I just picked up a st croix victory rod 7’10” heavy for $20. I am looking for a reel. I’ve got a big revo beast 60 size musky reel but I’m thinking that too big. I have that on my 9 foot x heavy musky rod. 
 

I’m looking at at Shimano tranx 401. Would this be a good size reel for this rod or is it too big? I saw the Diawa tatula 200 might be a nice one as well: I’m also open to recommendations. 
 

thanks 

Rob 

 

Rod is heavy fast 1-4 oz lures 

What you didn't make clear is whether you plan to use braid or mono.  

Tatula 200 line capacity is 110 yds 20-lb mono (250 yds 12-lb mono).  

Tranx 400 is basically the same line capacity.  

 

As @F14A-B notes below, I'd consider Daiwa MagZ if you also want to cast lighter weights.  

I had the 300 and I didn’t like it. I’m using the new Daiwa Coastal 200 and it’s an awesome reel. Holds plenty of 20# mono or 25# FC. It’s a wonderful casting reel that easily handles down to 1/2 ounce on a proper rod. I’d recommend taking a look at it..

29 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

What you didn't make clear is whether you plan to use braid or mono.  

Tatula 200 line capacity is 110 yds 20-lb mono (250 yds 12-lb mono).  

Tranx 400 is basically the same line capacity.  

 

As @F14A-B notes below, I'd consider Daiwa MagZ if you also want to cast lighter weights.  

I will be using braided line 80 lb. 

If you want compare capacities for different line diameters, this online calculator is very accurate:  

https://www.pattayafishing.net/fishing-reel-line-capacity-estimator/

3 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

If you want compare capacities for different line diameters, this online calculator is very accurate:  

https://www.pattayafishing.net/fishing-reel-line-capacity-estimator/

Thank you! 

I’m really a Shimano guy but it seems like they don’t offer anything that great in this department. Diawa seems to have it dialed in 

I think you'd find the Tranx SVS brake to be just as effective at throwing big weights, but would likely spend more time adjusting it to change weight range.  

16 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

I think you'd find the Tranx SVS brake to be just as effective at throwing big weights, but would likely spend more time adjusting it to change weight range.  

Heavy lures I think would be just fine. I was more curious how the tranx would perform with the lighter lures say 1/2 oz or 3/4 oz and up. 

Why use 80 lb braid f or swim baits? 20 lb mono or FC is all you need. You need a reel spool that holds enough line to maintain IPT during long casts.

Try to select a reel with about 175 yds of .016 dia line with 5.8:1 to 6.3:1 ratio.

You will be casting 2 handed to get more distance with swim baits.

Tom
 

I have a Curado 200 M but I wish it was bigger.

 

You can cast a swimbait a LONG way.

3 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

I have a Curado 200 but I wish it was bigger.

 

You can cast a swimbait a LONG way.

I have a 200k 6.2:1 that I thought of using. I wasn’t sure how well it would do with the 3-4 oz lures 

4 minutes ago, WRB-2.0 said:

Why use 80 lb braid f or swim baits? 20 lb mono or FC is all you need.

Try to select a reel with about 175 yds of .016 dia line with 5.8:1 to 6.3:1 ratio.

You will be casting 2 handed to get more distance with swim baits.

Tom
 

I have 80 lb braid on my musky reel. I was thinking of matching that. I’ve never had a bass swimbait rod before so 80 lb braid was just my first thought without knowing too much. 

1 hour ago, jitterbug127 said:

I will be using braided line 80 lb. 

 

Wouldn't suggest braid unless you have a very deep pocket.

 

Any slight backlash (they will happen) and you can kiss that swimbait goodbye. Line stops, bait doesn't.

 

Use mono or floro.

 

Don't need anything heavier than 25 lb in my opinion.

 

I use 17 lb Tatsu.

 

Disclaimer: I'm not a swimbait expert but I researched a bunch before I purchased myself.

30 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Wouldn't suggest braid unless you have a very deep pocket.

 

Any slight backlash (they will happen) and you can kiss that swimbait goodbye. Line stops, bait doesn't.

 

Use mono or floro.

 

Don't need anything heavier than 25 lb in my opinion.

 

I use 17 lb Tatsu.

 

Disclaimer: I'm not a swimbait expert but I researched a bunch before I purchased myself.

Good information to know! Thank you for sharing.

I use a Curado K 201 for all my swimbaits up to 4 oz on an 8 foot Leviathan Omega Heavy.  I have never been fishing with this setup and wished I had a different reel.  Anything heavier than that, I would purchase either a Tranx 301 or a Calcutta 301.  I run 25lb copoloy for all swimbait fishing.  Plenty of line on all mentioned reels.

56 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

I use a Curado K 201 for all my swimbaits up to 4 oz on an 8 foot Leviathan Omega Heavy.  I have never been fishing with this setup and wished I had a different reel.  Anything heavier than that, I would purchase either a Tranx 301 or a Calcutta 301.  I run 25lb copoloy for all swimbait fishing.  Plenty of line on all mentioned reels.

Awesome to know! What gear ratios do you run on your curado k 200s? 

^^^^stated he never fished with this combo^^^^
Tom

12 minutes ago, WRB-2.0 said:

^^^^stated he never fished with this combo^^^^
Tom

*and wished he had a different reel

FM

I use a Tatula 200 size reel for smaller swimbaits, Tranx 300 for larger 8-10" baits. 

Digitaka JDM has new Shimano Calcutta Conquest 18 300/301 reel for $320 shipped!

If I was getting back into swim baits this is the reel!

Tom

PS, less expensive would be Shimano Cardiff A 300/301.

If it was me I'd probably go with Tatula 200, Curado M 200, or a JDM Scorpion MD 200. Most likely the Scorpion MD I think it would look nice on a Victory and they would be the cheapest option at around $190

Scorpion MD 300 XG is very nice. IMO

I have that rod with tweaked Citica E 201 (longer handle, bearing under the driveshaft, carbontex drag).

 

65lb braid to a 16-20lb leader.  I love that set up.  Bigger braid I guess could help on the oopsies that happen on a cast. But it's biggest advantage is that it doesn't really dig on itself since it still has a pretty big diameter.  Casting distance isn't really noticeably shorter. 

 

Haven't casted anything off (yet, lol).  Throw 68 Huddlestons, tiny klash, osakana slides, islide 187r, G-Dash and 6" Magdrafts with it.  Cool rod but yeah a 300+ shimano is overkill on it. 

 

A Daiwa 200 (same capacity as a 300 Shimano with a smaller profile) would be good too if you are squirrely about braid and want the capacity of 16-25lb line.  If you want to get Gucci find a Daiwa Zillion 1520 (or Catalina tws with a 1520 spool).  Holy smokes it's  amazing, I have it on my up to 5 oz rod and it would absolutely work on the St Croix.  My 4-8oz rod runs a Tatula 200 with no issues (250's and K9s).  Just food for thought.

6 hours ago, jitterbug127 said:

Awesome to know! What gear ratios do you run on your curado k 200s? 

7:1

11 hours ago, Rockhopper said:

7:1

That’s great! I’ve got a 6.2 here I’ll try first.  It’s always nice when I’m looking for something and already have a viable option.