Question for anyone in the know.

I have a calcutta 400b that up till this year, has worked pretty well.

This year, it seems that its casting ability has been greatly diminished. I have had suggestions that it might be the type of oil and the reel needs a tune up or it might be the rod I am using. For reference I am talking about tossing big pencils (sherriff) or 3.5oz pt jude nautilus.. The cast is maybe going 30 yards... and I can at least double that (with the nautilus) on my spinning outfit. Lighter than that, forget about it.

I have gotten it cleaned by two different people (and the second person I trust to do it because he maintained the reel for awhile before I got it from him)

I also opened it up and took a look around wiped it down a little and added a little oil.

As for the rod, I am using a pretty stiff 4-8oz quarrow (11'). I am waiting to go out with my buddy next to try his lighter pole, but I had a lighter rated pole in my hand ready to purchase at M+D's and Mike said he didnt think it would fix the issue.

It definitely sounds like its slowing down in the reel, Ill admit I dont know all that much about the inner workings, but were I to guess, I would say the magnets were stuck in the slowest position although when I free spool a plug drops pretty quick.

Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

Are you thunbing the spool to much? Check the side knob that adjusts the spool tension. It might be too tight. Check for crap on the sides of the spool. It will make a grinding noise. Also sometimes a weed or sprig of grass gets in the worm gear for the levelwind and that will greatly diminish the distance. If not one of these check the magnets and oil the insides. The insides of the Calcutta is straight forward.

nope..dont think im thumbing it..

the spool tension is what i meant when I said magnets.. its almost like its stuck really tight.. but i dont think it is..

ill operate again methinks.

Pull it apart, pull out both bearings clean them in lighter fluid, blow them dry, spin them on a pencil tip. They should spin fast and smooth. If rough, replace them. If the guy who cleaned your reel greased them you they'll be too slow. Once clean, lube with a few drops of a light oil. 3in 1 is ok, but there are finer oils that are better (a small vial used to come with the reel). Now check your centrifugal brakes. There are six blocks that click in to disengage, and click out 1/2 way to engage. If he left all in the mid position the reel will be too slow. You only want 2 or 3 engaged. They control the fluff at the start of the cast. Now reassemble your reel. Back off on the spool tension knob until you can feel slight back and forth play in the spool. Retighten it about an 1/8th a turn. Put a drop of oil on the levelwind pawl. That should solve your problems unless something drastic like a bent shaft has occured.

Now check your centrifugal brakes. There are six blocks that click in to disengage, and click out 1/2 way to engage. If he left all in the mid position the reel will be too slow. You only want 2 or 3 engaged. They control the fluff at the start of the cast. .

you nailed it

i had to go to bucko's for something else this morning and i asked them to take a look... all 6 magnets were in place... we just turned off two for me to test.. and wow... what a difference... ill think ill probably disengage two more..

now my only problem is the rod.. gonna get a lighter conventional to be able to cast bombers etc a little better.

:)

I had similar problems ,among others, with the 400 Calcutta and this why I use Amassaduers in the surf.

I had similar problems ,among others, with the 400 Calcutta and this why I use Amassaduers in the surf.

best o luck to ya!

now my only problem is the rod.. gonna get a lighter conventional to be able to cast bombers etc a little better.

:)

The lami 1081L builds into an excellent conventional for light-medium stuff. The xra 1083 is even sweeter, but fragile. A joy to fish if you are careful not to high stick it. Both match ideally with the 400b and 20lb fireline.