I am looking to buy a swimbait set up.  The rod needs to handle s-wavers, hudds, and swimbaits under 8 ounces.  I would like to spend under $300 total.  I see that ALF has the Daiwa Lexa Type Winn on sale, would that be a good reel for this application?  I am looking at the Daiwa DX Swimbait rod as well in heavy.

Your choice should work fine. Although IMHO the reel is a bit more than you may need. I have the Tatula CT 200 on my swimbait rig, the cool thing is my reel works for flipping and punching too, and it cost's less than the Lexa..

What about the Tatula 150 in 5.4:1?  Too small or go with Tatula 200?

5 minutes ago, Tizi said:

What about the Tatula 150 in 5.4:1?  Too small or go with Tatula 200?

I'd go with the 200. Has good line capacity, cast's well, has the horsepower to haul big fish out of cover, and works well for swimbaiting. Oh, mine is the 6.3.

I use the Tatula 200 with the 7'9" Dobyns Fury swimbait rod.

The Lexa 300 is on sale at ALF for $139.99

1 hour ago, Tizi said:

The Lexa 300 is on sale at ALF for $139.99

Up to you, I would spend the extra and get the 200.

Another thing to consider is that the some lexa's have a problem with engaging the spool after a cast. Mine does it, the engagement problem happens about every 8 to ten casts. Most times all that is needed is to spin the handle an extra time and occasionally I'll have to push the free spool lever up manually.

 

 

I just ordered the Tatula 200 from Sportsmans Outfitters, 6.3:1 for $109.99 shipped.  I was going to wait for Black Friday, but doubt anyone will have it for that price.  Lowest I have seen, besides SO, is $129.99 on eBay.

 

I will wait for TW Black Friday sale to get the DX rod.  Thanks for the input!

I wouldn't use any reel under 300 size on a 8' heavy swimbait rod do to line capacity not specifically the reel strength, you need both with heavy lures.

While I use Daiwa Tatula low profile reels they don't make a reel equal to Shimano Tranx 300 series for swimbaits. 

Big swimbaits and rods you don't one hand cast lures, it's a 2 handed presentation and palming a reel is questionable retreiving swimbaits, that is why the rods have a fore grip to hold the rod with.

Tom

I use a Lexa hd 300 and a lexa 300 winn.  The line capacity on any of the smaller reels is an issue when lobbing out 6 ounce+ baits.  

On 10/21/2019 at 2:27 PM, Tizi said:

 I am looking at the Daiwa DX Swimbait rod as well in heavy.

XH, may be a better choice. Certainly if your going to throw up to 8oz.

 

Tom, clued me in on choosing a power in this thread,

 

My Daiwa Lexa Type-WN 300 is my favorite reel.  I haven't touched many other offerings in that size category, but I can say I am impressed.  It casts well and it is buttery smooth.  Truly a pleasure to fish.

42 minutes ago, Hewhospeaksmuchbull said:

XH, may be a better choice. Certainly if your going to throw up to 8oz.

 

Tom, clued me in on choosing a power in this thread,

 

Contact Dobyns and ask them what the blank is made from. I wouldn't go over 2 1/2 -3 oz with the FR 795, the FR 806 is OK with 8" Hudds, not ideal, the Champ series 806 works good.

Price, I would consider Irod 8' heavy using a 300 size reel, good all around Swimbait rod for 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 oz lures.

Tom

I ordered a Lexa 300 Winn from ALF - after discounts and points $120 shipped.

 

I will use the Tatula for flipping/punching.

I ordered a Lexa 300 Winn from ALF - after discounts and points $120 shipped.

 

I will use the Tatula for flipping/pitching..

5 hours ago, WRB said:

I wouldn't use any reel under 300 size on a 8' heavy swimbait rod do to line capacity not specifically the reel strength, you need both with heavy lures.

While I use Daiwa Tatula low profile reels they don't make a reel equal to Shimano Tranx 300 series for swimbaits. 

Big swimbaits and rods you don't one hand cast lures, it's a 2 handed presentation and palming a reel is questionable retreiving swimbaits, that is why the rods have a fore grip to hold the rod with.

Tom

^^^ This ^^^

 

I have five Calcutta Conquest 400's for my big bait applications, all are going to be paired up on custom swimbait rods that are rated for baits from 2oz all the way up to 12oz.  Matt and Bill explain it more in detail, see the two videos below.  Good luck.

 

 

 

 

15 hours ago, 18RangerZ520L said:

^^^ This ^^^

 

I have five Calcutta Conquest 400's for my big bait applications, all are going to be paired up on custom swimbait rods that are rated for baits from 2oz all the way up to 12oz.  Matt and Bill explain it more in detail, see the two videos below.  Good luck.

 

 

 

 

A lot of good info in the second video. Thanks!

Line capacity vs IPT is the issue that gets magnified when casting big heavy ours over 60 yards. I have setlled on Sunline Defier Armillo 25 lb Nylon line .016D for my 300 size swimbait reels. The 165 yard spool fills the reel perfectly and 5.8:1 ratio with 24 IPT full drops to  about 20 IPT at 60 yards and that works for me.

During the past 3 years I haven't broke off any lures or bass and very smooth long distance casting line. I have 3 swimbait combo's all using the same line.

I have talked about IPT and lure cadence for years on this site and good to see Siemantel's video express the same thought process, good video! Fully understand that most bass anglers could care less about details, they just want something that works.

Tom