I haven't used either of them for casting so I have nothing to say on them other than a lot of people like them. I'm told that the ABU and Calcutta are easier to use which is just fine be me
. Because of being smaller with the level wind, perhaps less work and worry?
Anyway, one thing I'd recommend, if you cut your thumb pretty good with mono you could have done some serious damage if you were using braid. Braid is much more prone to removing your digits than mono is...