It seems as though I have benn in the same boat all year.
Started with the record 60. burned out 2!
IMHO the B is a record on steroids. A big plus for the B is the drag system. The TE has many more machined parts over the B’s plastic parts. I have also looked into the Luna 300. That dose come in a lefty.
James, I use the Diawa Luna good reel for the price, You can also look at the Abu Record.If you are crankin Double Cowgirls I would look at Abu 7000’s 
I can’t answer your question but I was curious about the
left hand retrieve.
I know those Daiwa Sealines that you like are not available
in a LHR so is this just a bait hucking issue that you
require a LHR?
Just curious.
James
I’ve used 2 700 calcutta’s for 12 yrs now for muskie’s,flatheads and now sturgeon
and there still going strong no repairs
I have also used ABU 6500 and 7000
after using both side by side I will use calcutta’s
as far as the diferance between B’s and TE’s
B’s have 3BB+1RB TE’s have 6BB+1RB
they are just smother I think you will like ether
but the TE’s are worth the money in the long run
Quote:
I can’t answer your question but I was curious about the
left hand retrieve.I know those Daiwa Sealines that you like are not available
in a LHR so is this just a bait hucking issue that you
require a LHR?Just curious.
I can cast and / or reel with either hand but when casting large baits I like to keep the rod in my dominant hand (I’m a righty) and crank lefty. I have better control going this route and far less fatigue.
As for casting with those sealines… I only use them for trolling. With the reciprocating mass of the counting mechanism casting distance is not going to be that reels strong suit.
Quote:
James, I use the Diawa Luna good reel for the price, You can also look at the Abu Record.If you are crankin Double Cowgirls I would look at Abu 7000’s
I’ve heard good things about the Lunas (the St. Croix casting reels are Lunas) but I didn’t find any info about a lefty. I checked cabelas and they didn’t have anything listed in lefty and the Daiwa website leaves a lot to be desired if you’re looking for info about specific models. At least in the Luna line that is.
Where are you getting your Lunas in lefty?
Thanks for the reply.
Quote:
James
I’ve used 2 700 calcutta’s for 12 yrs now for muskie’s,flatheads and now sturgeon
and there still going strong no repairs
I have also used ABU 6500 and 7000
after using both side by side I will use calcutta’s
as far as the diferance between B’s and TE’s
B’s have 3BB+1RB TE’s have 6BB+1RB
they are just smother I think you will like ether
but the TE’s are worth the money in the long run
Thanks for the info on the differences between the two. And I agree, the Calcuttas are a heck of a lot nice feeling and smoother than the Abus I’ve fished with. And I like Abus. I own a number of them. I just don’t think they’ll hold up well when casting monster sized muskie baits.
Reeds sells the Lunas and they do indeed come in a lefty option. I’ve heard good things about the 300’s from guys like Jonesi… if he can’t kill them then I know they’ll hold up to what I’m going to do to them.
http://www.reedssports.com/Product/product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=9110
Anyone have any other suggestions for left retrieve muskie reels?
I like Abus. I own a number of them. I just don’t think they’ll hold up well when casting monster sized muskie baits.
I’ve casted the gears out of a lot of ABU’s with BIG baits
My, Luna’s are Righty’s.But i think you can get them in Lefty’s 
I just got a PM from Dean at Everts… he carries them too.
That guy sure knows how to get me to spend money.
And before I forget… thanks for the help everyone. 
Quote:
I like Abus. I own a number of them. I just don’t think they’ll hold up well when casting monster sized muskie baits.
I’ve casted the gears out of a lot of ABU’s with BIG baits
I agree
My two cents- can’t go wrong with the Abu Garcias. I have a c3 and the thing is bullet proof. Has cranked in quite a few biggins and cast like a dream. And the price is great- 80 bucks. Simple and smooth- very nice reels.
maybe what you want to think of is two different type of reels. Get a Luna for the bigger hard pulling stuff and go with a Shimano Curado 300 for topwater, jerkbaits, and normal spinner work. I have a 300B and Curado and this works well, I have a total of four rods. The other 2 are really specialty set-ups for really light stuff and really heavy stuff. I use a 2 rod set-up 85% of the time.
I know I’m late James but the St.Croix (Lunas) are very smooth and dependable for Mooskies and other big fish!
Mine are going strong after three years.
James – I was in the same situation that you are and I ended up getting the CTE 401 from Dean and I’m very happy! Your other choice is to save a few bucks and just use mine!
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James – I was in the same situation that you are and I ended up getting the CTE 401 from Dean and I’m very happy! Your other choice is to save a few bucks and just use mine!
So here’s what I ended up doing.
The Abus were really not an option for the application I have in mind. The last time I was in a boat with a guy fishing an Abu (2 weeks ago) his Abu was just back from factory repairs and already taking a dump on day 1. If you know me… I will not tolerate a product that gives me issues. And I mean not so much as a hiccup. I won’t repair a fault product and I sure as heck won’t buy another. It just goes in the trash. So instead of spending small money now and big money down the road… I thought it made more sense to spend big money once… and take an insurance policy out on the darn things.
The lefty Lunas were not available. I had Everts check with 3 different wholesalers before giving up on that option.
So 2 new CTE’s are headed my way. It was more than I wanted to spend but all the diehard muskie guys I talked with said the Calcutta was the way to go and since I really wanted a lefty retrieve the 400B’s were never an option.
Thanks for the help guys. It is greatly appreciated.
Quote:
I thought it made more sense to spend big money once… and take an insurance policy out on the darn things.
What else do you have to spend your money on, anyway?? 
Being IN the fishing business; you know you can fully itemize your new reels toward your quiding, and/or TV business. or have your business buy them for you, which i’m sure is the same thing.
so you end up really spending about 1/3 less than what your receipt says.
Happy Fishing, don’t forget to write a Report….
Jack
Business expense or not… cash is cash. And those buggers don’t come cheap. But I’m happy with the purchase and I have 6 new St. Croix muskie sticks to play around with as well.
Great choice, I have used calcutta’s since 2000 for my muskie fishing, so I do not think you will be disappointed.
Pal
are you drifting towards the dark side of muskie fishing? 
James:
Glad to hear another lefty is in our midst!!! I have had no serious problems with my Abu’s. I have always wanted to get one 401TE though. You will be happy with the choice!!! Now that the purchase is made, what’s the application going to be??? Welcome to the dark side!!!
Mark
Good choice, we have had them all and the Shimanos seem to last the best with the Lunas a close 2nd, Okumas 3rd, Abus only as a last resort and in emergency use. All will break or fail over time though its unavoidable.
I’m an equal opportunity angler! I’ll fish for anything!
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Now that the purchase is made, what’s the application going to be??? Welcome to the dark side!!!
Mark
Big plastics. Mostly the Dunwright Lifelike series stuff. I’ve been out with Bob twice now, behind the camera, and those baits have really proven themselves. I think Bob has landed 3 fish in 2 trips and had 6 fish or so on average come in hot per day.
Not bad for small metro lakes and a half day of fishing.
And now it is my turn to put the camera down and start hucking baits.
Quote:
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Now that the purchase is made, what’s the application going to be??? Welcome to the dark side!!!
Mark
Big plastics. Mostly the Dunwright Lifelike series stuff. I’ve been out with Bob twice now, behind the camera, and those baits have really proven themselves. I think Bob has landed 3 fish in 2 trips and had 6 fish or so on average come in hot per day.
Not bad for small metro lakes and a half day of fishing.
And now it is my turn to put the camera down and start hucking baits.
I see a future DVD in the making! 
I Just got to get back out with Bob again for chance at a cameo. 
I guarantee you won’t regret the Calcutta purchase. Calcutta vs. Abu – Night and day in my book
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I see a future DVD in the making!
I don’t know about a DVD right away but Bob and I are going to try hard to make sure that the coming broadcast season of In-Depth Outdoors includes some good muskie footage.
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I’m an equal opportunity angler! I’ll fish for anything!
That is what I like to hear!
When you want redhorse action give me a call!
No not kidding ya. 
Man I cut my teeth fishing redhorse in the spring before the trout seasons would open. That’s a good time!
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