I'm looking to buy a new reel to throw the big plugs with. I definitely want to step it up from my Abu Garcia C4. I was wondering if I should go with the Daiwa Millionaire CV-Z or a Calcutta 400?

I'd take the Calcutta

If you are more used to the saltwater casting reels that don't have a line guide, you should take the Calcutta 400S.

If you are used to the freshwater casting reels the have a line guide, you should take the Calcutta 400A.

You can probably throw a swimbait farther with a 400S, but you have to have a habit of guiding the line on back and forth with your fingers.

hope this helps.

If your looking to save money and still get a good reel, look in the new Bass Pro Shops catalog and look for the big gold reel that is $30. I think it is just as good as a shimano corsair if not better and it is for more than half the price. i'm thinking of getting one myself.

get the shimano, it will last forever.

calcutta is the way to go. there's also a warranty if i'm correct.

-aaron

Aaron
Gimme

No doubt about it, Calcutta 400!

sorry,but i would go with a 6600 abu morrum! built to last!

Just buy SHIMANO for everything freshwater or saltwater and you'll know you're buying THE BEST.
'Cutta 400 = THE BEST swimbait reel ever made. :D

Yeah guy's, right on!!!!

Even Better, get the CTE-400. Plenty of power to grind in the big ones!!!

Thanks Guys, I am now definitely going to go with the Calcutta 400. I was pretty much already going to get it but I saw the Daiwa in Cabelas and was wondering about. One more question. Can you cast a Calcutta TE farther than the regular Calcutta.

Its about the same, maybe 5-10 feet farther....max

BMXbasser,

There is more to life than SHIMANO. Don't deprive yourself the opportunity to try other brands. I read this somewhere and I quote “If you are not the lead dog, the view never changes.” Don't be a follower, be a leader. Do your homework. Check out as many brands of reals you can and decide for yourself.

HAIRDOG,

Nice to see another person with enough backbone to recommend something other than SHIMANO.

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AMP2564

AMP 2564...Is it because you have something against Shimano? hahahahah! I'm just kidding...I agree...BMXBasser you should do your homework...and yes there is more to life than Shimano...but if you really look at all aspects of each reel, you will find that Shimano is probably going to be your best bet. Let me tell you...the reel is awesome! I have a bunch of them and they all perform perfectly! I have from the 100 size to the 400 size and even a 400S. I like them all. I will say that the 400 is amazingly versitile! I've caught largemouth bass, stripers, shallow water rock cod, calico bass, sand bass, spotted bay bass, albacore, yellowtail, bluefin tuna, barracuda and probably a whole bunch more that I don't remember right now...all on the same reel! Everyone is right when they say they are built to last!

The one thing that I've just come to appreciate about the Shimano's is their warranty and service. They are probably second to none in this department and when you are paying the extraordinary $$$ that you do for these types of reels...you want the manufacturer to stand behind them...instead of running away or becoming really hard to find or contact. Shimano is very...Very...VERY good at supporting their customers and if for no other reason, I would pick the Calcutta!

Make your choice based on what you will use it for...how much you will use it...how long you expect it to last...and whether you will get the service you need from the manufacturer. Keep in mind that if you aren't using it a lot...there are a lot of reels to choose from. There are other reels by all the manufacturers that might fit the budget better for the amount you will use it. Keep these things in mind when deciding.

Good Luck...

Darin

Actually, take a look at the Shimano Calcutta 300 TE. That's a swimbait throwin mutha. I like it better than the 400. Either way, your going to end up with the best reel made for throwing swimbaits. Anyone who believes Abu, Quantum, or Daiwa is on an equal par with Shimano is fooling themselves. It's like comparing Champion, Nitro, and Skeeter to a Ranger. Ha Ha Ha!

A Ranger could never ride with a CHAMPION!!!!

I pass them all the time:)

You might be right Cam, but when the canoe tips over when you are sight fishing, you can always swim over to my stable Ranger. JK:)

Nice...

Its gonna tip over from lipping that toad..
Hope you have a towel!

Hookup 90247,

No, I don't have anything against Shimano reels. I have owned or used every reel you have mentioned plus the 50 Calcutta, Curado, Curado SF & Scorpion. I have also owned or used the early two speed Beast Masters on up to the big 50 LRSW. I agree that Shimano probably has the best manufacturer warranty and service. I don't know how many times I sent my reels in for repair and was sent back in short time at no cost or for just a nominal fee.

The point I was trying to make is three fold: First, diversity is good. Second, not everyone can afford Shimano reels. Finally, there has never been a definitive test done by anyone to see which reel is the best. Everything I've seen are just opinions. I am willing to bet that some have never used other brands. Some of the replies make it seem like if you don't have a Shimano you will never be a part of the elite. That's a bunch of bull. Skills are more important than gear. Hone your skills. Learn and study the art of fishing. Be open minded. After that, it won't matter what fishing gear you use.

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AMP2564

Hey Bmx, I was in the same dilemma last year. Except I was in the market for a 300 sized left hander. There are no left handed 300 calcuttas and the millionaires were the most close match. I did a little research and took a look at both. The millionaires were very sweet but looked a little smaller then a 300. In line capacity that is.

I've had nothing but great experience with shimano in the past so I bit the bullet and got the 401te. If anything ever goes bad I just drive down to irvine and i'm out of the shimano building in 15 mins with a fixed reel.

I'm really happy with what I got. It was pricey, but it's smoooth as a baby's your know what. I don't think the te models will cast farther then the regular calcutta's. They have better gears and are smoother, but I also dont' have a regular calcutta to compare with.

I would recommend that you take a close look at each model reel that you have interest in and decide on that.

-Rick

it seems you have made up your mind already, but i think you should take a look at a daiwa slx20 the new ones have spools that dissengage. this makes for a much smoother cast and much less wear. i have an sl40 on my calstar 900 that i use for throwing jigs in the ocean and i throw swimbaits with that just as much as with my ambassadeur 6000c. i think an sl20 is the perfect size reel, plus it has a 6;1 gear ratio and is built extremely tough.
maybe just another one to look at when your in the shop.

Thanks again everybody for the advice, I'm going to get a Calcutta 400 because all I've heard is great stuff about it. I also own a couple of Shimano reels and do know how well their customer service is.
Thanks again.