Do you fish a Calcutta 200 for calicos? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

BrokeLoser · 03-08-2012, 02:16 PM

Do you like it / recommend it?
I'm thinking of a new rod and reel and a small Calcutta is in my sights.

npdes · 03-08-2012, 02:34 PM

I normally use a Calcutta 400 with the power handle. But I have used a Catala 200 (cheaper version of the Calcutta) and have caught calico's as well. While I like the thrill of lighter gear, I hate running the risk of losing a big one. You never know what you're going to catch. That's why I go with the 400.

BrokeLoser · 03-08-2012, 03:03 PM

Yeah, I can see your point. I think the 200 only has something like 9lbs of drag. I won't be yanking any big yellows from kelp that's for sure.

PapaDave · 03-08-2012, 03:08 PM

I primarily use a Calcutta 250, I catch all kinds of fish with it. Works great, have caught a 29lb halibut, 40lb Thresher and several large BSB. Not to mention the many Calico and Sand bass. It is a blast when you hook something big.

BrokeLoser · 03-08-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaDCh

I primarily use a Calcutta 250, I catch all kinds of fish with it. Works great, have caught a 29lb halibut, 40lb Thresher and several large BSB. Not to mention the many Calico and Sand bass. It is a blast when you hook something big.

Do they still make the 250?

PapaDave · 03-08-2012, 03:34 PM

Don't know, mine is rather old, you can find them on eBay though. And I think the 200 is just a tad narrower then the 250.

T Bone · 03-08-2012, 04:56 PM

I have an older model 200,the silver one.I fish 12# on it for bass with a trigger stick.Love it.

BrokeLoser · 03-08-2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

I have an older model 200,the silver one.I fish 12# on it for bass with a trigger stick.Love it.

Good to hear...that's pretty much the setup I want to put together..trigger stick and all. Something I can use for striper and fresh water bass as well.

BrokeLoser · 03-08-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaDCh

Don't know, mine is rather old, you can find them on eBay though. And I think the 200 is just a tad narrower then the 250.

Holy cow!
Is this the 250 you're talking about?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Calc...ht_2966wt_1037

More than $500 on ebay.....the 200's are only $180-ish...hope there's a huge difference.

kobra · 03-08-2012, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokeLoser

Do they still make the 250?

The 200 replaced the 250 about 5 years ago. Basically the same reel.

BrokeLoser · 03-08-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kobra

The 200 replaced the 250 about 5 years ago. Basically the same reel.

Oh, gotcha.
I just read about them at Shimano's site.

BrokeLoser · 03-08-2012, 07:33 PM

The Daiwa Luna looks interesting as well...
How does it compare to the Calcutta?

Amish Ed · 03-08-2012, 10:59 PM

The 200 is a great size for calicoes. As far as Diawa vs Shimano? I always go Shimano because of their great customer service.

fishinkid2010 · 03-08-2012, 11:22 PM

I own two calcutta's and like them a lot, but honestly, if it is going to be used soley for fishing for calicos you might just consider a low profile reel. I prefer Curados, if you're worried about line capacity look at the 300 series. Calcuttas cast decent, but a low profile reel is a lot more comfortable in your hand, and is a lot easier to cast all day long. I fish with heavy line and the drags locked down, so the LBS of drag each has ins't a big deal to me.

Samcro · 03-09-2012, 09:37 AM

I use a Luna 300 w/ 50lb braid on a California Inshore XH 8' rod. Calicos don't stand a chance, but my new favorite reel for Calico's is my Abu Garcia Revo Toro 50HS w/ 30lb braid on the same rod mentioned above.

Ed · 03-09-2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishinkid2010

I own two calcutta's and like them a lot, but honestly, if it is going to be used soley for fishing for calicos you might just consider a low profile reel. I prefer Curados, if you're worried about line capacity look at the 300 series. Calcuttas cast decent, but a low profile reel is a lot more comfortable in your hand, and is a lot easier to cast all day long. I fish with heavy line and the drags locked down, so the LBS of drag each has ins't a big deal to me.

X2. Love my Curado 300 for calicos.

MarkT · 03-09-2012, 10:45 PM

I've got a pair of CT250's and a pair of Curado 200's. Same drags in each. Pretty much just a different form factor. Curado's cast better. Calcutta have more power due to the lower gear ratios. I've got a Millionaire CVX253 and a CVZ300. Both have a 3-stack of Jigmaster drag washers... much better than a Curado/Calcutta. The CVZ and newer Luna are better than the standard Calcutta and not as good as the Calcutta TE.

William Novotny · 03-11-2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaDCh

I primarily use a Calcutta 250, I catch all kinds of fish with it. Works great, have caught a 29lb halibut, 40lb Thresher and several large BSB. Not to mention the many Calico and Sand bass. It is a blast when you hook something big.

I agree. My 250 is my favorite reel. I have it backed with 50# braid and topped off with 20# mono. Great for hali, bass, all kinds of inshore fish. Only downside is if you find one, shimano does not service or repair them any more.

03-08-2012, 02:16 PM	#1
BrokeLoser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 472	Do you fish a Calcutta 200 for calicos? Do you like it / recommend it? I'm thinking of a new rod and reel and a small Calcutta is in my sights.

03-08-2012, 04:56 PM	#7
T Bone Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 871	I have an older model 200,the silver one.I fish 12# on it for bass with a trigger stick.Love it. __________________ Barachit Baralah,Elohim-In the beginning,God-Genesis 1:1 "Who among you,if your son asked for a fish would give them a serpent " Jesus Matt. 7:10

03-08-2012, 10:59 PM	#13
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	The 200 is a great size for calicoes. As far as Diawa vs Shimano? I always go Shimano because of their great customer service. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

03-08-2012, 11:22 PM	#14
fishinkid2010 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: La Mesa Posts: 386	I own two calcutta's and like them a lot, but honestly, if it is going to be used soley for fishing for calicos you might just consider a low profile reel. I prefer Curados, if you're worried about line capacity look at the 300 series. Calcuttas cast decent, but a low profile reel is a lot more comfortable in your hand, and is a lot easier to cast all day long. I fish with heavy line and the drags locked down, so the LBS of drag each has ins't a big deal to me. __________________ Need a custom rod wrapped? PM me! http://s686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/fishinkid2010/Sample%20Rod%20Wrapping/?albumview=slideshow

03-08-2012, 02:34 PM	#2
npdes Junior Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azusa, CA Posts: 22	I normally use a Calcutta 400 with the power handle. But I have used a Catala 200 (cheaper version of the Calcutta) and have caught calico's as well. While I like the thrill of lighter gear, I hate running the risk of losing a big one. You never know what you're going to catch. That's why I go with the 400.

03-08-2012, 03:03 PM	#3
BrokeLoser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 472	Yeah, I can see your point. I think the 200 only has something like 9lbs of drag. I won't be yanking any big yellows from kelp that's for sure.

03-08-2012, 03:08 PM	#4
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,473	I primarily use a Calcutta 250, I catch all kinds of fish with it. Works great, have caught a 29lb halibut, 40lb Thresher and several large BSB. Not to mention the many Calico and Sand bass. It is a blast when you hook something big.

03-08-2012, 03:34 PM	#6
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,473	Don't know, mine is rather old, you can find them on eBay though. And I think the 200 is just a tad narrower then the 250.

03-08-2012, 07:33 PM	#12
BrokeLoser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 472	The Daiwa Luna looks interesting as well... How does it compare to the Calcutta?

03-09-2012, 09:37 AM	#15
Samcro Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 46	I use a Luna 300 w/ 50lb braid on a California Inshore XH 8' rod. Calicos don't stand a chance, but my new favorite reel for Calico's is my Abu Garcia Revo Toro 50HS w/ 30lb braid on the same rod mentioned above.

03-09-2012, 10:45 PM	#17
MarkT Deep Release Specialist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 94	I've got a pair of CT250's and a pair of Curado 200's. Same drags in each. Pretty much just a different form factor. Curado's cast better. Calcutta have more power due to the lower gear ratios. I've got a Millionaire CVX253 and a CVZ300. Both have a 3-stack of Jigmaster drag washers... much better than a Curado/Calcutta. The CVZ and newer Luna are better than the standard Calcutta and not as good as the Calcutta TE.