Help with baitcast reel

[geckel]

I just received my brand new, never before used, shimano cardiff 400a in the mail. Upon inspecting it I noticed that the spool doesn't rotate when I turn the handle. I've taken the plate off and found that the gears are not easily accessible. This is my second baitcaster so maybe I'm overlooking something obvious. Is it me or is it the reel? Help is greatfully appreciated.

[Jim]

Probably a stupid reply, but did you try tightening the drag? If it is fully off, the spool may not spin when you turn the handle.

Next comment, if it is brand new and does not work, return it. Those are complicated inside and not worth the trouble when it should work perfectly.

[geckel]

Probably a stupid reply, but did you try tightening the drag? If it is fully off, the spool may not spin when you turn the handle.

Next comment, if it is brand new and does not work, return it. Those are complicated inside and not worth the trouble when it should work perfectly.

I did try tightening the drag to no avail. Hopefully I can just return it to the supplier instead of dealing with shimano's warranty. I may just buy the Calcutta instead of going the cheap route. This hobby of mine has gotten pretty expensive somehow. Maybe I can find it used and have it serviced or something.

[MNfisher]

I did try tightening the drag to no avail. Hopefully I can just return it to the supplier instead of dealing with shimano's warranty. I may just buy the Calcutta instead of going the cheap route. This hobby of mine has gotten pretty expensive somehow. Maybe I can find it used and have it serviced or something.

I have 2 shimano Calcutta 400's that have survived 3 years of musky guiding in MN(countless backlashes from inexperienced clients, and casting 8 hrs a day with hard pulling buck tails and pound plastics), and 2 years of big striper! Still like new! Expensive, but will last a VERY long time!

[Reel Tune]

The first thing I was going to say was try tightening the drag, but that's already been stated. Does the spool free spin? "Can you take your finger and spin the spool?" Try depressing the spool release and turning the handle. Can you hear the clutch engaging and disengaging?

I agree with Mike I have a Calcutta 400 and that thing is a tank. Mine doesn't have near the abuse Mike's does since it's just over a year old, and I have 3 other swimbait/big rig outfits.

Jeremy

[Buccaneer]

Geckel - This may not be your specific reel but I assume you have a 200 series and all year models are virtually the same. You can find the schematics at the link attached. To access the gear set you need to take out screws #689. You will need to have the handle and drag star off to separate the side plate from the gear set. It's not very complicated. Does the reel go into free spool when you engage the thumb bar and if so does the spool freely rotate? If not, the clutch bar was not in the full up position when the reel was assembled and is not allowing the gears to engage. http://schematics.planetseafishing.com/downloads/shimano/multiplier/cardiff-series/cardiff-cdf200.pdf

[geckel]

I've decided to just return it and get a calcutta. Can anyone recommend a 400b vs a 400d model? I definitely prefer the price of the 400b.

[MNfisher]

I've decided to just return it and get a calcutta. Can anyone recommend a 400b vs a 400d model? I definitely prefer the price of the 400b.

Mine are just the 400b. Simple, hardcore, and just power machines!

[geckel]

I just ordered the calcutta 400d. If anybody is curious about this reel then feel free to pm me in the future. Thank you everybody for your input.

[aero320]

I recently ordered six Shimano spinning reels for my crappie poles from Amazon Prime. You can usually find a very competitive price and do not pay sales tax. With Amazon Prime, you get free two day shipping!

[Reel Tune]

I just ordered the calcutta 400d. If anybody is curious about this reel then feel free to pm me in the future. Thank you everybody for your input.

The 400D is the newer model it came out last year. The 400B has been around for a while and is the one I have. I was disapointed at first with the specs on the 400D, and thought they lessened the quality of the reel, but now I'm not sure there are a lot of people who really like them. The more I looked into the D it may be the better reel, I'm not sure, but I know one thing you got a great reel that should last you many years of big fish.

Silver vs Gold, I will always go with silver if that's an option for me, but I bought the 400B before the 400D came out.

Jeremy

[agelesssone]

OK, I gotta quit reading this forum!!!

You guys are costing me toooooooo much money and Susi is going to KILL AND DISMEMBER ME, starting with the body part that I am most fond of.............not THAT one (she's too fond of it to go THAT far!). I'm talking about my right arm, my casting arm. If I don't have it, I won't need the new Shimano Calcutta 200D that Jamie at BassPro Shop FORCED me to buy today!

So STOP POSTING ABOUT THIS STUFF!!

[Alphahawk]

OK, I gotta quit reading this forum!!!

You guys are costing me toooooooo much money and Susi is going to KILL AND DISMEMBER ME, starting with the body part that I am most fond of.............not THAT one (she's too fond of it to go THAT far!). I'm talking about my right arm, my casting arm. If I don't have it, I won't need the new Shimano Calcutta 200D that Jamie at BassPro Shop FORCED me to buy today!

So STOP POSTING ABOUT THIS STUFF!!

Jamie's great guy...knows his stuff. Yeah I'm afraid I would be in trouble too....if I had someone to be in trouble with....LOL. Great reel though.

Regards

[aero320]

The best price I found on a 400D is $349. That is a little pricey for me.

[agelesssone]

I got the 200D, didn't want/need the extra line capacity the 400D has. I don't go for the BIG FISH, just the wimpy 5-15 lbers.

[SAMBOLIE]

I got the 200D, didn't want/need the extra line capacity the 400D has. I don't go for the BIG FISH, just the wimpy 5-15 lbers.

If you still have all body parts intact you now have to buy only one rod.

[agelesssone]

SAMBOLIE, I'll be pairing the 200D with a Skeet Reese "yellow" rod. Since I had it already paired with reel with a 7.2:1 gear, I'll switch that reel to a slightly shorter rod for buzz baits and baits that need a faster retrieve.

I'll use the Calcutta on the 7'-9" Skeet Reese (made by Wright McGill) crankbait rod. The 200D has a retrieve ratio of 5.7:1 which makes it better for crankin deep water cranks like the KVD 5's and 6's. The faster retrieving reels will wear me out after a few hours pullin those big billed cranks through 15-20 FOW.

I've spooled it up with 30# Power Pro Super Slick line. I figure I'll be able to cast three hundred yards now with no problem.....oh wait, I only put on 150....well, I'll be able to cast a long ways now and this reel should outlast me!

But reading all these posts from the plastic navy has me pondering a new fishing craft. It'd make me pare down my choices of fishing paraphernalia for sure plus knock out the expensive gas costs in the boat. But then I'd need a more fuel efficient vehicle.......decisions, decisions~!

[Travis C.]

That's a nice reel but if I am going to cough up the dough again for something with a "0" and a "D" in the model # then it will be made by Canon not Shimano. :D

It should last you a long time.

I have been looking for a reel with more capacity and have my eyes on some Abu's. These will be more for skippies or mykiss's as bait.

[Reel Tune]

I've been good this year. I haven't bought a reel yet, for me anyway. Most of all my outfits have come from the past 3 years, and are still in good shape, but all this talk about the D, I'm looking at it on Tackle Warehouse right now.

Jeremy

[Alphahawk]

We used to have a saying when I worked in Saudi when someone would purchase camera...new stereo....fishing gear......."Life is an upgrade"......LOL.




Regards

[SAMBOLIE]

SAMBOLIE, I'll be pairing the 200D with a Skeet Reese "yellow" rod. Since I had it already paired with reel with a 7.2:1 gear, I'll switch that reel to a slightly shorter rod for buzz baits and baits that need a faster retrieve.

I'll use the Calcutta on the 7'-9" Skeet Reese (made by Wright McGill) crankbait rod. The 200D has a retrieve ratio of 5.7:1 which makes it better for crankin deep water cranks like the KVD 5's and 6's. The faster retrieving reels will wear me out after a few hours pullin those big billed cranks through 15-20 FOW.

I've spooled it up with 30# Power Pro Super Slick line. I figure I'll be able to cast three hundred yards now with no problem.....oh wait, I only put on 150....well, I'll be able to cast a long ways now and this reel should outlast me!

But reading all these posts from the plastic navy has me pondering a new fishing craft. It'd make me pare down my choices of fishing paraphernalia for sure plus knock out the expensive gas costs in the boat. But then I'd need a more fuel efficient vehicle.......decisions, decisions~!

Three hundred yard capability casts with 150 yds of line. If you cast all the line off you will be in a heck of a predicament when that huge monster fish starts to run.

BTW, Hope this reel lasts at least 50 years and you are using it until it dies.

[aero320]

No one on their death bed has ever said "I wish I had spent more time at work". Get the reel and enjoy every cast!

By the way, wives get mad about your outdoor purchases and stop talking to you, but eventually it will all blow over and you will have the new reel to use!

[TNtransplant08]

No one on their death bed has ever said "I wish I had spent more time at work". Get the reel and enjoy every cast!

By the way, wives get mad about your outdoor purchases and stop talking to you, but eventually it will all blow over and you will have the new reel to use!

Or they'll go buy something expensive themselves, like a $100 purse, knowing you can't complain about it.

[agelesssone]

http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/agelesssone/media/SCCY-CPX2_zpseaa1b2ea.jpg.html?filters[user]=132687724&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0https://fbcdn-photos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/943693_4541087824590_726216937_a.jpghttp://s1276.photobucket.com/user/agelesssone/media/SCCY-CPX2_zpseaa1b2ea.jpg.html?filters[user]=132687724&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0

[agelesssone]

http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/agelesssone/media/SCCY-CPX2_zpseaa1b2ea.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0LOL, love my wife. She NEVER complains about my outdoor gear purchases...roll her eyes, maybe, but never complains.

And I didn't complain when she wanted a new Glock 19....and a month later she doesn't like it because it is so heavy with it's 15 round magazine and an extra full magazine in her purse. So she absconded with my little Kahr CW40 which is a 6/1 ( six rounds in the magazine, one ine the chamber). Soooo much lighter.

I also have SCCY CPX-2 that I like to carry. 9mm 10/1 accurate little gun.

OH! I sold the Glock yesterday. Met the guy in the parking lot at Basspro, Nashville. Bad move cause as soon as we transacted, I went in the store and bought the Calcutta!

Just doing my part to keep the economy rolling.

http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/agelesssone/media/SCCY-CPX2_zpseaa1b2ea.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0