cardiff vs calcutta 2025

sigep1967 reply :

Am I crazy or does the cardiff actually have 1 more ARB than the calcutta? Why would they do that? I have always liked the way these reels looked and really need to upgrade my equipment. Reelmech have you looked at these two? Are they any real differences other than the pop off side plate on the calcutta? Which is really the best reel?

guest reply :

ppssttt!! Pflueger!!Shhhshh

sigep1967 reply :

I did look at the Pfluegar reels but one thing i noticed on every model was some wobble of the drive shaft. Spin the handle and watch the drag star/handle and you will see the wobble. It is not much but it was present on every single one from the trion up to the supreme that I looked at.

guest reply :

Thats a good point it's one of the things that I like about the feel of the reel. There are a lot of good reels out there I just happen to prefer the Pflueger from using them so long. Im sure the Posse will help you with Shimano reels and there quite a few guys with Diawa experience.

Raul reply :

Bearing quantity means nothing, bearing quality means everything.

sigep1967 reply :

Raul that I know as I used to work on reels many years ago. Looking at the schematics on the two reels the bearings have the same item number from shimano? I would expect them to be different if they were different bearings. them main differences I see is the die cast frame versus forged frame and the pop out for the calcutta vbs.

lubina reply :

Quote
Bearing quantity means nothing, bearing quality means everything.

Like he says, you get a $99.00 reel that is even lighter than the Calcuta and change the bearings to ABEC 7 which are better than anyone the Calcuta even dream about and for about $ 20.00 and Carbontex washers for another $ 8.00 and you got yourself a custom reel......every penny is worth if you are fishing Swimbaits.

The best they offer are ABEC 3

CALAIS

A-RB (Anti-Rust Bearings) are specially treated stainless steel ball bearings that are at least 10 times more corrosion resistant than standard stainless steel ball bearings

This is from Shimano web- site

Raul reply :

Cardiff + Abec 7 's + rocket fuel + carbontex = holy s****t, whatta reel !

lubina reply :

Quote
Cardiff + Abec 7 's + rocket fuel + carbontex = holy s****t, whatta reel !

You got it ......cojonudo!!!!!!

This is my Megadiff 301 coming out of the bench.....I love it :-*

It seats on the top of a Powell Max 7.11 EH.....swimbaits dream

eulerentinc reply :

Lubina, i got a 300! How do i get the parts for it ( bearings, carbontex, etc)? Thanks for the help!

Raul reply :

Lubina, that Megadiff looks ....... mean !

sigep1967 reply :

I understnad about replacing the bearings and such. What I am wondering is will the cardiff cast as smooth and reel as smooth as the calcutta? It appears by the schematics that the cardiff should actually be smoother as it has bearings on the main shaft that the calcutta does not. Why pay more for the calcutta? I remember when the calcutta first came out and pitching jigs down the ailse of the sporting good store I worked at the time. It was amazing how well it would pitch without backlashing. Something I have trouble doing with my curado for some reason. I was stupid and did not take advantage of the store offer Shimano had at the time where we could buy 3 reels for $50 each as I had about 7 reels at the time and didn't need them ( still kicking myself over that one). Know My kids are getting big enough to go fishing with me and I am looking to upgrade all my old reels (mostly PM33p that I converted to PT's by adding ball bearings) Whith all that said will the cardiff cast as well and reel as smooth as the calcutta?

fourbizz reply :

I have Cardiff and Calcutta 400's. I had a cardiff first. I thought that it was great. Then I got my first Calcutta, now I hate using the Cardiff.

sigep1967 reply :

why do you hate it? is it a new one?

fourbizz reply :

It is the new model, I have had it for less than a year.

It doesn't cast as well. Its noisy. The handles are too small. It is much wider. Not smooth.

Without a Calcutta to compare it too though, it is just fine.

sigep1967 reply :

hmm that really doesn't make sense to me. the bearings are the same the mechanisms are basically the same and the cardiff has drive shaft bearing so theoretically if should be smoother and less noisy? I haven't gotten my hands on one yet but I am in no hurry to buy anything and the little tackle shop here has a few on order they can't seem to keep them in stock. I would expect the calcutta to well be more "solid" due to the difference in weight and frame construction I will just have to play with one. Anybody else out there had both the calcutta in the 100-200 sizes?

eulerentinc reply :

Thanks for the help Lubina!!

roadwarrior reply :

If you want to kick it up a notch, take a look at the CTE200GT. If you want a great, round, baitcasting reel, this is the one I would HIGHLY recommend.

Catt reply :

I have both the Calcutta CT100/Cardiff CDF100A; when I worked for Northrup/Grumman I took both reels apart measuring each with a micrometer and they are both identical. They only differences with the frames are the Calcutta's are cold forged aluminum while the Cardiff is Die cast Aluminum.

Die Casting is the stronger of the two techniques but both techniques are beyond any requirements of a reel.

guest reply :

lubina,

Quote
The best they offer are ABEC 3

Wrong! The best Shimano offers is ABEC5's and the difference between the 5's and going to 7's you wouldn't feel. Going from the stock 3's to 7's you will notice a difference for awhile.

sigep1967 reply :

ReelMech which one do you recomend? the cradiff or calcutta?

Roadwarrior I can not afford those.

Catt which one did you like better?

Catt reply :

I use my Calcutta's for Texas Rigs/light Jig-N-Craws/Spinner Baits/ Rat-L-Traps & the Cardiff for Flipping heavy cover.

As to which I like better?

I feel no difference between the two but then I love round reels, some people like low profile. What little difference there is between the two is not noticeable to the average angler.

For the price I believe the Cardiff is the best buy for the buck in round reels.

sigep1967 reply :

Catt do they both cast the same? I would think so I remember playing with the calcutta and t would pitch a jig a mile it seemed like with out thinking of backlashing

guest reply :

sigep1967,

The bearing count really doesn't matter it is the quality of the bearings used. They all (round reels) use ARB packs because all of the round reels were listed in some of Shimano'® literature as light saltwater reels. Just like their Conventional Reels.

They also use the ARB's in any of the low profile reels that they thought would be use in salty inshore environments.

The difference between the Calcutta and the Cardiff as you stated is one bearing pack (if your counting bearings), the Cardiff has the extra bearing pack in the upper crank assembly for support (doesn't really smooth out the feel when cranking), just above the Super Stopper (IAR), the Calcutta doesn't, actually this is a result of the differences in the Super Stopper (IAR) packs that Shimano® uses in the two reels.

I won't make recommendations on these reels.

I would say if you can visit your local shop and feel the reels in your hands do so.

Tight Lines All!!

Catt reply :

I own 2 Calcutta CT100's, 1 Calcutta CT50, & 1 Cardiff CDF100A

Yes the Calcutta & the Cardiff cast the same, but that depends on you definition of the same. Of the 4 reels the CT50 is with out a doubt the smoothest of them all & will cast farther & will cast lighter lures.

fourbizz reply :

The big ones sure don't cast the same, I haven't used any of the small reels.

cart7t reply :

I've sold quite a few Calcutta's over the past couple years, they're incredible reels. That's all I have to say about that.

5331

cardiff vs calcutta 2025

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