I have been using Ambassdeur reals seance god was a babe. I think I have one of each ever made. And for the money, you can't do better. But 2 years ago I stepped up and got a hand bult rod. #8 fly rod blank, Rons custom rods in Tacoma. Little shop out of his house. Best stick I have ever had in my hand by far. So I tells my salf, you need a reel to mach this rod. I am talking 1/8 oz. of led. Cast on a drive by under an alder tree at 50 yards. ( Never know) . So I got me this Calcutta 250. Got several steelhead, no big deal. Went down to the Cowlitz at the dam on Labor Day weekind I got like 30 hook up's in 3 hours. ( 2' foot leaders, I don't line or snage don't need to) But the deal was I would get a hook up and the reel would pull and stop pull and stop. I am talking a 50 yard run and the thing would lock up,, and brake off. Not a happy camper. Went home took it apart. It was cleen, next weekend did the same thing. Backed off the drage and it would work. Just have to run 200 yards to get a 20 pound fish in. So a 130 plus dollor real is junk the way I thinking. What I want is some insight on a good real between 100 and between 300 bucks. I have big hands, 5 balls, 100 to 150 yards line, don't do bass. Help!

Go with the Fflueger Trion. It's a sweet reel.




Check it out here

I have very big hands and it's not too small for me.

I just got a Pflueger Trion in the mail from Shakespeare and it is a sweet reel for the money. It sells for $99 and is a great choice.

By the way....I wasn't sure if Ron's Custom rods is still in business. I have a few of his rods from years ago....How can I get ahold of him?

grandpa,
He was having a hard time seeing strait guides 10 years ago... I cant imagine what they would look like today... :p

He did do some nice work back in the day though. but not sure if he is still in business.

RDK, not sure what problems you're having with your 250 Calcutta.

I've had just the opposite luck with my Calcutta's, eight 250's or 251's, four 400's and a CTE200GT.

Some of these reels are 7 years old and get used 100 to 150 days a year.

Other than cleaning them up and keeping them oiled and a couple new drag washers( on 3 reels), I've had great luck.