I am pretty close to ordering one of these can anyone give me their thoughts on it? any thoughts good or bad will help Thanks.

                           Big B

I have 2 Cardiff CDF100A's; absolutely love them, smooth, reliable, & rock solid. I also have 3 Calcutta's and will tell you the Cardiff's are just a good.

I have the 301 and its great for what I use it for, bass fishing and saltwater fishing. the only complaint I have about it is you have to remove the whole handle plate to adjust the brakes. It is very smooth and relatively light. I am glad I bought it.

i just sold my 400 and still run a 300. they are very solid reels and a steal at that price, i do however disagree with catt, NOTHING is as good as a Calcutta . The brake thing isn't an issue for me, cause I open them up when they are brand new, make sure all the brakes are off and never open them again!

Oh another thing if you decide to buy online, make sure its the new silver/grey colored one. Ebay has a lot of the older model for sale.

Hey Fourbizzle with the brakes being completly off dose that take a long time to get used to and how dose that effect throwing different baits...haha is the cardiff what you catch all them hawgz on cause if so im SOLD  haha  ;D

the brakes off aren't a problem.... as long as you are using 4+ oz baits, LOL. but i'm sure you could probably just set a couple of them on and get used to it eventually. hey those salty old timers didn't have brakes on their old abu's.

and they are the cheapest reel i would ever even consider for swimbaiting, but i'm trying to move to all calcutta/calcutta te for the big baits.

i do have just one gripe with the cardiffs though and that is the handle. on the 300 and 400 sizes the use the standard handle/paddles as they do on the smaller reels. thats why on the 300 that i have left i have put the handle from a calcutta 400b on it, for the larger paddles and longer handles.  a little more grinding power in the longer handles and for me i just like the bulkier knobs.

the cardiff is definitely a tough reel though, the 400 that i just sold made it through a year and a half of big bait punishment with no problems.

This is an awesome reel for the price. I have the 301A. For bass fishing, I use  it for cranks, for salt, I nail salmon with it. With a brake setting of 3 off and 3 on, close up the reel; you'll probably not ever have to change that setting.  The reel pitches beautifully too, and is capabale of tossing even 3/16 oz lures. To sum it up in one word, "Solid!"  8-)

I set the brakes all the same on every Shimano I own, 3 of the 6 or every other pin are on; I throw every thing from wacky rigs to ¾ oz jigs.

I hear clients and customers tell me the same thing; you have to change the setting with different weight lures; I always reply why not truly learn how to use a bait caster and educate your thumb. I do the same with the little tension knob on the right hand side; I set it once and never move it again.

Hey Catt with that 3 on 3 off setting you said have you  tried throwing weightless plastics?

Thanks For everyones thoughts and fourbizzle i barley catch 4+oz fish soo theres no chance im throwing a bait that big haha..yeah i just admited i stink at fishing ;D

Hey Catt with that 3 on 3 off setting you said have you tried throwing weightless plastics?

No; I said I throw weightless plastic with it  

I have 2 Cardiff CDF100A's; absolutely love them, smooth, reliable, & rock solid. I also have 3 Calcutta's and will tell you the Cardiff's are just a good.

Agree and much lighter, specially the 200-400. Love mine