OK Bass Hunter Posted November 28, 2014 Posted November 28, 2014 If you really want the 250DC, save up and get it and don't look back. 3 Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted November 28, 2014 Super User Posted November 28, 2014 If you really want the 250DC, save up and get it and don't look back. I agree. 4 Quote
John G Posted November 28, 2014 Posted November 28, 2014 If you really want the 250DC, save up and get it and don't look back. X3 1 Quote
Super User Catt Posted November 28, 2014 Super User Posted November 28, 2014 Do you own any of these reels ? No need to open them up for tuning. They come ready to go for both the novice & experienced angler. A-Jay I have 2 Calcutta100As that are 25-30 years old, adjusted them when they were new & aint touched them since. I'll give you another one, Shimano Cardiff, same reel as the Calcutta. I've got 2 of them that are 10-15 years old. Many swimbaits guys I know throw the Cardiff 300. That's 30 years of usage without a single problem 1 Quote
bmlum415 Posted November 29, 2014 Posted November 29, 2014 I wouldn't go with a TE reel from shimano for swimbaits since there's no need for it. Although I'm die hard shimano I'd reccommend a luna 253. If you go the shimano route though, go with a 300 size and up, any smaller won't hold enough line. Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted November 29, 2014 Super User Posted November 29, 2014 hmmm... no Morrums being discussd... oe 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted November 29, 2014 Super User Posted November 29, 2014 hmmm... no Morrums being discussd... oe I do not own one and never have but I've always wanted one. Been eye balling them now for a while - They don't give them away . . . A-Jay Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted November 29, 2014 Super User Posted November 29, 2014 hmmm... no Morrums being discussd... oe Nice reels but the current production Morrums don't meet the OP's requirements unless he buys used and accepts reduced line capacity. He wants to be under $350 (preferably under $300), and wants a "300" or "400" size. The current Morrum 3600 lists for $499, can be found for $400, but only holds 135yds of 12 pound line - perhaps less than the OP wants. Although - the line he is intending to use has a diameter roughly equivalent to some 15lb lines and a 3600 would hold about 110 yards of that which should be plenty... Lots of nifty choices - it will be interesting to see what the OP decides. Quote
bootytrain Posted November 29, 2014 Posted November 29, 2014 That sale is usually during the classic. I'm hoping they have it again myself. I thought they had that sale to match a competitor who did the same thing? I'm going to try to purchase a Calais DC this week but if that sale is coming soon I'll wait. Quote
hatrix Posted November 29, 2014 Posted November 29, 2014 I am not sure if they can be found that cheap but I would try to find a Diawa Pluton. Quote
Super User WRB Posted November 30, 2014 Super User Posted November 30, 2014 Shimano Cardiff 300A is a very popular and functional reel with swimbait anglers, around $100. The new Calcutta 300D sit higher on the rod, excellent reel, better bearings stronger frame, however doesn't cast swimbaits any better then the Cardiff. What rod do you plan to use? Tom 2 Quote
BasshunterJGH Posted November 30, 2014 Author Posted November 30, 2014 Shimano Cardiff 300A is a very popular and functional reel with swimbait anglers, around $100. The new Calcutta 300D sit higher on the rod, excellent reel, better bearings stronger frame, however doesn't cast swimbaits any better then the Cardiff. What rod do you plan to use? Tom Ill be using the new megabass orochi xx leviathan, rated 1/2-8 ounces. Ill be throwing glide baits, huddlestons, and smaller boot tail swimbaits. I had a Cardiff 100 for a while used it for small swimbaits and cranks its a nice reel. I just want to try something nicer idk. I'm pretty set on a shimano, just can't decide which model. Quote
Super User Angry John Posted November 30, 2014 Super User Posted November 30, 2014 Why not change the question to best shimano reel less than 350 Quote
Super User Catt Posted November 30, 2014 Super User Posted November 30, 2014 Shimano Cardiff 300A is a very popular and functional reel with swimbait anglers, around $100. The new Calcutta 300D sit higher on the rod, excellent reel, better bearings stronger frame, however doesn't cast swimbaits any better then the Cardiff. What rod do you plan to use? Tom The Calcutta & Cardiff are identical, same gears, same bearing, same frame strength. One is die cast one is cold forged but the structural strength is the same. When I was an engineer with Northrop/Grumman I took both apart & measured everything! 1 Quote
powerduster Posted November 30, 2014 Posted November 30, 2014 The Calcutta & Cardiff are identical, same gears, same bearing, same frame strength. One is die cast one is cold forged but the structural strength is the same. When I was an engineer with Northrop/Grumman I took both apart & measured everything! Are you saying the main and pinion gears are interchangeable for both reels? I was really looking into the Calcutta d, but if this is true then that's quite disappointing. Especially the price difference between the $100 Cardiff and $365 Calcutta 300 is outrageous. Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted November 30, 2014 Super User Posted November 30, 2014 The Calcutta & Cardiff are identical, same gears, same bearing, same frame strength. One is die cast one is cold forged but the structural strength is the same. When I was an engineer with Northrop/Grumman I took both apart & measured everything! The Calcutta B was very similar. The TE, Conquest, DC, and Calcutta D, are far different animals. Quote
0119 Posted November 30, 2014 Posted November 30, 2014 Why strive for the reel that caused the fight between Larry Dahlberg and shimano? An expert in catching serious fish, he found it lacking in every detail. For $350 get a custom hand tuned Ambassadeur by one of any custom builder available. It'll have Abec 7 hybrids throughout, Smooth Drag carbontex and you could have custom touches like ZPI spools or UT handles. Why get a reel the maker will make obsolete in two years, making parts availability nil. Get a reel you will use for decades. 1 Quote
thehooligan Posted November 30, 2014 Posted November 30, 2014 After using conquests, calcuttas, and cardiffs for swimbaits, if i had to do it all over again it would definitely be the cardiff. My 301 was awesome, added some bocas, and an 85mm zpi handle. Great reel, save that cash for swimbaits !! Quote
powerduster Posted December 1, 2014 Posted December 1, 2014 Why strive for the reel that caused the fight between Larry Dahlberg and shimano? An expert in catching serious fish, he found it lacking in every detail. For $350 get a custom hand tuned Ambassadeur by one of any custom builder available. It'll have Abec 7 hybrids throughout, Smooth Drag carbontex and you could have custom touches like ZPI spools or UT handles. Why get a reel the maker will make obsolete in two years, making parts availability nil. Get a reel you will use for decades.Are you referring to the Calcutta D? I saw a couple videos of him talking about it as if it was the greatest thing ever invented since sliced bread. It was his enthusiasm that had me look into purchasing one. Hasn't the Calcutta B been out for a while now? Quote
BasshunterJGH Posted December 12, 2014 Author Posted December 12, 2014 One more question before I buy guys. I've narrowed it down to the JDM Calcutta D and the and the JDM 2000 Calcutta conquest. I really don't want to spend any more than $430. Is the JDM Conquest (2001-2014) the same reel as the Calcutta te? Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted December 12, 2014 Super User Posted December 12, 2014 One more question before I buy guys. I've narrowed it down to the JDM Calcutta D and the and the JDM 2000 Calcutta conquest. I really don't want to spend any more than $430. Is the JDM Conquest (2001-2014) the same reel as the Calcutta te? The JDM Conquest (2000) is functionally the same as the Calcutta TE-GT. The GT models were available in three sizes (50, 100, 200) and had basically the same internals, bearing count, etc. as the equivalent Conquest sizes. The Conquest essentially just had a higher "trim level" similar to a higher trim level of a car. The Calcutta TEs (200, 300, 400, 700 sizes) had a lower bearing count, didn't have a ported frame, and in the only common size with the TE-GT - the TE-200 was a bit heavier than the TE-200GT. The differences: CQ has a forged handle / TE-GT has a stamped handle CQ has a forged drag star / TE-GT has a stamped star CQ has clicking spool tension knob and drag / TE-GT has no clicks CQ has a ported palm-side sideplate / TE-GT is plain/unported I think that's the basic differences. I have TE-GTs in all three sizes, I have CQ-2000s in 50 and 100 sizes. I don't notice any actual performance differences between the the CQ and the TE-GT equivalent model. 2 Quote
BasshunterJGH Posted December 13, 2014 Author Posted December 13, 2014 The JDM Conquest (2000) is functionally the same as the Calcutta TE-GT. The GT models were available in three sizes (50, 100, 200) and had basically the same internals, bearing count, etc. as the equivalent Conquest sizes. The Conquest essentially just had a higher "trim level" similar to a higher trim level of a car. The Calcutta TEs (200, 300, 400, 700 sizes) had a lower bearing count, didn't have a ported frame, and in the only common size with the TE-GT - the TE-200 was a bit heavier than the TE-200GT. The differences: CQ has a forged handle / TE-GT has a stamped handle CQ has a forged drag star / TE-GT has a stamped star CQ has clicking spool tension knob and drag / TE-GT has no clicks CQ has a ported palm-side sideplate / TE-GT is plain/unported I think that's the basic differences. I have TE-GTs in all three sizes, I have CQ-2000s in 50 and 100 sizes. I don't notice any actual performance differences between the the CQ and the TE-GT equivalent model. Thanks for the detailed post. Those are beautiful reels! Love the side plate on the conquest. Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted December 13, 2014 Super User Posted December 13, 2014 Yea, the conquest has those " really nice extras Not a fan of the side plate porting, but the clicking drag, alloy star, clicking cast control, and a d**n fine handle make it a supreme reel... Both reels are worth every penny... Quote
BasshunterJGH Posted December 13, 2014 Author Posted December 13, 2014 I definitely like the looks of that forged handle and drag star on the conquest. Looks like a really nice reel. Quote
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