Shimano Calcutta Te 400

[JamesAK]

Is this reel any good. There is one at my local baitshop for 220. I will be using it for saltwater, basically just live lining herring and using dead bait with a 3oz weight.

Will this reel serve me well or should I be looking at something else?

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Very good reel. Keep it oiled etc. Rinse if off well with freshwater when your done using it.

[Dwight Hottle]

Jump on it. The TE are excellent reels.

[hmongkidBee]

That is one of the best reels out there.  It can be used for anything and will last forever as long as you maintain it.  Most guys use it for throwing swimbaits and it excels at it.

[Hooked_On_Bass]

Stellar reels!

[SirSnookalot]

Good reel but the wrong one for your type of fishing. Within the Shimano line up I'd be looking at a tekota if you want a level wind or a torium, both reels have a power handle on the crank, I believe both reels have available stronger drags than the caluctta.  IMO you need a bait reel, not a cast and retrieve reel.

Before I would do anything I'd be talking with locals in the area to see what they are using and what kind of fish are being caught.

[Gone_Phishin]

Musky guys absolutely salivate over this reel.

[Capt.Bob]

Super reel + excellent price = BUY IT!!!!!!!

[fishking247]

Good reel but the wrong one for your type of fishing. Within the Shimano line up I'd be looking at a tekota if you want a level wind or a torium, both reels have a power handle on the crank, I believe both reels have available stronger drags than the caluctta.  IMO you need a bait reel, not a cast and retrieve reel.

Before I would do anything I'd be talking with locals in the area to see what they are using and what kind of fish are being caught.

What he said. I prefer a non levelwind reel when fishing live bait such as herring, shad and bunker for stripers in saltwater. I would look into an avet reel for what you want to do.

[Hanover_Yakker]

What snook said - for live bait, find out what others are using, but a great reel and one on my short list when I get the funds is the new Release Reels SG.  Look them up!  @ $249 and a lifetime warranty, they are hard to beat!

[SirSnookalot]

Musky guys absolutely salivate over this reel.

Maybe, but the intent is not to catch muskie.  With little thought I could come up with a number of much better options, both more and less expensive.  My first thought is the rod, do you already have a rod or do you plan on buying one for a new reel purchase.  The best reel in the world is useless on the wrong rod.

 

Conventional.......My choice would be 40# class rod, conventional non level wind reel with line capacity.  I'd use an 8-10' rod unless I planned on using on a boat too, then I't would be a 7 footer.  Also I would load it up with mono, if you have caught a 15-20# bluefish you know how they will tangle many lines on a boat, they cut lines they don't untangle them.

 

Spinning.......A rod is always available for any kind of spinning use.  Baitrunner styles are ideal for pier or shore use with live or cut bait, can be casted as well.  I personally do not use them but I have quite a few standard spinning reels that are more than adequate to handle the task at hand, I have ones that hold 250 or more yards of line with 30# of drag and weigh 14-20 oz.  To a freshwater fisherman that may sound heavy and awkward, but to a saltwater fisherman it isn't.  Not too say that inshore style fishing we like well balanced light outfits, but that is not what you will be doing.

 

I'll forego the brand war, this type of fishing does not require the most high end gear.

[Gone_Phishin]

Maybe, but the intent is not to catch muskie.  With little thought I could come up with a number of much better options, both more and less expensive.  My first thought is the rod, do you already have a rod or do you plan on buying one for a new reel purchase.  The best reel in the world is useless on the wrong rod.

 

Conventional.......My choice would be 40# class rod, conventional non level wind reel with line capacity.  I'd use an 8-10' rod unless I planned on using on a boat too, then I't would be a 7 footer.  Also I would load it up with mono, if you have caught a 15-20# bluefish you know how they will tangle many lines on a boat, they cut lines they don't untangle them.

 

Spinning.......A rod is always available for any kind of spinning use.  Baitrunner styles are ideal for pier or shore use with live or cut bait, can be casted as well.  I personally do not use them but I have quite a few standard spinning reels that are more than adequate to handle the task at hand, I have ones that hold 250 or more yards of line with 30# of drag and weigh 14-20 oz.  To a freshwater fisherman that may sound heavy and awkward, but to a saltwater fisherman it isn't.  Not too say that inshore style fishing we like well balanced light outfits, but that is not what you will be doing.

 

I'll forego the brand war, this type of fishing does not require the most high end gear.

 

 

Understood.  Just adding what I kow about the reel.