Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Spawn Sack]

I'm contemplating buying a new bait caster. Something 11ish oz, or 400 series size. Needs to be appropriate size/weight to balance a med-heavy 10'6-11'6 trigger rod. Needs to be available in left hand retrieve.

I would buy a Calcutta 401B, but it only comes in RH 400B.  I have a Calcutta 201B and Currado 301E - both awesome reels!! But too small and light to use on my beefier rods.

I almost bought a Calcutta 401 TE off ebay from Japan, but the bidding went north of $500 CAD and I decided that was too much for a used reel sight unseen.

Reels I can buy in Canada that I have my eye on are:

-The new Calcutta 301 or 401D. I don't know anyone who has one but it is supposed to be an improvement on the already rock solid 400B.

-The Daiwa Luna 300 series, I think it is called the 353 (?).

I'm more of a Shimano guy, don't own any Daiwa stuff. However the Luna is about $150 cheaper than the Calcutta D.

Curious what ppl have and what they think of it.

I have several Abu reels and lower end Shimano reels. Don't need another 6501 or similar reel. Looking for a high end bait caster to use and enjoy when it is too cold and nasty out for me to comfortably fish my centerpin.

[spoiler]

don't waste your time with the newer ABU's.
go on Ebay and buy an Abu 6501 that's made in the 1970's or earlier.
These early models were built to be bulletproof and fish like a dream.
I still have a 6500c that I got as a birthday gift in 1976 and it's still going like a champ!
I have fished it hard over the last 41 years and all I have done to it is general maintenance!

[milo]

don't waste your time with the newer ABU's.
go on Ebay and buy an Abu 6501 that's made in the 1970's or earlier.
These early models were built to be bulletproof and fish like a dream.
I still have a 6500c that I got as a birthday gift in 1976 and it's still going like a champ!
I have fished it hard over the last 41 years and all I have done to it is general maintenance!

True that.
I have several golden era ABU Ambassadeurs ranging from "mint" to "lightly used" in my classic Ambassadeur collection.

I even have a rare and very hard to find never used 6001C, just like this one, except that mine has never even had line on it:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Abu-6001C-black-reel-Used-from-Japan-9329/162722862463?hash=item25e309d57f:g:jukAAOSwyP5Z7bYZ


I could be talked into parting with it for the right price. Let me know.

Cheers,

Milo

[Damien]

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=41571.0

400D on craigs.

[chromeo]

don't waste your time with the newer ABU's.
go on Ebay and buy an Abu 6501 that's made in the 1970's or earlier.
These early models were built to be bulletproof and fish like a dream.
I still have a 6500c that I got as a birthday gift in 1976 and it's still going like a champ!
I have fished it hard over the last 41 years and all I have done to it is general maintenance!

you dont have to go that far back just look for made in sweden with round handles 90s early 2000s.  i personally bought a shimano tranx 300 it blows anything else away.

[Spawn Sack]

Thanks guys. I already have...5 solid Abu reels. Two older-ish 6501s, made in Sweeden. Great reels never had a problem with either of them. A vintage 6001 in near mint condition (same as yours Milo, sorry don't need a 2nd one). A Revo Toro HS which is a pretty solid reel but I think overpriced at $400ish new. Lastly a older red 7001 which sees occasional Fraser use for bar fishing etc.

I definitely do NOT want another ubiquitous Abu reel. Yes they are great reels. But I have had them for many moons and am looking for something a little more cool, cutting edge, a fun new toy!

If Shimano made a Currado 401E I would buy that in a heart beat. The Currado 301 E7 is hands down the best bait caster I own and have used. So smooth, incredible drag, feels solid as an Allison transmission. Unfortunately it feels too small and light on a med-heavy rod. Yes I know I could add weight to the butt cap of the rod to balance it out, but to me this is the tail wagging the dog; the rod was meant to be fished with a bigger/heavier reel (!)

Currently my go to 400 size reel is an older Shimano Cardiff 401. Basically the cheapy version of the Calcutta 400B reel that does not come in 401B. But the Cardiff is not a bad reel at all for $150ish! It was actually my very 1st bait caster. Totally a decent reel for the $.

But it is no Calcutta and certainly no Currado E.

Based on my looking in the shops and online the two reels I would consider are the Calcutta 301D or 401D or the bigger Diawa Luna, 353 or whatever it is.

Would be curious to hear from someone who has the new Calcutta and what they think of it.

EDIT: Was looking through my reels last night. I was mistaken my vintage Abu is a 5001, not 6001. I believe it's made in 1978. I fish it once in a while. Beautiful reel.

[FlyFishin Magician]

The Diawa Luna 253 is a medium sized reel - about the same size as an Abu c3 5500, and its RHW.  The diawa 300 series is the equivalent size to the Calcutta 400 B in size. I can't recall is there's a left hand version, but I suspect it would be a Diawa Luna 301? I have the 253 and it is a great reel. I have noted an issue with the anti reverse gear, which requires me to clean it regularly. I prefer my Calcutta 200 B over my Luna for my coho reel, but that might have more to do with the smaller size of the 200.

[bigblockfox]

luna 301 for lefties. really like the luna but the calcutta te is also a nice piece.

[Ambassador]

I have the Calcutta 400D and love it. Great for Springs and Chum on my 10'6 Convergence - plus I use it on my kayak for trolling around Ambleside with 6oz banana weights and bait. It is a bit of a heavier setup (I switch between that and my 9wt fly rod when I get fatigued) - but balances well on that rod and is hands-down my favourite reel. Top quality and has proven trustworthy not to crap out out on me or crack open mid-fight (due to shitty placement of the open button on my Curado and easy-loosening pins on my Ambassadeur).

[Spawn Sack]

Cool thanks guys. The Lunas sound like solid reels. I have just never owned anything Diawa, just more of a Shimano guy. Thus I'm likely to side with the Calcutta 401D. Damn they are expensive though! Hopefully a case of you get what you pay for.

A thought, the Calcutta 301D and 401D only differ in weight by 0.2 of an oz (11.6oz vs 11.8oz).

If you look at the specs the 301 actually retrieves line a hair faster thanks to it's 5.6:1 gearing vs 5.1:1 in the 401.

Tough call! I'd have to hold them both in my hand and also consider what rod I want to pair the reel with. Would probably buy one of the new rods I'm looking at first, then pick the best reel to go with it afterwards.

[VirtualFisher]

Sports Wholesale in Langley currently has all the reels on sale 20% off. They added another 10% on top of that when I was there on Friday.  They have different models of Calcutta and Diawa bait cast reels.

[Spawn Sack]

you dont have to go that far back just look for made in sweden with round handles 90s early 2000s.  i personally bought a shimano tranx 300 it blows anything else away.

Was just looking at the Tranx reels on line. I like! Will definitely have to check them out before I consider a Calcutta 301 or 401D.

I like that the Tranx appears to be a bit bigger/heavier than the Currado 301 E7 (10.5oz). The Tranx 301A is 11.6 oz and the 401A is 12 oz. Either of these would balance out a med-heavy trigger rod nicely whereas the Currado is just too light.

Which Tranx did you buy and where did you buy it? I need to go check these babies out! Looking at the specs on line I would consider the 301A or 401 A. The HG models don't appeal to me with the 7.6:1 gearing.

http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac-fish/en/home/products/info/news/shimano-tranx-300-400.html
 

 Also the Tranx has 22lbs of drag - wow! That being said the Currado has a pretty standard 15lbs drag (Calcutta 301D and 401D also 15lbs drag), and I've never felt the need to go beyond 75-80% drag and that is with a spring or chum on

[chromeo]

Was just looking at the Tranx reels on line. I like! Will definitely have to check them out before I consider a Calcutta 301 or 401D.

I like that the Tranx appears to be a bit bigger/heavier than the Currado 301 E7 (10.5oz). The Tranx 301A is 11.6 oz and the 401A is 12 oz. Either of these would balance out a med-heavy trigger rod nicely whereas the Currado is just too light.

Which Tranx did you buy and where did you buy it? I need to go check these babies out! Looking at the specs on line I would consider the 301A or 401 A. The HG models don't appeal to me with the 7.6:1 gearing.

http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac-fish/en/home/products/info/news/shimano-tranx-300-400.html
 

 Also the Tranx has 22lbs of drag - wow! That being said the Currado has a pretty standard 15lbs drag (Calcutta 301D and 401D also 15lbs drag), and I've never felt the need to go beyond 75-80% drag and that is with a spring or chum on

i ordered one from Freds but i feel it was a bit over priced next one i'm ordering from the states.  Maybe wait for a sale on one of the major online retailers and get one you wont be dissapointed.  I had looked at it at the spring show and instantly you can tell its a well built reel i've been using it for salmon all year its nicer than the calcuttas.

[Spawn Sack]

Which Tranx do you have chromeo?

[HOOK]

There is a Diawa Luna 300L on Craigslist right now if you're still looking.

https://abbotsford.craigslist.ca/spo/d/team-daiwa-luna-reel/6362235749.html

Why do you need such a big reel anyhow ?
I use a small sized Calcutta 200 for Chinook fishing primarily and my pin for everything else and I've never felt a needed a larger levelwind. Really love using the smaller lighter reel over a full sized one

Edit to add link to ad