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Posts: 80
Location: Geneva, IL | I will be getting a $400 gift card from work soon (10 year anniversary).
If you had $300-$400 for a reel what would you buy? Lets assume the rod is a St. Croix 8' MHF. Lets further assume you want to roll (not burn) dbl 10 cowgirls and throw cranks.
Abu Revo Winch?
Shimano Calcutta TE?
Other choices?
http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/reels/shimano/calcuttaTE.html
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| buy 2, Revo Winch and Revo w/ 5.4 to 1.
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Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | Easy choice for the rod/application you specified: Calcutta 400TE. |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | I've got 400TE's now and just bought a 700TE to try this year. I'm not a burner, and I just want a #*^@ good reel with level wind in my hands, so they get my vote for the price range you mentioned. |
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| I've used both the TE and Toro HS, haven't used the winch, but I'd say the TE would be the best bet for you. You can do everything with that reel and slow rolling double-10's is a breeze with it. If you get the winch you lose the ability to rip cranks because you wouldn't have the line pick-up necessary. |
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Posts: 582
| Calcutta TE. Probably last the longest. |
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Posts: 458
| Calcutta TE with a power handle. |
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Posts: 106
Location: On Lake St Clair Michigan | Ed I knew what your would say!!! |
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Posts: 646
Location: In a shack in the woods | I'd go with the te as well or maybe the conquest if you want to add a little extra cash. Those look sweet. |
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Posts: 307
| TE! Only reel I'll buy any more for casting. |
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Posts: 107
Location: central illinois | calcutta te.i loved it so much i went ahead and bought 2 more last year. you wont be dissappointed. |
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Posts: 279
| whynot - 3/8/2010 1:44 PM
I've used both the TE and Toro HS, haven't used the winch, but I'd say the TE would be the best bet for you. You can do everything with that reel and slow rolling double-10's is a breeze with it. If you get the winch you lose the ability to rip cranks because you wouldn't have the line pick-up necessary.
With the Winch you can have a reel that will force you to slow down in the colder water temps though. But I don't think you can go wrong with either. |
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| 700TE. I have two, but wish I had ten.
Esoxfly: It'll blow you're mind how much you're going to love that reel (and for what you paid, you should). |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Thanks Paul. I'm looking forward to it for sure. |
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Posts: 8788
| I haven't read the other replies, but I suspect my answer is a bit different...
If I had X amount of dollars to spend on a reel? I'd divide that number in half and buy TWO reels, especially if I was looking at $400. It's been my experience that even the best reels will fail, no mater how you maintain them, whether they cost $50 or $250. Some are clearly better than others, and there are features to look at when considering what you are using the reel for (double 10's in your case), but I think you'd be much better served to pick a reel for say $200, and buy two of them. That way, when one breaks, which it WILL, you have a brand new backup, and you can keep right on fishing.
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Posts: 129
Location: Glenmoore PA | Calcutta TE all the way! |
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Posts: 76
Location: Kentucky | Calcutta if you are hellbent on spending that much, BUT I urge you to look at the Avet line. They are incredible reels and best of all made in the US!
Oh and about 150$ less than the Calcutta.
Edited by itallushrt 3/9/2010 5:42 AM
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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | a penn 975,mine lasted all last year without breaking,so I bought another one this winter. |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | I would agree, on the Calcutta tip - Although, these are some JDM (Japanese models) that are incredible. and are
$335 & $365. I'll PM you the site to get them.
Attachments
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 CALCUTTA_ISO.jpg (47KB - 147 downloads)
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Posts: 165
Location: tHe LaKe Of PrIoR, mN | I am a bit surprised nobody said anything about the trinidad line. I got one cheap last year and love it!
It does take a bit to get the hang of, but speed kills em I know becase of the speed of the reel I tricked a few extra skis last summer. I run a 16 and want to buy another for my other rod now! |
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Posts: 375
| gotta agree with itallushrt above,
look at the avet sx mc 2 speed reel...comes in right or left handed models...it's nice and small & it weighs in at just a hair more than a calcutta 400 and COSTS LESS & gives you two reels in one...wanna burn db 10's all day long with very little effort just put it in high gear which will give you about 36" per crank...wanna slow roll or whatever just press a button and it will give you about 20" per crank...you can't break this reel if you tried...and again, it's AMERICAN MADE...! |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Another vote for a 400 TE with a power handle on it. Great reel. |
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| If I were a professional fisher I would buy the Shimano Calcutta. If I were an amateur angler I would buy the Abu Garica Record or the Okuma Induron and keep the cost difference in the bank for a rainy day. |
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| Could not disagree more with the above post regarding buying a Record and saving money. Records are NOT built for musky fishing and WILL break and then you're out $160. The anti-reverse on Records is garbage. I don't have any experience with Endurons.
I've had a 401TE for two years and have had one problem at the end of last season, sent it in and got it back in two weeks for $50 plus shipping there. Spend the extra money, it will save you some frustration and money down the road. |
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Posts: 582
| Although the AVET reels may be nice, i don't think they have a level wind. That is going to be a problem is you are new to bait casters. Hell, i ain't new at all and i can't stand reels without a level wind. |
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Posts: 375
| i purchased my avet sx mid last season and it took me a matter of about ten casts to get used to the manual engaging part of it and as far as the non levelwind part i don't understand how they "can be a problem for someone new" since as long as they hold the reel level in their hand, like i assume they would with any other baitcasting reel that they might use, the line comes back on the reel pretty much on the center of the spool without having to guide it back and forth... |
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Posts: 582
| hey, it's personal preference. some like it some don't. i tried and didn't warm up to it. I think for anyone new getting into the sport, they may have more backlashes than normal. Like i said, probably a great reel, just not for me. I am old school and like to use calcutta's and St croix's. They work just fine and i find it easier for those borrowing my stuff when we are out fishing to get the hang of it.
I knew i guy that i fished with once who was new to musky fishing. . This is the guy that was talked into buying an Salist reel without the level wind. thats the reel he let me try. While he was fishing knots out of his spool i was casting. Again. to each their own. My thought was seeing a newbie starting out with that reel wasn't as pleasant.
Edited by jackson 3/9/2010 3:24 PM
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Posts: 1270
| If you're are starting out there is not a $300+ reel I would suggest. INstead of dropping $600+ on a combo use that same money and get 2 or 3 different combos. This way you have a combo for each different application.
As to the original post. I'm sure the Avet's are nice reels but if you are not trying to burn a double 10 it's to big IMHO. Why use an ocean reel for musky if you don't have to? If you are burning them then maybe it's a different story. For general purpose bucktails it's real hard to beat a Toro Winch. |
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Posts: 313
Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion | +1 for the Shimano TE's. Rock solid. Might not be the "fastest" but are the best all purpose muskie reels out there. |
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| Jerry, you got my interest on these reels and i found the site but it was not very detailed. When you say these reels rock could you give me some more details? There close to the same price as the TE's so what are the advantages or disadvantages.
Appreciate it!
SK |
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| TE with a power handle....awesome set up, my favorite combo with a Big Dawg. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Go with the SHIMANO CONQUEST 400, I have 3 - 400 ConQuest Reels they are the best reel made today.
Attachments
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Conquest-400-A2.jpg (3KB - 182 downloads)
Conquest-400-A3.jpg (3KB - 189 downloads)
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Posts: 80
Location: Geneva, IL | I am not "starting out" as has been suggested. I will just have $400 to treat myself with and was looking for advice on the best reel in that price range. I am not interested in saving money and buying 2 reels instead of 1. I already have 2 Shimano Tekota 600 reels and 4 Garcia 6600 C4's. All advice and responses have been appreciated. |
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Posts: 82
Location: Minneapolis,Mn | Revo Toro 5:4:1 and Daiwa Saltist 20 with levelwind !!! |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | The Calcutta TE Conquests are awesome! As for the JDM ISO reels, they just seem to be even smoother than the TE's. Not sure if ti just the model I have or if it is in fact smoother, it just feels right, and always has a place in my line-up. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | if you just want one good reel and want to blow most of your 400 go w/ a 400 TE w power handle
Edited by BNelson 3/10/2010 11:00 AM
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Posts: 35
| doesanyone know where i can get a jdm iso reel. im looking to get a 400 and maybe a 700. thanks. |
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Posts: 17
| another for the Calcutta |
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Posts: 6
| 400te has been my favorite of all of mine for overall versatility, and for the comments about buy two reels for $200 in lieu of 1 for $400, I tried that for 4 yrs and have (4) $200 reels that would not be of value to anyone if I gave them away for free. Spend the money once and save until you can afford the next specialty reel. I am finally happy with all 3 of my reels, 400te, 700te, Trinidad 14a and each is used for my specific purpose. I use the trinidad for burning big blades, 700te for 10oz.+ plastics, and 400te for everything except for the two items mentioned above.
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Posts: 339
Location: Denmark | Shimano makes good reels, but the Calcuttas are sensitive to dirt. Just had a new Calcutta 400B with a locked up bearing after 100 hours of use. So i guess if I had 400 bucks, i would rather look for two 400B, Okuma ISIS, REVO Toro etc than have one piece of sensitive luxury. But I must admit, some of the High end Daiwa and Shim models sold in Japan looks really nice ;).
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| man I really love abu's Toro lineup, I cant put mine down,
And about the abu record, I been usuing mine for 4 yrs for musky without a hiccup. Now I'm not burning 10's with it, But it's holding up extremely well |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | TE and it's not even close. |
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Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | I'd probably bank it until around Christmas time when the new Shimano low profile comes out. Stopped into Thorne Bros the other day and one of the guys said that's when they expect them to come out. He described it as Trinidad 16 guts in a Curado body. Price? They said 'hoping' for under $500. I know a lot of people won't pay that, but plenty will. Should be interesting.
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | cast10K - 9/19/2011 3:27 PM
I'd probably bank it until around Christmas time when the new Shimano low profile comes out. Stopped into Thorne Bros the other day and one of the guys said that's when they expect them to come out. He described it as Trinidad 16 guts in a Curado body. Price? They said 'hoping' for under $500. I know a lot of people won't pay that, but plenty will. Should be interesting.
Most of the time ABU, DAIWA, SHAIMANO, bring out new reels/rods at ICAST that is in July every year. Hope U are right. |
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Posts: 1141
Location: NorthCentral WI | PIKEMASTER - 9/19/2011 3:58 PM
cast10K - 9/19/2011 3:27 PM
I'd probably bank it until around Christmas time when the new Shimano low profile comes out. Stopped into Thorne Bros the other day and one of the guys said that's when they expect them to come out. He described it as Trinidad 16 guts in a Curado body. Price? They said 'hoping' for under $500. I know a lot of people won't pay that, but plenty will. Should be interesting.
Most of the time ABU, DAIWA, SHAIMANO, bring out new reels/rods at ICAST that is in July every year. Hope U are right.
I hope so too. Then there should be some cheap(er) TE's in the buy/sell forum.
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Posts: 458
| Calcutta TE with power handle. |
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Posts: 24
| I broke down and spent the coin on the 400te conquest. Finally got to fish w/it yesterday and was beyond impressed. So hopefully it was a smart investment |
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Posts: 143
Location: Lake of The Woods | I seen nothing at I cast about this reel for this year, i already have alot of there 2012 product and think shimano would of gave me some insight.
They need to have a 401b (lefty) for the anglers. I dont understand why they give it in a te and not a B???? |
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Posts: 582
| 2 - Shimano Culcutta 400B's.. that way i would have 2 nice reels for 2 nice rods instead of one expensive reel. |
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Posts: 1037
| I have a 400 TE and a Revo Toro. My TE broke down after one year of use. Drag sticks and screams when I cast it. It needs repair work and Shimano said to send it back and they will fix it on their dime. That is why I bought the reel, when you drop that kind of money on a reel, the manufacturer takes care of you.
In the same breath, I'll tell you that I also recently bought a Revo Toro. "Normal" gear ratio of 5.4. Out of the box, it is much smoother than the TE. Drag is smoother and the sucker clicker is much better compared to the TE. As I keep replacing older reels, I will buy Toros, not TEs. |
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Posts: 143
Location: Lake of The Woods | And id like to mention that i see WAY more problems with the revo's than Shimano's. It's not even close. I own a tackle shop and carry both reels and more, what reel do you think a grab??? |
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Location: Ontario | Perhaps there is way more Revo reels out there.... |
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Posts: 143
Location: Lake of The Woods | lifeisfun - 9/20/2011 8:28 PM
Perhaps there is way more Revo reels out there....
I sell probally over 10-1 calcutta's compared to toro's. My opinion is not biased, just the facts. |
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Posts: 1037
| And yet my TE needed repair work after one year of use. Never left it outside, always backed the drag off at the end of the day...etc. I haven't used the Revo long enough to see how it will hold up. But like I said, out of the box, it feels and works better than the TE.
I am thrilled, though, with the level of service that I've received from Shimano. When I bought the reel, the guys at Smokeys said that Shimano would stand behind that reel. They have. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | vegas492 - 9/22/2011 9:19 AM
And yet my TE needed repair work after one year of use. Never left it outside, always backed the drag off at the end of the day...etc. I haven't used the Revo long enough to see how it will hold up. But like I said, out of the box, it feels and works better than the TE.
I am thrilled, though, with the level of service that I've received from Shimano. When I bought the reel, the guys at Smokeys said that Shimano would stand behind that reel. They have.
If U have never seen the insides of the Calcutta and the Toro How can U say one is better then the other ?????
The Toro is one hell of a nice reel but the Calcutta TE will last U a lifetime if U use it right. |
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Posts: 11
| PIKEMASTER - 9/22/2011 9:40 AM
If U have never seen the insides of the Calcutta and the Toro How can U say one is better then the other ?????
Good to know that having the ability to disassemble a reel is a prerequisite for identifying quality, and here I thought knowing how a reel performed on the water was the important part.
Next time I purchase a reel I will make sure to have the store completely disassemble it to make sure I can tell which one is better. Probably should do it before I purchase my next vehicle as well? Maybe a TV? |
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Posts: 1037
| Dude, if you read my message, I'm not saying the TE is a bad reel. It just didn't last a year without needing Shimano's service help, which has been outstanding. I love my TE, but hoped for more durability considering the money that I dropped on that reel.
Out of the box, I like the Revo better. It is smoother casting, easier reeling, better drag system and a much better sucker clicker than the TE. But, that is out of the box. We shall see how it holds up this fall.
Don't get me wrong, I'm keeping my TE. But I'm not dropping that kind of money while replacing my C4's that are 10 years old. I'll replace them with Revo's. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Stink Balls - 9/22/2011 10:07 AM
Next time I purchase a reel I will make sure to have the store completely disassemble it to make sure I can tell which one is better.
Not to many parts in a Zebco reel, so I guess U could.   |
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