Ok, so I basically only fish for Stripped bass off a dock in Boston harbor. I use live herring for bait (around 3 inches long). I was using a baitcasting reel from walmart that recently broke but I like that style of reel better than the traditional spinning reel.

 

Right now I'm looking into the Shimano Calcutta TE 400 and want to buy it. How is that reel and would it be good for my type of fishing? Aside from live-lining herring I occasionally bottom fish with deadbait with a 3 ounce weight. Is it worth the $200 or can I get a better reel for around that price?

 

Thanks for the help!

 

 

 

The Calcutta is a great real.

Personally if I were using a conventional reel for cut or live bait, bottom fishing or drifting I'd be using a reel without a level wind, from my observation level winds are not as popular for that type of fishing, but a personal choice.  Secondly I would want a power handle on my crank, and last of all my preference is a lever drag not a star, not that the star is bad.  The Caluctta itself is a fine reel, I just think there are better options for your kind of fishing within the Shimano line up.  Both Daiwa and Penn make suitable reels as well and I use an Avet.

I agree with Snook on his recommendations. Also I would even recommend a slightly bigger reel just on the basis of line capacity. You never know when one of the big stripers will show up, and you don't have the option to chase it down from the pier.

Personally it'd pick a spinning reel for this type of fishing as I think they offer more positives than baitcasters, but to each his own

Being primarily a spinning man myself, that would always be my first choice and it would be a baitrunner type reel.  Accept this as an option, my fishing partner has several Daiwa regal bri, very inexpensive, with a potent drag and plenty of line capacity.  He uses his for snook off the pier,and sailfish, amberjack, kingfish etc from his boat.  He's not the kind of guy that rinses down or even oils his reels, just abuses them and they keep working well.

The negative is line management, although not using the reel as a cast and retrieve tool that negative becomes a relative non factor.

i would check out the shimano torium instead...you can get like a 16 or 20 and be better off for the same price or a little cheaper...doesnt have a level wind though if you are wanting one but you will cast further without one and its not hard to learn to use without.....if you want more distance level the line at a decent angle instead of trying to get each wrap next to each other

 

the line will peel off the reel faster like that

 

i have some of the shimano baitrunners (the old version) and they are beasts and only $110 if you can find them(mostly on ebay but still new in box)

http://www.abugarcia.com/products/reels/round-reels/ambassadeur-round-baitcast/c4#

 

i own one of these i use for striper fishing, i have the 6601 model which is the left handed model, 6600 is the right hand retrieve. i also use it for catfishing. i personally love the reel, its smooth and powerful with a fast retrieve gear ratio. i got mine on sale for $99 from another website. it also has good line capacity. i have 25lb big game on mine...

One reason reels without a levelwind are more popular is that is one less part that can break under pressure.

Penn Battle is a pretty good saltwater spinning reel that's not too pricey. I have a couple 4000s and a 6000. Really solid and a good, water-tight drag.

Penn Battle is a pretty good saltwater spinning reel that's not too pricey. I have a couple 4000s and a 6000. Really solid and a good, water-tight drag.

We see a lot of battles down here, people do seem to like them.