I am moving northern CA in the next few months. I am looking to buy my first swimbait setup. I perfer to pay for quality rods and reels that come with a lifetime warranty.

I am lost when it come to picking out a reel for this application. It seem like many people use round baitcasters for swimbait setups. Why? (I also perfer to use Shimano reels) Could you use something like a Curado 300?

As for the rods Okuma seems to be the best value, but there seems to be better rods out there. Looking at the Loomis, Dobyns 795, and Kistler. I have read some reviews, but can anyone here tell me their experiences with these rods?

I have read on this forum that some people have upgraded from the Okuma. Why? I want to get the setup right the first time. Thanks.

Any input is appreciated. I am lost, but excited to learn.

they use round for the line cap and can afford to but on heavier line or higher test

what price point are you looking at for a real?

cardiff is $99 and calcutta is the next step up for shimano at 219 and up ( tad bit lighter than curado 300 but cant speak for curado 300) I know a lot of people who use these reels and realy enjoy

sorry cant comment on those rods sure someone will soon  :

I purchased the Okuma 7'11XH over break and paired it with a curado 300. It works for me, and I won't be upgrading anytime soon.... down bait monkey, down.  

I was leaning towards a Calcutta, but there are several different models and I wonder what line capacity I should get.

once you are in Northern CA n there are a lot of monster bass I would say around 300-400 size and quick ? what size swimbaits you plan on throwing? which would tell you sizes for the rod power and length hope that helps ;D

been reading another thread and this seems to fit your price range

http://www.***.com/descpageRDCGLOOMIS-GLSR.html

955-956 as reading about fourbizz and branuss04 sayin its the perfect factory rod built for swimbaits set with a calcutta would be sweet  ;D

I will probably start out with some of the smaller swimabits and move up to the 8"Huds once I gain some confidence. Those Loomis rods do look sweet.

For the $200 price range, most guys like the Calcutta 400B or the Daiwa Luna 300.

Both are great, some prefer the 400B, others prefer the Luna 300.

I for one, have had both, and would take the Luna 300 any day over the 400B.

Edit: Saw you said smaller swimbaits. Curado 300 is nice for the smaller swimbaits if you want the Low Profile reel.

For my smaller swimbaits I have a Curado 300 on the G-Loomis SBR955.  I would definately recommend it!

I got a Okuma 7'11" XH, and Shimano Cardiff 400 recently and I am loving it.  I'd recommend it any day. I love the pistol grip on the Okuma.

check at ***.com, then go down the side menu to swimbaits, click it, and scroll down, this will put all their swimbait rods and reels on the same page. Maybe this will help you see a selection of what is available.