ok fellas I finally got the hang of my Calcutta 200b but now I'm thinking about trying the 200gtb. what are the noticeable differences between these (2) reels? will the 200gtb throw lighter weight lures better/furthur than the 200b? also, what about smoothness in cast and reeling? any diff between the 2 in casting distance? is the 200gtb smoother on the cast? I will be throwing 1/4oz to 2oz lures with this reel. I like the 200 size as it compares well to my old standby abu 5500 c3 reels.

thanks,

Big Ed

surely to goodness some of y'all have used both of these reels and compared them. just wondering if the extra bearings and wiffle spool are worth it or will they present more problems down the road due to more bearings to replace and water getting to the innards of the reel due to the holes in the wiffle/drilled spool?

thanks,

Big Ed

A Calcutta B is a really nice reel, a Calcutta GTB is a monster of a reel, the comparison would be the B being your regular F-150 pick up and the GTB being a Raptor.

 

On the other hand, other than replacing the spool supporting bearings for high performance ceramics I doubt you’ll ever need to replace a bearing in either reel, those reels are built to last forever.

thanks raul. after I got the hang of the 200b I had I'm thinking about buying the 200gtb if its just more of a good thing being more smooth both on the cast and while reeling and will off greater distance with all range of lures. also, what is everyones thoughts on the whiffle spool being a gateway to allow rust inside the reel due to wet braid and the holes allowing water direct access to the innards of the reel?

thanks,

Big Ed

Quote

what is everyones thoughts on the whiffle spool being a gateway to allow rust inside the reel due to wet braid and the holes allowing water direct access to the innards of the reel?

I asked this question to Bantam1 who is the shimano rep on the shimano support forum over on tackletour and i was informed that it was not necessary at all. so I stopped putting a wrap of plumbers tape around the spool of my curado 200i.

21 hours ago, whitearrow said:

also, what is everyones thoughts on the whiffle spool being a gateway to allow rust inside the reel due to wet braid and the holes allowing water direct access to the innards of the reel?

thanks,

Big Ed

It's not an issue.

so, fellas what would I gain by going with the 200gtb over the regular 200b???

thanks for the replies and please keep 'em coming,

Big Ed

you would gain weight reduction because of the porting of the frame and better casting because of the wiffle spool. not sure if the bearings are the same.

 

I have researched the GTB because I almost bought one but ended up buying a curado I instead.

 

but I have always wanted a shiny gold Calcutta

Hulkster how would the whiffle spool help,the casting out? Distance? Throwing lighter lures? Would it cast heavy lures as well as the 200b?

thanks,

Big Ex

On 6/1/2018 at 3:54 PM, whitearrow said:

so, fellas what would I gain by going with the 200gtb over the regular 200b???

thanks for the replies and please keep 'em coming,

Big Ed

Go to your nearest Ford dealer, ask if you can seat in a regular F150, then ask if you can seat in a Raptor, your butt will tell you what are you going to gain.

 

12 hours ago, whitearrow said:

Hulkster how would the whiffle spool help,the casting out? Distance? Throwing lighter lures? Would it cast heavy lures as well as the 200b?

thanks,

Big Ex

 

The wiffle spool in theory should cast lighter lures better, but im not sure if the Calcutta series is good for casting lighter lures in general (old school baitcasters tend to not cast light stuff very well).

 

how light are you trying to throw?

1/4oz would be the lightest I’d try and throw with a bait caster. Lighter than that I’d opt for spinning gear. After I got the 200b dialed in I could sling a 1/4oz worm 35ish yards w/o backlash. Would the extra bearings make it smoother on the cast and reeling back in?

Thanks,

Big Ed

Neither reel is optimal for light baits.