Steve Dennington wrote: ↑Tue Jul 12 2022 16:02 -Clearly we have different tastes Can't stand horrible thick cork handles on lure rods, no idea why that trend still continues on a lot of the heavier rods.Mark Phillips wrote: ↑Mon Jul 11 2022 19:38 -My point is that I can see the advantage for folks with smaller hands, making the larger reel easier to palm, but otherwise I just can't see any gain in using low-profile reels.Steve Dennington wrote: ↑Sun Jul 10 2022 22:36 -Everyone I fish with seems to prefer the new low profile baitcasters in their larger sizes and by the way, I don't have small hands... both the 300 and 400 reels are not exactly what I'd call small, so your squashed comments makes little sense to me. The larger round reels in comparison feel quite bulky for casting, especially when used on more modern baitcasting rods, with their slimmer duplon handles and longer lengths. I'd never go back to using them for casting. I think things have moved on, but like most things in life, each to their ownMark Phillips wrote: ↑Sun Jul 10 2022 21:43 -I've tried the "squashed" low profile reels and didn't like the feel of them at all. If you have small hands I suppose it could be a bonus, but the round reels feel much better to me. The new Conquest range are obviously still round, but are smaller in the hand by a full size, so could be an option.Times have changed. Now you can get bigger 300 and 400 size low profile baitcasters, the round reels we were all using 20 years ago are ancient history, for casting. Also take a look at the Daiwa Tatula TWS and ABU Revo Beast in the 300 size. All excellent and hold shed loads of heavy braid.
They just don't feel right to me anyway, but that's probably because I'm so used to round reels in all sizes. None of my rods have that horrible pipe lagging on them either - it's tree bark all the way!
To your point, it has nothing to do with hand size, God knows why you keep saying that. Have you used a 300 or 400 size low profile reel, like a Tranx or Tatula? They are not small reels.
Round reels were always the go to baitcaster for pike, as they held more line/thicker diameter and had better guts - both of those arguments are dead in the water, now you can get larger low profile reels that pack the power you need to work big lures on heavy lines.
So, nowadays it's a personal preference and I'd never go backwards to a larger round reel when there's no gain at all for me If you're happy with your oil drums, good for you :