I've been trying to find more information about the Shimano Catala versus the Calcutta. Aside from the obvious difference in price, and the fact that the Calcutta seems to be a forged aluminum frame versus the die-cast frame on the Catala...what are the other differences?

Is the Catala not meant for serious saltwater use?

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **

the catala is not made with the precision/detail of the calcutta, i.e. dull finish on drag star as opposed to high polished. it's made in malaysia while the calcutta is from japan (higher quality). this is not to say it's a bad reel, it's a great reel. many of my friends fish it hard. I had some probs with mine so I went back to a calcutta. it is fine for regular light tackle salt use. as the shimano guy told me, "it's a pricepoint reel". what he meant was: it's a good reel for the money--better than a $60 reel but not as nice as a $160 one.

My dad is friends with some Shimano reps and they confirmed what you said that the Catala is made in Malaysia using cheaper labor and a less-expensive die-cast frame, and the Calcutta is made in Japan. Don't know that it makes much difference, since the specs are all engineered in Japan anyway. But the cheaper labor is what helps them price the Catala at a lower price point.

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **