New Shimano Caenan, Reviews?

[LexBass]

Thank you very much for that fast reply. Do you think the trade in values are fair? Or do they low ball you?

[retiredbosn]

The trade values are based on what you are buying not what you are trading. I think the criterion for what you are trading in is that it works, BPS then donates the reels to various charities. Basically, IMO the trade sale is an excellent opportunity for ppl who are starting to fish seriously and buying better tackle. The in store sales during the Spring Classic can be great, my nearest BPS is 2 hours away I download the circular and make the drive on the days they are either doing a clinic that I want to see or a sale I can't miss.

[Loop_Dad]

Anyone got one of these reels? Satisfied with it? I am going to get a new reel during this Classic sale, and figured might as well trifect the Shimano line. Since I have a 200E7, and a Citica G6, might as well try this new piece to add to the artillery. Its got 6+1 bearings, so it must be pretty smooth right?

Who is having Classic sale and when? Or any other sale for that matter?

I'm picking up a new set up myself and my budget is rather limited, so every bit of it counts. Thanks!

[0119]

Funny, way back in the 80's we used shimano Beastmasters all graphite even the spools. Never gave a lick of trouble. Caught huge snook, baby tarpon all day long. Graphite never flexed, gears never moaned. Graphite spools never cried either. Guess we just were'nt as sophistically educated as the new breed of metro-angler.

[Fishwhittler]

Funny, way back in the 80's we used shimano Beastmasters all graphite even the spools. Never gave a lick of trouble. Caught huge snook, baby tarpon all day long. Graphite never flexed, gears never moaned. Graphite spools never cried either. Guess we just were'nt as sophistically educated as the new breed of metro-angler.

Okay, but there are better and stronger materials available now, so why not use them?

Theoretically graphite could be used to create a rigid reel, but you'd have to use more of it and thus end up with a bulkier reel. Aluminum is much more durable and rigid than graphite, and that means you can make a much smaller and more ergonomic aluminum reel that is just as strong if not more so than a graphite reel. I for one much prefer a small low-profile reel for most fishing, and while large reels have their place you'll find most fishermen prefer a reel that is smaller and easier to handle.

With that said, I'd have to say that frame-flexing isn't the worst problem with graphite reels. The deal is, all of the big reel companies now use aluminum frames on their main-line reels and graphite frames have become associated with lower-quality reels. Companies like Shimano and Daiwa know this, and so they might not put quite as much effort into designing a graphite reel that works as well as a metal reel.

Example: I've got an old-model Daiwa Megaforce, and those were $60 graphite reels. While it worked it was a nice, smooth reel. The frame did flex some when under load, but it could still handle fish just fine. What killed it? A bad clutch design. It eventually deteriorated to the point where you had to push up on the thumb bar to reengage the reel, and while it's still as smooth as ever you can't say it's a good reel. Now, that may have been helped along by an inexperienced *** [hmm, it won't let me say r-e-e-l mechanic] messing around inside (yours truly), but on the other hand I've taken all of my other reels apart and so far they're still working. And anyway, I've taken it apart recently and tried to fix it now that I know (more or less ) what I'm doing, but still no dice. If the clutch wasn't shot I'd still be using it, but a faulty design led to the reel failing in the first place.

My point is that a reel is only as good as its internal parts, and if those are poorly designed they aren't going to work for long. Most graphite reels are built with cheaper parts than metal-frame reels, and accordingly they don't usually last as long with the same amount of use. If companies took the time to make a strong, well-designed graphite reel it would work just fine, but why bother when it's simpler to do it with metal?

Sorry for going off-topic.

[0119]

Dont get me wrong I'm not praising graphite, I learned my lesson with CI4. My comment is more a slam on anything being made currently. Techno wonder or not. None of it is worth the money they are charging.

[LgMouthGambler]

Look, either way, when I posted this, graphite frames are still just as strong today as an aluminum frame. There may be the difference of what makes up the reel, but remember that words sell. If a company says they offer 11 bearngs in a reel, are they quality? #'s dont mean ****. What matters is, will what you buy last? And how long will you be satisfied with it?

[BigMoneyGrip]

Look, either way, when I posted this, graphite frames are still just as strong today as an aluminum frame.

I'll disagree with this. If graphite was as strong as Al, then why are they making reels out of Al? They make reels out of graphite because the material is cheaper and the molds are less complex. Graphite is easier on the tooling, also. The dies for casting aluminum can be quiet complex.

[0119]

They make reels out of what sells. What the consumer thinks he wants after being pumped up by sponsor toting magazines, shows and sites. "Oh...so and so used this to catch 79lb. in 3 days...... wow its great I gotta have one". If companies were not in it only for money shimano would still be offering the Curado B. Cheap to make and adored by so many it would have sold trillions. But no, they actively guide you into thinking you need to continuously buy new, more complex products to catch a fish the size that most of the world would consider bait.

[retiredbosn]

I was over at tackle tour today if you haven't visited that site or read their reviews the team there seems very professional and do not get the reels they are reviewing for free, so they have no ties to the manufacturer nor do they feel they owe the manufacturer a positive review. Anyway , they had a review of the Caenan and they were not impressed, which is saying something because they are big Shimano fans. In fact they gave the old E5 Curado the Editors pick and top Cranking Reel honors (which I think was right, the competitors were the Winch, Diawa Crazy Cranker and Quantum Energy). Basically if it has the Shimano nameplate it typically gets high reviews from them. One thing I found interesting was that one complaint was how the reel "lost power" working big fish that they contributed to the graphite frame. Another noteworthy fact was that the Caenan, Citica G and Curado G have many shared parts and are not made in Japan but these reels are outsourced to Malaysia, all parts will interchange their suggestion was to pass on the Caenan and get a Citica or Curado. Hope this helps

[drew4779]

My brother loves his Caenan. He actually prefers it over his 50e. I won't try it. I bought a 200e7 in January and would hate to feel ripped off.

I've heard the Caenan's parts are compatible with the G series. Does anyone know if there's any truth to that?

[retiredbosn]

Another noteworthy fact was that the Caenan, Citica G and Curado G have many shared parts and are not made in Japan but these reels are outsourced to Malaysia, all parts will interchange their suggestion was to pass on the Caenan and get a Citica or Curado. Hope this helps

[Diggy]

I just bought 2 LH on clearance from DSG for 42 bucks a piece using a ten off coupon on each for a general purpose beater and light salt.