Shimano Calais 200Dc

[Flippin N Rippin]

I just pulled the trigger on the Calais 200DC.I have not even put line on it yet. I was told that I shouldnt use braided line on this reel. I am yet to still read anything about this. Anyone ever hear this before or is this just a bunch of BS Ive been hearing? I normally use 30lb power pro or sufix 832 both with a florocarbon leader.  

[South FLA]

You can use braid, who told you that you couldn't? 

[War Eagle 44]

I agree, that's total BS. Spool that bad boy up with braid. I would also be interested in learning where you heard this.

[Maico1]

Of course you can, someone is pulling your leg.

[roadwarrior]

You will need backing or tape, otherwise the braid will slip. That might be what

happened to the guy that told you not to use braid on the reel.

[J Francho]

Of course you can, someone is pulling your leg.

 

Isn't that your froggin' reel I played with? That thing can fling a little Koppers a mile.

[Flippin N Rippin]

Just got home from fishing. Caught 6 bass this morning before I had to get to my college class. It took a little bit to get use to the new reel but thats with any new product. I put 30lb Power pro on the reel. It casts like a dream. I have read and heard many things about this reel. I know it is not the weekend warrior. I worked hard and saved for the gear I have. I would recommend the Calais 200 DC to anyone that can afford to spend $650 on a reel. It is worth every penny. Its not going to catch me more fish I know that. The only thing about the reel I would say is that is the reel takes a little bit to get use to the weight. The coolest thing of the reel is.... How many reels can you cast into the wind and take your thumb off the spool? I seen that in a video and had to try it myself. Here in wisconsin there was 15mph winds. I casted directly into the wind as hard as I could whip the lure and took my thumb off the spool and WALA. The reel didnt backlash or have any overrun. Incredible. While the first couple of casts I did have a few small backlashes nothing serious. I give the reel a 9.8 out 10 rating. Thanks all for the feedback and good luck fishing.

[baluga]

It's good to hear that shimano was able to correct the issue on the DC models,  the Calcutta DC is quite a pain in the arse when the DC starts acting up. 

[Dwight Hottle]

Enjoy your new reel. The only thing sweeter than a calais dc is a calais dc with a hawgtech handle.

[Maico1]

You will need backing or tape, otherwise the braid will slip. That might be what

happened to the guy that told you not to use braid on the reel.

Not if you have a wiffle spool or one that is a semi wiffle which the 200 DC does.

[Maico1]

Enjoy your new reel. The only thing sweeter than a calais dc is a calais dc with a hawgtech handle.

Like this with the new 102 Curved Handle....

[Maico1]

Isn't that your froggin' reel I played with? That thing can fling a little Koppers a mile.

Yes it is and now it has a new handle on it.....

Hawgtech 102 Curved Handle......

[5dollarsplash]

_{^^^^^^  ^^^^^^}

[War Eagle 44]

It's good to hear that shimano was able to correct the issue on the DC models,  the Calcutta DC is quite a pain in the arse when the DC starts acting up. 

Can you elaborate more on the troubles you encountered with the Calcutta DC? I've had mine since the lefties were first available and I've not had any problems in the years since. I mainly use it as a crank reel and love it. Did the DC system just stop functioning?  

[Flippin N Rippin]

How much is the handle and were can I buy one? Sweet reel bro

[J Francho]

Hawgtech is a site sponsor - look on the right.

 

[baluga]

Can you elaborate more on the troubles you encountered with the Calcutta DC? I've had mine since the lefties were first available and I've not had any problems in the years since. I mainly use it as a crank reel and love it. Did the DC system just stop functioning?  

There's two places that could make the Calcutta DC acting up. 

 

1. Spool bearing issue. 

- If oiled too much, 

- lacks cleaning/oil.

- Incorrect type of oil used.  ( I remember talking to a shimano rep and they say they use special oil design for it.  I use TSi 301 which works fine )

 

2. When the light sensor is not clean enough.  ( you need to clean the sensor with cotton buds and alcohol )

 

When the DC start's acting up, you would not hear the humming sound and it will go bird's nest after bird's nest.   I would have 8 bird's nest out of 10 cast.

 

It's pretty difficult to maintain to keep it to the correct oil maint.  

 

Oh yeah, I use mine for inshore Saltwater, I guess that why it gets issue more often compared to the one's used in freshwater only. 

 

But once you have maintain it correctly, it's a joy to use.

[jeb2]

I would recommend the Calais 200 DC to anyone that can afford to spend $650 on a reel. It is worth every penny. Its not going to catch me more fish I know that. 

Don't be so sure. My pair have caught me fish I would not have caught otherwise because I could cast a particular plug further than any other rod on the deck, like to schooling fish WAY out there, etc.

How many reels can you cast into the wind and take your thumb off the spool? I seen that in a video and had to try it myself. Here in wisconsin there was 15mph winds. I casted directly into the wind as hard as I could whip the lure and took my thumb off the spool and WALA. The reel didnt backlash or have any overrun. Incredible.

And you still get great distance out of the lure, too. Pure magic.

[jeb2]

There's two places that could make the Calcutta DC acting up. 

 

1. Spool bearing issue. 

- If oiled too much, 

- lacks cleaning/oil.

- Incorrect type of oil used.  ( I remember talking to a shimano rep and they say they use special oil design for it.  I use TSi 301 which works fine )

 

2. When the light sensor is not clean enough.  ( you need to clean the sensor with cotton buds and alcohol )

 

When the DC start's acting up, you would not hear the humming sound and it will go bird's nest after bird's nest.   I would have 8 bird's nest out of 10 cast.

 

It's pretty difficult to maintain to keep it to the correct oil maint.  

 

Oh yeah, I use mine for inshore Saltwater, I guess that why it gets issue more often compared to the one's used in freshwater only. 

 

But once you have maintain it correctly, it's a joy to use.

I've never had an issue with my Calcutta DC. I don't fish it as much as my Calais DC's, but it's been solid as a rock and trouble free.

[baluga]

Good for you, cause mine is not an isolated case since my fishing buddy also have the same issue with his Calcutta DC 100

[War Eagle 44]

There's two places that could make the Calcutta DC acting up. 

 

1. Spool bearing issue. 

- If oiled too much, 

- lacks cleaning/oil.

- Incorrect type of oil used.  ( I remember talking to a shimano rep and they say they use special oil design for it.  I use TSi 301 which works fine )

 

2. When the light sensor is not clean enough.  ( you need to clean the sensor with cotton buds and alcohol )

 

When the DC start's acting up, you would not hear the humming sound and it will go bird's nest after bird's nest.   I would have 8 bird's nest out of 10 cast.

 

It's pretty difficult to maintain to keep it to the correct oil maint.  

 

Oh yeah, I use mine for inshore Saltwater, I guess that why it gets issue more often compared to the one's used in freshwater only. 

 

But once you have maintain it correctly, it's a joy to use.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've never had to clean the sensor on either of my DC reels, but then again as you said I only use mine in freshwater. I've sent the Calcutta DC in 3 times over the years to Shimano for a good breakdown and cleaning so I know they've performed the necessary maintenance. Good to hear it's a relatively simple fix once you know what the problem is.  

[John G]

Have there been any changes to the Calais DC over the years? The reason that I am asking is because a local tackle shop has had one in the display case for years and I am curious if the newer ones have any improvements over the older ones.

[jeb2]

AFAIK, there has never been an update to the Calais DC. If there were, they were pretty minor.

[Flippin N Rippin]

I had another great evening fishing with my Calais DC. This was the second day using it and I love it more and more. Money well spent. Bow hunting opens here in Wisconsin on the 14th and I am still going to be chasing smallies till the very end of the season. May be take a day or two for bowhunting but this Calais DC literally has me hooked.

[Maico1]

Glad to hear you are having such a great time with your new Calais DC,they truly are a sweet reel.