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1,277 Posts
Seems like a sturdy (yet pricey) product. Anyone have one? I've been using Ambassadeur 7000C's for the past two years. They're smooth but seem a little flimsy for the price. Paid $155 2 yrs. ago; they now sell for $119.
Shimano Calcutta 700 Reel
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Bought one two years ago, a 700s (no line distributor). Use it for heavy baitcasting in the surf...I mean 6-8 oz lead with bunker chunks...Excellent reel, very smooth...The anti-backlash device works well and the drag is excellent...Only flaw is the clicker button, which I tend to flick on by mistake because of the weird place it's mounted...Overall, well worth the bucks.
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5,904 Posts
700 CAL
Mickie,
there is a thread about this reel aleady,try the search.I am a solid shimano man and personally it is the only shimano reel that I don't like.I had one,used it once and sold it.It felt to big and gorky for me and I didn't like how the parts looked inside the reel.I have a bunch of calcuttas and a few tld's but don't recommend the 700 cal.
ps. They do cost alot of money, I would take a good look at the Everol 12/20's.They are super solid reels with a lever drag.Chris from Everol brought them to the bash the other night for people to check out and they seemed to really like how well they were made.Built like tanks.
paulie
(This post edited by B.Attitude on 02/09/2003)
Mickie,
there is a thread about this reel aleady,try the search.I am a solid shimano man and personally it is the only shimano reel that I don't like.I had one,used it once and sold it.It felt to big and gorky for me and I didn't like how the parts looked inside the reel.I have a bunch of calcuttas and a few tld's but don't recommend the 700 cal.
ps. They do cost alot of money, I would take a good look at the Everol 12/20's.They are super solid reels with a lever drag.Chris from Everol brought them to the bash the other night for people to check out and they seemed to really like how well they were made.Built like tanks.
paulie
(This post edited by B.Attitude on 02/09/2003)
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1,277 Posts
Thanks for the advice fellas. I'll spend some time handling the reel on a rod before I buy.
Calcutta 700
When I first used this reel I took it off the rod and put it back in its box. The same complaint as everyone else, its to big. I first saw the calcutta line and figured I'd buy the reel for ocean fluking and striper fishing. A year later I needed a reel for jigging blues and gave it a second chance. Low and behold I hook into a 30lb bluefin while jigging. The reel was flawless. I used it this past year for inshore chunking and I firmly believe that you cannot beat it. This year over 10 bluefin up to 70 lbs and the drag is as good as new.
When I first used this reel I took it off the rod and put it back in its box. The same complaint as everyone else, its to big. I first saw the calcutta line and figured I'd buy the reel for ocean fluking and striper fishing. A year later I needed a reel for jigging blues and gave it a second chance. Low and behold I hook into a 30lb bluefin while jigging. The reel was flawless. I used it this past year for inshore chunking and I firmly believe that you cannot beat it. This year over 10 bluefin up to 70 lbs and the drag is as good as new.
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1,409 Posts
it's too big/heavy because it was designed to be a level wind( whether you have a CT700 or CT700S). It has a smaller spool than a non level wind reel with the same side plate diameter. Fishes small, feels heavy.
This problem is less apparent in smaller reels, the 400 and 400S are both well liked.
This problem is less apparent in smaller reels, the 400 and 400S are both well liked.
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5,904 Posts
My previous post on the 700 was based on the first 700 that came out.We had another thread on this reel once before and someone posted a picture of the newer one and it looked totally different.I have to admit I haven't personally tried that one out yet.Maybe I can pick one up and play with it at the freeport show this weekend.
paulie
paulie
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1,277 Posts
Paulie - I read your first post and gave it serious consideration. I will also be at the Freeport show on Sunday. If you happen to go Sat. would you mind posting your evaluation if you happen to see the newer version of the reel? I'd appreciate your input. Thanks, bill
I think the shimano is a nice reel but is over priced for what you are getting.
Dispite one of the previous posts extoling the drag;Thre isn't a star drag made that will consistantly outfish or outlast a lever drag.In that size reel I would give the little Avet a serious look.Take a look at the Abu 7500 big game if you want to stick with star drag.Abu is coming back with the influx of R&D money they go from Pure Fishing.
T.T.
Dispite one of the previous posts extoling the drag;Thre isn't a star drag made that will consistantly outfish or outlast a lever drag.In that size reel I would give the little Avet a serious look.Take a look at the Abu 7500 big game if you want to stick with star drag.Abu is coming back with the influx of R&D money they go from Pure Fishing.
T.T.
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30 Posts
700 calcutta
I have 3 400 calcutta reels and one 700. I would highly recommend the 400's.I use them for just about all my inshore fishing. They are smooth, light and flawless, if you keep them serviced. The 700 is another story all together. I use it for striped bass in the montauk rips, live lining large baits for bass, jigging cod on the George's banks and blackfishing. I do not recommend this reel. The problem is the free spool button. It will not go into free spool if there is pressure on the line, such as when you hang up. The only way to get to free spool is to loosen the drag. Also, the reel has on numerous occassions slipped into free spool while fighting a fish. I have had the reel serviced to attempt to fix the problems, but results have not been satisfactory. Stick to the 400 line and look for another reel for this size.
I have 3 400 calcutta reels and one 700. I would highly recommend the 400's.I use them for just about all my inshore fishing. They are smooth, light and flawless, if you keep them serviced. The 700 is another story all together. I use it for striped bass in the montauk rips, live lining large baits for bass, jigging cod on the George's banks and blackfishing. I do not recommend this reel. The problem is the free spool button. It will not go into free spool if there is pressure on the line, such as when you hang up. The only way to get to free spool is to loosen the drag. Also, the reel has on numerous occassions slipped into free spool while fighting a fish. I have had the reel serviced to attempt to fix the problems, but results have not been satisfactory. Stick to the 400 line and look for another reel for this size.
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