Rarenium or Caldia

[aebitim]

Having just bought an expensive light spinning rod, 7 gram casting and 6lb line rating, I am now looking to upgrade from my spro micro to something a little more sophisticated to cope with the unbelievable casting performance of the rod. I will probably be using braid at 10lb.
The budget is as much as a really good reel costs, the shimano and the daiwa are instant buys but would be open to any alternatives.
Thoughts and experiences welcome.
Many thanks
Tim

 

[hunters moon]

GOOD MORNING TIM,
may I suggest you take a look at the ABU GARCIA SORON STX SERIES.
it's the reels I use for spinning and I have found them to-be superb.

I have fished through fishless days that I remember happily without regret.
....Roderick haig-brown.

 

[Terry D]

Having had Shimanos for years I've now got 2 Caldias and rate them very highly indeed. Good, solidly engineered precision reels that give the impression they're built to last.

 

[mick b]

I've now got 2 Caldias and rate them very highly indeed. Good, solidly engineered precision reels that give the impression they're built to last.

I totally agree with Terry.


I use Caldias, two 4000X with two spools each and one 3500X with three spools, each have given each reel a bearing upgrade at £5/reel.
The 4000 I use for long distance float, ledgering and medium spinning in sea and fresh, the 3500 is purely a freshwater spinner with PE 1.5
I have never suffered from the mono or braid digging in when using a Caldia and the fine tune drags are faultless.

They are the mid priced 'do anything' reels I have chosen from the remainder of my fishing life.

Caldias are JDM products, made for the Japanese Domestic Market where only the very best tackle survives.
Please note that a reel sold for the Japanese market is only supplied with one spool.
Upgrades are easily available from the US or Japan and all replacement parts are obtainable once you understand how the modelling system works.

I also have two Saltiga spinners so I do understand what a well made reel is.

Tiagra reels are the only Shims I own, simply because I don't want to see the model change annually and the spares dry up after five years.

.

 

[aebitim]

Thank you all for the input, probably going to go for the Caldia, does anybody know of a tackle shop in the south that stocks these [specialist] reels?

 

[mick b]

They are like hens teeth.

I brought my 4s a while back and my 35 of fleebay for 80 (the only bidder) and it came with a RCA spare spool costing £124 in Japan!

They sometimes come up on the selling sites, but if your after a minty I would advise you get one from a secondhand shop in Japan.
There are usually a few on there everytime I take a look. mg:


Pm me for links if reqd.

.

 

[aebitim]

Thanks Mick, found the secondhand sites ok, really wanted to see the size of the reels, 1500, 2000 or 2500 is the question.

 

[mick b]

Thanks Mick, found the secondhand sites ok, really wanted to see the size of the reels, 1500, 2000 or 2500 is the question.

I would advise the 2500 size for the application you have in mind.
Certainly the 3500 size may make an LRF type setup handle heavy, depending on the rod/lure of course.

When using very fine PE/braid on a spinner it is essential you eliminate any possibility of the line burying itself in lower layers, thus a larger diameter spool with its greater depth of line lay, will, in my opinion, be more suitable, because the drag will have a greater bearing surface due to the larger spool diameter.

If you search around you may be able to find one of the mini Stellas that were once produced, however if you should also checkout the availability of spares before you confirm a purchase.

Keep us posted now things progress.


.

 

[aebitim]

Gone for a 2500 Caldia and waiting for delivery from Japan, fingers crossed. Have been using the rod a bit in saltwater with a mach3 reel which is a little heavy but the bigger spool helps casting. Cant believe the rods performance, it is rated 7 grams but will cast a 10gram dexter type lure 60+ yds [yes I paced it out] on 30lb braid. Caught a few pollock and makies and a surprise 4lb bass which was exciting to say the least, rekon the rod would cope with bigger ones.
Also starting to look for braid, thinking 10 to 15lb to use with a 5 lb mono tippet, [Canal perch the target], mind boggling array of specialist stuff out there and having looked at the local offerings [Chesil bait and tackle who are lure fishing specialists] I am unsure of the claims made by sun, varivas etc and tempted to stick with the ever reliable stren sonic.

 

[mick b]

Hi Tim,
Surprised you didn't have a punt at the 3000 that went on ^bay a day ago?
At £72 it wasn't bad for a nigh-on unused example.

BTW I use the Sea Bass PE from Veals in 1.5 and 2, highly recommended.
I top it off with 8&16 Seaguar Flouro respectively.

Wouldn't touch Sunline, big publicity by a few 'names' doesn't make a good product imo.
Eg;
Around 10years ago I was given 1000yards of their orange coloured IGFA Class mono and proceeded to loose two superb fish in quick succession, the guy who gave the line to me was EFTTA President who later told me to avoid the product as he had also lost good fish on it.

Hope the move is going well?

.

 

[aebitim]

Hi Mick, had a punt on the 3000 but got outbid, missed the close by a couple of mins but had decided and paid for the 2500 first so not too disapointed, no doubt the market will be flooded by caldias now.
The braid thing is a nightmare, I have been using it in various forms for 20 years or so, have been considering using nylon for the canal as the rod is poker stiff with a solid splice tip though somehow manages an absorbant fish playing action, definately becoming a fan of expensive japanese tackle.
Will have a look at the veals braid, do they do the seagur as well?
Many thanks
Tim

 

[mick b]

Hi Mick, had a punt on the 3000 thought you might thats why I didn't!!..


definitely becoming a fan of expensive japanese tackle.
Many thanks
Tim

Hi Tim,
When we fish I will bring along some SERIOUSLY expensive tackle for you to fall in love with

Afterwards your fishing life will never be the same again...mg:


EM me when you receive the reel.

Mick.


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