Shimano Cardiff A Baitcasting Reels Review

Inexpensive live bait reel

Shimano quality reasonably priced. Set up for live bait rigs inshore. Landed a 30 pound blacktip (by-catch and was released unharmed) with ease.

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Solid reel for the price

I have purchased two of these reels for throwing big swimbaits, and they really get the job done. When you hold the reel, it simply feels solid. One very minor thing is that to lock down the drag, you really need to apply some force, but it is not really too much of an inconvenience.

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Cardiff 400A

Gear reel for the money. Smooth retrieve and casting with a solid drag capability.

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Gets it done

for the price, my favorite round reel. use it from flounder to catfish

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Good but not great

I have found Shimano reels to be solid reels that are usually made with good parts based upon a well thought out design. I currently live in the Northeast, and this reel for the most part gets the job done. I have used it for fluke, black seabass, striped bass, and tautog. It has functioned well when fishing for most of these. I use it with 30 pound test braid, but I know I could… read more easily go ten pounds in either direction. If that's all you needed, you can stop reading and go onto the next review now. However, there are some things that I have read on message boards that I didn't think would happen to me. When I first brought the reel home, it had a problem with the release button staying down. I sent it back to Shimano without having made a drop. Three weeks later, I got the reel back, and was able to use it on several trips when fishing out on Cape Cod. In the middle of one of my trips (bottom fishing), the button started to stick again. I also noticed that the screws that keep the side plate on had become loose. I tightened the screws. I used the reel by loosening and tightening the drag and having an educated thumb. As I continued to use the reel, the side plate screws became loose again. I stopped using it, and brought it home. I washed it, unscrewed the side plate, and then figured out that the screws needed to be tightened down quite a bit in order for them to stay. I also looked at the switch inside of the reel, and figured out how to fix my sticking button problem. Now the reel seems to be working very well.

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Excellent for Inshore fishing

Shimano quality is superb. Small reel, ergonomic, but even strong as necessary. Hope it resist salt water as other Shimano reels I have.

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Outstanding Reel

I was looking for an entry level reel for muskie that wouldn't break the bank, but that would still hold up. I'm a Shimano guy myself, been using their reels since i started fishing 15 years old. This one did not disappoint. I also wanted something relatively lightweight, lighter than a saltwater reel. The construction is superb, the entire reel is super smooth, the bait clicker… read more is great. All around an amazing reel. It almost looks tiny paired with my Shimano Sojourn 8' XH rod, but the combo is great so far

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Great reel for the money

This reel is super smooth an is a great reel for snook and big bass baits. This is a great reel at a great price

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Fantastic reel

This reel is great for spilleay snook escpecially throwing flairhawks and big swimbaits

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Awesome reel

Bought the 300A model for both inshore saltwater and freshwater fishing. As with all Shimano products, the Cardiff is well-built and very smooth in both casting and retrieving. The centrifugal brakes help control overruns, and it's 5.8:1 gear ratio provides fast, powerful retrieves. The all metal frame and side plates are light weight (8.9 oz.) and is small enough to grip in… read more the palms. It doesn't have some of the high-end features of the Calcutta, but is a great alternative at less than half the cost!

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Excellent

Excellent casting distance, great for saltwater.

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Shimano Cundiff

Great reel blows away my abu garcia reels, try this reel, you won't regret it.

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Excellent Value for Money

Received the unit yesterday and immediately spooled it for a sea trip today. Been using DAM previously and this unit was a much welcomed changed. Retrieval was smooth and reel sits nicely balanced on my Abu Garcia Salty Stage PE4 rod. Spool was large enough to hold >300 yards of 50lb braid, adequate for my day fishing in the sea. Only regret was not putting on metered braid… read more but this is on its way to be solved as I just ordered PowerPro Depth Hunter from TD last night. Spent half the day fishing with this great reel and changed it to a bigger set when night beckoned due to faster current and deeper water. For the price paid, this is really a value for money reel and TD was excellent as usual in fulfilling my order.

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Great baitcasting

I got it for inshore and exceeded my expectations, very easy to use and clean, this little tank makes me cast like a pro!

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