Round Casting Reels - Thing of the past?

[Man]

I'm sure many of you still use them if you currently own them.....but would you ever purchase a new one again? I am speaking specifically to the likes of Garcia 4000-6500's, Calcutta's etc..not surf or offshore round reels.

[Jason Fry]

I used quite a few Abu 5500's in the 90's through early 2000's when I bought my first low profile. I still use the round ones occasionally, particularly for catfishing with heavy line, but otherwise I don't plan to purchase another. The newer stuff performs better, IMO.

[txagyotebuster]

I have a C3 4600 and a silver 200 sized calcutts from the early 2000s.

Back then i liked them. Just like the feel of the new small low profile reels. Used them both in fresh and saltwater. The Calcutta was my "go to" for yrs bass fishing 2 to 3 days a week. Bot Both were great and workhorses.

Just "upgraded" to newer lo pro reels. Still used both for backup and "buddy" reels.

The Calcutta i believe has a bearing or both out on the spool and the abu a warn part causing the anti reverse to slip occasionally. And since i never use them anymore i just haven't fixed them.

[Smart]

I used to really like the old silver calcuttas for slinging bait but give me the low profiles for everything else saltwater....

Bass fishing was always low profile Curado style reels.


Striper fishing for big fish using bait, I liked the 5500s and 6500s

[Mayhem]

I have one and dont use it. My dad still does though.

[txoutdoorsman24]

I still use them. A silver Calcutta 100 and a machines round Pflueger Trion. Both great reels. And yes I would buy more Calcutta’s any day

[Quackerbox]

I easily have a half dozen or more old ABUs still in service today. Son, wife and I all have a 5000 for popping corks and skrimps or trolling whites and hyrbids. I also a 6000 and a 6500 rigged up for small sharks, king fish etc to use at the short rigs and jettys. You just cant beat those old workhorses. The only thing you need to replace is a pawl every 10 years.

Dad has a ton of them one of which has holes eroded through the bottom and it still works. Hes got green, black, gray, silver and red 5-6500

My go to 5000 is a 35th anniversary abu that's red and gold.

I also have a Calcutta which im not really a fan of cause it will cast more line than it holds

[outlook8]

Used to wade with them...got a low-profile 10-12 years ago and won't ever go back. The larger round reels do have a place on the kayak surf fishing with bait.

[bakin7005]

I was a Calcutta 100/200 die hard since they were introduced but I've eventually realized that the Shimano low profiles are WAY more suitable for all day use. The Chronarch doesn't feel as solid but it will do everything the Calcutta will do but much more comfortably. I've transformed.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[AtTheWall]

I use a well tuned ABU RECORD 50 for bullreds and big uglies - when I'm targeting them. It has line cap, casts well and the drag fits the bill. If and when I fish jetty rocks, it's an insurance reel just in case I hookup on fish that push 20 plus pounds - always a potential fishing inlet areas.


I catch these guys using lures. 1/4 red leadhead jig with a small cut piece of green Shrimp flavored fish bite. I focus on cuts that flow off flats that border the Intracoastal Waterway....jigging in the run off below, casting dead center into the ICW and jigging back slowly up current.

A Carolina rigged fish finder leader, with green shrimp flavored fish bites works well too.

[cva34]

Great reels from 4600 to 10,000 think I gotem or had them..

[DUKFVR]

I won't be buying any. Got a couple of abu's & Calcutta's & never use them now.

[JRL]

I picked up an old gold Calcutta a few weeks ago after not touching one in 20 years, and man did it feel good in my hand! Very nostalgic.

[Sharecropper]

My first was a red 5000A and I have every one I've owned from that one to the C's from a 1500C to 6500's . . About 50 total over 50 years . . Had each one cleaned before retiring them . . They'll be worth some $$$ one day . . Lots of good memories . .

[JLivi1224]

Have many 5000 5500 and 6500 from the 90s. Will I buy a new one? No. Quality is not the same.