Hi Dietz, Buy a new reel or give it a second chance?

[ssaamm]

I feel like it may be time to part ways with one of my favorite baitcasters. A few years back I bought an Abu-Garcia C5 5600 mag-x (green). Loved it for quite a while. I upgraded to a Shimano Cardiff. This seemed to work more smoothly. A store was having a going out of business sale. I picked up another cardiff. Took it out of the box when I got home, and it was a calcutta 250. They said all sales were final. I wasn't going to argue. This was an even nicer reel. I am starting to realize that my old C5 is not that great of a reel in comparison. I did take it apart and try to lube it up one day. It seemed to help. I was thinking about taking to a reel repair shop and having it cleaned. The other thought was biting the bullet and buying a new reel for casting cranks. Any thoughts? I would like to spend less than $150, but like the rest of us I could probably find a way to justify spending more if necessary. Thanks

[Deitz Dittrich]

I would say you could have it profesionly cleaned, but through time there is some wear and tear on the gears and bearings, so it may never be as smooth as it once was. If you have liked the reel I would say have it cleaned.

Another Cardiff would fit into your price range, they are a decent reel, the Calcutta is a better one as you have found out, but as you said, may, or may not be out of your price range. I would say take a look at the Citica, but you seem to show a preferance twards the round baitcasters...The citica is very close in price to the Cardiff, but in my opinion a better reel.