Looking for a reel replacement for my old Calcutta 50...

[BennyV]

Any ideas? Going on a custom graphite fluke jogging rod. I got some Basspro gift cards to blow.

 

[chunkster]

Ming Yang CL20

This was a tough one. This is the best I can come up with for open face reels.
Obviously not graphite and not from Bass pro. The specs are bone close.
I hope this helps.

 

[chunkster]

Here's another one.

Lews Fishing Mr. Crappie Slab Shaker Reel SS1​

 

[BennyV]

Thanks for the contributions. I’m not sure how this site operated before you came here.

 

[chunkster]

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/-100373761

Abu 5500

 

[Leprechaun]

Hi Benny - So the Calcutta 50 was and is the tiniest of tiny round bait casting reels. If you want to stay with such a reel, then a newer version is really the only choice. Unfortunately, Shimano no longer produces such a reel. This puts you in Ebay-land, looking for a very clean used unit.

Or you could prowl the classified forums at www.bassboatcentral.com, ww.tackletour.com and/or www.bassresource.com hoping for one to be offered for sale. This would require some patience, as those that own Calcutta 50's tend to hold onto them. Diligent checking of those three sites' "Classified Boards" will eventually pay off, but it could well take months - and the ask on either a plain-jane Calcutta 50, or the very sexy, upmarket JDM-only Conquest 50 will be steep. People generally know what they've got - and so the asking prices will reflect that.

I find that buying from one of those sites is a more solid bet, versus Ebay (Epray?), because in general the people that frequent such on-line boards are more of the "enthusiast-type," and so tend to take much better care of their reels.

Of course, no one on any of those boards takes BassPro cards. So if you really do want to use those gift cards for your new reel, then see below.

Plan B - a new small-framed low-profile baitcaster, of which there is no shortage these days. The popularity of these tiny low-pros is what destroyed the market for 50 and 100-sized round baitcasters, which pretty much no one in the FW crowd wants anymore.

If you do care to explore this route (a low-pro sub for your old Calc50, I mean), I would look at an Abu Revo4 Winch all day, every day. They also offer a line of less-pricey models, called the Revo X series - which are only available in "murdered out" black, if that's your thing. Around $99, so they're priced right. If I'm not mistaken, they offer a "Winch" model in that line as well, which is where I'd look, because of the "slower" and therefore more torquey 5:1 gear set. Oh, and they recently release a Revo Beast X, which looks to be the best of the Revo X line.

Revo4 Winch: Abu Garcia Revo Gen4 Revo4 Winch Baitcasting Low Profile Product Review

Revo X Series: Abu Garcia Revo Gen4 Revo4 X Baitcasting Low Profile Product Review

Revo Beast X: Abu Garcia REVO Beast X Gen4 Baitcaster Review

Worth noting is that Tackle Tour gave the Revo X series their "Editor's Choice" award - and they generally don't care for much from Abu Garcia over there. So that's sayin' something worth considering.

Or if you want to stay with Shimano, the Curado K in 100/150 or even the small 70 size would work.

Or if Daiwa is your thing, the Tatula in whatever sub-model is the smallest, I think its the "CT" version, but I'm not positive. There's so many models in the Tatula line that it would take a half-hour of reading just to figure it all out. Or if you want to keep the cost down a bit, The new Fuego CT is just as nice, being pretty much the same reel, but lacks the flip-up "TW" line guide - which might well prove to be an advantage for SW use. Also around $99, so not a bank-breaker either. Or one of those pretty little Coastal 150's would be a nice piece for your new rod - quite small in size.

I really do lean towards that new Revo4 series though. . . VERY nice reels. I know -'cause I own one.

In any case, let us know what you end up with - I'm interested to hear what your final choice is.

Once you do acquire a new reel, if you care to "hop it up" a bit, maybe a better handle or something of that sort, let me know and I'll offer some recommendations there as well. You've seen enough of my low-pro reels on this forum over the years to know I like "the good $hit." And the inclusion of that $ sign was intentional. For a couple of reasons.

 

[BennyV]

Hi Benny - So the Calcutta 50 was and is the tiniest of tiny round bait casting reels. If you want to stay with such a reel, then a newer version is really the only choice. Unfortunately, Shimano no longer produces such a reel. This puts you in Ebay-land, looking for a very clean used unit.

Or you could prowl the classified forums at www.bassboatcentral.com, ww.tackletour.com and/or www.bassresource.com hoping for one to be offered for sale. This would require some patience, as those that own Calcutta 50's tend to hold onto them. Diligent checking of those three sites' "Classified Boards" will eventually pay off, but it could well take months - and the ask on either a plain-jane Calcutta 50, or the very sexy, upmarket JDM-only Conquest 50 will be steep. People generally know what they've got - and so the asking prices will reflect that.

I find that buying from one of those sites is a more solid bet, versus Ebay (Epray?), because in general the people that frequent such on-line boards are more of the "enthusiast-type," and so tend to take much better care of their reels.

Or Plan B - a new small-framed low-profile baitcaster, of which there is no shortage these days. The popularity of these tiny low-pros is what destroyed the market for 50 and 100-sized round baitcasters, which pretty much no one in the FW crowd wants anymore.

If you do care to explore that route, I would look at an Abu Revo4 Winch all day, every day. They also offer a line of less-pricey models, called the Revo X series - which are only available in "murdered out" black, if that's your thing. Around $99, so they're priced right. If I'm not mistaken, they offer a "Winch" model in that line as well, which is where I'd look, because of the "slower" and therefore more torquey 5:1 gear set. Oh, and they recently release a Revo Beast X, which looks to be the best of the Revo X line.

Revo4 Winch: Abu Garcia Revo Gen4 Revo4 Winch Baitcasting Low Profile Product Review

Revo X Series: Abu Garcia Revo Gen4 Revo4 X Baitcasting Low Profile Product Review

Revo Beast X: Abu Garcia REVO Beast X Gen4 Baitcaster Review

Worth noting is that Tackle Tour gave the Revo X series their "Editor's Choice" award - and they generally don't care for much from Abu Garcia over there. So that's sayin' something worth considering.

Or if you want to stay with Shimano, the Curado K in 100/150 or even the small 70 size would work. Or if Daiwa is your thing, the Tatula in whatever sub-model is the smallest, I think its the "CT" version, but I'm not positive. Or if you want to keep the cost down a bit, The new Fuego CT is just as nice, being pretty much the same reel, but lacks the flip-up "TW" line guide. Also around $99, so not a bank-breaker either.

Or one of those pretty little Coastal 150's would be a nice piece for your new rod - quite small in size. I do lean to that new Revo4 series though. . . VERY nice reels. Let us know what you end up with - I'm interested to know.

Once you do acquire a new reel, if you care to "hop it up" a bit, maybe a better handle or something of that sort, let me know and I'll offer some recommendations there as well. You've seen enough of my low-pro reels on this forum over the years to know I like "the good $hit." And the inclusion of that $ sign was intentional. For a couple of reasons.

Thanks for the advice Pete! That’s why I posted here. Well thought out and thorough. I will definitely check out the Revo line and will keep you posted when I make a purchase.

 

[DarthBaiter]

If you are looking for a small reel, take a look at the Daiwa CA80, or the

If you already got the socialist $600 and want to splurge, take alook at the Daiwa Ryoga.


Yes, I am a Daiwa fanboy. The only Shimano I have left in my bag of tricks is an old old Curado that still kicks ass.

 

[pequa1]

Go with Chunkster's Abu. I know this guy in Wantagh who does a top of the line job of maintaining and repairing them !

 

[flounderbound]

Benny,Did you lose the calcutta 50 or is it not performing like it used to? I have one and decided to start using it again .I dolled it up and put boca bearings in it. We`ll see how it performs this year. You can also look at the curado 50 from Shimano.

 

[BennyV]

Benny,Did you lose the calcutta 50 or is it not performing like it used to? I have one and decided to start using it again .I dolled it up and put boca bearings in it. We`ll see how it performs this year. You can also look at the curado 50 from Shimano.

It works. The thumb button gets sticky once in a while and to be honest with you it’s kind of butt ugly - gouges, scratches, and some putting. Bought it off Chris from the IC for like $50 15 years ago. Maybe it just needs a good cleaning. Started looking because I have like $300 in Basspro gift cards.

 

[grande verde pesca]

I have a brand new, never used Calcutta 50…perfect mint condition. $150.00
Call or text me at 6199952628 …thanks.

 

[Leprechaun]

If anyone is interesting in new member GVP's reel - know that this is a very hard to find piece in new condition on the secondary market. Well worth the ask . . .

 

[Michael Schmidt Oklahoma]

If anyone is interesting in new member GVP's reel - know that this is a very hard to find piece in new condition on the secondary market. Well worth the ask . . .

I too have one new in the box.