Just getting into the swimbait/wakebait game. I have a 7'11" Lew's Custom Speed Stick Super Duty casts up to 3 oz. I live in New Jersey so that size Swimbait should be plenty. I tried the Lew's Super Duty reel but that didn't cut it. I tied on a 1 1/2 oz bait and I was only 3 or 4 clicks from the brake being completely locked down.

Thinking of a Shimano Cardiff or Calcutta or an Abu C3 or C4. Thoughts? I need to keep this under $200

Cardiff 300 series is hard to beat for $110.

Tom

Second the Cardiff.

 

 

I'm switching to that new Tranx though. I prefer the feel of a lowpro baitcaster. Thing looks soooo nice.

For the value, the Cardiff is the best at that price point.

Another vote for the Cardiff. I have one that I use for throwing 8 inch Hudds and it has held up fine.

Another vote for the cardiff. Personally i don't like the drag on it very much but other than that it's a great reel for the price. 

9 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Another vote for the cardiff. Personally i don't like the drag on it very much but other than that it's a great reel for the price. 

 

Cardiff is a great choice.  It's a simple process to upgrade to a Carbontex drag, if your even slightly mechanically inclined.  I believe the drag washers are less than $10 from Smooth Drags.

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

 

Cardiff is a great choice.  It's a simple process to upgrade to a Carbontex drag, if your even slightly mechanically inclined.  I believe the drag washers are less than $10 from Smooth Drags.

I'm thinking of doing that actually. I got some carbontex material to replace the drag in my aging Pro Qualifier (It's my frog reel and the drag is in rough shape). If that goes well (not sure why it wouldn't) I might end up doing the same with the Cardiff. It's not that I can't get enough drag out of it but I feel like there is a very small difference as far as turning the drag star between really heavy and not much at all. 

Ok thanks...Cardiff it is, 300 or 400? Now I have an extra 60 bucks for tackle!

300 for smaller swimbaits

Yeah, that's what I figured...hitting BPS tomorrow morning

1 hour ago, Tommy X said:

Yeah, that's what I figured...hitting BPS tomorrow morning

I see that its $120 at Cabelas, and only $80 at D%@# Sporting Goods.  Just a heads up.

Sounds like everyone is for the Cardiff. I've never used one, but have tossed a lot of musky baits with an Ambassadeur 6500C for a lot of years. Very dependable and tough.

Since you said under $200 I'll toe right on that line.

 

Shimano Curado 300E/301E at Cabela's for $194.88.  

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/bargain-cave/fishing/reels|/pc/105591780/c/105740280/sc/105742980/shimano-174-curado-e-baitcast-reel/1148885.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Freels%2F_%2FN-1102770%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105742980

 

Buy Cabela's gift cards at Card Cookie for an extra 14% off - 

 

http://cardcookie.com/buy-gift-cards/cabelas

 

Use the promo code 27FLAT for $5 shipping at Cabela's.

 

I bit the bullet even though I didn't need the reel, paid $148.75 for the gift cards, so it came to $173.63 total.  If you wanna get another $25 in gift cards you'll save almost another $3.50, and if you don't like the reel you can always sell it on eBay lightly used/near mint for more than what you paid for it. 

 

Subtotal $194.88 Shipping & Handling $5.00 Tax $0.00 Gift Cards Applied - $175.00 Total $24.88

Lews BB2 Wide Spool. Had the Cardiff for a year, never even pick it up since I bought the Lews

22 hours ago, RMax said:

and only $80 at D%@# Sporting Goods.

I guess you are going to have to use the formal name; Richard's Sporting Goods!

Cardiff or 5500c3

Revo Toro S 50 size.  can be had around $175 online.  I'm not a fan of round reels

Daiwa Tatula HD. Cousin bought one last week on ebay for $110 shipped. Brand new.