Shimano Cardiff 400A Series Casting Reel 2024
Steven Rea reply :
Just got my Shimano Cardiff 400A series reel in a few days ago, and needless to say I was shocked. First impression is that it's a bit heavy (I'm used to using a Shimano Core 50MG7 as my all around reel), but then again, it's the right size for chucking big swimbaits. The only thing I'm having a bit of trouble with is maximizing my casting distance with big swimbaits - an 8" Savage Gear 3D Line-Thru Trout and a 6" Spro BBZ1 Jr. Swimbait to be precise. My backyard is about an acre and a half in size, and I can barely throw these swimbaits 3/4 of the way across my yard. I've seen people on YouTube with the same reel being able to long bomb their baits with ease and they fly a country mile. Anyone have any suggestions? I currently have 3 brakes engaged and the other 3 disengaged, while the spool tension knob is loose enough so the spool has a little wiggle room if that helps any.
deep reply :
Try one brake on, 5 off. Tighten up the spool tension a little. Check your casting technique if the rod loads up correctly. Let out 3 feet or more line before casting. Do a lob cast instead of an overhead one.
Just a few things to try assuming the reel is clean and lubed.
What rod do you have?
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
How far is 3/4 of the way across your yard? How far is a "Country Mile"? Rod, line, bait all affect casting as well but I don't think you have as much of a problem as you may think.
Steven Rea reply :
I've taken the entire reel apart, greased the gears and lubed all the ball bearings. I've been fishing since I was born basically (21 years young), and I like to think I know what I'm doing when it comes to cleaning reels. As far as the rod goes, I have it paired on an Okuma Guide Series Big Bait Rod (7'11 XH 15-40lb line 2-10oz lure weight). It's a $134.99 rod at Tackle Warehouse, and it seemed to be one of the best rods for big swimbait fishing while on a budget. I'm also using 20# Trilene Big Game monofilament line. My backyard is about 130ft from my patio to the end of my backyard (Municipal Airport is past my backyard, so there's a fence surrounding their property). I've been doing both lob and overhand casts, and I get about 20ft or more doing the overhand cast, but not with 3ft of line out. I normally just do 1ft or even 1.5ft of line out.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Well ok, new question... What weight are you attempting to throw?
deep reply :
Ok, I don't know what to say then. I cast big baits like I cast small baits, and I can cast far enough with stock Cardiffs.
If the rod loads with the baits (they are kinda light), search for this Matt Allen video on youtube: "How to cast swimbaits". Might help.
Steven Rea reply :
I'm trying to throw a 3 1/3oz bait. It's a Savage Gear Line Thru 3D Swimbait in the 8" slow sink model.
Steven Rea reply :
Matt Allen is using a Shimano Calcutta 400TE in that video. He's long bombing that bait, and I can't even cast half that distance... Is the Calcutta THAT much better than the Cardiff?
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 1/10/2015 at 1:56 PM, Steven Rea said:Matt Allen is using a Shimano Calcutta 400TE in that video. He's long bombing that bait, and I can't even cast half that distance... Is the Calcutta THAT much better than the Cardiff?
Not at all. I have a 400B and it cast a long ways but I've owned a few Cardiffs too and they cast a long ways too. I always had my Cardiffs set with 2 pins out, 4 in and the tension set loose. The Savage gear catches a lot of wind but I can still cast it a long ways with a 300E Curado.
rippin-lips reply :
I have 1 brake set on my cardiff 301. You don't need 3 on. I can promise you that.
Steven Rea reply :
Would a Boca Bearing upgrade do much of anything?
rippin-lips reply :
Not for baits that heavy. Turn some brakes off.
Steven Rea reply :
I'm gonna try to throw a few different baits, and see how it goes.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Try throwing 5 oz ... See if your rod loads better, maybe try lead bank sinkers in the yard, saving wear & tear on your swimbaits.. Seems like your rod may not be loading properly...
Steven Rea reply :
That's another aspect I was considering. The rod is only $134.99 on ***, so cheaper rod means cheaper quality, right? It's not a G. Loomis Big Bait/Bounce Back rod, Lamiglass X-11, or a Daiwa DX Swimbait casting rod, but an Okuma Guide Select Series Big Bait casting rod. Has anyone else used this rod? Have you had the same issue with it?
rippin-lips reply :
It's a few dollars more in price verse the Daiwa Dx so why would that rod be better quality than the Okuma? It sounds like you need more experience on your technique with throwing big swimbaits. Not that I'm seasoned in them,but I can assure you that there are plenty of people who use the Okuma/Cardiff combo and have absolutely no trouble at all. It's a very common setup since it can be put together for under $225.
A-Jay reply :
On 1/13/2015 at 3:10 AM, Steven Rea said:That's another aspect I was considering. The rod is only $134.99 on ***, so cheaper rod means cheaper quality, right? It's not a G. Loomis Big Bait/Bounce Back rod, Lamiglass X-11, or a Daiwa DX Swimbait casting rod, but an Okuma Guide Select Series Big Bait casting rod. Has anyone else used this rod? Have you had the same issue with it?
I have & fish this rod with a 300D - it works, loads & casts any bait weight it's designed to quite nicely.
Whatever "the Problem" is, I doubt the rod is the majority of it.
A-Jay
Steven Rea reply :
I went out and threw a couple 1/2oz bell sinkers with everything, and I was still getting the same distance out of my cast. The rod was loading perfectly and had a lot of power behind the cast. My reel, on the other hand, was screaming rather loudly when casting. It almost sounds like the bearings aren't moving freely, or moving at all. I'm gonna take the reel apart again tonight and see what the issue is. I bought it NIB on eBay, so could it just sitting in the box with no prior use be a factor in why I'm not getting any casting distance?
Alonerankin2 reply :
Well if it's screeching something is amiss, hmm,
Steven Rea reply :
I have 5 brakes off and 1 on with the spool tension knob set rather loose. I was getting the same casting distance with 3 off/3 on, as well.
rippin-lips reply :
You are probably hearing the brakes. Oil the brake drum lightly. A 2.5oz bait has a lot more momentum verse a 3/4oz bait.
Steven Rea reply :
Do you use any special lube/grease for your reels?
rippin-lips reply :
No sir. Everything but the drag grease can be bought at Walmart.
Marine grease on gears
'what you'd pack a wheel bearing with'
140wt gear oil on sliding parts and worm gear
'What you'd put in a rear differential'
Rem oil on spool bearings and brake drum
'Same stuff you use when cleaning a rifle'
Cals drag grease on drag discs
'Only if the reel has a wet drag'
Steven Rea reply :
My dad is an oil salesman, so we have a bunch of expensive, top quality oil, grease, and lubricants in our garage. He's also an avid shooter, so he has plenty of Rem Oil laying around.
Steven Rea reply :
One thing I am considering, the rod might be too stiff for what I'm trying to throw. I'm throwing swimbaits within the 2-4 oz range, and the rod I have is rated for baits within the 2-10 oz range. It loaded just fine when I had a few bell sinkers tied on (10 to be exact so it'd weigh 5 oz[sinkers are 1/2 oz each]). Could that be another possibility?
Steven Rea reply :
Also, have/do any of you guys own any Shimano Calcutta reels? What's your opinion on it versus a Cardiff?
Bluebasser86 reply :
I have a 400 Calcutta. It feels a bit more solidly built (refined), than my Cardiffs did but it doesn't cast any further.
Steven Rea reply :
The 400B or the 400D? I have a 300D that I use for frogs/swim jigs/crankbaits, and I LOVE it. I haven't owned a 400B, so I wouldn't know the difference between the two.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 1/15/2015 at 11:43 AM, Steven Rea said:The 400B or the 400D? I have a 300D that I use for frogs/swim jigs/crankbaits, and I LOVE it. I haven't owned a 400B, so I wouldn't know the difference between the two.
I have the 400B.
Steven Rea reply :
I'm exchanging the rod I have tomorrow from the 2-10 oz range to a 1-6 oz range and hopefully I'll get some better results. I'm thinking the rod I have now is just too stiff for what I need it to do. I'm throwing baits from 2-4 oz, nothing higher.
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