Calcutta 400 problems

[Wolfguts]

I've owned and fished Ambassadeur reels since they first came out. Never had any problems or complaints. I'm talking about fishing out of a boat on the Columbia or Cowlitz. I heard so much about the Calcutta 400's that I bought two of them over a year ago. Don't like them. Biggest problem is the drag keeps backing off. It's just an inconvience for me, but it is really hard for my wife or other people who haven't fished a lot. I've talked to the factory reps and they admitted this is a problem and their only suggestion was to set the drag the night before and then hope it held better the next day. I've got an opinion on that. I also bent the "washer" that holds the drag, but this didn't do much good either. I've gone back to the Ambassadeur. Anyone else had this problem or know a good solution?

[Tagster]

I will give you $25.00 each for those "crappy" reels... :grin:

C'mon, they aren't worth anything anyways...

:smile:

Tag

[ 04-22-2003, 09:31 AM: Message edited by: Tagster ]

[Tacklebuster]

I had the exact same problem with mine. I exchanged her for another and guess what? Not worth it for the money in my opinion.

[Stz ll]

I'll give you $30.

[Tyeebuster]

I will give you $50 each and throw in 2 ABU 5500 with burned out drags!

[Tagster]

Alright, now that we are in a bidding war, I will give you $50.01 plus two worn out drags for a Penn 209...

:grin:

Tag

[greenbuttskunk]

55 buckaroos and I'll throw in a roast beef sandwich!!!!

[Nanook]

56 bucks and smoked salmon. I'll take them off your hands as well.

Call Ollie Damon. There is a free drag upgrade from Shimano.

Rick

[Tagster]

$57.00 and a jar of Amerman Eggs :shocked:

Definitely get ahold of Ollie Damons...they will get you taken care of...

At this point, if you don't want the reels, I am serious about buying them...

Tag

[Dr Strangelove]

Don't sell those reels! Just replace the drags. Also when I start fishing I spin the handle against a held-firm spool several times to loosen/warm-up any sticky spots in the drags. Lastly, backing the drags off to no tension between trips preserves the life of the drags alot. Also do not get lubrication in those drags. They are best dry and new. they are cheap and easy to replace. Enjoy your calcutta. If you still don't, then my bid is $60.00. Doc.

[Nanook]

$61.00, a ABU 6500 and a fishing trip. :laugh:

[Wolfguts]

You guys make a lot of very tempting offers, but I haven't given up on the reels yet. I called Ollie Damon's and explained the problem. They said the "washer" is only good for a very light drag. I agree with PROCASTINATOR in that the problem occurs when using a heavier drag and then it backs off. But, that's the type of fishing I'm doing. Damon's said they had not seen this problem and didn't have a good answer. They would be willing to try to correct. Also, they said my reels were new enough that they had the updated drag. So, I'm still looking for the answer. Just finished a smoker of Spring Chinook and still have fresh in the frig. Thanks again for the ideas and offers.

[Killertraylor]

I have 7 Calcutta 400's and just recently my oldest one started doing this. I've used 5 of these reels very hard for over 4 years now and haven't had any problems until recently and it's still only one reel that does it. They are still my favorite reel and if you get the updated drag washers your problem should be solved - I think it cost about $16 at Ollie Damons to get mine updated.

[chynook]

$61.00 and a six pack of Henry's............

[Dr Strangelove]

$62, an annual physical for free, and a six pack of Vitamin V (assuming no heart disease). How about it? Doc :wink:

[ 04-22-2003, 05:34 PM: Message edited by: Dr Strangelove ]

[snit]

I had the same problem. After 2 trips back to Shimano they finally replaced the reel with a brand new one. I then sold it to crabbait. I can get 3 6500's for the price of the calcutta, and the 6500's have never cost me a fish (unlike the original calcutta).

[Silver Hilton]

$62.50 and my brine recipe.

[Miss B Haven]

One free Tuna trip per reel and some of Nanooks smoked fish,SH's brine recipe, Dr Stange's groping :shocked: , chynooks beers (yum..Henrys, Tags Eggs aaaannndd.... (drum roll please)... a Partridge in a pear tree! :dance:

[Nanook]

Final offer:

http://www.ifish.net/uploads/392109110.jpg

:grin:

[Tacklebuster]

If I loose one more fish due to the drag, I'll give someone 5 bucks to haul it off :laugh:

My reel was "new" enough to have the upgraded drag washers. What's the chance that two reels in a row failed :shrug:

[ProCastinator]

I have the same problem with my 400, but it is only a minor inconvenience to me, considering the reel is built so rock-solid otherwise. I notice it most when trolling for salmon with a deep diver and flasher, because of the extra drag. I use mine for everything from steelhead to sturgeon.

[greenbuttskunk]

what kind of physical does Dr. Stangelove want to give you?? Hummmm! I'd be scared, very scared!

[OldRedSled]

i have some calcuttas and that seems to be a problem across the entire line of reels. No biggie though (the reel is still heads and sholders above the Ambassador reels) i simply use one of those little dental rubberbands to hold the star drag in place.. If im fighting a fish and need to adjust the drag.. they break real easy...

ORS

[Tacklebuster]

For the amount of money a guy pays for one, you would think the drag issue shouldn't be an issue. They may be "head and shoulders" above the amb. but I have not had a drag fail me yet on the 6500's. Don't get me wrong, the calcutta is a nice solid reel but for the money you would think they wouldn't have any issues.

The dental bands are a great graemlins/idea.gif but why can't they just fix the problem :shrug:

[Nanook]

Chris, you should make them give you new ones. Never had that problem with any of mine.

Rick

[Wolfguts]

Agree with Tacklebuster. For that kind of money you shouldn't have those problems. I also agree they are a fine reel except for this one problem. I have it on both my 400's. For the kind of fishing I do the Ambassadeurs are plenty of reel, took two springers with one today and never had a problem. I too am a little afraid of Dr. Strangelove's physical. With all the talk of rubber gloves, lemon joy and smelly jelly I think I'll keep the reels. They should really be nice for holding the line for my sweet pea vines. I think it is ridiculous that you have to use a rubber band to hold the drag on a $200 reel. Thanks for you comments and offers.

[norms gone fishing too]

Tacklebuster i will trade you a 6500 and a 5500 for your 400's i have a 200 and never had an issuse how ever i have to replace the drags on the 5500 every year forgot this year cost me 2 springers never had issuse with the 6500 let me know

norm :cheers:

[Tacklebuster]

NGFT,
If your 5500 has given you drag problems, I don't think I'll bite on that. I will however consider a trade if you have 2 6500's spooled with 30 pound braid graemlins/idea.gif

[Nanook]

Chris, if you are seriously looking for trades, email me.

Rick

[Tacklebuster]

Nook- I don't post anything I'm not serious about. You got mail.

Chris

[norms gone fishing too]

only have one 6500 sorry if ****** dosen't work out email me and we will see if somthing could be worked out

[Tyeebuster]

Tackle Buster,

How many 400's do you have? Are you trading straight across? I don't have any 6500's, but if it is straight accross I will buy a new one for you.

[Tacklebuster]

TyeeBuster- I may not be in love with the 400's but I don't dislike them enough to loose that much money getting rid of one. I would probably let one go for say 2 used in good condition 6500's or a 5500 and 6500.

Although a brand spanking new 6500 spooled to the rim with 30 pound braid and some various tackle like fish flashes or wobblers may get m graemlins/idea.gif e interested

[ 04-24-2003, 08:13 PM: Message edited by: Tacklebuster ]

[Tacklebuster]

Will do :wink: