what do ya'll think?

 

the Toro or the Curado300........not want to stir "the posse", just wanting the best reel for chunking the big stuff (without going round)

Can I add one more to your mix?  I love my Lexa 300.  Big baits, umbrella, heavy punching, frogging, it does it all and hasn't missed a beat all year.  I thought it might come up short, but at the price savings, I figured give it a shot.  Color me impressed.

I just got the Toro 50HS.  I don't think you can go wrong with either.  Mainly which brand do you like the best.  Shimano or Abu.  

Never tried the toros or the daiwa 300, but both felt smooth in hand when played with. I have a 301E, after I removed the anti reverse pawl out of it it operated much quieter. Besides that it's like a fatter 200E

Are you ruling out a round reel?

I use a 301E for all my A-Rig and swimbait fishing. I love this reel, it's super powerful. I will admit that I'm a Shimano guy but this is still a really solid reel. I'll also add that I've never even handled the other two reels ( Daiwa or Abu ) so I know absolutely nothing about them. I am aware of the fact that Daiwa & Abu make some very quality gear so you will more than likely be safe whichever direction you go.

Between the two mentioned it's 6 of one half-dozen of the other. Calcutta and Ambassadeurs are the way to go if you'll reconsider round reels.

I have a Curado 301 and it will do what you need it to do - small to medium sized swimbaits, A-rigs, etc.

 

I haven't tried the other reels but I'll go with the rest and say that the Abu and Daiwa are probably going to be just as good.  Personal preference rules here.

  Mainly which brand do you like the best.  Shimano or Abu.  

 

I have no fire in either camp, as I am a Lews guy.

 

its just those 2 models seem to fit the bill better, or so it seems.

Are you ruling out a round reel?

 

Are you ruling out a round reel?

 

yes and no. At first I think I was as I would like to stay with "low profile" as it is what I am used to...... but then again I don't know anything about round reels so I really should not  X them without proper education on them.

 

so educate me, in a few paragraphs/sentances if you can. What makes a round better? pros/cons of low profile vs round ?

this will be for swimbaits 1-5oz stuff/Arig stuff

THANKS

Currently I use a Calcutta GTB for A-rigs / Frogs / swim baits.  When I get a spare $250, I am going to get a Curado 300 E, just  because I think it is a cooler reel.  

If you consider a round reel, take look at the daiwa Luna series

abu NaCl 5.4 gears

I use a 300E for most of my swimbaits and I love it. I've handled fish up to a 20lb striper with no problem. I wouldn't be afraid to fish any of the reels suggested and certainly wouldn't rule out a round reel. I have a 400B Calcutta I use on occasion to toss big baits as well as one of Abu's nicer round reels that I used as my swimbait reel before I picked up the 300E. The Diawa Lexa is very popular with swimbaiters also. 

Certainly not an apples to apples comparison but I got rid of my Cardiff 301A and replaced it with a Gen 1 Toro. I don't chuck the big baits nearly as much as others on here, but I do prefer the profile and castability of my my Toro

nice, thanks for all the sugestions

 

 

I am think of a 2 rod set up, I picked up a toro yesterday, so I am thinking about the round for a bigger set up.