Shimano Calcutta Reel

[Lenny Kay]

Hello there everybody I have a concern about my circle reel. I was using it throwing my swimbaits and noticed that when I had a striper latch on while trying to reel him in the reel handle was turning but the spull was not rotating pulling line in. I don’t know if there’s a gear that is possibly got sheared or if my drag system is worn out. While he was on the line fighting he wasn’t able to pull line out so it make me wonder if I’m dealing with a sheared gear not a bad drag system. If there is anyone out there that knows about these types of circle reels please help me point me in the right direction to getting it resolved and repaired. Thank You

 

[J Francho]

Braid with no backer?

[Deleted account]

The Calcutta is one of the bestest circle reals ever maid. Tern the 5 pointy stary thingy forward sum.

[bait__Monkey]

2 minutes ago, reason said:

The Calcutta is one of the bestest circle reals ever maid. Tern the 5 pointy stary thingy forward sum.

u taakum sam engish klazz I do

[Lenny Kay]

I don’t use braid with my swimbaits. This reel only holds 30 pound monofilament big game line. This reel is only used to throw big swimbaits/glidebaits.

[bait__Monkey]

 

@Lenny Kay u rmember t2 put sum mono backing on b4 u spool up z brayd.

[Lenny Kay]

My star drag is turn all the way so that I can’t even pull the line out myself.

[J Francho]

1 minute ago, Lenny Kay said:

I don’t use braid with my swimbaits. This reel only holds 30 pound monofilament big game line. This reel is only used to throw big swimbaits/glidebaits.

Got it.  You think the drag washers are worn?  Mike at Delaware Valley Tackle can probably set you up with a Carbontex drag.

[MickD]

He couldn't pull line out, and you couldn't pull line in?  But the handle was turning on the attempted retrieve?  Open the reel and look at the gears.  Keep in mind that upon reassembly the thumb "switch" has to be in the correct position or the reel will not work properly.  Maybe the side plate came loose, you tightened it, but when it was loose the thumb "switch" moved to the wrong position?

 

If a gear has failed you should be able to see it with the side plate off, if I remember correctly.

 

The earlier post about braid is asking whether the line is slipping on the spool, which can easily happen with braid since it is so slippery.  But, the fish should have been able to take line if this were the problem.

In your last post you say the drag is not allowing line out.  Which is consistent with the fish not being able to take line.  So the problem is simply that you cannot retrieve, the drag is OK and the line is not slipping on the spool.

 

so take the side cover off and make sure a gear is not stripped and the thumb "switch" is in the right position before reassembly.

I respectfully submit that the lousy spelling done on purpose is not helpful. 

[Lenny Kay]

The only reason why I think that my drag system isn’t worn out is be when the fish started to pull the line didn’t get pulled off the reel which make me think that it has to due with possibly the mechanical gears possibly sheared. I’m turning the reel handle but no line was coming in

[Deleted account]

3 minutes ago, Lenny Kay said:

My star drag is turn all the way so that I can’t even pull the line out myself.

So when you press the thumb bar does it disengage? or is it just flopping around like it's not connected to anything? It could be a spring or broken part, but that is rare with a Calcutta. How old is the reel? and did it just start doing it?

Try turning it upside down and seeing if it engages, that usually indicates spring. I doubt it's the drag stack, but anything is possible.

[webertime]

Sounds like drag, a sheared gear would show up on the casts/retrieves before and after the fish.  I had a big old smallie do the same to my OG Fuego a week ago. We just laughed at how it was now a fair fight between 270lbs of me and 5lbs of anger.  I replace the drag and was good to go.

[Lenny Kay]

MickD this just occurred yesterday and also I have no clue how old this reel. Also you mentioned that when you reassemble the reel make sure that the thumb switch is in the correct position. Push down which enables free spull for casting or up so that it’s already  engage with the gear?

[J Francho]

You can either hold the thumbar up, or slide the lever down on the reel.  I find it simpler to just hold the thumbar up.  I don't think this is the issue, though maybe.  You can't really get the crank side back on if it's not aligned.

[Angry John]

I am going to assume that this reel has not seen regular service.  Bite the bullet and sendo it in for a good cleaning and once over.  You may find that it performs at a much higher level and was worth the effort. 

[MickD]

It is not the thumb-bar as I suggested earlier.  When it is mis-assembled it only affects the ability to get the spool to free spool.  Drag is unaffected, retrieve is unaffected.  I just tried it on mine.

 

The answer to how to assemble properly is to find the little lever in the side plate assembly and put it into the down position.  Put the side plate on while holding the thumb-bar up position.  Now after the side plate is assembled, retrieve by cranking the handle.  You'll hear the little lever in the side plate click up into the thumb-bar as you retrieve. 

 

Now pushing the thumb-bar will put the reel into free spool.

 

So you are down to either broken/sheared gears or failed drag.

2 hours ago, webertime said:

Sounds like drag, a sheared gear would show up on the casts/retrieves before and after the fish

If it is the drag, how do you explain the fact that he can easily turn the crank, but no retrieval occurs, yet the pulling on the line as the fish did does not allow any line to go out.  If the drag were failed to allow handle turning without retrieval, how is it logically explained that pulling on the line won't let line out?  Looking more like gears, IMHO.

Lanny, have you inspected the gears?  What did you find?

 

The suggestion to send it to a good reel servicer is a good one.  You will get an expert to give you an estimate to repair, and if justified, then authorize him to do a complete clean and lube.

 

This reel is worth saving, so don't give up on it easily.

[Lenny Kay]

I appreciate you all for your interest in trying to help me figure out what has happened to my reel. I’m very grateful for all the input and advice it is all helpful. THANK YOU!!!?

[webertime]

6 minutes ago, MickD said:

It is not the thumb-bar as I suggested earlier.  When it is mis-assembled it only affects the ability to get the spool to free spool.  Drag is unaffected, retrieve is unaffected.  I just tried it on mine.

 

The answer to how to assemble properly is to find the little lever in the side plate assembly and put it into the down position.  Put the side plate on while holding the thumb-bar up position.  Now after the side plate is assembled, retrieve by cranking the handle.  You'll hear the little lever in the side plate click up into the thumb-bar as you retrieve. 

 

Now pushing the thumb-bar will put the reel into free spool.

 

So you are down to either broken/sheared gears or failed drag.

If it is the drag, how do you explain the fact that he can easily turn the crank, but no retrieval occurs, yet the pulling on the line as the fish did does not allow any line to go out.  If the drag were failed to allow handle turning without retrieval, how is it logically explained that pulling on the line won't let line out?  Looking more like gears, IMHO.

Lanny, have you inspected the gears?  What did you find?

 

The suggestion to send it to a good reel servicer is a good one.  You will get an expert to give you an estimate to repair, and if justified, then authorize him to do a complete clean and lube.

 

This reel is worth saving, so don't give up on it easily.

Well...  The force of the fish pulling the line out is equal to the torque you are putting on the fish during the retrieval, when the drag is slipping.  Holding line in one hand and pulling the line out of the reel has one variable you are missing...  nobody is turning the handle...  Having heard this same story from many others in my area and rebuilding their reels (dozens), I have never seen a case that sounds like this be anything other than an issue with the drag stack (wet, dirty, oily, worn out). 

Damaged gears don't mesh...  you feel that immediately.  Metal shavings inside an all metal reel get you 2 things...  noise (shavings hitting frame/sideplates etc. OR they get caught up in grease and jam up in the components... which you would feel.

[MickD]

Lanny, please let us know what the final resolution is.  I'm sure others are as curious as I am.

[Lenny Kay]

 I definitely will keep you guys posted when I finally get time to check it out.  Thank you to all that left comments and advice to help guide me in the right direction I much appreciate it very much.