I'm looking to throw baits in the weight range 1.5 to 2.5 oz.

I don't like the 6.4:1 gear ratio of the Curado 300. It's IPT is 28 compared to the 20.5 for the Revo Winch. And it'd cost me at least  $50 more to get the Curado (or the Revo Toro 50).

Would the casting distance suffer due to the smaller spool of the Winch?

P.S. I am not looking for a round reel.

I have a Winch and it would be great for baits that size. Its not great for smaller cranks but would throw those a country mile especially if paired with the right rod.

In theory, the bigger heavier spool of line should cast further. In practical application, the Winch should throw a bait like you describe further than you could get a good hook-set. As already stated, the right rod is important as well.

As already stated, the right rod is important as well.

The rod I have is a Mattlures signature series medium-heavy swimbait rod, rated for 10-20 lb line, 1-4 oz lures.

As already stated, the right rod is important as well.

The rod I have is a Mattlures signature series medium-heavy swimbait rod, rated for 10-20 lb line, 1-4 oz lures.

That should be great.

Sounds like you got it covered.

I have the same reel and cast the same size sb's with it.

8ft rod- and if i cast it as far as it could not sure i would be even able to set the hook.   You will get plenty of distance.

Why not get the Toro Winch?  That's the reel for the job, if you don't like the Shimano.

Why not get the Toro Winch? That's the reel for the job, if you don't like the Shimano.

I don't have the money to buy a Curado 301, or a Toro 51, or a Toro Winch right now.

I found a good deal (I think) on a Winch. If it's okay for the job, I'll pick it up, else I'll wait till I save enough.

P.S. I love Shimano reels. If only that Curado had a slightly lower ratio. Found a couple NIB for $180 on Ebay..

Save up for the right stuff.  You're wasting $$$ that could be spent on GOOD swimbaits, or other tackle.  Unless you need a deep diver reel, pass on the little winch until you can get the big one.

Save up for the right stuff. You're wasting $$$ that could be spent on GOOD swimbaits, or other tackle. Unless you need a deep diver reel, pass on the little winch until you can get the big one.

Okay, point noted. It's a good thing I started the thread before buying the Winch.

So let me ask you this JF, how well will a Curado 301 or a Toro 51 throw a Mattlures Hardgill (1.65 oz) or a 6" weedless Hudd (1.75 oz)? Won't they be sort of an overkill for baits that small? (Newbie question)

EDIT: Bear with me and let me put my question this way. A revo winch doesn't cast a 0.5 oz lure very well (from what I read). You would use a Curado E5 or a Zillion Crazy Cranker or even a low-geared BPS PQ. Would a Toro Winch cast a 1.5 oz lure well enough/ far enough?

Save up for the right stuff. You're wasting $$$ that could be spent on GOOD swimbaits, or other tackle. Unless you need a deep diver reel, pass on the little winch until you can get the big one.

Not really sure why that would be necessary.  Unless you plan on making 200yd casts the smaller reel would do just fine for 1-2oz swimbaits. To each his own. Toro is a better reel pound for pound after all

Save up for the right stuff. You're wasting $$$ that could be spent on GOOD swimbaits, or other tackle. Unless you need a deep diver reel, pass on the little winch until you can get the big one.

Not really sure why that would be necessary. Unless you plan on making 200yd casts the smaller reel would do just fine for 1-2oz swimbaits. To each his own. Toro is a better reel pound for pound after all

200 yards of what, 10# line?  I use 25# CXX for swimbaits.

As far as getting distance on any of the baits, that's about the rod.

Save up for the right stuff. You're wasting $$$ that could be spent on GOOD swimbaits, or other tackle. Unless you need a deep diver reel, pass on the little winch until you can get the big one.

Not really sure why that would be necessary. Unless you plan on making 200yd casts the smaller reel would do just fine for 1-2oz swimbaits. To each his own. Toro is a better reel pound for pound after all

200 yards of what, 10# line? I use 25# CXX for swimbaits.

As far as getting distance on any of the baits, that's about the rod.

50# Power pro and a mono leader.

I agree with the Rod- that's why I am not sure why a larger spool reel would be needed as he was questioning distance in relation to the smaller sized spool---unless you use something as large a diameter as 25# mono/poly/fluro or whatever then you would be limited to casting distance purely based on the amount of line each can carry. 

For the 60-70 dollar difference, I would put towards rod or tackle.  Again, each his own both are great reels.

I have a Winch for my deep divers, and I also have a Toro on my swimbait rod.  I only throw SBs 2 oz or less so far so the Toro wasn't a need, rather I bought it to also pull double duty for light saltwater.

As long as you're not planning to move up in swimbait weights soon, the Winch will be just fine

The Hardgill will plane when you throw it, just the nature of the bait.  I throw mine on a Curado 301 and a Cardiff 301, just depends on how fast I am working the bait.

Put that 6" Hudd on there and you can dam near spool yourself, much more aerodynamic. Lunker Punker would fly even further.

I'm an Abu fan for my low profile reels, but all my swimbait stuff is Shimano.

The Hardgill will plane when you throw it, just the nature of the bait. I throw mine on a Curado 301 and a Cardiff 301, just depends on how fast I am working the bait.

Put that 6" Hudd on there and you can dam near spool yourself, much more aerodynamic. Lunker Punker would fly even further.

I'm an Abu fan for my low profile reels, but all my swimbait stuff is Shimano.

Okay then. I'll

#1. Save up for a 300 size reel

#2. Teach myself to reel slower when I eventually buy that Curado 301E.

Thanks everyone.