I am looking at getting a new crank bait set-up.

I am looking at these two reels can any one give opinions? I know very little about casting reels and all I know about these is I like shimano and they look like the best ones in my price range...after that I am clueless.

Shimano Core 100MG7

Shimano Calais Series A

Shimano Calais 100A

The Core is much lighter than the Calais.

Look at the Core 50MG. too. I happen to like that size better.

I take it the 50MG is smaller then the 100MG? Is that just profile size? line capacity? Whats the difference?

My problem is I do not know crap about baitcasters all I know is I want a good one that will be good for chucking cranks for a variety of species....I spend 90% of my time fishing for bass and walleye BUT in the fall I do spend a lot of time chucking plugs for King Salmon that run up the rivers near me so I am hoping for somthing with the finess to be a good bass reel and the power to deal with bigger fish (if that exists.)

If I am going to spend $400 I am going to do my homework.

Have you looked at the Shimano Calcutta TE casting reel? I know a lot of people like to use them for cranks. They are nearly indestructible and can handle big fish like you mentioned.

Have you looked at the Shimano Calcutta TE casting reel? I know a lot of people like to use them for cranks. They are nearly indestructible and can handle big fish like you mentioned.

Yep. I use a Calcutta 50TE for my cranks on a 7.5 Loomis Crank rod. It's a match made in heaven.

I have the Calcutta TE 401, Calcutta TE201 DC, and the Calais series A. I love them all. If was going after salmon I'd use my Calcutta TE 401. But if you can only use one for both salmon and bass, I think I would get a Calcutta TE 200 or 300.

But I admit I love my Calais series A, and it should be able to handle a good big salmon I would think.

Oh I forgot to add that the higher the number the bigger the line capacity. So Calcutta TE 200 holds less of the same type of line than a Calcutta TE 300.

I hope that helps.