So I went out today to test a new reel I bought over the winter, a Calais 200A. I compared it to my older Calcutta TE. The Calais was disappointing because it was much harder to crank when under load from a crank bait. The Calais casts farther and smoother but as far as cranking the Calcutta TE is f...

I recently purchased a 2005 Shimano Calais on eBay. The real is in mint condition and I only paid $224. I'm looking to get some parts for it and I was wondering if there is anything on these reels that is prone to go bad? I Plan on getting a main & pinion gear, and a few bearings but I wanted some a...

Little late on this, but the OP was not asking about a Daiwa. If he did I would have given my thoughts on the many that I own and love. I did already purchase a Shimano Calais but I'd be curious to hear about some of your favorite Daiwa reels. I used to own a team daiwa casting reel from the early ...

Check out some of the rods from Fenwick. Last month I had the opportunity to compare my Fenwick elite smallmouth series with the G Loomis NRX. It's almost as good as the Loomis for around 1/4 the cost. If you can get to a cabel's store you can compare them. I think Fenwick also makes a casting rod t...

Fenwick rods get my vote, I can't believe they're not on the list. I had the opportunity to compare my Fenwick smallmouth series Rod against an G Loomis NRX Rod. The Loomis is definitely a little bit lighter and more sensitive but not by much. In my opinion it's not worth the extra $350.

The thumb bar for a TE reel is a $9.00 item direct from Shimano, and I recently received one within a week of ordering it. (It's a plastic-like part consisting of a material that resembles that of the yoke, and it has a razor-thin veneer of metal coating. This is immediately apparent when the part ...

Thanks guys for all your responses you been a big help. I decided not to buy either the Pflueger or quantum. Over the weekend I purchased a used shimano Calais 100a for $214 on eBay, it looks like it was hardly ever used. I'll probably end up buying some spare parts for it online like gears, bearing...

This is my 1993 Shimano Sustain. It's the same as the first gen Stella F series in Japan. This real was $400 in the Cabela's catalog back in 93. There are a few parts I would really like to find including a spare spool & pinion gear. I've checked Mike's reel repair and Dave's parts and services with...

The Antares or Callais are both more than I want to spend, I'll go as high as 350 each for 2 reels. The Pflueger supreme has gotten rave reviews and it being half off for Black Friday is one of the main reasons I'm considering it. I'm going to take my TE down to Cabela's & compare it with the Pflueg...

Your favorite all time reel is your Calcutta TE, so why not do what Steve said and get it refurbished? I think most would agree with me when I say most of your high end reels are smooth. It's how you take care of them when they get a lot of use. I would recommend you go with a Calcutta D since it i...

My TE is eight years old, scratched to hell and the thumb bar is sticking. If anyone has actually used that Pfluger or quantum let me know. Cabela's is selling the Pflueger at $99 for Black Friday that's half-price. The kvd is marked down to $159. I wouldn't mind paying more for the Shimano D ,I'd p...

have you used any of the reels I mentioned?

I could use some help in choosing 2 new bait casters for next year. The most important quality to me is the easiness of the retrieve when cranking. Smoothness is a term that everyone uses, but easy reeling or no resistance would be a better way of saying it. I could care less if a reel makes a littl...