Calcutta reels
 

I noticed in another thread that people are putting special bearings in reels to increase casting distance, and overall reliability. Are there any special bearings I can put in my calcutta reels that will increase casting distance? How about any special cleaning solutions, oils, or other lubes?

chuck,
one of the reason people buy a calcutta is for the casting abilities. i think with a little maintenance it should cast like a dream. make sure you have the proper size line and the proper amount of line and it should work just fine.there are all kinds of different lubes you can buy for it. just depends on your preference.

you can replace them with high-count ABEC bearings or ceramics for increased performance.

you can also take out the stock spool bearings and soak them in lighter fluid, blow them dry then apply a high quality light oil like hot sauce or rocket fuel for noticable improvement in stock bearings. ;)

Thanks bambam. I have 4 calcuttas and have used them for years. Just wondering if I can get them to perform better. the reels I have are getting some age on them and I was considering changing the bearings on them. I saw someone posted about using different type bearings (ceramic I think) and was wondering if I should look into it. not sure if they make them for calcuttas...

no problem just putting my two cents in. i would hope if i paid 200 plus bucks for a reel it should be every thing i would have ever wanted in a reel. but like i have said my ambassadors out perform my shimano hands down. its all in preferance.

@ Bambam, I did not pay $200 for the reels. I bought them used off of ebay about 8 years ago for around $85 a peice...so far all I have done is cleaned and lubed them. Just dont know the life span of the bearings and wondering if other bearings would increase performance such as the ones Jedi wrote about above.

@ Jedi, thanks, that is what I was wondering about.

Jedi will hook you up with what you need

Jedi
 

I tried sending a PM to you twice. Did you get em? they do not appear in my sent messages...

Anyone have fedback on upgrading the bearings? I have had mixed reviews...do the high count ABEC or ceramic bearings make a noticeable difference?

I spoke to guys at Superior tackle in B.R. and he said it would not make a noticeable difference if my current bearings are good and clean.

That's crap!

Those guys at Superior don't know their azz from a hole in the ground & don't want to deal with anyone unless they got big money.

Ceramic bearings will make factory bearings feel like they're full of sand. That guy in BR just don't know what he's talkin' about...like Jeff said.

Ok, so could anyone recommend someone in the BR/Gonzales area that i could bring my reels to have the bearings upgraded?

I use Synergy Reel Tuning in Bryan, TX. Dude does good work.

thanks Salty...but that is a long way from home...

Anyone recommended in the Baton Rouge area?

Favro's On Weller ave
Weller runs from Plank to Scenic right by Exxon Refinery
Favro's has been there for over 50 years!

Wow have done business with Superior many times nothing but good things to say about them.

I have had nothing but excellent service from superior, mark and his crew go above and beyond. Best tackle shop in the br area. No contest.

That's because you "got big money". :smokin: :cool:

I wish

Guys, dont get me wrong, I am not complaining about Superior. Just saying the Mark told me on the phone that putting new bearings will not increase my performance. Others have told me that it would definately increase my performance. i just feel like my reels are old and bearings are worn and i may not be getting the performance out of them that i could be getting with new and improved bearings.
I have used Favro's in the past and also Superior, no complaints with either. Just looking for someone to verify weather or not it is smart to invest in upgraded bearings. I want to max out my casting distance...

If you want to max out casting distance send your reels to the guy salty recommended. Dipsay.

i got your pm's. pm sent. no question that higher end bearings will increase performance over stock bearings.

Dipsay?

I just wonder why Mark at Superior would shut down my idea of changing bearings for better performance over the phone so quickly...

i dont know why he said that either, but i can tell you that i've seen a reel free-spool for 3-5 secs before an upgrade and for over 45 seconds after upgrade. what's that tell you? seriously, its worth the $30 or so for the upgrade!

what do they do when they "super tune" a reel besides change out the spool bearings?

There's a difference between upgrade and super tuning. Upgrades consist of better bearings, ceramic pawls etc. super tuning is the polishing of gears and other parts to remove factory burrs and any other irregularities, leaving the reel feeling incredibly smooth and fluid.

A bearing upgrade runs $30.

A super tune is $40.


Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

thanks jedi..

No problem happy to help :)


Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

reels
 

about how long is the turnaround time?

He's about a week and a half to two weeks. it's springtime! the sooner you get it in, the less time you will have to wait. ;)


Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

Mark and tge guys at superior treat me great and every other customer I've seen when I'm in there ( usally 2-4 times a week) the redheaded boy that works there used to work for me ... When it comes to bass fishing that ginger knows his stuff!

I would not trust any dude named "ginger".

Ginger = a redhead ,his name is Matt lol

that was pretty funny

if the reels are old you prob need to get them cleaned and regreased. if you do that just buy the bearings from boca bearing and give them to whoever cleans them and just ask them to replace them when putting back together. if you dont want to get them cleaned the bearings arent hard at all to change on a calcutta.