I recently bought a Calcutta 250 and have been fishing using it for primarily halibut here in SB and calico bass down in Palos Verdes. I initially noticed that the drag was smooth once it started to pay out but that there was a large amount of pressure was needed to begin that payout of line. I didn't like that at all. I thought it was just not "broken in" or something. Anyways, that problem just got worse over the next 3 weeks and cost me at least one fish and a fastrac (not counting the Moby ##### fish). This past Sunday in PV, I had the joy of noticing a very loud grinding gear sound during every 10th cast or so. I was a bit distressed that my $170.00 piece of crap was crapping out on me, so I went in and returned/exchanged the lemon at the Hook to a disgruntled Mr. Shin (sp?).

Previously, I talked with a guy at Turner's Outdoorsman down in LA and he told me a bunch of stories of Calcuttas going bad, most of them with several of his own, even after repair by Shimano. He told me not to overtighten the sideplate screws or else you'll warp the spool. He also said the those same screws tend to back themselves out on extended fights if you use your Calcutta on things like football sized tuna. Point 3 was that the drags tend to burn out on big runs and that the replacment drag kits aren't cheap (20-30 bucks or something).

So, I "upgraded" to a Penn International 965 with currently EXCELLENT, and I assume cheap HT100 drag washers. I think I have to fish 15 pound on it at least though 'cause of a possible small line eating problem though (I needed to beef up anyway....). I wanted to know if anyone else has had problems with their Calcuttas. Maybe its due to all the plastic parts in the right sideplate. To be fair, the Penn has a bit of plastic too, but it seems to be in really low-stress areas having to due with the levelwind, clicker, and backlash control. I talked to a friend of mine and we seem to agree on the idea that good Shimano equipment is a bit too tempermental and not quite tough enough for non-freshwater-bass-boat environments...even though it is usually very, very nice to begin with. (Talk amongst yo'selves)

Oh, didn't see the tackle board....

This is a good thread. And just when I got rid of the tackle board =)
Well I have owned a couple shimano reels and just quite a few other brands so I will share my opinions.
I have 3 corsairs, a 200 ,300 , and 400. I have a Calcutta 400, 4 curado 6:3 to 1's, and two symmetry spinning reels.
The corsair is, as mentioned above, basically a piece of junk. The two most common problems are when the handle spins backwards during the cast or when lifting a fish out of the water, and when the reel suddenly engages mid cast. I have taken my corsairs apart, every SINGLE piece to try to determine the cause of this and I know why it is. On a calcutta and the corsair there is a piece on the inside of the main side plate that is part of the anti-reverse system. On the calcutta it is forged as part of the frame. On the corsair this piece is a nylon piece attached with a screw coming from the outside of the sideplate in. If you take this screw out and put it back in, or if this piece is not PERFECTLY aligned the anti-reverse will fail intermittently which causes the two problems I mentioned above. So yes, the corsair is junk for that reason but aside from that it can be a very good reel for the money. My recommendation if you have them, keep sending them back to Shimano until you get a good one, then make sure to never un-screw this screw, that's what I did. If you don't have one, don't buy one!
As fer the curados, I have actually had only one small problem with the 4 that I own and that was that the drag just wasn't all that smooth. I haven't gotten around to sending it back in but the other 3 have been perfect and required little or no maintenance.
My Calcutta 400 has also been next to perfect. I did send it in for the dartanium drag upgrade after smoking up the drag on some small yellows at Catalina. Since then the reel has been perfect. Things to check are the bearings especially the one under the mechanical break. This bearing will rust pretty easily, so keep it lubed. Screw the reel together tightly but don't cinch it down really hard. I initially had problems with the screws backing out but now I have a better feel for the correct tightness and don't have that problem. Should the reel be that way? No, but for the quality of the reel I am willing to deal with that initial hassle.
On the subject of the calcutta 200's and 250's I have heard many problems, mostly having to do with the spool getting bent. I don't know why this happens, whether it's overtightening the screws or what, but I know that I would be leery of buying one after all that I have heard. If I wanted a reel that size for ocean I would probably buy a small newell (the 220 I think) and use that. Newells are sweet and very very tough.
That's my .02
Thanks everyone for posting their thoughts.

-Rob

I know this is switching a bit from the Calcutta, but it does relate to Shimano Corsairs. I had a Corsair 300 and it too began to reverse spin when it wasn't supposed to. I found out Shimano revised the 300 to a 300A and fixed the problem(s). When I had mine sent in for repair, they automatically upgraded me to the Corsair 300A, and it looks like they did a good job on it (so far). It feels solid. I've been using it about 4 months now and haven't had any problems with it so far. Perhaps I should go play the lottery while I'm at it....

Know what you mean (see my first post in the thread). I had a Curado on order, but cancled at the last minute. Just couldn't buy another Shimano bass reel. Bought my C4 and C3 instead and love em. I work at Dana Wharf, so not all of us love Shimano. I have Crusaded against them for 3 years now on the boats, it's like a voice in the wilderness. Good thing there is some choice in the market place. Perhaps, competition will help them to improve. The new Calcuttas might be a step up. But, they cost 25% more, and are unproven. I admit the Curado seems to be a decent reel, but for 30 bucks more you can get 2 Garcias. That's enough now, I need to get some sleep. BTW, I work at Billy's Big Game on friday afternoons, stop by and say hi.

Amish Ed

ed,

I don't know of or have heard of Big Billy's Big Game? Pretty cool you work on the Dana Wharf boats. You must know two very good friends of mine: Chris and Jake Crawford. Saltwater boys gone tournament bass style (not to mention Joe Crawford)!

I'm on your wavelength regarding the Garcia reels. I love the C4s. I need to get into a good low-profile reel for performance. Buying a bass boat is my top priority, so the high dollar reels will have to wait!

matt

southernswimbait.com
BigBait Fishing in the South

I bought a C4 5600 about three months ago and have had no problems up until recently. The problem is this, when the bar is pressed to go to free spool sometimes it does not click back when the reel is engaged.I opened it up and there is no part that is broken. I always clean my reel after I use it and even oil it after every use. the reel works but I have to be careful how hard I push the bar, if I push it too far then it gets stuck.

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to correct this problem. Otherwise I am satisfied with this reel, I have gotten numberous Halibut and a few wsb and the drag worked great.


Thanks for the help

This sounds like the problem I have with my 5 star, but it took a year and a half. Does the reel actually engage? Mine doesn't, but all I need to do is pull the lever up with my nail and it engages when I crank. My reel is abused though, I rinse it when I remember, and oil it every month or so. You might want to try some Corosion X, this is what I'm going to do to the 5 Star when I have the time to fiddle with it. I basically poured it all over my C3 and C4 for both it's protective properties and as a lube. Just make sure you wipe off the excess. If it acts kinda tight (free spool) don't worry it should fix itself within a few casts. If this doesn't fix it I'd suggest you take it to some one who knows Garcias. There is the possibility that there is a spring that needs to be bent back in place. Unfortunately, I don't know which spring, I was told this by a friend who works on reels. Good luck, and let me know when you fix it.

Amish Ed

Hey, Matt

Small world. Yeah I know Chris, but not his Dad or brother. I'm going to be fishing the fresh for the 1rst time in like 15yrs on Sun. In a tourney no less. I hope to fish it regularly in the future. I can't even think of buying a boat though. Got a kid on the way. That's why I have a tube. But, I love it and can't imagine not going tubing, even if I had a boat. Hope you get yours soon. I'm sure you'll love it. Do you tube also, or just use your board? I surf, but have yet to bring a rod out with me. Maybe we can meet for a fish or surf sometime.

Amish Ed

Oh yeah. Billy's used to be Anglers B & T. It's on PCH after you cross the bridge going towards Doho. There's an AM/PM, A's Burger, and a Carl's Jr. on the street. Billy's is on the right of Togos, in the same building as Dive and Surf. Stop by on friday after 1pm if you can. We're supposed to be open until 7, but Billy closes early sometimes if it's slow.

Ed,

I know the place. I bought some great spoons there for bass fishing. Schurmy Shads, aluminum spoons. Totally old school and radical.

Yes, I do float tube. I haven't been in mine for over 6 or 7 years! It's at my folks house, in Laguna Niguel, ready for action. I don't know if my waders are still water tight or not! I guess there is always surf trunks and wetsuits too!

I got spoiled fishing out of bass boats and kind of got frustrated with float tubing. My roots in bass fishing began at Oso Reservoir in a float tube. Talk about going for it. I had to learn everything the hard way!

I'll try and stop by on Friday. Does that shop sell split ring pliers? Good ones?

I'm definitely down for a fish or a surf.


Matt

southernswimbait.com
BigBait Fishing in the South

Thinking about changing out some gammies for your big tournie Petes? Hook up!

Yeah buddy,

Throw me some some deep little n's and some speed traps.....death on them smallies.

Super psyched for the trip!