7 hours ago, Falkus said:

I’m using a Daiwa Zillion Crazy Cranker (4.9:1) for my chatterbaits with 14lbs line on Dobyns 736 cbglass mislabeled . I like to keep it down near the bottom as much as possible. With a faster reel, I tend to crank too hard and burn it through the strike zone.

Love the crazy cranker, just a smooth and well built reel. The reasons you listed are why I use a 5.1 Team Daiwa X for bladed jigs. I have a tendency to go fast when I-havent caught a fish yet, or am excited from just catching one. I'm in trouble either way.

What about the Steez SV TW for a 100 size?

I've got a couple of them already and I like them.

Is it much better than say a Zillion?

How about that Ryoga in either size?

Sorry to keep asking. I want to get something ordered fairly soon and I lack the time to really research this. Stuck in my office all day today while my whole family does Easter.

On 4/3/2026 at 1:18 PM, Chilidog said:

I go with a size 150 reel spooled 15 lb flouro for those baits.

I'd do the same, except for with the swim jig. I dont think it's ideal to throw them on such light line when you're setting the hook pretty hard and swimming them through a lot of cover most of the time.

I like either a 150 or 200 size. It depends on how the reel feels after it's on the rod.

A 100 size is enough for all of those, but a 150 does work as well.

My kid has a Curado MGL 70 spooled with 16# fluorocarbon and it should hold almost 80 yards based on my calculations - certainly enough he's never spooled it.

On 4/3/2026 at 2:18 PM, Chilidog said:

I go with a size 150 reel spooled 15 lb flouro for those baits.

Why straight 15lb flouro for moving baits like a swim jig or a spinner bait? Don’t pike love these things too. Seems like they would cast farther on braid and I would use a leader for pike; but I may be missing something. Seems like any 100 sized reel could work, but I do use my 150.

I do lose an accasional swim jig to pike but not with a spinnerbait. I feel I lose more fish with braid. I like having a little stretch to the line. I also fish clear water and I do not like dealing with tying on a leader and the knot as the line goes through the guide. Overall I am not a fan of braid for bass and I only have one of my many rods with braid. That would be for fishing a frog. I use a fair amount of mono line also.