I need to buy a reel for a 9ft light action rod that is for 10-15lb. I know the calcutta 400 is awesome. I was wondering what other reels are good. I was thinking newell or the penn 525. the rod is for mostly plastic and fly-lining bait so i need a reel that casts excelently. A bit of advice would be greatly appreciated.

You already know I'm gonna say this, but just go with the calcutta.
-Brian

Brian stop trying to lead the man a stray. Sorry Brian, just couldn't help myself. I don't like the Calcuttas, except the 250 which seems to be much less temperamental. Too much cleaning for my liking. But, I'm lazy and super busy, not a good combo for a reel which needs to be broken down every trip.

So Dan, if you don't mind the high maintenance of a Calcutta get one. They cast like a dream if you clean them good every time. Also, get the 400s (no level wind) if you want to use bait also. That way you can pick up the slack w/ the flick of your finger, are easier to get at back lashes, and cast a bit farther.

If you're a lazy bum like me, go with a Diawa SL20sh or hx. for 12-15#, can go to 20# in a pinch, or go w/ an Abu 5500 C3 for 10-12#, or the 6500 C3 for 12-15#. IMO all three will cast as well as/if not better than the Calcutta, they just aren't as smooth feeling. Better drags too, never had to replace drags on my Sl's or Abu's, though some smothies would be nice. Lastly, you can get two Diawas or almost three Abu's for the price of one Calcutta.

The best thing to do in the end though is to take your rod to a tackle store. Put a bunch of different reels on it and see which one feels the best. Then you'll know which to buy.

Let us know what you go with,

Amish Ed

Yeah, those calcuttas do take some cleaning, especially on that roller bearing, but I think it's worth it. That shimano lube that they give you cuts through the rust quite well, I use that stuff for cleaning bearings a lot. What you can do is, once it starts to feel like the roller bearing is needin love, take that roller bearing completely apart, I mean to each individual roller, clean each roller with the shimano lube and a paper towel, put a little of that lube back on em, and stick em back into the thing. I just discovered that the bearings can break down all the way like that, not too long ago. My Calcutta would need cleaning after basically every trip, and it was starting to piss me off, but since I did that complete cleaning job it's been good as new for months (of course I haven't fished it as hard as I did a couple months ago before I did the bearing...). It was getting pretty bad, but I think this is the solution. Daniel's already got a 400S and some Sealines, so he can compare and contrast. I think those calcuttas are just too bullet proof if you take care of them. Daniel, another thing to consider is the Catala. It's a 300 size which would be sweet. I don't know if they have clamps for em though. You want a reel for the shikari right? What rod is your other 400S on? Maybe if that rod has a reel seat you could stick the Catala on there, and then switch your current 400S to the shikari.
-Brian

Ed,
Just an observation I made the other day- I was working on Daniel's SL30 and the eccentric and eccentric jack are total crap, IMO. It's made out of plastic, and I just wouldn't trust a part of that importance made out of plastic. That thing takes a lot of pressure and is a key part to the reel. Also, the dog spring is tiny (the original problem with Daniel's reel was the dog disengaging). I've never fished Sealines, so I can't vouch for their fishability, but from a mechanical observation standpoint, I'd much rather have an aluminum calcutta on my rod.
-Brian

I've never had a problem w/ my SL20's, and my SL30 died from 3 years of heavy use w/ only 2 oilings. Never once did I crack open the side plates. My current SL20 is due for some cleaning, but it can wait. Never could do that w/ the Calcutta. And at the price of one of those I can buy 2 Diawas, or almost 3 Abu's. Just not worth it for me. Probably never mentioned it here, but if I could only own 2 combos this is what they'd be. An Sl20sh on my 8' Allstar, and my Shimano 15/30 on my 8' Black Steel.

One of my uncle's only does trips more than 4 days long. This year he got a whole set of SL's and relegated his Penns to back ups. He had never used one until last summer, but once was enough. Like I said before, everyone says Shimano has great customer service. And, it's true, I had my Calcutta was in there 5 times (though I never thought they fixed it right). Does Diawa? I don't know, never needed to know.

Anyways, it all comes down to what feels right in your hand. Many people hate the way the SL's feel. Me, I love them, but I never had a TSM II to compare to. So, that's my 2 dollars worth.

Fish Hard,
Amish Ed

I fish a Calcutta fo-hundo with no levelwind. I've had it for 6 years now and it's been to shimano only once for the dartanium drag upgrade. Good reel very solid, but you do have to take care of the bearings.
If you're looking to spend a little less money and pick up a reel that will take a lot more beating than the calcutta you can always check out a Newell 220-5. Newells are solid, not very cutesy and a little loud, but you can beat them to death generally. I have a 332-5 on my 900L and it's been really good and zero maintenance. The 220-5 is a small reel with a big handle and you'll see a good number of deckhands with one strapped to their 900XL's which is always a good sign.
another .02

For now my game plan is to look at the calcutta, newell, and abu. I will put each of them on the rod and see how they feel. I will let you know my decission and follow up comments on my choice.