I’m considering buying either the 200B or the 400B to pair with a Dobyns 795 SBMT rod.  I currently have a Lews Super Duty Wide Spool 6.4.1 on the rod but think the gear ratio is too high.  Do you agree that my gear ratio is too high and, if so, which Calcutta (200B or 400B) would you recommend?

300 size. They do (or did) make a 300TE. Curado 300E/DSV or Cardiff 300 would be good too.

 

No idea about Lews reels. No, a 6.x : 1 gear ratio is okay, just reel a little slower when you need to.

It is very hard to find Calcutta 300 anymore only Cardiff and conquest. A guy here selling his Abu Garcia Morrum 5500c, that is very nice reel for swimbait if you don't mind used. Agree with @deepCardiff 300a is good or Tranx 300.

What line and how heavy of a swimbait are you using? 

Tom

Kinda depends what you are throwing. You hear both sides of the argument. Some say you want a low gear reel. With higher ratios slowing down isn't as good as controlling the bait with a lower ratio reel. Then you have those who talk about the need for a higher ratio for getting those fish to the boat. When a bigger fish swims at you (any fish really) you need a fast reel to catch up. I fish 7" plus swimbaits (2.5 oz to 6 oz) from a kayak with a tatula 200hd with a 6.4 ratio. I love this reel. It is extremely smooth and I have no issues with it. Plan to buy more in the future. At times I still have issues catching up to a fish that bites and comes at me. I crank like crazy until I have the fish in the net. This is my first big(ger) swimbait reel. So can't speak for any of the others. 

I’m using 19lb Sunline Defier Amorilo (sp?) and expect to use rod rated swimbait weights (1oz to 5oz).  I’m relatively new to swimbait fishing and have not gained much experience with it.  I’m aware of the argument that you can just reel slower; however, I also know that it could take many hours to get a big enough fish to show interest in  a 1oz to 5oz swimbait.  Thus, I’m thinking I may need a reel with <6.4.1 gear ratio.

9 hours ago, JustJames said:

It is very hard to find Calcutta 300 anymore only Cardiff and conquest. A guy here selling his Abu Garcia Morrum 5500c, that is very nice reel for swimbait if you don't mind used. Agree with @deepCardiff 300a is good or Tranx 300.

They make a 300 size in the D series Calcuttas. I definitely agree with the Tranx 300 suggestion though... great reels.

 

Also @trouttracker, welcome to the Northern MI swimbait club!

The ryoga 1016 or luna 203 for that line size and bait's that heavy.

I run a conquest 100 6.8

It does a lot of things well and will be around a lot longer than I will

Thanks for the welcome anderb54.  I’ve been reviewing the Tranx, Ryobi, Cardiff reels and am leaning toward the Tranx 300.