its kind of personal preference but you will like casting distance and boatside forgiveness of the longer rod better.
JakeStCroixSkis
Posted 12/18/2015 12:49 PM (#796671 - in reply to #796669)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection





Posts: 1425


Location: St. Lawrence River
ajschn06 - 12/18/2015 1:38 PM

Zinox - 12/18/2015 9:15 AM

IMO the 300D is a lot more handy for a light set up, then the new revo toro series, after having thrown both quite a bit.


Would there be any reason to entertain moving up to the 400? For a Rod I am thinking St Croix Triumph Musky 7' MH.


Do yourself a favor and get atleast an 8 foot rod. You will enjoy it so much more.
ajschn06
Posted 12/18/2015 12:56 PM (#796672 - in reply to #796671)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection




Posts: 58


JakeStCroixSkis - 12/18/2015 12:49 PM

ajschn06 - 12/18/2015 1:38 PM

Zinox - 12/18/2015 9:15 AM

IMO the 300D is a lot more handy for a light set up, then the new revo toro series, after having thrown both quite a bit.


Would there be any reason to entertain moving up to the 400? For a Rod I am thinking St Croix Triumph Musky 7' MH.


Do yourself a favor and get atleast an 8 foot rod. You will enjoy it so much more.


That just seems so long compared to what I'm used to fishing. I do all of my Bass fishing with a 6'6" Rod. Would 7'6" be more sufficient I could do that. I am upgrading from a 15 year old Abu Garcia 6'3" MH Musky Rod.
JakeStCroixSkis
Posted 12/18/2015 1:03 PM (#796674 - in reply to #796617)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection





Posts: 1425


Location: St. Lawrence River
Your 7'6 will work just fine it will just take more out of you after a full days fishing. The long rods seem intimidating but the longer they get, the smaller the workload. The rod does more work casting/figure 8'ing.. Having said that though, if your comfortable with a 7'6 rod it will serve you well and catch fish for you efficiently.
North of 8
Posted 12/18/2015 1:20 PM (#796675 - in reply to #796674)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection




The 7' 6" will certainly do the job but the longer rods really do make things a lot easier over the course of a day. I got back into musky fishing in my 50s and was skeptical but now everything I use is 8'6" or longer, with the exception of a 7'6" jerk bait rod. As someone who started fishing for muskies in the '60s when the standard rods were about the size and flexibility of a pool cue, the long rods are amazing.
Switchaxe
Posted 12/18/2015 2:03 PM (#796682 - in reply to #796675)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection




Posts: 33


Anyone have experience with the Revo Toro Beast?
sworrall
Posted 12/18/2015 2:07 PM (#796684 - in reply to #796617)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection





Posts: 32914


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Look around, LOTS of information on the reel here.
Zinox
Posted 12/18/2015 2:14 PM (#796685 - in reply to #796669)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection




Posts: 1100


ajschn06 - 12/18/2015 12:38 PM

Zinox - 12/18/2015 9:15 AM

IMO the 300D is a lot more handy for a light set up, then the new revo toro series, after having thrown both quite a bit.


Would there be any reason to entertain moving up to the 400? For a Rod I am thinking St Croix Triumph Musky 7' MH.


It depends on the baits you are going to use. I find the 300D cast better with the light stuff then the 400D.
PIKEMASTER
Posted 12/19/2015 8:04 AM (#796739 - in reply to #796617)
Subject: Re: Help with reel selection





Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160
Of the Reels you listed the Shimano 300D is the one I would go with.