Shimano reels poll

[Jennie@ifish]

I need some info on how you folks feel about shimano reels.

I want info, good and bad on these models...
Casting...
Chronarch
Calcutta
Corsair
Curado

Spinning...
Stella
Sustain
Stradic

What is your favorite Shimano reel?
If you don't care for them, why?
OH MYGOSH MY CAMERA IS HERE!!!!
Ok, anyway... breathe deeply...

Anyway, list your favorites and why? I would love it!
IGOTTAGOGETMYCAMERA!!!

Jen

[ 05-08-2001: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[TH]

Jen you left out the best model Shimano makes... the Chronarch 100 images/icons/shocked.gif

steelhead --
chronarch 100 casting, stradic 2000 spinning
Chinook--
Calcutta 400's nothing but!

images/icons/grin.gif

[Firedog]

Personally I like my Ambassaduer's better than my corsair. Didn't like the drag on the corsair at all, you have to turn to far to get any reaction out of the drag. Some people may like that, I dont. Been fishing ambassaduers for 20 years and never had any problems. I only have 2 shimano level winds and around 10 ambassaduers so I am a little partial. I have a couple spirex spinning reels and do beleive shimano makes the best spinning reels around.

[Jennie@ifish]

Sorry, got too excited about fed x!

Jen

[NEUTRON]

How about bantams?

[Pete]

I have an old Bantam Mag Plus that's seen more than its share of steelies. It's the lightest, smoothest, lowest profile casting reel I've ever used ... a great drift reel.
On the other hand, my Corsair was for crap ... I had it replaced under warrentee, but I still don't prefer it. I use a Penn 965 for mooching, trolling and keeper sturgeon and it's a Cadillac.

[Jeffhead]

Love my Stradic 2000!!!
Hate the Corsair!!!
Nuff said
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif

[Bait O' Eggs]

I agree with Pete, I got a pair of the Bantam mag plus reels. SWEEEEEET They are getting old and worn but they are a casting machines.

I dont like any of the newer Shimanos. I do not like thumb bars.

I will take an ABU any day.

[Deleted User]

I love my Curados and Calcutta. The Stradic is a great spinning reel too.
Corsairs leave a lot to be desired though but I guess they are re-designing them.
I have a 200 and a 201 Bantam from the 80's that I love! Only problem is they are hard to get parts for. For some reason when Shimano discontinues a reel series they also discontinue making spre parts. ABU Ambassadeurs to their credit still are easy to get parts for and I'm talking about the old 5000A from the late 60's early 70's.
Stew

[Nanook]

My 400's are sweet, in all areas listed Jen and, if nothing else, just post a rebuttal to anything Bait of Egg's says. JUST KIDDING Bait. images/icons/wink.gif

[SteelieSteve]

Love my old mag plus 251's, I have a mini spinning reel that works good, a medium spinning reel which could have been better but I bought it about 12 years ago.. it has a quickcast feature that never was to good. I have used Nanooks's 400 and it's a fine reel but the cranks on the wrong side. images/icons/grin.gif Ive had a few other Shimano baitcasters... a 201 which I traded for a near new 251 and a black mag that was not good ever. Trouble with Shimano is they make a good reel then discontinue it. Can't get parts for them after that.

[Snagly]

I'm a big Shimano fan.

Chronarch 100: steelhead w/ 10-12lb Max UG main line (no more: small spool), or barramundi with 14-20lb Fireline. Cast light baits a long way. Disadvantage: next to impossible to self-service. If it breaks on a trip, you're toast.

Note 1: There's a Chronarch "wiffle spool" model out that's extra smooth. I'd pay no more than $20 extra for this feature -- it's good but for steelhead weights it's not essential to have this feature. (Also, keep these models out of the salt! The magnesium spool corrodes easily.)

Note 2: Can buy spare spool(s) from Shimano USA for $30 each, so if a biggun takes all/ most of your line you're back in bidness in under a minute.

Calcutta 200/250: Inshore saltwater mainstay with 14-20lb Fireline (again). Easier to self-service (not as easy as the Abu/ Ambassadeurs but smoother reels). Also, excellent for steelhead w/ 10-12lb mono. Balance a 1025 perfectly. Only on small rivers, 20lb mono for Chinooks (limited to 110-120 yards of line!)

Calcutta 400: Use for big ooglies in the salt. Too heavy for lots of one handed casting (esp. if accuracy required) but extra line capacity solves the question of all bankies "if it's big, will I get spooled?". Don't use in the fresh as I don't fish big rivers for Chinooks.

Curado: limited experience, but fishes only a little rougher than a Chronarch, costs 40% less and has many of the same features (albeit made with cheaper materials). Several guides in Australia put new ones on their barramundi (muskie) rods every season, fill the spool with Fireline and then go at it for six months. When the season is over, they throw the reel and line away: about worn out.

Sustain: ultra smooth reel. Fantastic tolerances. Good drag (despite small spool diameter) but horrific line twist results from fighting a sizeable fish. Only solution: cut off and feed 100+ yards into the current then reel up and re-rig. Do that and no problems. Limited to a maximum of 10lb line given small line capacity, and good for steelhead float fishing.

Don't know the rest. images/icons/confused.gif

[Jennie@ifish]

Wow! Snagly, that's a wealth of info, thanks! I'v learned so much already!
Jen

[First Bite]

My experience with the Curado for a casting reel has been flawless. Same with the Symetre for the spinning reels. Haven't had any problems with either.
Mark


www.firstcastjigs.com (http://www.firstcastjigs.com)

[jawbreaker]

Stradic rules images/icons/grin.gif smooth as butter.

[Salmonator]

Kudo's to curado's and symetre's also. What about reels for big daddy and big flattie? I have 4 charter specials (TLD's with level wind and lever drag). Absolutely love them... Joe

[Steelheadman]

I have two Stradic 4000s. Each came with a spare spool. I have also tried the Sustain. Great reels. I also have a Corsair 2000 given to me as an award. Haven't used it yet because of all the bad publicity it has got on the boards. images/icons/cool.gif

[bait boy]

I have a corsair 400 and I wont use it for casting but i'll use it for plunking all day.
I like my spincaster I think its the sustain 2000 holds enough line for boondogging and hasn't failed me yet.

Snagly had a very good point that I think all spincasters should know and do. After fighting a big fish or even a small one that takes line on ya. Cut off your gear and freespool 3/4 of the spool or however much and take the twist out of your line. It might save you that 30lb steelie!!

Rick