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Posts: 101
| Opinion on the Shimano Calcutta TE Baitcasting Reel CTE400LJV Lucanus versus Shimano Calcutta 400 TE Baitcasting Reel especially for throwing pounders? |
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Posts: 547
Location: Oshkosh | Buy the Trinidad and use that for pounders.
Peter |
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| I only have experience using a 400TE for pounders and it works great. I do know a lot of guys that are using the LJV say it's the best reel they've ever used. |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | The LJV is definitely the best reel I have ever used - for any application! It handles pounders with ease. Great pick up! Never had an issue with gears on casting, backlashes, hooksets, anything. However, if you do get one, switch the LJV handle to a counter weighted shimano power handle or a stock trinidad handle. The Lucanus is made for deep ocean vertical jigging so the handle isn't made for horizontal pulls or a sweeping set. If you have a REAL hookset, you will strip the handle post first time you bury the hooks. I replace all of mine with the power handle right out of the box. Plus, I add a little LOCTITE (RED) for piece of mind - Sickest reel ever made!!! Worth every penny hands down! |
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| What's different about the performance of the two reels? The only spec difference is two more bearings in the LJV. Do they really make that much of a difference? |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | The casting and smooth retrieve is unbelievable with the LJV. Last season for fun on V was casting a Giant Trevally Popper with a 9'6" Heavy Predator and an LJV. I could almost empty the spool an bomb casts. I could fling that thing a country mile. The added bearings are where it's at. I have a couple conquests as well with the added bearings. Also, some sick reels! |
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Posts: 240
| I have one too. Best reel ever for big blades!!!! Feels like you are pulling in small bass in-line spinners. I have tried a regular TE with a power handle and it is not the same. I am not sure why but it might be the bearings. Very right about the handle Change it out right away. It can engage on the cast and blow up your pinion gear. That is not strip it but shatter it. I learned that the hard way. Needs a counter balance handle.
That being said, very easy reel to cast. Almost like a curado.
CM |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I second exactally what Jerry said. Best reel I have ever used...BY FAR. If you can get your hands on a LJV, I would do it. I just ordered a few more for the boat for the 2011 season. Amazing reels and you won't be disappointed. |
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| Let me start out by saying that I definitely do NOT know as much about musky fishing as probably anyone here. I enjoy reading the site and am constantly trying to learn more about the sport. Being an engineer though, I am a bit of a tackle nut so I'll chime in here 
Take handles out of the equation, and the internals of a LJV/Conquest/Calcutta are darn near 100% identical. The added bearings for the LJV are in the handle under the knob. There are no added bearings in the actual body of the reel. Same goes for the Conquest as the four additional bearings are under each of the two knobs (two bearings * two knobs).
Where some noticable differences might come into play are the frame and side plate. The LJV/Conquest have forged sideplates and frame while the TE has a machined frame and stamped sideplate. Forgings are a very expensive way of manufacturing an item, but they provide a strong, near net shape item. They require little machining, and tighter, more consistent tolerances are typically achieved.
My guess is the added smoothness of the Conquest/LJV (note - I have a conquest, but not a LJV - love the Conquest) is due to the more solid feeling of the reel in hand (subjective I know) and the tighter tolerances of where the spool shaft interacts with the bearings in the VBS hub and under the cast control knob.
If you're curious, I'd recommend pulling up the schematics on Shimano's website and taking a look. There's a lot of neat things involved with today's reels. For the added cost of the LJV, it would be hard to not go with the TE, especially if one wanted a counter-balanced handle. |
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Posts: 406
Location: Stones throw away...finally!! | I have had one for a little over one season now and loved it last year. The earlier posts regarding the handle stripping out from side force (hooksets, ripping dawgs) is accurate. This happened to me in Canada and I had to send it in to get replaced. They repaired it for free (this one time), but still a bit frustrating. Can someone from an earlier post explain why the different handle would make a difference? I am guessing it must be a bit thinner material and you get more thread engagement. Definately want to bullet proof the handle aspect as I absolutely love the reel. |
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Posts: 240
| Ryan, Thank you for your post.
That is the confusing thing about this reel. Like I said before. I have tried the regular te with a power handle and own the ljv. The difference in reeling in a big bladed bait is very noticeable. Much easier with the LJV. The specs show that the gear ratio is the same and yet it does not seem so. If so one can explain why this is, I am all ears! |
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| Try measuring from the center of the knob to the center of the driveshaft where the reel bolts on at. My guess would be the LJV handle is slightly longer in this measurement than the optional TE power handle. If you find out let us know, I'd be interested to hear. |
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Posts: 101
| Thanks everyone for all the experienced feedback. Very much appreciated and any further comments as well. |
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