I just got a new Cabelas catalog and it appears as though the Cardiff has undergone some changes. Has anyone fished the 300 or 400 size in this reel? I needed a new trolling reel and this look it might be a good alternative to the 5500C3's I'm using now. The only store that carries Shimano reels here doesn't have any in stock to look at. Thanks. Does the levelwind move back and forth when you let out line in free spool (like the C3 reels)?

i fished the 300 size and the level wind disengages when casting but the 400 I think is non-disengaging.It fished good casting distance was OK too. I only used it fishing the Sand Bass down here and that's it. Decent for the price and WAY better than the c3,it has dartanium drags and ARB bearings.

Thanks for the comments. A smooth drag and non-disengaging level winds are two of the more important qualities of trolling reel for me.

Don't know if it's still the same, but when they first came out, the Cardiff 100 was made in Japan, as opposed to the larger sizes made in Malaysia- I have one of the 100's; it's a tight little reel for 8 lb.- I love that little piece of metal.

I love my Cardiff, too. I will upgrade the drag later with either HT100 or Smoothie.