Shimano Cardiff Question

[gorbs412]

So, I have zeroed in on getting a Cardiff for my first muskie rod. Now the question is do I get the 100/200/300/400? What is the best multipurpose muskie rod cardiff? Most likely I will be throwing big blades and bullheads and hoping for a BIG bite!

[Esox_Magnum]

400 series, rods I'm partial to Tackle Industries 9' telescoping, great for blades and mag dawgs and anything else you want to throw up to pounders. Blades will be hard on the Cardiff though but will work for awhile.

[HugoBox]

What Esox said. I have a Cardiff 400 and its a good enough reel but if you use it exclusively for big blades you WILL blow it up. For $40 more you can get a Saltist.

[goldie11]

I bought a cardiff for my first reel and used it for big blades and it broke in the first week. I do not recomend this reel.

[hunterjoe]

Agree with Box. I have a Cardiff and a Saltist 20. You really can't beat the Saltist for versatility and being able to effectively and efficiently pull big blades. The Cardiff is a decent reel for light stuff, but big blades will definitely have you replacing it soon. Might as well spend the extra $40 now.

[pureinsanity]

I picked up a Cardiff a couple weekends ago. Haven't used it yet but seems like a great reel and very comparable to my 7000i. This reel will work for bullheads, not sure about big blades though. I fish exclusively with big lead and live bait for a superior species so my opinion doesn't really matter.

I am kidding about the superior species.

[rymcneil]

Last year I got into muskie fishing and I bought cardiff 400. That was the only reel that I had and I threw everything with it. Mostly bulldogs and cowgirls and its still going strong. I may buy another one. But it likes to backlash a lot.

[401TE]

Last year I got into muskie fishing and I bought cardiff 400. That was the only reel that I had and I threw everything with it. Mostly bulldogs and cowgirls and its still going strong. I may buy another one. But it likes to backlash a lot.

Did you adjust any of the internal brakes before you used it? Do you know how to adjust your spool tension knob? Learn to use these two features, along with educating your thumb, and you'll all but get rid of backlashes.

[rymcneil]

Yes I use my thumb now took me awhile to figure that out works like a charm now

[Esox_Magnum]

Thumb is the best system going, first thing I do with any new reel I get is back off the spool tension and take all the brakes off.

[delmuts]

"Thumb is the best system going, first thing I do with any new reel I get is back off the spool tension and take all the brakes off."

No lie!!! I had to adjust the tension, and put half the weights back inplay on the reel i bought from him! I can still cast that thing a looooooong ways thou! Guess my thumb isn't as educated!!

[slipperybob]

The 400 Cardiff is a nondisengaging levelwind, so you really shouldn't backlash on it. It also helps to put in some slick lube into the spool bearings. When you get a power handle for it, it becomes one respectable reel.

[dan z]

I have a buddy that cant stand them! But mine has NEVER let me down I throw anything from 1oz baits to 16oz bait with it I must have got the one in a million reels on this one cuz its the first one I grab on most outing even when were on the river going for monster flats!

I love my Shimano cardiff I forgot to metion its a 400A

[pureinsanity]

I hit the river with my 400a this weekend and I was throwing around 6oz of weight repeatedly and had no problems with this reel. I feel in love with this reel after the first cast

[hunterjoe]

I hit the river with my 400a this weekend and I was throwing around 6oz of weight repeatedly and had no problems with this reel. I feel in love with this reel after the first cast

How did it do constantly retrieving 6 lbs of pressure? Did you test that feature? Just about any reel will sling around 6 oz of weight no problem, but being that the OP wants to throw musky lures, it's not only about the cast, it's about the retrieve also. Cowgirls and supermodels put a lot more pressure on the reel than 6 oz of lead does on the retrieve.

[pureinsanity]

How did it do constantly retrieving 6 lbs of pressure? Did you test that feature? Just about any reel will sling around 6 oz of weight no problem, but being that the OP wants to throw musky lures, it's not only about the cast, it's about the retrieve also. Cowgirls and supermodels put a lot more pressure on the reel than 6 oz of lead does on the retrieve.

I thought it handled well. the fish were biting well so I was reeling in a lot. I think it retrieves pretty fast. But I also don't throw blades. I throw out 6-8 oz of weight and retrieve it every 20 mins or so on a slow day.

[dan z]

I can pull 10's for some time but I have other reels that pull them better so I usually use them instead. so it is possible and yes it is a work out!