cardiff 400a - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

easyday · 10-11-2013, 07:31 PM

I just picked up one of these yesterday and now I'm reading bad reviews on it. Has anyone had this reel and had problems with it, Or is it a good sturdy reel?

skrilla · 10-11-2013, 09:33 PM

Great reel. Drag material is garbage but a set of Carbontex and a smothering of Cal's takes care of that. Maintain it religously especially the anti reverse bearing and it should last you a long time. I'm actually gonna scoop up another one since my 200 has been nothing but awesome.

Amish Ed · 10-11-2013, 09:49 PM

I love my Cardiffs. I plan on getting another 200 soon.

easyday · 10-11-2013, 09:59 PM

I dont have a clue what im doing with cleaning/ maintaining/ upgrading reels.

DanaPT · 10-12-2013, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easyday

I dont have a clue what im doing with cleaning/ maintaining/ upgrading reels.

Shimano is off bake and the 5 freeway. You can drop off, pay $25 and they'll do the rest if you do not want to DIY.

I have the 200GTB and LOVE it.

roku225 · 10-12-2013, 08:42 AM

I have the 300a and love it. Very reliable reel

jorluivil · 10-12-2013, 09:59 AM

Here's what I think

BSB Hali on 400A
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jorluivil · 10-12-2013, 10:00 AM

And here's another thing that I think about the 400A

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kobra · 10-12-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easyday

I dont have a clue what im doing with cleaning/ maintaining/ upgrading reels.

You're in luck easy. The best place to have your reels serviced at happens to be in Oside. Kens Custom Reels. They are in the harbor.

William Novotny · 10-12-2013, 01:32 PM

Jorge, I like how mid way between gaff and game clipping a barn door you stop to be eco friendly and pick up your trash from the water. Thats class right there

jorluivil · 10-14-2013, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William Novotny

Jorge, I like how mid way between gaff and game clipping a barn door you stop to be eco friendly and pick up your trash from the water. Thats class right there

Thanks, if we don't keep the waters clean who will?

I always pick up whatever trash I see floating in the water, even if its not mine.

dmrides · 10-12-2013, 06:02 AM

Do a google search for Alan tani followed by whatever reel you are going to fix. He will have a step by step guide complete with pictures for almost any reel. Awesome resource.

easyday · 10-12-2013, 03:52 PM

Yea I have jad kens do alot of work for me and their prices are awesome

rieffer · 10-13-2013, 06:31 PM

The Cardiff is a hell of a reel for the price. It's plenty strong for anything local. Up here in O.C., I just take my reels over to Shimano in Irvine. $25.00 and it's brand new.

taggermike · 10-14-2013, 08:32 AM

A fishing buddy of mine beats the crap out of all his gear. I'm talking has NEVER rinsed it off, leaves it in the rocket launchers on his boat all summer, lets the stuff rattle around loose in the bed of his truck on Baja trips. He has had the smaller sized Cardiff for years and its still going strong and killing fish. He's caught everything from large mouth bass to dorado on it. I'd say its a very good reel. Mike

10-11-2013, 07:31 PM	#1
easyday Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,469	cardiff 400a I just picked up one of these yesterday and now I'm reading bad reviews on it. Has anyone had this reel and had problems with it, Or is it a good sturdy reel? __________________

10-11-2013, 09:33 PM	#2
skrilla Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 664	Great reel. Drag material is garbage but a set of Carbontex and a smothering of Cal's takes care of that. Maintain it religously especially the anti reverse bearing and it should last you a long time. I'm actually gonna scoop up another one since my 200 has been nothing but awesome. __________________ Urban Camo Trident 13

10-11-2013, 09:49 PM	#3
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	I love my Cardiffs. I plan on getting another 200 soon. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

10-11-2013, 09:59 PM	#4
easyday Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,469	I dont have a clue what im doing with cleaning/ maintaining/ upgrading reels. __________________

10-12-2013, 09:59 AM	#7
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	Here's what I think BSB Hali on 400A ">"> __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

10-12-2013, 08:42 AM	#6
roku225 Junior Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 21	I have the 300a and love it. Very reliable reel

10-12-2013, 10:00 AM	#8
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	And here's another thing that I think about the 400A ">"> __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

10-12-2013, 01:32 PM	#10
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	Jorge, I like how mid way between gaff and game clipping a barn door you stop to be eco friendly and pick up your trash from the water. Thats class right there __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." http://www.badinfluencetattoo.com/gallery.php?artist=21

10-12-2013, 06:02 AM	#12
dmrides Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Point Loma Posts: 584	Do a google search for Alan tani followed by whatever reel you are going to fix. He will have a step by step guide complete with pictures for almost any reel. Awesome resource.

10-12-2013, 03:52 PM	#13
easyday Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,469	Yea I have jad kens do alot of work for me and their prices are awesome __________________

10-13-2013, 06:31 PM	#14
rieffer Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 91	The Cardiff is a hell of a reel for the price. It's plenty strong for anything local. Up here in O.C., I just take my reels over to Shimano in Irvine. $25.00 and it's brand new.

10-14-2013, 08:32 AM	#15
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	A fishing buddy of mine beats the crap out of all his gear. I'm talking has NEVER rinsed it off, leaves it in the rocket launchers on his boat all summer, lets the stuff rattle around loose in the bed of his truck on Baja trips. He has had the smaller sized Cardiff for years and its still going strong and killing fish. He's caught everything from large mouth bass to dorado on it. I'd say its a very good reel. Mike