Japanese Conquest or Calcutta GT ?

[paparock]

I have been selling some of the last of my saltwater reels and rods that I purchased (but never saw use) before I moved away from the saltwater to gain funds for some better bass reels.  :-?

I have heard from Roadwarrior (who's opinion I highly value) about the virtues of the Calcutta 200 GT. Rather than just sending him a PM I decided to post this so others here on the learning curve as I am may gain insight from the answers posted from him and others. I have a few questions that apply specifically to the ultra clear water I fish here on Bull Shoals Lake in north central Arkansas. The water clarity dictates the use of 8lb. line for crankbaits generally. Is there an advantage to using the Japanese Conquest vs. the American import version Calcutta GT?  I have read differing opinions but generally, they are from those selling one or the other versions of the reels. In addition, would there be any advantage or disadvantage to going one size down to the 100-size reel in the series as opposed to the 200-size since 8lb. line is the norm? If using the 200-size do you use any filler below your main fishing line or do you spool up all the way with the same line? The smallies are going to turn on here to a crankbait bite soon when they concentrate more and move shallower. Do any of the other smallmouth addicts here have any suggestions, secrets, for boatloads of fall crankbait smallmouthin such clear water reservoirs? So far the smallmouth have been very scattered with the lake temp. just now getting down to 60.5 and slowly decreasing with the colder weather. Spider Jigs (peanut butter and jelly) and tube baits (Kent's Classic) are working most of the time as is the Lucky Craft Pointer 78DD in American Shad.

[Raul]

It is EXACTLY the same reel, the only difference is the name and if you shop around ( GinRinPeche e-bay ) you can get a Conquest a lot cheaper than a Calcutta GT.

[Guest DavidGreen]

Paparock

Is there an advantage to using the Japanese Conquest vs. the American import version Calcutta GT?

Raul

It is EXACTLY the same reel, the only difference is the name and if you shop around ( GinRinPeche e-bay ) you can get a Conquest a lot cheaper than a Calcutta GT.

Only issue I would see is service or parts here in the US. As for the Bull Shoals smallies I would let RW put his .02¢ in there, I haven't fished that body for a ton of years and when I did it was with spinning gear (skunked).

Tight Lines!!

[paparock]

ReelMech, you brought up an interesting idea. Are there forum members that use their spinning gear to fish crankbaits? If so, care to share your reasons? Thanks.

ReelMech, don't feel alone on getting skunked on Bull Shoals there are many pro-anglers on the different tours that suffer the same fate every tournament fished here. It is not an easy lake to fish. I strike out more than I slay them but my knowledge and understanding of this very hard to fish lake is growing every day and on rare occasions I have one of those " ahh haa" moments when several patterns I have seen come together that form something that I can use constantly to make me a better fishermen here. The women's bass tour came through with the fish in transition and over a two day tournament the winning weight was 15lb. with most not catching a single fish.

[Guest DavidGreen]

Paparock,

I hear ya. When I first fished that body of water, I had just come from the West Coast (SD area) and thought that I knew something about fishing gin clear water, especially after chasing big Florida strain LM's at 40-80' on light lines and spinning gear... Not!

Good Luck and Tight Lines!!!

[Raul]

No problem with parts RM, there 's nothing fancy in the reel, the only difference between both reels is the name, in case something breaks you can use Calcutta GT spare parts. The only Japanese Shimano reels that have differences with domestic reels are the Scorpion 1000 and the Scorpion Mg, and it 's limited to the braking system.

Obviously if you screw up the 4x4 SVS it 's going to take a loooooooong time before you can put your hands on an original spare. Gearing is the same or compatible ( Scorpion 100 = Curado100B, Scorpion Mg = Chronarch 50 Mg ).  

[RoLo]

Are there forum members that use their spinning gear to fish crankbaits?

Hmm, now I'm gett'n the feeling there's another way

Roger

[paparock]

I was looking at the St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye rods since there are many huge walleye in Bull Shoals. I have zero experience with walleye having never even seen a live walleye caught by someone else but I am interested in learning. So, I'm looking at the rod listings and all but two of the St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye rods are spinning. One of the spinning rods descriptions catches my eye because it reads "TWS70MHM / Deep Cranker Designed for casting or trolling crankbaits including medium-to large-size minnow baits, jerkbaits and rattlers. Ideal for deep water." The specs on the rod are 7' length, MH power, Mod. action, 6-12lb. line weight, and 1/4 - 3/4oz. lure weight. Those specs make me think that some may use such a rod for double duty fishing for both walleye and bass. Here on Bull Shoals because the water is so clear the average line weight used for crank baits is 8lb. so I was wondering what if any is the drawback to using a spinning reel with such a rod to fish for bass under such circumstances? That led me to ask the question, is there any here on the forum that do use spinning and such light line for deep cranking.

[.ghoti.]

I was thinking that the Conquest was lighter, and had different spool capacities than the same size Calcutta, but I haven't looked it up. I think they just drilled more holes in it to lighten it up. I should have looked that up before saying anything, I may be all wet.

Spinning gear is the way to go for light weight cranking, for me. My favorite spinning rig is a Quantum Energy PT30, 8lb XL, and an Avid 7' MF rod. I get long casts and max depth with this setup. I use it for all small crankbaits; #5 Shad Raps, 1/8oz traps, Pin's Minnows, Original Rapala's etc. I also use this for regular Flukes. ( not Super Flukes) And for most all of my walleye fishing, the little I do.

I use a BC for bigger cranks, and for deep divers. I don't own a spinning rod I feel is heavy enough for deep divers.

That Legend Tournament rod you described sounds like it would be better than what I have for this application. If it's stout enough to troll with, it oughta be fine for deep crankin bass. With a line rating of 6-12, it should load easy with a medium sized crank. Probably throw a big crank half a mile.

[paparock]

Spinning gear is the way to go for light weight cranking, for me. My favorite spinning rig is a Quantum Energy PT30, 8lb XL, and an Avid 7' MF rod. I get long casts and max depth with this setup. I use it for all small crankbaits; #5 Shad Raps, 1/8oz traps, Pin's Minnows, Original Rapala's etc. I also use this for regular Flukes. ( not Super Flukes) And for most all of my walleye fishing, the little I do.

I use a BC for bigger cranks, and for deep divers. I don't own a spinning rod I feel is heavy enough for deep divers.

That Legend Tournament rod you described sounds like it would be better than what I have for this application. If it's stout enough to troll with, it oughta be fine for deep crankin bass. With a line rating of 6-12, it should load easy with a medium sized crank. Probably throw a big crank half a mile.

I have some Avid spinning rods and they are are some of my favorites. After finding the Legegend Tournament Walleye Deep Crankin spinning rod on line I ran out and got one put my Sustain on it and love it. It is a great combo. I have not caught anything big on it but it sure has been sweet on everything else!

http://www.stcroixrods.com/rods/default2.asp?rodname=53&section=spin