What's your favorite do all reel for a heavy action rod and why? I doing homework for 7' 4" HF that I'd like to flip, pitch, cast, and occasionally cast. I'm not really looking for something that will cast into the stratosphere. Just a decent cast that will add to swimjig usage. I'm also considering reel weight for sensitivity, and drag power for hook sets. 

The Curado K is a good workhorse reel

I've got a Lews Super Duty G that i use for that exact thing. Ive got the 8:1 gear ratio reel, which comes with a flipping switch to make short flips a lot quicker, as you don't have to engage the drag by reeling.

Different reels for different purposes.   I have a 7'5" Kistler Pitching Stick (the blue telescopic one) that is on the heavy side of MH.   I use this rod for my bubba drop shot fishing.   I've got an older ( purchased 2004-2005 ? maybe probably) 50 size Calcutta Round reel.  It handles 20 lb Abrazx fine.   You're never really casting, more often just an underhand pitch, 30 feet max.  I had this reel cleaned & tuned last winter and it is sweet.

 

Other reels in the suitable for heavy action rigs are a Curado 300 ( A-rigs & bit swim baits )

This reel really doesn't see alot of use, but at the time I thought I wanted one and they were hard to come by and when I saw it in Cabelas shortly after the BPS purchase, I just bought it, more or less on a whim.   The reel I use all the time for throwing frogs in the slop, something I'll do several times each summer, is a Calcutta TEGT ( the 11 ball bearing model ). This used to be my worm/jig fishing reel but it is pretty heavy so for worms & jigs I went to a reel that weighed less.   But for throwing frogs, this reel is great.  It handles 65 lb braid great, throws as far as I need and I'm pretty sure any rod will break before the reel does.

 

I'm pretty sure other companies make reels that would work for heavy action rods, but I wouldn't know because for the most part I'm a Shimano guy.

2 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

The Curado K is a good workhorse reel

X2. Mayhe not the best at anything but very versatile and tough. Lews tournament pro lfs reels are pretty slick as well

Shimano Bantam MGL!

Bantamn MGL w/ 96mm handle from Metanium or a Zillion HD would be a runner up

 

When I use a heavy rod, I'm thinking punching or reeling in a lot of weight.  I have an Abu Garcia 5600 C3 on my heavy rod.

Shimano Conquest 100

I really enjoy my Zillion HD 1520 for my heavy set up.   ??  

Shimano Antares 12. 

On 1/18/2021 at 11:53 AM, Shimano_1 said:

X2. Mayhe not the best at anything but very versatile and tough. Lews tournament pro lfs reels are pretty slick as well

X2