New reel arrived from Japan Tackle just in time for this summer's Canada fishing trip! I do a quick unboxing and first impressions. Look for the full review in July!
I’ve never had a single issue buying high end JDM tackle directly from Japanese sellers. Even rods show up here (West Coast) surprisingly quickly. Plus it opens up the possibility of getting models you can’t get here. I recently picked up this exact reel as well. One of my Calcuttas is over ten years old and still a top end reel. Worth every penny IMO.
I’m with you. I bought my first Calcutta conquest over 10 years ago and had zero issues with it, and have bought this 400 Conquest and two 200 Conquest in the past year.
The Japan models differ from the us models. Japanese models are essentially gen 1 models where US is gen 2. Charleston Shimano says they won’t service them
I think I lucked out getting the JDM version. Guessing Tackle Warehouse is selling the USD? Hope it makes the June 15 timeline for you, thanks for watching!
I just creamed my pants, thanks for the unboxing... I might ditch my ProRexs and try this bad boy out, already had 1 Pro Rex break after only 1 season. Still love my 2 other Tranxs, but would love try one of these out for musky on Lake St. Clair! If the 500 Tranx had left hand, I'd already go with that, but this looks my best bet for top of the line...
The Conquests are pretty crazy when it comes to a refined reel! I’m excited to put it through the paces. Nothing like St. Clair muskies though - fall trip is on my list of trips to make. Tight lines!
@@stienfamilyoutdoors yes Sir! Just bought one on MuskyShop, can't wait to try it out... Wonder if the power handle for the original conquest on JiggingWorld will fit it? Wish they made the Trinidad in left hand for buzzing bucktails, maybe I'll find something equivalent with 46+ inches per crank...
Lefties seem to constantly get left out on the high speed reel side of things! You’d think there’d be a decent market for the Tranx 501 or the Trinidad market? I will say though, I don’t miss fishing with the Trinidad for muskies. Especially when it came to big plastics - wasn’t terrible with bucktails. I’m planning to keep this reel as a double handle and use it for gliders. Probably will put the power handle back on a Tranx 400AHG.
I have about 100yd on it, but have a bit of backing too. I tend to go 400 vs 300 with Shimano. For me, there isn't a lot of benefit to going with the 300. There is a negligible amount of weight savings and then I lose line capacity (which for me is more about maintaining retrieve speed). I like to use the foregrip while fishing, so I don't necessarily need a more palmable reel either.
I forgot to ask will you be switching out your bearings for Boca bearings and if so do you know the size because when I type it into the company it shows for the Shimano curado 300
I’m not planning to right away. I have done upgraded bearings in the past, and I think it’s definitely worth it for casting lightweight lures. On heavier lures like I’m planning on using, I think the benefit is still there, but just not to the same extent.
I got admit though my swimbait rod did come in from Dobyns champion XP swimbait heavy mag rod 8'6" that came in this afternoon about 4:15 pm so I'm ready
That's awesome! I've heard good things about the Dobyns rods. I've always been a St. Croix rod guy, but there are so many good manufacturers today, I feel like I should be giving more of them a try.
I’m right handed. Right handed, reel with right hand, cast with right hand. I’ve never been able to reel with the left hand. Even reel with the right hand with spinning reels.