Shimano Calcutta Reels - B BSV TE DC
Fish With A Great Round Baitcasting Reel
When you are looking for great conventional baitcasting reels, almost everywhere you turn you are going to find yourself looking at an instantly recognizable round reel, the Shimano Calcutta. The Calcutta has been a favorite among fisherman for quite some time now and for quite a lot of reasons as you'll soon see.
The Shimano Calcutta series of reels lies at the very core of their versatility, value, quality and dependability that Shimano produces. This isn't a one size fits all fishing reel. In fact they come in a range of sizes from the 50 (ultralight class) to the phenomenal 700 (large enough to spool up a huge heaping helping of 30# test line to play with the big ones a while). In other words, if you fish, then there's a Calcutta that's right for the job, fresh or saltwater, doesn't matter. Sporting the best of the best Dartanium Drag, A-RB (Anti-Rust Bearings), and a Super Stopper to keep the play away, you can expect years of top performance from a Calcutta.
Features and Benefits of Calcutta Fishing Reels
Before we get too far into it, take a look at that pretty picture just on the right of a top rated fishing reel. Yep, there she is, the Calcutta. I've had mine now for well over 8 years and have never had a single issue or problem with it. The only problems I've ever had is needing to change the line now and then and forgetting or not taking the time to, but the reel itself has been flawless. Let's take a look real quick at the overall makeup of one of these great fishing reels:
- First, they are constructed into cold forged aluminum frame, sideplates and spool
- A-RB (Anti-Rust Bearings) - have absolutely never had an issue with the bearings, they've been as smooth as the first day out of the box
- Variable Brake System (VBS)
- Super Stopper - love this thing. There is completely no play in it at all. Don't know what I'm talking about? Take your reel out and jiggle the handle, if it goes up and down, you got play! Mine don't, this means what you do on the reel translates 1:1.
- Assist Stopper (excluding 50B, 100B & 101B) - Fortunately I've got the 200 and mine does have it. Not that you would ever notice but it's a fail safe for the Super Stopper should it EVER have a problem.
- Dartainium Drag - freaking awesome, best drag system I've ever fished.
- 3-Bolt Quick Take Down (2 Bolt on 50B)
- Super Comfortable Septon Handle Grips - I've had mine a while and it doesn't seem to have any kind of dry rot or wear issues.
- Easy Access Sideplate (100 and 200 sizes only) - super sweet here if you like to fish the smaller reels, makes it a joy getting inside.
- Lo-Mass Drilled Spool System (200GTB only)
- Drilled Crossbar (200GTB only)
- Clicker (400 & 700 only)
- 3-Position Power Grip (400BSV, 700B & 700BSV only)
- SV Power Paddles (400B only)
- Non-Levelwind Version (BSV models only)
- Manual Return Clutch Lever (700 models only)
- Non-Disengaging Levelwind System (400 & 700 only)
- Metal Series
- Approved for use in Saltwater
- Rated for use with mono, Fluorocarbon and PowerPro lines - I've used about all of them on my Calcutta and have not had any issues, but I do favor the Flourocarbon's.
Calcutta's Have Great Freaking Drags
One thing that I love about my Calcutta fishing reel is that once it's hooked, if it gets off it's either because I didn't set the hook good or did something stupid. Has NEVER been because of the drag, these things have a superb drag system that once you've hooked a fish, and if you are lucky enough to lay into a big one, then the fun can really begin. You can set the dartainium drag so precisely and easily that you can put the right amount of pressure on the fish and have an awesome time fighting him all the way in. Honestly, to me, baitcasting reels like these Shimano's are so much easier to work the drag with than a spinning reel. Just check out this roosterfish ripping drag off a Shimano Calcutta and see for yourself just how smooth the Shimano Dartainium Drag system really is on these Calcutta's:
Back to TopShimano Calcutta News
Find a Deal On Cheap Shimano Calcutta Reels
If you have ever been on the fence about whether or not to get a Calcutta fishing reel, because, well frankly they are a bit expensive, now's your chance to get off! What I've done is gone out and got the latest 20 deals about to end soon on a new or used discounted Calcutta reel. Check them out just below and decide for yourself.
Back to TopWhat Calcutta Reel Do I Need For Freshwater Fishing?
This is more of a question of what size reel do you need to me as most all Calcutta's are rated to fish in both saltwater and freshwater. So it really doesn't matter which one you pick as long as you get the right size. This is going to come down to whether you want a small baitcaster like a 50, 100, 200, or 250 model or whether you are going to go after those large species that would require a larger reel like a 400 or 700 model. Most bass fishermen I know would opt for a 200 while those looking to do some serious gar or catfishing (for those 20 plus pounders) will go with a 400 or 700.
Back to TopShimano Calcutta - Compare The B, TE and TE DC Models
Calcutta's work in Freshwater and Saltwater
That's another thing about Shimano Calcutta fishing reels. These things simply work. It doesn't matter what you are doing or where you are at, you've always got to have the right tool for the right job, and this is where Calcutta's excel. It doesn't matter if you are fishing in freshwater or saltwater, these reels work! Just check out this very large steelhead that Calvin caught using a Shimano Calcutta and a Loomis rod:
Back to TopCalcutta VBS - Don't Backlash
Well, I've actually found a decent video showing someone how to setup a Shimano reel with a VBS like the Calcutta does to keep the backlashes to a minimum. This is important because most people that dislike baitcasting reels is because they backlash. We'll I say quit being stupid and criticizing when you don't know how to set one up so that it doesn't. So here goes, take a look at this video and see just how to setup your Calcutta with the VBS so that it won't do that anymore.
Bonus Tip From Me: This is something that I learned long ago thanks to my uncle, not only do you have to set up your VBS properly, but here's a simple trick he taught me to help keep the backlashes down. TURN YOUR WRIST WHEN YOU CAST. After you throw turn your wrist so that the spool goes vertical instead of horizontal. It helps to let the line out a bit smoother. I rarely have any backlashes now, but when I do that's the first thing that I look at, and most of the time, I didn't turn my wrist.
Back to TopAre Calcutta Fishing Reels Overpriced?
Well, compared to other class and caliber reels, heck no. They are about in the same ballpark. They are definitely not the most expensive reels out there that you could buy, but they aren't the cheapest either. Bottom line is you get what you pay for. There are some Calcutta models that are cheaper than others and those are the ones that I tend to stick to. I like the "B" models. Absolutely nothing wrong with them and they are tough, strong and durable. If you've got the cash, you might step up to the TE which is supposedly even smoother when fished and if you've got the money to burn than you can jump into the DC's. Overpriced, no, but you've got to pay for quality.
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