Round reel love?

[LgMouthGambler]

I know there are quite a few of you that fish round reels, especially the Millionaire and Ryogas from Daiwa. I loved my little Conquest50s soo much that I eneded up getting a Calcutta200B. Used that a few years until I found a killer deal on the Calcutta200GTB that Ive always wanted. Since I been fishing thag for some time, I decided I wanted to try another kind. Servicing quite a few reels over the years, many people like the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5500s. And honestly not knowing much about the different models, I found out they made a smaller version the 4600. So I had been on a search to find one at a good price, but cheaper ones that look pretty bad are all I can find for a decent price. So I decided to look more in the C3 era of the mid 2000s, but even some of them go for close to what I could get a C4 new. So I opted to get the newest blue C4 model, and found one for $100 shipped. I really dont know what the actual size of the reel is, but I guess im gonna find out. Lol. My Calcutta200GTB is not huge, but not small, so maybe its the same size, or a bit smaller? Either way, all reviews are positive on them. It will make a good addition to have for a full aluminum reel arsenal of the Calcutta200GTB, Conquest50, Ambassadeur 4600, and even though its not technically round but is all aluminum - the MetaniumXT. If I G ake those 4 out on the water for the day, I can basically cover all grounds. Im looking forward to getting to play with this reel.

So what round reels do you have? Or "all metal" reels for that matter?

[JontaK]

I love round reels and have owned, and own, a whole bunch of them.
Living in Sweden I have to have some Ambassadeurs.

I'm particularly fond of the 4000-size and one of my favorites is the old 80's CA.
ABU has never built this model in 4500.

45CA01c.jpg

My solution was to build my own with a few new lighter bits from the post 2014 C3.
Even though I love my Calcuttas and Millionaires this reel is very special to me.

[Dalleinf]

Being Danish, I envy the Swedes for Abu Garcia

I have many Ambassadeurs, Mørrum 1601 & 3601 with Avail spools, Amb 4601C3 w. Avail spool, Record 51 etc. just to name a few. I use the Mørrums in streams and rivers for seatrout.
The 4601 and Record I use for inshore fishing and from my kayak. I really like the Ambassadeurs for their looks and simplicity - they are very easy to service and maintain, as you know.
I am a fan, but not a huge fan, of the Mørrums - they are pretty, function well, are easy to maintain, but are not on par with high-end offerings from Daiwa and Shimano (and should not cost as much IMO).

Shimano - I use Conquest BFS w KTF spool (trout), Conquest 101 w Avail spool (trout), Conquest 301 (salmon), Calcutta 201TE and Calcutta 201D (general use, pike), Calcutta 301-401 (salmon, pike). I love the Conquests and really like the Calcutta Ds - pretty and sturdy reels, great for the price and I do not mind that the brake settings are difficult to change.

Daiwa - Ryoga 1016s and 1520 (seatrout and salmon). I love the spool options and especially the ZPIs. As I use long rods to target large fish that like small lures, the heavy reels with light spools work great for me.
Megabass - Monoblock Grigio Stone with ZPI NRC001-M. My latest addition that will see use for sea run brown trout. I am not sure that the reel is worth the €$£, but it is pretty

I really like round reels.

[Zimbass]

When I first started with baitcasters I was using Abu 4600CB's, and then got onto some of the early Shimano Bantam's. Round reels were always my favorite, but, they were only available in slower retrieves then, so moved onto low profile stuff.

Still use my Calcutta TE's, DC's, Calcutta D200,Conquest 200 for slower retrieves.

Did have a CT50 for a short time. Was too slow for any kind of presentation, as it would cast out 75% of the line, and the retrieve would be like 3:1 ! Got rid of that, and now struggle with servicing them for customers, as they are the worst Shimano reel to work on.

[zalan]

I have a C3 Abu 4601, Calcutta Conquest 101 and an old Mörrum which needs a bit of upgrading to be useful. I do not even own a low profile anymore

[Tim Kelly]

I have a nice morrum avail combination, which will cast a 1/16 with half a zoom tiny fluke perfectly well and a Conquest 51, which isn't really a finesse reel in standard form, but it great for casting 1/4 - 3/8 crankbaits. Love the round reels, but they are a menace when it's cold as all that cold aluminium really chills your hands!

[DirtyD64]

Being Danish, I envy the Swedes for Abu Garcia

I have many Ambassadeurs, Mørrum 1601 & 3601 with Avail spools, Amb 4601C3 w. Avail spool, Record 51 etc. just to name a few. I use the Mørrums in streams and rivers for seatrout.
The 4601 and Record I use for inshore fishing and from my kayak. I really like the Ambassadeurs for their looks and simplicity - they are very easy to service and maintain, as you know.
I am a fan, but not a huge fan, of the Mørrums - they are pretty, function well, are easy to maintain, but are not on par with high-end offerings from Daiwa and Shimano (and should not cost as much IMO).

Shimano - I use Conquest BFS w KTF spool (trout), Conquest 101 w Avail spool (trout), Conquest 301 (salmon), Calcutta 201TE and Calcutta 201D (general use, pike), Calcutta 301-401 (salmon, pike). I love the Conquests and really like the Calcutta Ds - pretty and sturdy reels, great for the price and I do not mind that the brake settings are difficult to change.

Daiwa - Ryoga 1016s and 1520 (seatrout and salmon). I love the spool options and especially the ZPIs. As I use long rods to target large fish that like small lures, the heavy reels with light spools work great for me.
Megabass - Monoblock Grigio Stone with ZPI NRC001-M. My latest addition that will see use for sea run brown trout. I am not sure that the reel is worth the €$£, but it is pretty

I really like round reels.

How light do you throw with the 1520??? Stock spool I assume, right?

[Tony9]

I have a Luna 103L, Conquest 101HG, and a Ryoga 1520HL. Solid reels, wouldn't trade them for anything else.

[LgMouthGambler]

So I found a killer deal on a almost mint Abu Morrum 3600c thats on the way to me from Japan. And I made a good bid on a Morrum MAG3600c. Ill be busy for a while. Lol

[Markanthony404]

2- Calcutta TE-GT’s
1-Conquest

I just completed the yearly service on these beauties. There’s something timeless about a round reel. Some people think I’m weird but I actually think round reels are more comfortable to use than low profile reels. If there’s ever a zombie apocalypse and I can only fish with one reel I will grab one of my Calcutta 200TE GT’s.

[Slazmo]

Got rid of that, and now struggle with servicing them for customers, as they are the worst Shimano reel to work on.

How do you figure that? They're exactly the same as the 100, 150, 200, 250, 400 et al.

But they've got a metal gear plate unlike the XGT7 in larger reels. I've got a CT50 B & XT (amongst other CT's) and they're one of the best conventional BFS reels IMHO to mod and own cheaply.

[Zimbass]

Good day Slazmo,

The CT50B is a pure joy to work on, and I have no problem with them. It was the original CT50 that I am referring to. The tolerances on the drive gear and drag system was so tight, that it is a hit and miss job getting them to work correctly.

I recall a post on another forum some years ago, where Dan, Bantam1, admitted that they were also his least favorite reel to work on.

Love them all from the 100 to the 700, but not the old 50.

Cheers,

Terry.

[lifeofRiley]

I have a Luna 103L, Conquest 101HG, and a Ryoga 1520HL. Solid reels, wouldn't trade them for anything else.

Tony, what handle and/or knobs did you put on your Conquest 101HG?

Thanks!

[Good351]

I used to go to the Berkley outlet store and pick up the round Abu's.. C3's and C4's mostly. Eventually I figured out what I liked and didn't like...and the round Abu's were out for me.. Something about the size and edges I didn't like while fishing. I was always on the lookout for a 1601 IAR, they had them new, but was above my means back then.

I'm now into the Millionaire series from Daiwa. Have a M-Ito and and IZE Light. Looking to add one more, either a SSS or a regular ol CV-Z.

I've also got a couple 51's that don't see much use anymore...Conquest 51S and Cardiff 51SDC.

[Tony9]

I have a Luna 103L, Conquest 101HG, and a Ryoga 1520HL. Solid reels, wouldn't trade them for anything else.

Tony, what handle and/or knobs did you put on your Conquest 101HG?

Thanks!

15 Ocea Conquest 201PG handle