I came across a Calcutta TE200 at my local tackle shop the other day at what I think is a great price. I walked around trying to think of what I would use it for and couldn't really come up with anything aside from cranks, spinnerbaits and maybe soft plastics. I think it's been too long since I have fished a 5:1 reel and I couldn't make a decision so I left it behind.

I'd like to get some input from those who have fished this reel or something similar. What are you guys using it for?

I have a 200B Calcutta I use for deep cranks. The power and line capacity work well for them. 

I have a 200b as well and I use it to flip 6-8" swimbaits around docks, it's a beast of a reel 

Deep crankbaits and The Rig.

 

I have a TE200GT on a Rage 7'11" H-ModFast rod with 17lb line. I mostly use it for 10XDs and similar BIG cranks and might end up using it for A-rigs as mentioned by RW.

Spinnerbaits, crank baits,swimbaits are probably what the reel is best suited for. But at 23 ipt, if you so desire, can use it for anything you want. It will work for worms, jigs, senkos etc, just fine. You might just have to work a little harder if you are burning baits like lipless cranks and toad type lures. But it will work. I used one for a long time as an all purpose reel and thought it was a sweet. If you don't mind me asking, how much are they asking for it? 

I have a 200B on my medium swimbait rod with 17lb Iron Silk, love it.

That is a good reel.  I have several of them.   I'm also curious what the local shop is asking for it.

Thanks for the info guys. I don't throw deep cranks much at all so trying to decide if I need it.

Shop is asking $162 for the TE200 and $94 for the 200B. Prices are Canadian and tax is 15% here.

So the TE200 is $186.30 cdn or $142 US and the 200B is $108.56 cdn or $82.75 US.

Buy both, and if you don't love them. Sell them at a profit. Are they used? I sold my te a few years ago and regretted it. It was a reel that I slapped on a 7 ft mhf rod and used it for everything from bass to snook. It handled everything fine. 

Better buy them at that price. If I had the cash I'd say but em for me and ship em to me. 

They are new. I bought the 3 Cores they had but left the 200's behind. I just can't decide.

Big cranks, short flipping and pitching, swimbaits 1-4 oz., spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, umbrella rigs....

Basically anything where extreme speed in not necessary.  I remember when 5.0:1 was "high speed."

I also use mine for casting lures and float rigs for salmon and steelhead, and for big bucktails for northerns.

On 10/1/2016 at 7:14 AM, Goose52 said:

I have a TE200GT on a Rage 7'11" H-ModFast rod with 17lb line. I mostly use it for 10XDs and similar BIG cranks and might end up using it for A-rigs as mentioned by RW.

How do you like that rod for those baits?  I have the same rod but I've only used it for punching/flipping with heavy weight.  It makes sense that it would work for mag cranks too though.

57 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

How do you like that rod for those baits?  I have the same rod but I've only used it for punching/flipping with heavy weight.  It makes sense that it would work for mag cranks too though.

It works OK at those weights since it has that mod-fast action. I had the rod already and I don't spend a lot of time tossing those >1.5 oz baits so I didn't want to spend the $$$ to get an optimized rod like the often recommended Dobyns 806CB. That Dobyns is also rated Heavy-ModFast like the Rage but people seem to rave about it as "the" 10XD rod. 

Anyway - if you have any heavy cranks - tie one on your 7'11" Rage and see how it feels to you. The Rage is rated to 2 oz and would probably be OK a bit above that weight as well.

 

1 hour ago, Goose52 said:

It works OK at those weights since it has that mod-fast action. I had the rod already and I don't spend a lot of time tossing those >1.5 oz baits so I didn't want to spend the $$$ to get an optimized rod like the often recommended Dobyns 806CB. That Dobyns is also rated Heavy-ModFast like the Rage but people seem to rave about it as "the" 10XD rod. 

Anyway - if you have any heavy cranks - tie one on your 7'11" Rage and see how it feels to you. The Rage is rated to 2 oz and would probably be OK a bit above that weight as well.

 

I'll have to give it a try.  I've been throwing them on a Dobyns 805CB, it works ok but I can see why the need for the 806 if you throw them much.  Anyway, thanks for the input.  I'll give it a shot.

Those reels are an absolute steal at those prices! Buy them ASAP! Oh yeah, BTW I love my Calcutta's for swimbait fishing among other things.