Product Insight on new Calcutta's

[dragon1]

I throw everything from 1/4 - 1oz + with 100 sized Calcuttas and 3/8 - 4oz-ish with the TE 200GT...certain size Calcuttas do just fine for lighter to heavy lures.

In my case, adjustable brakes are a huge advantage...and a want as well.

[GARRIGA]

Got the demo reels yesterday and spent some time throwing the 300 last night and the 400 this morning. I like the reels and although they felt smooth, I think that bearings in place of bushings may make it even smoother. Just didn't feel like it was all it could be. Something that could be remedied post purchase but then one more cost and work to do. I understand that bushings are preferred for salt use but the Stella is loaded with bearings so not sure that's a good excuse.

The 300 was too fast for my application of throwing Hudds and it had enough torque but I preferred the 400 overall. Both have the same height and the 400 is slightly wider and slightly heavier. I didn't feel the difference was enough to sway me towards a narrow reel. The 400 felt perfect on the Dobyns 867 I was using.

Although I tend to set and forget, I decided to ease off on the cast control, which was super tight, and first cast afterwards was one of those nasty scissor requiring birds nests. If there was easy access one could just swap spools but I had no choice, nor a spare spool and had too cut off which had me busy for about 10 minutes. Based on how I mag my Pluton, one could just set all the pins and still get considerable distance with this reel and avoid those nasty tangles and something to consider for foregoing easy access. I wasn't about to pull out the screw driver and possibly lose the screws on a demo. Perhaps on my own reel with a good supply of spares it wouldn't be such a hassle and not worth worrying about.

For my application of throwing big something the reel meets expectations and the current sales makes its more palatable but a TE version with better access should be around the corner, if Shimano wants me to buy more than one of them. In other words, this will do till something better comes along.

[GARRIGA]

This D is starting to grow on me. Got my own non demo 401 D a few weeks ago and finally got a chance to take it out today for a few hours. I was very impressed and was casting Hudd 68s 30 plus yards into a stiff cross wind and 8" Triple Trout 40 plus yards into the same cross wind and cleared 50 yards with more of an angle into it. Felt much smoother than than the demo and I did all this without adjusting the factory setting on the break settings. What ever those are because I'm yet to open her up and see no reason to mess with it. Small amounts of thumb allowed me to toss the 68 and only thumb at the end of the cast needed on the TT. Seriously thinking about getting another and just not sure if the 301D with faster gears for summer time TT speed ripping or just another 401D and hopefully change out the gears for 301Ds. By the way, the 401D palms very nicely and felt zero fatigue from palming this round reel. Might also add bearings to the handle but most may not see the need for it.

[Nytron]

Shimano had to increase the price of the reel, OR cut some of the costs.

It looks like they chose to cut the cost, while offering a reel that palms better and probably casts just as good if not better.

It's like comparing the Chronarch D to the Curado/Chronarch E. On paper, the Chronarch D is better. But, the E series is more comfortable to hold and casts as good if not better.

[dragon1]

Shimano had to increase the price of the reel, OR cut some of the costs.

It looks like they chose to cut the cost, while offering a reel that palms better and probably casts just as good if not better.

It's like comparing the Chronarch D to the Curado/Chronarch E. On paper, the Chronarch D is better. But, the E series is more comfortable to hold and casts as good if not better.

We all know the reasons Shimano did what they did....Daiwa had their own way of dealing with costs as well, however to credit BOTH; neither of the two-headed Japanese Giants chose the "easy way out" by going nearly 100% OEM like Abu/Pure Fishing did.

Regardless, there comes a time where an excuse for a mistake is an excuse...hence why the CU and CH (and other reels in Shimano's lineup) has had more than a couple of changes in the last few years.

Personally - the CH D in my hands; is a conspicuously superior reel overall than any E series or G series anything that Shimano has produced.

[buster 2900]

Using knurled hex-head thumbscrews rather than the three slotted, pan-head screws on the Calcutta D would not have required additional machine work. These screws are available retail for about $.30 each. Subtract the cost of the pan-head screws and the discount from a bulk purchase, and the additional cost per reel would be minimal. It would have added maybe $.15 per screw, or $.45, to the price of the $369 Calcutta D 300 I purchased. Yep, I would happily spring for it.

So give me a break. I realize the addition of a swing-open sideplate would have increased costs. But I’m not really buying that the use of the slotted, pan-head screws rather than thumbscrews was a cost consideration. It appears to me more like a major design miscalculation.

[GARRIGA]

Can we just order the screws or does the configuration no longer lends itself to this simple requirement. I would like the option to swap spools quickly post bad backlash or just wanting to change from mono to braid. Break adjustment not so much a concern considering the size baits I'm chucking with it.

[tonyex]

This D is starting to grow on me. .

X2 . The D model in the 300 and 400 sizes are beasts. //T

[buster 2900]

X3. Following my initial grumbling about the access thing, I soon got over it as I continued to use the Calcutta 300 D because of its superb performance on the water. It is a terrific reel, and it has grown on me too. I recently upgraded the spool bearings to BOCA ABEC 7’s. I’d now say it’s the best round baitcast reel of its size I’ve ever used.

[zenbassr]

X3. Following my initial grumbling about the access thing, I soon got over it as I continued to use the Calcutta 300 D because of its superb performance on the water. It is a terrific reel, and it has grown on me too. I recently upgraded the spool bearings to BOCA ABEC 7’s. I’d now say it’s the best round baitcast reel of its size I’ve ever used.

x4, except for the bit about best i've ever used and bearing upgrade.

i too was a bit apprehensive re: brake accessibility. but from first cast on i havent really given it much thought. am considering adding a 300D as a i believe the narrow spool will benefit casting performance with thicker diameter, non-PE lines.

plus, having a 300D rig nearby means i dont have to change brakes on the 400D... access issue solved, the TT way.

[maddiesdadie]

I was hesitant at first with these Calcutta D's but when my wife got me one for my birthday in November, all the doubts went away. After 3 weeks of fishing the delta with it and catching numerous fish I went back and purchase 2 of the 200's and 3 of the 400's. These reels are powerful and cast like a dream and I really didn't have to adjust the VBS settings right out of the box until recently because I wanted to increase my casting distance aside from being more confident with them. I loaded the 400D's with PE3 and a 10' top shot of 65lb and we were nailing the sturgeons with minimal resistance. Stripers and black bass didn't stand a chance with the 200's and I can't wait to bring these along for red fish this August when we head to Venice. The drags were smooth and not jerky like the other guys Daiwa Lexa on the boat. I'm very happy with these new Calcutta D's and to be honest, I wasn't really bothered about the access side plate to the VBS because once you set it, there's really no reason to get back in to it at all.Give them a try and don't be like me and wait this long!!

[f15h1n6]

I'm not too convinced or sold out on the new calcuttas. Shimano did damn well with the early calcuttas and still love my calcutta. Until I'm convinced to spend more money on a calcutta reel upgrade, my old fella will do just fine for years to come

[buster 2900]

Just curious, but whatever happened to the full review of the Calcutta D? The Product Insight article of 11/4/12 said that testing of the reel was more than 75% complete. That was more than sixteen months ago.

I had been looking forward to seeing TT’s full take on this reel. Or have I somehow missed the full review?

[spookybaits]

Imo- these are old hat.
All hail the new conquests!
http://www.japantackle.com/Shimano/Shim ... st2014.htm

(I bet we'll likely see the new usdm version this year, possibly icast)

[buster 2900]

Imo- these are old hat.
All hail the new conquests!
http://www.japantackle.com/Shimano/Shim ... st2014.htm

(I bet we'll likely see the new usdm version this year, possibly icast)

Now that looks like a serious update to the TE. Very cool. Thanks for the info. I guess maybe the Calcutta D was such a mess it just wasn’t worth the effort. Or maybe half of the test reel was lost overboard while trying to reset the brake collars.