Santa said I have been a very good boy this year and I will be getting a Shimano Calais but he (she) does not know which model. I am assuming the 200 APV with the 5.0 gear ratio. I will never have it in salt water so I know I don't need the ASV model but that is about all I know. What is the 100 model? Any help would be appreciated.

8-)

You will love the reel regardless of the model. So here are a couple of things to consider:

I have the original CL200 6.2:1 with a deep spool which is probalbly the same reel as today's CL200ASV.

If you plan to use heavy line (thick diameter) you will need this model. However, if I were buying new I would buy either the CL200A (6.2:1) or the CL100A (5.8:1).

The CL200A retrieves 26 IPC and has plenty of line capacity for bass fishing. I would prefer changing the entire spool a couple of times a year rather than tying on line to filler. (My reel always has 50% too much line which NEVER gets used.)

The CL100A retrievers 24 IPC, is smaller and lighter than the 200. Line capacity is not an issue for bass fishing and you may find this to be a better choice, depending on the rod you will be using. This is the next baitcaster I plan to own.

Thanks RW, I will tell Santa and hopefully the big brown truck will run prior to Christmas. Maybe LBH will personally bring it. A Calais on one of my GLX rods should make a good combination. 8-)

RW is "right-on" as to the Shimano Calais 100, close to if not the finest baitcaster(non-digitally controlled) available. I have some Calais 200s and the '100' sized ones from Japan.

And, here is its Japan Domestic Market 'brother' at a lower cost. I have a couple of these and they are almost if not identical to the Calais 100.

You are in for a real treat!

Dan