Shimano Cardiff 401A

[St_Croix_Banks]

My buddy is getting his 1st Rod/Reel set up for Muskie. I'm only in my 2nd year so I'm not be best resource. He's trying to get both for around $200. (I know, he'll learn)

My suggestion to him was to get an 8' rod for verstatility. He likes to throw cowgirls (junior and double), smaller bucktails, topwater and some plastics like BullDawgs.

I saw a Shimano Cardiff 401A for $85. Would that be a decent reel for him. He's a lefty and they're sort of hard to find.

Comments appreciated.

[50inchpig]

Hey, I haven't used the Cardiff but just bought my 2nd Corvalus in the left hand model. Tough as nails, great for all baits but maybe a little small for the DCGs, depending on how aggressive you want to be. Price is similar to the Cardiff and within your buddies budget.

If I could only take one reel with me on a trip for a week it would be the Corvalus.

[ole matty]

50. Is corvalus a ideal reel for twitchbait and big plastics? I haven't decide which one to buy between cardiff, corvalus or indurons.

[50inchpig]

yessir - I throw most of my dawgs with the Corvalus and twitchbaits would be fine too. I prefer the Corvalus because it's a nice 'tight' reel (the twitch), and it's got a good gear ratio for taking up slack line in-between bulldawg pulls.

And to be fair I only use it because I got one out of the bargain bin once for $50 and it worked awesome, so I got a few more.

[St_Croix_Banks]

Thanks for the comments. Any others? I like my Abu Big Game, but I've read alot of you have issues with them burning up.

[Esox_Magnum]

I run Corvalus and Corsairs both have been good reels, I also run an Induron to and I think is a little better reel than the other 2. The 1 Cardiff I have I'm not happy with anti reverse is slipping on it and it's not a reel that gets used much.

[St_Croix_Banks]

Thanks E Mag