Best Convential for Boat Casting - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

striperman36 · 06-04-2007, 02:55 PM

Looking for recommendations for a decent conventional to plug Danny's and eels with a 6' stick from my boat.

likwid · 06-04-2007, 02:57 PM

all of them.

striperman36 · 06-04-2007, 03:08 PM

Gee thanks

Bronko · 06-04-2007, 03:14 PM

Shimano Calcutta 400.

likwid · 06-04-2007, 03:14 PM

You don't have to worry about sand, so any of the higher end are fine.
Easier to maintain when you're just washing salt out of them.

My Calcuttas do dual duty both boat and surf, most wouldn't take them in the surf though.

parker23 · 06-04-2007, 03:26 PM

Hey Striper,
I really like the Shimano Calcutta reels. They cast a mile, smooth drag and the level wind is essential for plugging. I have the 401 TE (left), this is my second year of hard use and abuse. At least 100 fishing sessions/year. Nothing has failed yet.

I rinse them once a week and a good cleaning while changing the line (at least once a month).

The TE series are expensive ($350.00). The casting brake is great. I cast 95% braid while fishing from boat and backlashes are minimal once the brake is tuned to your casting style. The only negative is casting lightwieght rubber. The brake system is funky w/light weight application and I still get the nasty birdsnest nearly every outing. I carry 2 on the boat,one tuned for light weight, the other heavier. It is much easier to turn up brake friction than to tune it down for the light stuff.
They also have the B series (1/2 price of TE), however, I have not used one.

striperman36 · 06-04-2007, 03:28 PM

Thanks,
I have been frustrated with my 6600 and need to get something that lets me cast better. I'll look at the B series as 350 is beyond what I want to spend today.

THanks,
Bill

Raider Ronnie · 06-04-2007, 04:11 PM

Just my opinion, but a 6 ft rod is a bit short when throwing a conventional.

numbskull · 06-04-2007, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raider Ronnie

Just my opinion, but a 6 ft rod is a bit short when throwing a conventional.

Good advice, six feet is too short. Get a 7 ft or even 7.5 ft moderate action muskie rod, a calcutta 400b, and load it with #20 fireline. You'll never look back.

NEXT2NUN · 06-04-2007, 04:42 PM

I had a 6'6" rainshadow built at CMS with a 300A Shimano Cardiff. I haven't caught anything huge on it yet, but I love this setup. Cardiff has the same guts as the Calcutta but a cast frame and half the price. Cost me $240 for the setup.

striperman36 · 06-04-2007, 04:53 PM

Sorry I have a 7' conventional that I built from a St Croix blank

Rip Runner · 06-04-2007, 05:29 PM

I use a St. Croix 6'6" Muskie rod with a calcutta 700, it's a great set up and beafy enough for small BF tuna as well.

striperman36 · 06-04-2007, 05:39 PM

thats the ticket! do you have a B or a TE?

Rip Runner · 06-04-2007, 05:58 PM

I have an older one it's a B. The drag on these reels are very smooth & strong. I caught a 90 pound range blue shark with this setup last summer during the OB shark tournament. I was just screwing around with a little guy that was playing with the chum bucket and didn't want to adjust any of our 50's that were set.

striperman36 · 06-04-2007, 06:12 PM

I'll check it out, thanks

sportsman · 06-04-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Runner

I have an older one it's a B. The drag on these reels are very smooth & strong. I caught a 90 pound range blue shark with this setup last summer during the OB shark tournament. I was just screwing around with a little guy that was playing with the chum bucket and didn't want to adjust any of our 50's that were set.

I remember that, what a hoot!!

That reel did well.

big jay · 06-04-2007, 09:46 PM

I'd definately go 700 over the 400 on the calcuttas. I have the 400, and its a really nice reel, but its more for light tackle kind of fun. A 30" fish takes forever to crank in, never mind a good fish that you want to put the boots to. I keep meaning to put in on e-bay and upgrade, but I never get around to it.

keeperreaper · 06-04-2007, 09:58 PM

Calcutta 400. I have beaten a few brutes with it and use it on the boat and in the surf. It has even beaten a few small tunas last year. Smooth and easy to use.

striperman36 · 06-05-2007, 06:19 AM

Anybody what to sell one?

keeperreaper · 06-05-2007, 12:45 PM

S36- They occasionally pop up on craigs list and the bst forums on the boards. You might want to put a thread up stating you are looking for one.

Roger · 06-05-2007, 03:47 PM

Or you could get 3 abu 6500c3s for the price of one 400B.

striperman36 · 06-05-2007, 08:51 PM

I know that's the issue

Roger · 06-06-2007, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by striperman36

I have been frustrated with my 6600 and need to get something that lets me cast better.

Bill, What's your frustration? Construction? Performance?

striperman36 · 06-06-2007, 08:20 AM

It's overspins. I have the mags turned up all the way and still have issues with overspin on casting.

I also have somehow had the level wind stop working. I took the sideplate off, there is no damage to the gears for the levelwind it just doesn't engage. I don't know how to fix it.

For schoolies it's fine for anything over 15 lbs I need a heavier drag.

Roger · 06-06-2007, 01:07 PM

If you want to drop by I can probably fix it for you - or diagnose the issue at least. Once you've played with a few they are pretty simple to work on.

FWIW, once you have carbon fiber washers and drag grease, you can get more drag than the gears can handle ( I don't go over 8# of drag).

Feel free to PM me

RIJIMMY · 06-06-2007, 07:29 PM

nice abu for sale by pops in the classfieds