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Posts: 29
| I need a reel to pair with my 8' Heavy Avid for big crankbaits and swimbaits. I was thinking of a Calcutta 400B, Avid AC250 (since I watch Saric use his every Saturday), or an Abu Record. I love the way my Shimano Cardiff is palmable for my bucktail rod, just didn't know how one would hold up to big baits. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | ABU's big game 7000 works great on my Avid. You won't be palming it, though. m |
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Posts: 2378
| IMO, you cant beat a 7000 for big baits.
I actually prefer them for just about everything. They just feel right to me.
I dont have very big hands for a guy my size, and I dont have any problem palming these reels. If you go with the iHSN that reel is even more palmable.
Edited by BALDY 3/22/2007 8:08 AM
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I'd go w/ the AC250. I have a couple Millionaire CVX-253's and love them. (very similar reel) Why get a 20 ounce reel when you can get 10 ounce one. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Shimano Curado 300 DSV. Low profile great line capacity, smooth as butter and fast & powerful. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | Musky Snax - 3/22/2007 11:30 AM
Shimano Curado 300 DSV. Low profile great line capacity, smooth as butter and fast & powerful.
Thats what I put on my 8'6" Legend Tournament. We'll see later today how well it works. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | I think you might be impressed. We'll see, I know I was pleasantly surprised. |
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Posts: 2378
| jtd,
Based on the responses, I think you need to specify what you mean by BIG baits.
Are you throwing Mag Dawgs, Pounders?
That Curado may work very well for alot of muskie baits, but I can almost guarantee you will not be happy with it if you are going to throw what I consider BIG baits. Especially cranks that have a lot of drag. It just isnt built for that. |
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| 7000ics
6500 Big Game CL
Morrums |
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Posts: 29
| Bulldawgs, big cranks like grandmas, etc... What about the 400B? Anyone have input on this reel? |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I would go with a Dawia Luna 300 |
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Posts: 137
| I second the daiwa luna. Smooooooth reel. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I did try the Curado today. I threw the 13" (14 oz) suzy sucker a lot with it today and it worked fine. As far as being able to put up with the abuse...it is built like a tank. I posted pictures awhile back comparing its gears to a 6500c3's, the curados are much bigger. And this reel is smoooth. I really like the feel of it. It just cranks so much smoother than any other muskie reel I have. I also tried out my Okuma Induron IDX-400 today...another awesome reel so far. It probobly casts a 1 1/2 oz rattle trap further than any other reel I've tried. (c3, c4, corsair, trion, millionaire) The power handle on it is nice too. Plus the drag seems to hold more than other reels. |
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Posts: 29
| Is the 2007 St. Croix Avid AC300a reel the same as the Luna? I see for this year it has 5+1BB's instead of 3+1 as in the past. |
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Posts: 494
Location: midwest | I believe the additional 2 bearings in the avid reel are due to the upgraded handle. It looks like it has bearing supported paddles on the handle. |
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Posts: 221
Location: ohio | Fished my calcutta 400b yesterday for the first time, Being an abu man, i found myself grabbing my shimano's (got a corvalus 400 also ) more then my abu's. i am impressed with the 400B. maybe it's the "New reel gotta use it thing" but like i said, I'm impressed. |
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Posts: 780
| Let's see here. Use a 14oz. lure with a reel that weighs 10oz. After fishing for 35 years, something still does not sound right me, I can't figure it out. Should'nt that be the other way around? Kdawg |
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Posts: 780
| One more thing I would like to add.... If you still have questions about reels, be sure to catch Lindners Fishing Edge with Lee Tauchen. They were using big plastic baits in the fall. Pay VERY CLOSE ATTENTION to the gear they were using, because if the two top pros recommend it....well, need I say more? Kdawg |
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Posts: 29
| Yeah I saw the show a few weeks ago but don't remember what they were using...
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| yeah I missed it too and would be interested to hear... |
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Posts: 58
Location: Edina, MN | If you want to throw baits over 10 oz. or burn big bladed bucktails, like many have already stated, you will want a bigger beefier reel. ABU 7000 or Calcutta 700b would seem good picks. I palm both easily and use the full size 7000 not the narrow. I have a Curado, and a CVZ 253. These are bass reels not designed for big baits. At full drag you will never burn a Cowgirl with either reel for long before the reel is trash. Big gears are meant for speed not power. You want torque and you need smaller gears. I like to throw big baits and after a full day of ripping big baits I know I could go out and do it again tomorrow if I use a reel designed to do the job. Can't imagine doing that after a full day with the 253 (that is if I still had a functioning reel). |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | I threw mostly my monster glide baits for two full seasons both during testing and actual fishing. I also burned spinnerbaits a lot as well. I was using my Shimano Calcutta TE 200GT reels which are tiny Bass reels using the same high efficiency gearing as now comes in the newest Curado 300DSV.
Never had a single issue with either reel and they are both as smooth as the day I bought them. The new Curado is not a Bass reel it is a musky/saltwater reel capable of a ton of speed AND power. It's not only gear size but frame stiffness and overall tolerances that will make or break reels. If reels with flexy internal structures are used, it won't matter what the actual gearing is. Eventually, they will feel sloppy. Handle length can also make a reel feel more powerful as it changes the leverage.
Edited by Musky Snax 3/24/2007 9:05 AM
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | Small gears = small teeth, which in turn is not as durable. Compare the differential of a 1 ton diesel truck to one on a compact truck. The ring and pinion are much larger on a bigger truck to handle the torque. The size of a reel's frame has nothing to do with how well its built. |
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Posts: 199
Location: Sandusky, OH | I just bought a Penn 975 for big baits, and I'm looking forward to testing it this year. Line return is 24" per turn with full spool, but lower gear ratio (4.5:1) to handle the torque. You might look into the smaller models in this line, as well, the 955 and 965. Good luck,
Eric |
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Posts: 167
Location: Minnesota | I am guessing that kdawg is referring to Shimano products b/c that is who sponsors Linder's Angling Edge. Also kdawgs other posts in this forum make him seem partial to shimano.  I am always impressed with shimano for reels you can't go wrong there. the new abu 7000hsn seems like it would be a good choice too. I think that there are alot of reels out there that will get the job done. Its just going to come down to preference.
dan
Edited by dfree 3/24/2007 12:05 PM
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Posts: 780
| Actually, I have been fishing Abu's for almost 30years. Love em. Nothing against Shimanos because there reputation speaks for it's self. But in the episode of "Edge" I was refering to both James Lindner and Lee Tauchen were using large baitcasters. No sign of small low profile reels in that boat! Jim appeared to be using a Calcutta 400 and Lee was using my favorite the 7000cl Big Game. As far as my concern....use what ever you want. Maybe the guys that are recommeding the smaller reels for BIG PLASTIC BAITS should pass their advice on to James and Lee. Heaven knows, those guys need it right? Kdawg |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | If you look at the new Curado reel, the drive side is actually quite large and houses the monster main gear. The other side is very palmable and comfortable during hours of casting. To me it's the best of both worlds. The power of a round reel with the handling of a low profile. Well done Shimano. |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Luna 300,, Smooth as silk ,.......Even with the "big " baits.
Jerome |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Here's a look at the Curado. Note the monster drive side and much smaller palming side. Nice line capacity for casting purposes and a powerful drag with clicking adjuster. An elegant tank of a reel! 
Edited by Musky Snax 3/24/2007 6:26 PM
Attachments
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 piccurado300dsv1.jpg (45KB - 172 downloads)
SCU30D-fr.JPG (41KB - 174 downloads)
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| It will be interesting to see if the Curado holds a candle to the Quantum Cabo PT.....maybe, maybe not.... |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | The Cabo PT was my original choice but the new Curado had some features I really wanted such as a thumb bar and the lower profile. I'v read some very good reviews on the Cabo also. |
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Posts: 780
| Does anyboby remember Shimano's original Musky baitcaster? It was the Bantam 50. Low profile and certainly capable to handle the big baits. I'm surprised that Muskie Snax did'nt mention this one. I used to own the 50 back in the 80's. Took a Labor day weekend trip with a couple of college buddies on the Chippewa Flowage and since he did not have any musky gear, I let him use it. He liked it so much , I sold it to him. Wish I did'nt. But it's a reel I would recommend here. Plenty of line capacity and with its 4.6.1 ratio can easily pull the big baits. Can you do that with your 6.2.1 Curado 300 all day? How about trolling a 10 inch Jake in the fall, Bantam 50, yes...Curado 300? And sucker fishing? The 50 has a line clicker, does the 300? Curado 300-$250.00, Bantam 50-$100.00. All around Musky reel that gives you the most "BANG FOR YOUR BUCK", the 50 hands down. If you have the funds to spend on a piece of equipment like the 300 which is limited in it's musky fishing capabilities, God Bless You. Kdawg |
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| The Cabo is great, but I'm still going to be using a 7000iC3 for pulling 'heavy' bucks this year like the Double Cowbell as the sheer torque and speed of these reels, minus IMHO the refinement of the Shimano's and Daiwa's, is perfect for pulling big, hard-pulling baits. I use the Cabo on my glider rod as it casts beautifully and picks up slack nicely; having a thumb-button vs. a thumbar on a smaller, low profile reel is an advantage to those of us who need acess to the spool on those occasional "professional overruns"!
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| The problem with Big baits and 5:1 and 6:1 is it just makes it harder on yourself and your gear get a lower ratio like 4:1 something with a huge spool so it will pick up more line per crank Abu 7000 or a old Penn would probably be your better bet IMHO
Edited by Muskiefool 3/25/2007 11:54 AM
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Posts: 32
Location: Frankfort, IL | I have the Curado 300DSV on my 8'0" St.Croix Legend Tournament rod and went to the local pond the other day. I threw a DC10 for an hour with relative ease. I was expecting it to feel like I was reeling in a whale but it was a breeze and I am by no means a big guy.
Ken |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Thanks for your input Ken. I also was surprised at how easilly the Curado 300 DSV retrieves. It doesn't have the feel of a high speed reel at all. To each his own though.There really is no ideal reel for every purpose so it's good to have a selection that suits the needs of the person who uses them. |
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| So true....there's a reason I have 11 outfits...not a good one mind you.... |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | The High Efficiency Gearing Shimano has helps make a 6:1 have the torque of a lower gear ratio. |
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"high efficiency gearing"??? it's still 6.1 to 1
don't fool yourself into thinking that is for big baits. |
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Posts: 358
Location: London, England | The reason it still feels easy to reel is because the spool is small. I expect it recovers line at a similar rate to a 4:1 7000, as that has a much larger spool. If the reel handles are a similar length to a 7000 it should require about the same amount of effort (though probably still a bit more because of the mechanical resistance.) |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | The spool, for me anyway is the ideal size for casting purposes. Perfect balance between line capacity and weight savings. All I can tell you is that the Curado 300DSV is effortless on the retrieve and for me it has the best combination of qualities I wanted in a reel for casting only. I have other rigs for trolling and for smaller baits. I've never liked the feel of any Abu ree. They just feel grindy in comparisson to the Shimanos to me. |
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| Musky Snax - 3/26/2007 6:29 AM
The spool, for me anyway is the ideal size for casting purposes. Perfect balance between line capacity and weight savings. All I can tell you is that the Curado 300DSV is effortless on the retrieve and for me it has the best combination of qualities I wanted in a reel for casting only. I have other rigs for trolling and for smaller baits. I've never liked the feel of any Abu ree. They just feel grindy in comparisson to the Shimanos to me.
No surprise there, my friend.......considering you're looking at $150-$200 more for a high-end Shimano compared to an Abu 6500 or 7000, they SHOULD feel a heck of a lot better! : ) |
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| go with the curado 300d or the calcutta 400bsv if you like a large crank handle |
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| surely you can't be serious?
my dad has the Cabo... it's a nice reel for sure - but it doesn't hold a candle to the Shimano 300 DSV...
i understand a lot of you guys are "old school" and like your abu workhorses for differing applications - which is great. there is a reason abu has been a leader for years.
personally i love the feel of a smaller profile reel that i can palm comfortably all day... i feel i have more control over what i am doing.
i own a Calcutta 401TE and it's a lot to throw that all day and night... not to mention very difficult to burn a buck the way i want... i want that bait smoking back to me especially when i detect a follow.
i have a feeling that these new Curado 300 DSV's are going to catch on rather quickly... this is a reel that was designed to handle Stripers/Tuna/Tarpon etc...
Dahlberg even used it to catch 60lb Golden Dorado without a hitch.
Now if they would only come out with the Left hand retrieve - i would be in heaven... i cannot stand having to switch hands after the cast. |
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| If you go to the Hunt for big fish website, there is a section to ask Larry Dahlberg questions. He field tested it extensively and felt it was even superior to calcuttas in performance, drag and power. He noted that he felt this reel will easily hold up to muskies, big lures and big fish. I ordered one and plan to use it not for trolling or using really heavy lures like pounders. But for average size suicks, jakes , topwaters etc., I think it sounds great. Only time on the water will tell, but Dahlberg seems like he knows as much or more as any of the t.v fishing personalities. At the very least I would think it would fill a niche in throwing smaller or average size baits, which I quite often do, and possibly may handle even the big stuff. Time will tell but it looks like Shimano specifically designed it for large lures and large fish, saltwater included. |
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Posts: 14
Location: belgum | Now if they would only come out with the Left hand retrieve - i would be in heaven... i cannot stand having to switch hands after the cast.
Shimano read this!!! we want a left hand model |
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| i've been using the Curado 300 this season - absolutely a great reel and it's quickly becoming one of my favorites. it'd jump to the top if they had it out in a left-hand retrieve model...
small size and weight means it's easy to hold/cast without tiring, drag locks tights, runs smooth and has plenty enough power for many muskie lures.
imho, it is not a reel for "big baits" such as large crankbaits or double-10 bucktails which have a lot of drag. the reel will bring them in, but because of the small(er) spool and high speed (6:1) it's entirely too much work on your hand/wrist/arm; reels with large spool capacity and low ratio (4:1) work better for those lures.
i've been using mine for standard size bucktails/spinners which it can burn very very fast, as well as in-line topwater baits and it works great. i'm sure the high speed of line pickup would make it a good choice for jerkbaits as well.
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | It is great for jerkbaits indeed. I've been using this reel for a while now and it's simply flawless. For a guy like me with smallish hands it's so much easier to cast and retrieve all day long than a conventional round reel. The Curado 300DSV has a smaller profile than the Shimano 200 TE GT reels I've been using till now. |
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| Now if they would only come out with the Left hand retrieve - i would be in heaven... i cannot stand having to switch hands after the cast.
"Shimano read this!!! we want a left hand model"
Yes Sir!... you betcha we do!!!...
Shimano is funny that way though... they bring a reel to market and then usually only release it in it's 1st year with the RH retrieve. Year 2 usually brings the LH retrieve.
I've been checking japantackle for a pre-release of next years 301 DSV LH (fingers crossed - lol) - but no go at this time.
I suppose i "can't wait" until next year!?!?
Also, I must agree with some of the comments here about the type of baits used with this reel. Most are obviously not using it to troll and/or launch missiles with it... but i think it's phenomenal for certain applications. (topwaters, buzzers, spinners, jerks, etc)
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