I know that low profiles have dominated the market, but I notice the swimbait guys like the round baitcasters.

Are they inherently stronger?

I know there are different models, quality, and price points, but in general aside from being round is there basic reason to choose them over a good low profile reel?

Avid you are rigth on.....why do we like better a round reel for SB?.....I have not an idea.

If you want to try....Cardiff out of the box is OK, upgraded ......is an explosion.....Megadiff we call it here!!!!!!

Avid,

I think the consensus is, that swimbaits will catch the 'biggest of the big' bass. Low profile reels are usually rated for up to about 12lb test line with limited line capacity (small diameter braid excepted). I think the California swimbait fishermen are hedging their bets that if they hook a monster bass (in the teens of pounds) that having a big, round Calcutta 400/Cardiff 400/Garcia 7000, etc. and a 7-1/2 or 8' flag pole is insurance that a "fish of a lifetime" will not be lost due to gear that is too light.  It's not just Low vs round, round reels move way up the heavy ladder and low profile reels hit a ceiling. That's my take on it.

Ronnie

Line capacity line capacity line capacity

ONE OF THE THINGS i NOTICED IN THE LOWER GEAR RATIOS FOR ROUND REELS AND THE LINE PER TURN LENDS THEM TO CRANKING A LITTLE MORE. I HAD A 5500 BUT I DONT LIKE THE FEEL OF THE REEL I PREFER THE LOW PROFILES BUT I LIKE THE LARGER ONES AS I HAVE BIG HANDS AND THE SMALLER LOW PROFILES ARE TOO SMALL FOR ME

I like lp reels for topwater, small spinnerbaits, small shallow cranks- I'm not impressed with my shimano when it comes to pulling even a three pounder out of the stumps and grass. the light weight sure is nice to use all day!

I like rounds for deep cranking, soft baits, jigs.

I like the old low ratio reels- I have a Garcia 5500c, 5000d, some 5500c's, and a favorite- a 4500c (I would like to have more of these, but it seems it has been out of production for a while).  usually use mono on these.

I have three old Diawa Millionaires (70's vintage), that I use for wormin'  usually use braid on these

Larry G

Hey Avid, I love my Curado for 10 and 12 pound test but, anything else as in 14 and up I use my Abu Garcia 5601 C3 or C4's. As everyone said, line capacity is one reason but, at least for me, Big swimbaits, flippin and pitchin or for just a all around big fish reel  they feel better to me. They are a great solid dependable reel. Its hard to explain but, the round reels are not all fancy with a lot of bells and whistles, they are just work horses. Plus, its a little bit of nostalgia for me I guess as well. I love the round reels.

I hate to be the first to say this, but fishing with a round reel feels AWFUL to me.  Guess I've been using lopro's for so long now, just feels foreign to me.

Interesting thread Avid, especially since my next purchase will be a swimbait setup.  Think I'll break out my old Millionaire and see how it goes.

I've never thought about the line capacity thing on the round reels, I absolutely HATE them though, but I guess they have their place after reading this thread!!

There are very few LP reels (Revo and TD-Z BBS come to mind) with much line capacity and 20#-25# mono is thick!  

Another thing is gearing, the popular swimbait reels are low speed by today's standards.  

Fourbizzle made a point in another thread I hadn't thought about- the calcutta 400 is so heavy, it comes close to balancing out a big SB rod.  

There are very few LP reels (Revo and TD-Z BBS come to mind) with much line capacity and 20#-25# mono is thick!

Another thing is gearing, the popular swimbait reels are low speed by today's standards.

Fourbizzle made a point in another thread I hadn't thought about- the calcutta 400 is so heavy, it comes close to balancing out a big SB rod.

These are the same reasons I prefer a round reel for my deep cranking setup.  I use 8-10 lb line, of course, but the extra capacity is helpful with the really long casts used in deep cranking.

I palm my reels & I like the way round reels fit my hand  

I also like a 5.8:1 gear ratio; to me this is the perfect speed for how I fish   8-)

I have two Shimano CTE200GT (5.0:1). These reels are strong, smooth and compact. I like the way they look and feel. I originally bought my first CTE200GT almost exclusively for striper fishing. If you are looking for a stout reel that will stand up to heavy freshwater fishing, but is still relatively light and compact, this is the one.

I love my round reels they are simple less moving parts and fit my hand good i like LP also but something about a round reel.My little pro max 1600,s are so sweet casting and retreiving.Over 15 yrs old and still goin strong cant beat um

After getting my Okuma swimbait rod, I went out and bought an Okuma Indiron 250 to match it up with.

this is a not too big round reel that casts the big baits really well.  I got it because it was $99.00 and all of low profile reels were completely overpowerd by the heavy rod and baits.

It weighs 11.9 ounces and has a 5.1:1 gear ratio.  Seems like a tank to me, but I'm used to TD-Z's

I was just curious as to why the Cali swimbaiters liked the round reels.

I think Alpster and Burley probably nailed it.

That low ratio crankin and heavy weight implies tank like strength.  In Cali line capacity means alot more than it does to me in florida where the fish don't have to go very far to find something to wrap up in.

I'm happy with my combo.  featherlight and ultra sensitive don't seem to matter all that much when casting 6-8 oz. baits for double digit bass.

Except for my new Revo SX, all my reels are round Abu's. I have big hands and they just feel better in my hand. One thing nobody has mentioned, I was always told the round reels typically have better drag systems.

Hey Avid, How do you like that Indiron? I've heard some good reports, just curious to know how you like it.

Falcon

I still love my Lews BB!!! I use my Curados for jig and worm but love my Lews for crankin. It just feels like a tank, I'm never scared of breaking it. I perfer both. With round you get more power (hevier line) and the usally hold more line. With lo pro you get well obviuslly lower profile and they seem to be a little better for weightless. Its all in personal prefference.