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Posts: 827
Location: Minneapolis,Minnesota | I'm thinking about buying one of these for a bucktail rod, anyone use this reel that can give me some feedback? I've used the Corsair and really wouldn't use another one, but thought I might move up to a Catala....can't swing it for the Calcutta this year.
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Posts: 177
Location: Germantown & Land O Lakes WI | There's a Calcutta and the Calcutta TE...the TE is the pricy one. I'd save this winter and buy the Callcutta next spring. |
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Posts: 2024
| Yea, I had one... do yourself a favor and find an alternative. It gave me problems from day one. The thumb bar would not engage a lot of the time, and sometimes at the most crucial point (figure 8). When it didn't and only engage part way you could wake the dead with the noise it made. Then the lure would halt in mid air and if you've ever had this happen, you know what kind of jolt a big muskie bait can give you when stopped in mid air. I almost lost a favorite Jackpot when this happened and my 65 lb Power Pro snapped. I was fishing from shore and fortuanetly another fisherman picked it up for me, he was in a boat. I happen to love the C4 for the $$$. Look into getting one of those. I made the mistake of thinking the Catala was just a small step under the Calcutta.... I was wrong. Hope this helps! |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | I own a lot of Shimano reels so I like them a lot. BUT...if you want to get the bucktail burning speed you're probably looking for and get a very durable (and affordable) reel I'd steer you towards the ABU 6500 C4 because it has a 6.3:1 gear ratio. The Curado is only 5.2:1. Don't mis-understand me. I've been happy with my Curado 300. But, with every brand and model of reels you'll get varied opinions and experiences with them all. At the very least, companies like ABU and Shimano have good track records taking care of customers if you should have a problem. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | If you don't like the Catala's gear ratio, look at the cardiff 300. Its 5.8:1. The reel is about the same price as the catala but a lot smoother. They seem almost as smooth as a calcutta. But I've never casted either. As far as an abu c4 with high speed gears, I wouldnt' recomend it for anything that pulls (bucktails, cranks) because those gears will go out quick. |
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Posts: 626
Location: ashtabula ohio | i had a 301 that i ended up returning. it never broke and worked pretty well, but the lower gear ratio held me down , i wouldnt recommend it for a bucktail reel. i think it was only 5:3 to 1. im goin with a 5601 c4 next year. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Get an abu and learn to reel faster. My buddy had one of those and he's hated it. Get a C5 and fill the spool ALL the way to the top. It'll bring it in fast enough for you. It also has 5 bearings and is very smooth. Otherwise Cady has some new Eon's for sale and they're pretty good for the price ($65 I think).
One problem with the 6.3 gears IMOP is I don't like trying to fight a fish with them. It's hard to explain, but it's harder to get power against some of the big girls.
See you in Chicago! |
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| I'd save my pennies and go with the Calcutta or stick to ABU for cheap reels. I had to use a buddy's Catala once on a trip...his could have been a lemon, but I was not impressed at all.
On the Cardiff mentioned above: I have one (300 size) and basically use it for bass. It's really, really comfortable for palming but is not anywhere near as smooth or high quality as my calcutta or curado; it feels "plastic" and there's no power to pull any bait with drag. The disengaging level wind on the 300 size bugs me--I have to be more careful than on my other reels that I have the line guide somewhere towards the middle or on longer casts the angle gets too extreme and line drags against the guide--I can feel it and it just kind of bugs me. Fine for bass, thumbs down for big fish. |
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Posts: 827
Location: Minneapolis,Minnesota | Thanks guys, I guess I'll probably just stick with the c4 & c5's. I wish I would have asked you all before I bought a Corsair, man what a pile of ...
Treats, Sorry I won't see you in Chitown. I have a new job in Blaine and will be moving back on the 29th of December. Boy am I glad thats over...:)
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