Shimano Calcutta 250 For Musky?

[dmhuffman]

Hello all,

I am thinking about getting a Shimano Calcutta 250 baitcaster reel.  Im thinking about getting into musky fishing, and I thought it would be a good reel for it.  The guy said he bought it new a year ago and used it 6 or 7 times.  He offered it to me for $50 which is a steal.  However, I havent been able to find any information or reviews on the reel, and was wondering if someone could give me some insight as to whether this is what I need for musky... even though this is a bass site..

 

Thanks!

Dillon

[MarkH024]

It depends on what you're going to throw for musky. If you throw smaller bucktails or smaller bulldogs it'll be ok.  Also, that reels spool is a bit on the small side for my liking for musky fishing.  I like to have a bigger spool for long casts with the bigger baits.  Can you use it.....yes but probably not the most ideal for dedicated musky fishing.  It's a great deal for $50.00 so you should snag it while you can.  I'd be looking at a 300 or bigger series reel. You'll be in the larger diameter lines for musky so it's going to consume that reel capacity quick.  You'll get a few opinions here, this is just one of them.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

For hard core pike/musky fishing go right to the 400 size. In the meantime snag that 250 as suggested.

[dmhuffman]

Well, idk much about lures for musky.  I might be getting a St. Croix triumph 7 ft rod with an Abu Garcia silvermax and 7 musky lures in a trade.  I thought a silvermax was a small reel for musky so I was looking into the Calcutta.  As far as the larger reels go, I dont really have the cash to throw out for a higher model like that.  So I thought the 250 sounded decent.  If you can tell from these pictures, do these look like something the 250 could handle?  They didnt tell me sizes. (Hopefully the picture shows up).

 

 

[MarkH024]

The rod is more of a factor on the ability to throw certain size lures, not your reel.  You can throw a cement block with a reel if you can find a rod that will wing it. The issue with the 250 is spool size.  Do you have any idea of the line diameter you're planning to use?  If you use too small of a diameter of line, you'll more than likely snap off your lures when you cast at some point. 

 

If you go with that reel for dedicated musky set up, make sure you get a rod that can handle the bigger glide baits and that big jackpot (topwater).  Or you're going to be asking how to repair the tip of your rod.  The bucktails look to be on the smaller size so you should be ok but you will get a work out using that reel throwing that stuff.  At minimum, put a power handle on the reel to make it easier on you.  If you end up exhausting yourself fishing for musky with under rated gear, you're going to hate it and not want to go after them.  Do it with the right gear, and you will love it when the reward of 40"+ fish are following your lures to the boat.  It's an amazing experience watching musky behave the way they do.

 

[dmhuffman]

The rod specs say its a St Croix Triumph 7 ft Extra Heavy, Fast action, 36-80 lb line, and 3-8oz lure.  I dont really know what line diameter Id use due, I guess whatever the biggest that I could get in that 250.  I appreciate all the help!

[MarkH024]

You'll be good on the rod. You'll find that in the future if you pursue it more you'll want a rod in the 7'6" or bigger. It's easier to throw bigger baits and do figure 8's at the boat.

 

I use 80# braid with either Fluoro or steel leader depending on lure and water I'm in.  I'll use 65# braid if I'm throwing smaller lures like the baby cowgirls or smaller jerkbaits and bulldogs.

 

Have fun! 

[mnbassman23]

Mark has given you great feedback. That jackpot is probably 8.5" so the other 2 glide baits are only 6 or 7 inches. The bucktails are on the smaller end so you have nothing to big in the world of Muskie fishing. That rod will work for all those baits. I'd say put some 65lb braid on your Calcutta just so you get a sufficient amount of line on it. 80lb line is ideal on bigger baits and so you don't risk snapping them off on a hard backlash, but I think having enough line on that reel would be my biggest concern. Just my opinion though. If you have a well trained thumb than there is no reason 65lb braid won't work, I've caught a lot of ski's with 50 or 65lb braid with a leader. 

 

IF you decide you enjoy muskie fishing then start saving up for a larger sized reel and then a longer rod. O and all the expensive baits that go with it. I know a lot of guys who've dropped a couple grand on gear and absolutely hated it, because they had no idea what they were getting into. Get a few follows, bites, and maybe even land one of those mystical fish and then go all in. 

 

Good luck! 

[dmhuffman]

Thanks for all the great advice guys! If all goes as planned I should have some gear by this weekend.  And only have about $130 in it when its all said and done.  Ive always heard my area of WV is great for fishing muskie, so maybe I'll finally get to see what it has to offer!

[Fishes in trees]

Once upon a time I was thinking about going musky fishing and realized that I didn't have much gear that was suitable.  I called Shimano and asked them if a Shimano Calcutta 250 would be adequate for musky fishing.  Basically they told me that there were better Shimano reels to go musky fishing with but if that was all I had, knock myself out.  Basically the customer service guy on the phone told me he didn't think that there were very many muskies swimming around that cold tear up a Calcutta 250 and if it did, at least I'd have a great story to tell.   He told me that in his opinion I could throw 2 ounce in-line spinners all day for months and that the reel would hold up great.

 

Anyway, muskie fishing or not, I'd buy a Calcutta 250 for $50 even if I didn't need another one.

[SMB101]

You could most likely find a Calcutta 400B at 150.00 TYD. Could get you started at least. Dependable reel.