Hi fellow forum members,

 

I just want to get some thoughts on using 200 sized reels for swimbait fishing. Would 80 yards ish of 20 pound nylon be enough to make roughly 30 yards casts? I just don't like how 300 sized reels feel in my hand. Thanks in advance for your help.

There are people using 200 sized shimano round reels for swimbaits. Some are fine with them and others mentioned wishing it was bigger. I guess one of the major factors is how heavy the swimbaits will be that you are throwing. Something small like the Mattlures U2 gill would be fine on a 200 sized reel because it's only 1oz. The larger 4/5/6oz swimbaits I'd think you'd want a 300 sized reel for the extra line.

It really depends on the size/weight of the lure, and the corresponding rod. A swimbait/A-rig rod is more similar to a musky or inshore saltwater rod, and in most cases won't balance well with a 200 size reel particularly the newer lighter ones. As far as line capacity, I don't think its an issue, for bass fishing 1 1/2 to 2 times your longest downwind cast is really all you need. The only real way to tell what works for you, is to try it and see.

I use 20lb pline c21 on a curado 200 with my 1-5oz swim bait rod, does just fine. I didn't like the 300 size and all the extra line

Thanks for all of your inputs guys. I will be equipping my Chronarch 201E6 on my MB F6-72X4, so I am not planning to throw anything too heavy. 

The reason you want more line capacity when casting anything a long distance, over 100 feet, is the affect on line per inch recovered with each crank of the reel handle; LPT..

Size 200 narrow spool reel spool capacity doesn't hold 100 yards or 300 feet of 20 lb mono/FC line. If you are happy with your line recovery at 100' that is about 1/3 rd less line per inch per crank, then it's OK. If for some reason you loose some line or the line tightens onto the spool and the spool capacity isn't full, your LPT goes further down, in affect your 6.3:1 ratio reel at 26 LPT is reduced to about 4.3:1 or 18" LPtT. This makes it's difficult to catch up a bass to get a hook set at 75 to 90 feet away where a high % of strikes may occur.

Tom

Thanks for the help Tom, I understand much more the reason behind the JDM swimbait reels and their ridiculously high gear ratios.