You're getting into big bait fishing for pike or catfish and an angler friend told you to be careful with your casting reel. Well, that's what we're going to ask ourselves today: which casting reel for big bait?
To make the right choice and avoid choosing the wrong product from our extensive reel collection, you need to know the different families of big baits(jerkbaits and swimbaits), as well as the features to look out for in the reels you select:
- Bearing quality
- Ratio
- Brake accuracy
- Size
You might be tempted to buy a classic casting reel, but it won't last and will wear out prematurely, which is why it's important to find out what you need to cast lures weighing up to 600g or more. However, it's worth keeping things in perspective: if you're only going to be casting big bait twice at the weekend or three months of the year, a normal cast will suffice. But in any case, the question of the reel's resistance remains.
It's important that you know the difference between swim and jerk, as the equipment will be different despite the fact that it's big bait in both situations. Jerkbait is used with hard lures and a 2m rod. Just a few years ago, the jerk was synonymous with big baits, providing easy access to the biggest lures on the market.
Today, the trend has changed and it's when we talk about swimbaits that we come closest to big baits. The practice uses soft lures, which are cheaper, easier to use for beginners and much more versatile. These are just some of the advantages that have greatly increased its popularity. 
Another thing to know is that there are two types of profile, more or less suited to what you want to do with them. The Low profile is a casting reel with the foot under the spool and the crank shaft level with it. This is the most popular type of casting reel, because of its relatively smaller size, but also because it is easier to handle. We'll see that this type of profile has higher ratios and is therefore better suited to fishing requiring animation, such as jerk fishing.
The round profile casting reel is less and less present on the French scene, but is no less effective. Its design allows it to accommodate a large quantity of line in its spool, superior to low profiles. Even if it's not a general rule, reels with a round profile have lower ratios, so they're better suited to casting back like swimbaits.
We've put together a selection of products to help you make the right choice. You'll find the famous Ryoga from Daiwa for the more affluent among you. The Dynastar 150 from the same brand is also on the list, and it's an affordable way for beginners to get started without spending a fortune.
Finally, the new Lexa from Daiwa and the Komodo SS from Okuma will round things off. Built to a very high standard, they are suitable for almost any situation, and at a very reasonable price.
Choosing the profile and ratio for your Big Bait casting reel
To choose the right product for your needs, we recommend you check these two relatively important characteristics:
- The profile, round or low
- The ratio
Despite the technological advances made by reel manufacturers, there are still differences between these two types of profile and their ratios, which are of course less than they were a few years ago. These differences may have a slight impact on your performance, depending on whether you use a swimbait or a jerkbait.
The best ratio for a round profile dedicated to swimbait fishing
A casting reel with a round profile would be better suited to swimbait fishing. This profile is a little more neglected by anglers, as it is a little harder to tame. Its real advantage is that it can carry more line for the same size as a low profile, even if this isn't necessarily true for all models, as the low profiles have made up a lot of ground. Often very durable, they won't let you down after a year's use.
The second advantage of this profile is that most of the time it has a low recovery. So it's best suited to cold waters or for slow, non-aggressive approaches that won't spook the fish. This will make it easier to keep your bigbait or swimbait moving for long periods in a given area. We advise you to opt for this type of profile when fishing with a bring back cast.
The right ratio for low profile jerk fishing
For years, big lure fishing was reserved for round profile reels, as we saw earlier. Today, brands have caught up with this trend thanks to new technologies. There are now low-profile casting reels capable of meeting the specifications of this type of fishing. Their retrievals are often higher than round profiles, so we recommend this type of product for fishing requiring animation, etc., such as jerkbaits.
Generally smaller and easier to handle, they are ideal for beginners. But be aware that it's easier to switch from a round profile to a low profile, so if you're planning to switch in the future, it might be a good idea to start by learning how to tame the round profile.
In any case, these are only recommendations, both have their qualities and their faults, but they will allow you to fish with bigbaits in any case, it's just a question of comfort and performance.
Our selection of the best bigbait casting reels
Now that you're up to speed on the various technical aspects, we've put together a selection of four reels that have proved their worth over the years or whose manufacturers are among the best in the business.
The Daiwa Ryoga, built for excellence
If you can afford to buy the very best, then the is for you. Designed and manufactured in Japan, it is equipped with all the latest technology Daiwa. It's a real combination of strength and performance. Your casts will be long, precise and effortless. Available in two retrieves, 6.3 and 5.4, it is suitable for both swimbaits and jerkbaits.
Its ergonomics have been reworked to make it as comfortable as possible, and you'll also be surprised by the quality of the materials used. What's more, it's equipped with a new Hyper Mesh Gear control wheel that increases the number of teeth by 50%, as well as a contact surface that increases fluidity and keeps power intact during retrieves. As you'll have guessed, this is one of the best, but it comes with a hefty price tag: €569. At this price, pike and company will have to be careful! Your fishing will be taken to the next level thanks to the comfort this reel provides (only 270 grams).
The Dynastar 150 L, the best choice for an easy start
Ryoga is not for everyone, which is why we've selected the . Again from Daiwa, you may not know it, but Dynastar is one of the world's leading fishing brands, constantly delivering top-quality equipment. And this model is no exception: for a much more affordable €129, you get a product that will stand up to the test.
It will easily handle lures weighing over 120g without risking its integrity. Its resolutely modern look will give you a top-of-the-range feel and its EVA handle will provide you with great comfort of use even in the most decisive fights.
The Daiwa Lexa 20 WN 300, performance and robustness
The first choice in our low-profile selection is . Quite simply, it's the newcomer to the Lexa range of reels, and at a price of €249, it will prove to be excellent. It will be very comfortable casting lures weighing over 200g, with no premature wear on the menu.
It is available in two ratios to make it more suitable for retrieve or animation fishing, so you can choose between 6.3 and 7.1.. It will undoubtedly stand up to your toughest battles.
Okuma Komodo SS, Japanese know-how
We close our selection with a newcomer to our catalogue: . Made by the famous Japanese brand, you'll find reinforced stainless steel gearing for even greater robustness. It will withstand the most ferocious species.
Suitable for use in both fresh and salt water, it's sure to provide you with the ultimate in versatility. Equipped with the very latest technology fromOkuma, such as the anti-reverse quick set, synchronised line guide and speed control system, your battles will be much easier.
As you can see, anglers, before you buy this reel, make sure you know whether you want to use it for swimbaits or jerkbaits. You'll also want to take a close look at the drag, bearings and weight of your reel, as everything needs to be consistent when fishing for pike, catfish, etc., which requires robust equipment as well as a line that will hold up.
We hope you enjoy your fishing, and may the fish bite!
Our other articles about casting reels :