Rich Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 After weighing my options over my next musky reel I decided to spend the extra couple bucks and go for a Shimano Cardiff. All I read were good reviews from other fishermen, but they were mostly bass guys. I see a lot of musky guys using them so I figured it's a safe bet. Anyone else here use them? Would like to hear if I made a good investment for this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyb Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 My good buddy uses the Cardiff for Musky -- I believe it replaced my model, the Corsair, and well...I think I like the Cardiff just a tad better! Go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmastermike Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Great Choice!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nofrills Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 My good buddy uses the Cardiff for Musky -- I believe it replaced my model, the Corsair, and well...I think I like the Cardiff just a tad better! Go for it! Funny, I've heard the exact opposite. Plastic gearing inside can lead to issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Rich, I think you should look around for a better option. While the Cardiff is a decent reel, it certainly isn't your best choice for a muskie reel. I assume you'll mostly be casting ...or? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyk Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 I've got an abu c3 6500 and a calcutta 400 which are both pretty decent musky reals and i would recommend. I haven't heard any thing about the cardiffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistyriver1 Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 I've got one Rich. One season with it so far and no complaints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 dont use it in below zero temperatures.... it'll get wet, then expand, and freeze...normally, not a problem on high end reels...the cardiff is not seeled 100%, so the moisture will freeze.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuck Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 That's what warranties are for! For the dough, it's not bad, what about an Abu?? Did you look at them?? A nice 6500C3 is about the same money if I'm not mistaken, do your homework and it depends on how much you plan on using it. My next muskie reel will be the Daiwa Luna or the St Croix which is the same thing just re-badged, I saw it at the fishing show and reelly (ha ha) liked it but have to save a few pennies before I drop $300 on a reel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuck Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Oh yeah, I forgot, you can pick up a Pete Maina combo at Bass Pro for $149.99!! That's a steal, it's like getting the rod for 20 bucks. You can't go wrong with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mepps Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Hon picked up a Cardiff a few years back when I got a Calcutta. His reel is doign better then mine right now (although I used mine WAY more, and in saltwater) Despite being plastic inside, its a solid reel and outcasts my Calcutta, plus it has a fast retireve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplumma Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 The cardiff reel if you get it the 400A series is a better than the 300 series. The reel has been redesigned at the end of 2007 so be sure it is not old stock . Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Rich i got one a few months ago but i have not used it yet. I got the 401 cause its left hand. I like the thumb bar better then the abu's but it is plastic. The first reel cabela's shipped had a broken thumb bar. I am going to use 65lb braid on it to cast lures 2oz and less for muskie. I am not planning on trolling with it. I put some line on it just to test the reel. The drag dosn't have very fine adjustments but it is ok for muskie. It is smooth when you turn the handle. The drag is very smooth also. If you don't need a left hand reel there are lots of other options. But for left hand this is the one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zib Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 (edited) Is the drag power rating going to make much difference? I notice that the Cardiff has a drag power rating of 10 lbs, where as other popular musky reels like the C3, C4 & Record have 22 lbs, 17lbs, & 17-22 lbs. I'm looking into a new musky casting reel myself & have been thinking about getting the Abu Garcia Record. I'm going to do the BPS reel trade-in for $25 off plus a $15 rebate. Shimano isn't participating in the reel trade-in in the US. Edited February 20, 2008 by Zib Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyhook Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Rich if its like the Corsair.. do not buy it! I had a high 40" fish hit a bait beside the boat with a tight drag and the reel exploded.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyk Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 i had a corsair and it was a piece of crap. Crazyhook is right about that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyhook Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 I am going to be picking up a PENN 965 for this season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistaredone Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 (edited) I did alot of reserch last month looking for a musky reel between $100-$350 and decided on the Abu C3 65001 It seemed the best for the price at $125 and all the hard core musky guys i have talked to say its a work horse. Maina only has right handed reels or I would also consider them. Edited February 22, 2008 by mistaredone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyhook Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Abu a work horse? they are good reels but if you use them alot they do burn out quite fast IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mepps Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 The reel exploded?! Wish I oculd have seen that! On a side note, I got in teh habit if using my thumb alot rather then relying on the drag. Those pesky tarpon destroyed the drag on my Calcutta. You want you drag to last longer, losen it up, especially when you have a fish near the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyhook Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 thumb is good for sure... those damn tarpon eh CLive, hope I have the same problems with them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weeds Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 I've got a C3 and really like it but I notice that the C4 will be on sale at Bass Pro in a few days. It's pretty seriously reduced with about 50 bucks off plus a 15 dollar mail in rebate plus the 10-15 dollar coupon you get if you do the reel trade in thing. I'm guessing after tax might work out to around 80ish dollars for the 6601 reel. High speed reel (relatively, 6.3-1) with line recovery of 30 inches a turn. Tempted to grab one myself. Not sure if they are as well suited to musky fishing as the C3 though........Somebody else know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 The reel I'm replacing is an Abu C4. Was a great reel but it was the clutch for the thumb bar that went loose and after fixing it before every trip it finally just gave out last time out in the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goteeboy Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 my bro recently got two cardiffs on ebay and they look a bit cheap in their craftmanship. too much of that plasticky graphite and not enough aluminum. i'd go w/ a used calcutta any day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Vernooy Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 But two Maina...4;2 and 5 series......then you need to rods...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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