your thoughts on Shimano Cardiff

[Bream Master]

I was thinking about getting this as my first round BC.  For those of you who have used one, what are your thoughts about this reels performance and sturdiness?

Thanks.

[commish24]

Bought a Cardiff 300A this past September and matched it with a Okuma 7'11 MH with 20lb Maxima. So far ive caught 5 swimbait bass on it. (largest 5.5) It was also my first round reel and first swimbait setup. It casts everything from Matts to AC Plugs like a dream, and seems plenty sturdy to me. Im sure the more expensive reels like the Calcutta's etc are probably smoother, but for the bucks, you cant go wrong with the Cardiff. Goodluck and Happy New Year.

[fourbizz]

I'll pretty much reiterate what commish said. They are definitely a workhorse and hold up pretty well.

[Catt]

I've taken my Cardiff & Calcutta apart to compare one with the other; the results are that they are identical with the exception of price.

[Captain Cali]

Great reel. I've owned a CDF401A for a little over a year and I couldn't be happier with it. I'd buy another in a heartbeat. As FB stated, it's work horse.

[Papa_Tom]

Been using a 300 for over two years as my C-rig reel.  Sitting on a Falcon Lizard dragger--7'.  I can launch this thing.  Very happy with the performance.  Know some guys that use them for striper fishing.  That alone should speak for their strengths.  ONLY thing that I didn't like was the brakes are under the handle side, but once I set them up I've never had to go back in there.  I do like the capacity, the smoothness, the light weight and the way the reel sits close to the rod.  Never been sorry I got it.

[mike bat]

price im mind .... the cardiff is a work horse of a reel .... i have a 301 on my swimbait rod .,..i did have a problem with the drag sticking on and off ... i returned the broken reel,, and now have one that works ...  the one with the working drag is words of difference ((( better ))) thats all ... now the main difference in the calcutta and the cardiff is the drags .... i have a calcutta 51 that is much stronger((drag wise)) than my cardiff 301 .... this is the reason ill be getting a calcutta 401 on my next swimbait rod .... ;D

[lubina]

... now the main difference in the calcutta and the cardiff is the drags .... i have a calcutta 51 that is much stronger((drag wise)) than my cardiff 301 .... this is the reason ill be getting a calcutta 401 on my next swimbait rod .... ;D

The Calcuta B 50 has a Max. Drag weight of 7.5 lbs, Cardiff 301 is 10 lbs. The B 400 weights 11.9 oz, the TE 400 is at 12.8 oz, Cardiff 300, 8.9 oz....

The B is $ 120 and TE $ 250 more expensive than the Cardiff.

I have the 301 for my heavy swimbait set and after a year of continuous 2-4 time a week use is as good as brand new. Now the drag is been pump up with new drag washers by ReelMech.

[mike bat]

yea im not sure what was done to my calcutta 51b ,, as i picked it up in a trade .... but i cant pull any line of this reel when its buttoned down .... now my cardiff 301 is a great reel but i can pull line when it is buttoned down and rather easily ....  my main thoughts on this cardiff is that for the price its and outstanding reel ... i have one and dont mind the reel at all ... but as for tossin swimbaits i want a tuff drag ,,, and i dont wanna be able to pull any line at all ..... i lost a few hoggs last year when they started peeling line of my cardiff ,,, whitch led to a few jumps and the fish swam away free ..... for this swimbait tec.. i just want the tuffest drag i can get ..... now for most other tecs, i dont mind the cardiff at all ... in fact id buy a few if i needed a replacment reel  .... ;D

[lubina]

Mike if you need a drag heavier than the Cardiff one....I need to fish with you.

[mike bat]

well i dont catch huge bass yet .... ive had 20-22inch bass on .... a few times and sorry to say i lost all but 1 20incher .... i had a drag that was sticking ... so i believe when i was setting the hook i wasnt getting enough preasure to send that hook home .... there for fish where just jumping a few times and getting off .... then at the end of last season i switched the reel out for a new one ,,,, problem solved ... now may be its me but im sweating every time im tossin swimmers ... thinking of the last hoggs that got away ....  i should say we also have muskie and pike in most waters here .... and id love to land a hogg pike , muskie ,or bass ... im not picky .... just feel the callcutta may be a better option for me at this point ..... thats all

ohh when i say sticking i mean ,,, id button the drag down but the drag would stay stuck wide open so when i was setting the hook a couple times i watched the line spin right off my reel ... thats when i took her back  ;D she seems better now but i havent stuck a hogg yet so i relly cant say just yet   :'(

[Catt]

I do not understand your problem with the drag on your Cardiff's; I've caught 15 to 20 pound Red Fish on mine with absolutely no problems.

The Cardiff CDF100A I have is about 5 or 6 years old and it's on a Daiwa TD-V701MHRB Team Daiwa-V7' flipping stick spooled with 50# Power Pro.

[dabluz]

I have a Cardiff 101.  I use it for pike, landlocked salmon, large brook trout and walleye (no bass where I live).  Casts great, very smooth and silent and light  It casts as well as my Daiwa Procaster 103HLA Z and 103H X which are known for their casting distance.  I only paid 60 dollars Canadian for it (on sale...100 dollars off).

It's a beautiful reel and fits in my palm real nice.

Now, for the drag, I don't want the drag to be too tight.  I started fishing when the only reels were level wind reels with zero drag.  If you wanted drag, you used your thumb on the spool.  That's what I still do today when I want extra drag at the right moment.

The pike in my area take long fast runs and then jump out of the water like a salmon at the end of their runs.

[hookem12_0]

The Cardiff is one tough S.O.B.  I think you would be happier with that rather than an Ambassaduer 5500 or so-forth.