Reels

[JRedig]

Alrighty, i'm shopping for a new reel and soon. I'm curious as to people thoughts or experience between the Luna's, Calcutta's, and St. Croix 250's. I don't know anyone throwing the St. Croix's, but see lots of people with the Luna's and Calcutta's. Reasoning for or against each beyond price?

Thanks!

Jeff

[muskiedreams]

I got both the luna and calcutta my calcutta is a 401 the only left handed one they offer. the luna is a lot smoother and seems 2 be nicer for big blades. But I got freinds that have the 400b and love them I my self would only by luna

[JRedig]

I should also say if you're leaning towards one or the other, which model? Looking at the Calcutta's, there is that 300 on here for sale at a great price, but would I be happier with a 400? I need to go put each in my hand too and see how it feels, but alas i'm out of state for work and not anywhere near a place that would have any of them until next week.

[cjac]

Hi all,

I throw Luna's and have been pleased, however, guys on Mille Lacs and such throwing big baits consistently have raised issues with the anti-reverse. I've had no issues like I said, love 'em. The 253 Lunas are a non-disengaging spool however, which I don't like, limits distance and potentially creates line wear on the guide. Still great for smaller baits. Not sure about the 300 Culcuttas, but if I recall correctly they're the same.

Check out the Okuma 400s, I have one with the power handle and its slick and smooth. Kind on the wallet too in comparison to the Diawa and Shimano models mentioned above. Good customer service too.

If you're into the big stuff, most will refer to the Abu 7000s, never thrown one but they are well traveled and endorsed.

For further fodder, some like the Gander Guide Series reels with a power handle ($75) for the heavy baits like Mag Dawgs....go figure.

Chris

[PDXFisher]

I've got two Luna 300 reels and a Calcutta 400B. I definitely like the Lunas more, but not by a huge amount. I would probably like a 400TE as much or more, but I don't feel in any way wanting of a better reel right now. If I wanted to try something new, I'd try to get my hands on a Conquest. I don't have trouble throwing anything with either of them. I have broken two Pete Maina reels on their maiden voyages, however.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

---

For further fodder, some like the Gander Guide Series reels with a power handle ($75) for the heavy baits like Mag Dawgs....go figure.

---

Chris, which reel is that? It that the one that is the same as the Pflueger Trion 66 (same size as a A-G 6500)? I bought one of the Pfluegers and added a power handle to it this fall. I use mine for catfish and sturgeon, but it's been a really good reel so far, for the money. The drag is soooo much better than the drag on my Abus.

[cjac]

Yep,that's the one.

Anything goes bad it's a trip to GM and a new reel in hand.

Chris

[Random guy]

I have been running Calcutta 300s since they hit the shelves and not one problem yet other then the one I ran over. (That was repaired for 36 clams). Some of these reels have YEARS of guiding time. That means getting dropped, thrown in the water, crank is used as the "cast stop" 1,000s of backlahes and I use them in the winter for pike and lakers.

Yes they cost a bit more but definetly worth it. I have Lunas sitting in the "to be repaired" box currently.

[DeBo101]

This season I have been using a Daiwa CVZ-300, 2 luna 300's, a calcutta 400b and a Garcia 7000.

The CVZ-300 blew up last year sent it in for reel repair it lasted a month and quit again. Will be retired.

The lunas are fantastic as far as smoothness, castability, and the best handle in the biz. However the anti-reverse is pretty weak. The luna on my jerkbait rod will be getting sent in for repairs and possibly the one on my topwater/twitchbait rod as well. I also blew up the idle gear the second week of the season. Not a single problem since I replaced. Fluke? I don't know.

The calcutta has been pretty solid. Almost as smooth as the luna but has a superior drag to the luna. The anti-reverse as been a bit sloppy on this one from the get go. ie Slack line after a lure/leader is hooked up to the rod for a while.

The 7000 has been pretty bulletproof for 2 1/2 seasons so far. This year I have only thrown big stuff with it DCG's mag dawgs, pounders, 11in suzys, big suzys. Uncomfortable as heck to hold, loud, crappy button for casting, but it does not die. Even bent the handle fighting a 47 at ML. Keeps on ticking.

Summary, get a 7000 for the big stuff unless you want to replace or fix reels all the time. For everything else go to the store spin a luna and spin a calcutta choose which one feels better. I heard the anti-reverse issue with the lunas was going to be brought up with daiwa - if they get the problem fixed the luna will be the best hands down.

[JRedig]

Great feedback guys, thanks! I've got a friend who works at gander and is going to get me one of their 66 series reels for throwing big stuff and i'm torn between a 400B calcutta and a 300TE otherwise. I've got decent deals on either lined up new/lightly used. Maybe i'll grab both since I have 4 rods to outfit.

I've got 3 Abu 6600 c3's or similar various models that are all destroyed after this season. And no it's not from big baits, just tons of fishing. Lost two fish recently thanks to no stop when going to set the hook. I'm assuming this is the anti-reverse going out, but don't know enough to be sure. Sent them in to get repaired and was told they're in "perfect working order"...um no, not quite...

Good luck the remainder of this fall everyone

Jeff

[b1gf1sh1]

really it depends on what you fish with i guess. my main muskie reels are a calcutta 400te and a calcutta 250 te/dc. for larger lures and double blade bucktails i use the 400 te mainly because it has a superb offset gearing system that makes pulling the bigger stuff alot easier. fish for hours and not get tired. for the smaller stuff or when casting into the wind i use the 250 te/dc with 30# spiderwire. has the same gears, but with a pinion system also. with the computer chip in it it really helps with distance into the wind and almost eliminates the backlashes. it has less line capacity but seems to be enough as i never been stripped yet. the drag systems on both are outstanding. i can fill the 250 te/dc up and take a storm stickbait in the shallow 7'' style and cast every bit of the line out on a calm day. buddies give me heck for spending the money on these things but i've tried em all trying to save money and these are the ones needed to fish all day. if your a part timer, a few hours here or there, don't worry about it just close yer eyes and grab the one that feels good. good luck.

[JRedig]

Last weekend I picked up the two Calcutta's I mentioned. Fished three days straight and got used to them and like the shimano's very much. Thanks for the help, I'm definetly sold on the higher end gear in the future.