Shimano Calcutta401D vs Daiwa td Luna 300L and 6'6 foot rods

[rex.stpierre]

I am now the proud owner of both these reels....I blame muskies and the freak catches that come along with fishing huge baits. I just got back from lebaron with the Daiwa. It was 288$ plus tax but I have a club card so 308$ for some fly tying hooks, a daiwa td luna 300l and a musky plano box.

Has anyone had experience with these reels. I just took the Daiwa out of the box. The reviews say the TD Luna is comparable to the Calcutta TE. I have never used a TE. I know it sure looks like a Calcutta B. I would own an Calcutta B but they don't make the in LEFTY!!!! Damn you righties...lol...now were are even.

I can wait to use the clicker of the Daiwa. I think no clicker was my biggest disappointment on my 450$ CalcuttaD. Don't get me wrong, I have never used a reel as smooth as my 401D...

The reviews are great from both these reels and in a week's time!

I'll need to match the reel up with a rod. I had a 6`6 heavy fenwick HMX 1-3 ounce rod...I imagine it was a heavy flipping rod and I LOVED it for 3 ounce musky lures... That rod is gone now and I can't replace it because I don't think they make it anymore... Are you guys familiar with a nice short musky rod... IF you tell me all musky rods should be 9 feet, I'll have a douzen arguments for you. Keep in mind I do a lot of fishing from shore. Besides, I already have a 8 foot 6 daiwa rod matched up with the CalcuttaD and I love it!!

I expect RJ to have a few good comments as I always find his gear comments constructive!

Any comments are appreciated! As a side note, I have now flipped over to tuffline...maybe i'll go back to suffix and powerpro one day but I'm all about tuffline for the moment...

[RJ]

Hey Rex,

Other than your shore fishing limitations there is no reason to not use the newly designed long musky rods. I know I will never use any casting rods that are less than 8'6" again. The ease of casting and figure 8's is a monumental difference.

Not sure you'll find much in the 6'6" length. I have a 7'6" Compre that is ok for throwing smaller stuff and 1 oz Jigs.

I have an older rod kicking around here in the barn that may fit the bill. Are you going to the get-together this week?

RJ

[rex.stpierre]

Hey Rex,

Other than your shore fishing limitations there is no reason to not use the newly designed long musky rods. I know I will never use any casting rods that are less than 8'6" again. The ease of casting and figure 8's is a monumental difference.

Not sure you'll find much in the 6'6" length. I have a 7'6" Compre that is ok for throwing smaller stuff and 1 oz Jigs.

I have an older rod kicking around here in the barn that may fit the bill. Are you going to the get-together this week?

RJ

Nah, sorry, I'll be at a work function. My 6'6 was easy to haul around, it was more precise then my 8`6, when I used it with a phantom, my rod did not touch water/rocks. When I jerked a lil doc all day long, my wrist/forearm was thankful. When I used a sledge I could also avoid hitting ground and water.
I love the 8'6 cause you can cast it a mile and horse in a whale!!! I even brought it to cuba with me, when I casted down wind I covered many many yards with the popper and I never needed to bend over for figure 8!
I have a buddy who guided 10 years in lake of the woods. His rods and his coworker's rods were are all custom made 6 foot and 6`6 musky rods. They were obsessed with phantoms. I guess they bent over for figure 8s. They also had to provide their clients with a rod for the weekend. He said, with a short rod, tuffline and an original Calcutta, you avoid all types of problems with people that have zero experience...

Boys and our toys, one rod for every application!!!

[RJ]

How long ago was he guiding on LOW?

I'll dig in the barn today for that rod I'm thinking of, that's if I can get away from the woodstove...

RJ

[rex.stpierre]

He guiged before his kids and his oldest is 5... He uses custom made Rods with loomis parts, nothing over 6'6... I wondered what the hell until i tried it... I went to baskatong with him this year for pike and walleye, he is a fan of walk the dog and glide baits that he works by dipping rod tip directly infront of him... There is a method to his madness... Phantom lures are finicky about rod action... I think thats how he wound up with similar styles. His uncle still guides there at tetu lodge.... Beautifull place from what i see on facebook... Unfortunately out of my price range... I also kayak fish alot RJ and working a long rod sitting down or paddling an 8'6 rod through deadfalls is the end of me... What a man will do for muskies!?!