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[charles]

I know some of you love to use baitcaster; Luna, TE, Calcutta B, Abu, etc...  I personally like to  use lowprofile.  Recently, with the new version of lowprofile baitcaster, some of those newer models are the same, if not better than the bigger reel like TE 300 or even the 400...

I couple models that I like are:
Abu Revo STX - Great little reel, with the highest drag - 24lbs. - though you have to use braided line for the capacity
Shimano Curado 300 - More line capacity = to a 300 calcutta, drag = 15lbs.

Both reel above is compared against TE300, Luna253, and most abu baitcasters...

Let me know what you think...

[dennisK]

the abu revo is crushing nuts all around.

[JiG_Head]

cant go wrong with the Revo.... Best reel for the money rite now.

[charles]

except the look

[Gooey]

One key factor in determining how well a drag will work (ie max pressure and smoothness) is its surface area.  The cage on any reel there for limits the size of the drag.  I cant help but think that these low profile bait casters must have smaller drag washers...anyone know for sure?

[bentrod]

smaller reels do not have the line capacity and drag force for larger fish.  As I see it, they both have their own special use, so buy and use both.

[charles]

You can put braided line 20lbs - 8lbs diameter in mono for say Abu Revo...  You will have the same amount of line compare to a calcutta 300 with more power than a calcutta 300...  It is the newer design of lowprofile with the drop handle that can fit a larger size of drag in the reel. 

Of course I am not comparing apple to apple cause there is always an argument that calcutta 300 will fit more braided line.  But it is not necessary to fit 450 yards of 20lbs of braided line...  just doesn't make sense...

Bentrod, I would think twice about the drag force for those 2 examples I give; (Revo STX, and Curado 300)... 
Calcutta 300 15lbs
Calcutta 400 17.5lbs
Daiwa MillionaireŽ Bar-Stock Casting Reel 11lbs

Curado 300 15lbs
Abu Revo STX 24lbs

[bentrod]

Good to know.  I fish with the Curado 201 and calcutta TE 401and Abu Garcia C4 6601.   With that said, I have landed a 17 lb spring on my curado 201.  I was smallmouth fishing a tail out when it hit.  It almost spooled me (with mono), but still got it in. 

[JiG_Head]

some guy landed a sailfish on a revo stx with 10lb fire line... forgot the link... is on T3 forums somewhere

[Gooey]

I have been told that you want to set your drag by holding your rod flat (eliminates the drag caused by friction with the guides), tie your line to a scale and then set your drag for 50-65% of the breaking strength of your line.   I guess the point I am making is I never intentionally set may drag heavier than my leader.  8-12lb when fishing steelies and salmon and then a little heavier when fishing sockeye and springs. 

If I need a little extra drag I usually thumb it as opposed to adjusting the drag up so really for me, smoothness (not max drag capacity) is the most important factor...I hate drags that stick a little or that are noisy. 

[charles]

if that is the case, you will like the new drag from the curado, and the wet drag from the zillionaire...