John Bethune discovers that small is not only beautiful - it's also superbly efficient....
For me and probably millions of anglers around the world, using baitcasting tackle is the most enjoyable and satisfying way to fish. Baitcasters are light, compact and nimble in use - and their casting ability and their accuracy together with superb, near-perfect fish fighting ergonomics soon make them one's favourite fishing tool. Those who have known me over the years realize that using the baitcaster is by far my favourite way to fish, almost to the point of being an obsession. No small part of this love of baitcasting lies in the reels themselves. Their brilliant design, engineering and aesthetics gives me almost as much satisfaction as the fishing itself.
This love of baitcasting, together with natural ability and many helpful peers, led me to winning all those casting championships. I was lucky enough to obtain and use many of the world's classic baitcasting reels. These included early American jewels by Pfleuger, South Bend, Coxe Bronson and Shakespeare, The German DAM Multi Rolle, the early Swedish Records and the ABU Ambassadeurs. In more recent times I switched to those marvellous Shimano masterpieces- the ULS 2000, the Chronarch 100 and the Calcuttta 100, 200 and the brilliantly conceived heavy duty Calcutta 400.
I have, over my tournament casting and fishing life, seen, experienced and at times even had a hand in the improvements in engineering, material design of baitcasting reels. And over those years I have several times wondered just how a particular reel could be improved as at the time they appeared to be the ultimate fishing machine. But then, inevitably and inexorably, it would happen as improvements in materials, design and engineering would make for that even better baitcaster. But today, here on my desk, I truly believe - know - that I am looking at the world's best bass fishing reel: the Shimano Calcutta 50.
The combination of perfect size, good looks, space age materials, computer engineering and most importantly great fishability, makes this baitcaster the best I have ever had the pleasure to use. That's a statement that is not made lightly nor in haste; but only after several intensive bass fishing outings on the Hawkesbury River in NSW including the 1996 Hawkesbury River Bass Invitational, where I had considerable trouble protecting my "50" from almost 150 of Australia's top bass fishers. The most popular comment was - and I quote - "I have gotta have one of those."
The following are some of the features of the Calcutta 50: one piece forged aluminium body; lightweight precision machined spool; 5 to 1 gearing; 3 stainless steel ball races and one stainless steel roller race; quick take-apart with all parts captive (and no fear of lost parts in the boat); "Supper Stopper" anti reverse; "Quickfire" clutch bar; Paddle Knob Power Handles; and the unique Shimano "Variable Brake System".
Line capacities are: Monofilament (in pounds) 5lb, 260 yards; 6l,200yeards, 8lb,130 yards. My tests were made with 4lb diameter, 20lb breaking strain, and 6lb diameter 30lb breaking strain gel spun line. The only backlash I experienced was when the lure came into contact with an unseen overhead tree branch. The little Calcutta handled the gel spun like a dream.
My little Calcutta50 proved to be a lucky reel from its very first cast on fishing water. The result was a beautifully conditioned old fashioned 1.5lb Australian Bass, followed by four others to just over 2lb on a day when fishing wasn't easy. Later that day, Don Pippen commandeered the "Lucky Calcutta" and in a short time landed and released two bass, a magnificent estuary perch and a good bream.
With my good mate Don and eldest son Phil I cannot remember ever enjoying a day more. This no doubt had more than a little to do with the joy I was experiencing discovering the absolute brilliance of this exquisite little bass reel. The effortless ease with which it achieved long casts with light lures, its superb Shimano drag, centrifugal braking and quick take apart meant it was a joy to use in the filed. But most of all its good looks and perfect ergonomics make the user not only feel good, but fish just that much better.
To make a reel any smaller would be impractical, particularly a baitcaster, as the thumb must rest comfortably on the clutch bar and on the line. To make the reel lighter could be a mistake as I believe this would take away the feel of quality and robustness needed in any fishing reel The Calcutta 50 weighs only a mere 210g (7.4oz) but looks and feels quality.
Simple elegant and efficient, its brilliant and innovative engineering is almost overwhelmed by its beauty and practicality. There has never been a more practical or aesthetically pleasing fishing reel than the Calcutta 50. There is no doubt in my mind that the Calcutta 50 is the best bass fishing reel in the world.
