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Posts: 91
Location: Wausau | I am looking at getting a new reel for a bucktail rod. I am looking at either the Calcutta 400 or the St Croix AC300. These are both around the $200.00 mark at the Gander Mt I looked at yesterday. I really like the metal thumb bar on the St Croix but I know the Calcutta has been around and proven. What are the goods and the bads of each?
Thanks
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Posts: 376
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin | If your going to get a St. Croix reel you might as well get the Daiwa and get 2 more bearings for the same price. |
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Posts: 158
Location: Eagan, MN | I tried a Calcutta 400 for bucktails. Not enough speed or power for bucktails. I use abu garcia 7000's for everything but jigs and small crankbaits. Reels the size of the 400 or 6500 C3 are fine for standard cranks, topwaters, etc, but dedicated buctail or big bait rods scream for big, powerful, durable reels. Never tried the ST. Croix, but I think the size and specs are about the same as the Shimano. The Calcutta 700 looks interesting. |
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| I have the AC 300 and I have used the 400 and 400 TE Calcuttas, and they are all great reels. Personally I like the Avid AC 300 better, so I would suggest that. If it is strictly a bucktail rod however, I would find an older Abu c3 7000 used, this winch can crank in anything and I have punished mine for years with not one problem!  |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | Shimano stopped making the Ct 400 as of now. They have a replacement in the works so I'm told.
Once you use a 7000 for spinners, you realize it's the only way to go. I got the Big Game 7000 HSN last season. Not a perfect reel by any means, but clearly the best choice for cranking tails all day........... |
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| The best reel for big bucktails (or big crank/twitch baits) is the Calcutta 700TE.
It's pricey. Around $350--$400. But man, you can fish the biggest spinners and 13" Grandmas with ease. Smoothest, most powerful reel I've even used.
Steve Hulbert |
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Posts: 108
Location: Toronto, ON | Here's the link to the new Calcutta B series....sounds nice!
http://www.shimanofishing.com/publish/content/us/en/fishing/news_an... |
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