| This great looking reel from Shimano has to be | | | | pressure on a fish during retrieval or when the |
| the top in its class. It is designed for use in both | | | | drag is doing the job as the fish makes a run. |
| fresh water and salt water. Not to be outdone, | | | | Jerkiness is eliminated. Fish such as tuna weighing |
| Shimano has provided plenty of top features in | | | | 50 pounds are well within the limits using this reel. |
| the TE. When it comes to features, this reel has | | | | A bonus about affording a quality product like this |
| what it takes to do the job well. You might be | | | | is longevity. In this respect the Calcutta TE will not |
| paying a bit more but its one of those products | | | | let you down. It is well beefed up with very few |
| where the quality is remembered long after the | | | | plastic parts compared to the earlier models. One |
| price has been forgotten | | | | of the things Shimano has done really well with |
| These include levelwind, high line capacity, light | | | | this reel is the seals. Opening up the body after |
| weight, and fine drag adjustments. While the reel | | | | repeated salt water use there was no sign of any |
| is fairly light at only 12 ounces it certainly does not | | | | corrosion and the lubrication was still in great |
| lack grunt. | | | | condition. |
| The test of the pudding is always in the eating | | | | Durability is achieved in the detail and the use of |
| and the best way to test the Shimano Calcutta | | | | high quality materials. The gold anodized finish |
| 300 is on the water to hook up a fish. Casting | | | | stands up well in a salt water environment and |
| with this reel is a real pleasure. It casts long, | | | | the one piece aluminum frame provides excellent |
| effortless and trouble free. Using the Shimano | | | | strength. Another detail that contributes to |
| Calcutta TE reel almost anyone can cast like a | | | | durability is the anti-rusting material used in the |
| pro. With a little practice you can consistently cast | | | | bearings. And the drag is made from a high |
| thirty-five to forty yards. The TE is well suited to | | | | performance material called Dartanium providing |
| something like a Shimano Crucial rod or similar | | | | very smooth and effective performance |
| strong rod around 7 1/2 to 8 foot long. | | | | The addition of an audible clicker is another sign of |
| Hooking up to a good fish you immediately | | | | Shimano's attention to detail. |
| experience the power this reel has. The gear ratio | | | | Rating for this product? I would give it 5 out of 5. |
| is great allowing you to keep pressure on the fish | | | | It might be a bit pricey but if you can afford, get |
| while smoothly retrieving the line. Probably the | | | | it and you will find your fishing experience that |
| stand-out factor when using the reel is its | | | | much more enjoyable. |
| smoothness and power, whether you are putting | | | | |