okay so i was given a $100 bass pro gift card for valentines, so now i'm looking into things i could be getting or at least cutting the cost of down. i have been looking into the shimano cardiff. having never owned a round reel i am a little hesitant, i went in a held one but im still not sure i would love it. are there any other reels from bass pro you guys recommend for fishing swimbaits i was looking for either a 5:1 or a 7:1 ratio i was hoping to keep it under 150.

 

I was also potentially looking at upgrading my jig rod are there any recommendations for that as well?

ABU Ambassadeur 6500-C. You will not find anything much better.

2 hours ago, Crestliner2008 said:

ABU Ambassadeur 6500-C. You will not find anything much better.

what makes it better than any other reel?

Bullet proof, easy to disassemble and clean, reliable, strong, fits your budget.  I like them, but I like a Calcutta better.  You may be able to find a used one in your budget.

By them you mean an Ambassadeur? i would love a calcutta but I can't really pay for a used one with a bass pro gift card though

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/abu-garcia-ambassadeur-c4-classic-round-baitcast-reel

29 minutes ago, J Francho said:

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/abu-garcia-ambassadeur-c4-classic-round-baitcast-reel

i'll have to take a trip to bass pro this weekend to hold some stuff  , you think if i bring my rood they would have an issue with putting the reel on it?

I do it at my location all the time.  You have them check it in at the front counter before you go through the turnstyles.

Cardiff all the way, you won't be happy with 6500c. You might try 300 size.

24 minutes ago, JustJames said:

you won't be happy with 6500c

I'd like to hear your logic here.  Both are fine reels, and will suit the task.  The Abu will be a bit smoother.

10 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I'd like to hear your logic here.  Both are fine reels, and will suit the task.  The Abu will be a bit smoother.

Nothing much, 5600 and 6500c series come with non-disengaged level wind which will effect cast distance plus he might not use to with non-disengaged level wind where you don't want to reel the line all the way in, also more maintenance since it is non-disengaged you need oil on worm gear more frequently. It is also heavier and especially 6500c3 come  with push release button (I saw you link to c4 after I posted which I don't have one). I recommended Cardiff 300 since that reel should have line capacity enough to handle medium to big swimbait.

 

BTW I still have both 6500c3 (been using this series for over 20 years) and 5600C (with thumb bar release and line clicker), also have Cardiff 200 to compare and I like Cardiff better.

1 hour ago, Scarborough817 said:

what makes it better than any other reel?

Never said it was "better". Just that it will do anything/everything any other hefty baitcasting reel can do at any price. I've used one for over 2 decades and it still casts beautifully. Have had 4 other Ambassadeurs; two of which I've handed down to my grandkids. So, yeah, I love the darn things. Never failed me yet.

The logic between Shimano Cardiff and Abu 6500C is better drag and stronger frame, far better reel for the price point.

Tom

15 minutes ago, WRB said:

The logic between Shimano Cardiff and Abu 6500C is better drag and stronger frame, far better reel for the price point.

Tom

so what you're saying is the cardiff compares better to an Ambassadeur SX? 

also i understand the added drag but is that really a big deal being up north? or am i just not understanding drag properly 

 

40 minutes ago, JustJames said:

Nothing much, 5600 and 6500c series come with non-disengaged level wind which will effect cast distance plus he might not use to with non-disengaged level wind where you don't want to reel the line all the way in, also more maintenance since it is non-disengaged you need oil on worm gear more frequently. It is also heavier and especially 6500c3 come  with push release button (I saw you link to c4 after I posted which I don't have one). I recommended Cardiff 300 since that reel should have line capacity enough to handle medium to big swimbait.

 

BTW I still have both 6500c3 (been using this series for over 20 years) and 5600C (with thumb bar release and line clicker), also have Cardiff 200 to compare and I like Cardiff better.

you're correct i have not used non-disengaged level wind, how different is it?

It does that to allow for better casting, less backlashes because the spool is so wide.  I disagree that it impedes casting, and rather helps getting distance.

25 minutes ago, J Francho said:

It does that to allow for better casting, less backlashes because the spool is so wide.  I disagree that it impedes casting, and rather helps getting distance.

If it impedes or not it depends on who using it but if compare reel to reel of course disengaged reel should cast better, another logic? Instead of spool spin freely by itself to let the line out now spool have another piece of plastic gear attached to it to spin another piece of plastic gear that attached to worm gear. And what do we use on gear of course grease which will also slow down spool spinning.

Now on the other hand if I compare with someone else using reg bass gear and me use my Abu 6500c3 with proper weight and rod, I might get more distance than them.

I don't know about you but I did take off the whole worm gear assembly on my old 6500c3 to gain more distance.

There's a reason they use these reels for long distance casting tournaments.....

Tournament and everyday use? Apple and orange may I say?

Not really.  Set up properly, they can out cast a disengaging reel.  Just a simple fact.  One of the farthest casting reels I've ever used was a Conquest 400 OWNED AND FISHED WITH BY @Maico1 with a non disengaging line guide. I'm talking unreal distance.  Now that is a silly high end reel, but is a real world example.  I've set up quite a few big round Abus, and they also cast very far.

okay but all around big bait reel is the cardiff a good reel or should i save another 50 and get the calcutta keep in mind that i have never had a round reel

The Calcutta will be a more refined retrieve.  It's a bit beefier construction as well.  Really, any of them will work great.  If it comes down to budget, keep in mind, we probably have some more hard water ahead, so waiting might not be a bad idea.

Like I said, I might outcast other(reg bass gear) with my pure stock 6500c3 with proper weight and rod, but that not the point isn't it?

The OP gonna be the one using it, he's never own round reel, let alone disengaged vs non-disengaged reel.

 

 

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

The Calcutta will be a more refined retrieve.  It's a bit beefier construction as well.  Really, any of them will work great.  If it comes down to budget, keep in mind, we probably have some more hard water ahead, so waiting might not be a bad idea.

well bass isn't open until june here so i have time but pike is open right now and they like eating some swimbaits 

Go look at the Diawa Lexa 300 or 400, if you want a big baitcaster instead of a round reel. 

4 minutes ago, Caliyak said:

Go look at the Diawa Lexa 300 or 400, if you want a big baitcaster instead of a round reel. 

i have but the price is what kills me, any opinions on the max toro?