Where can I buy a calcutta or curado? Do either of them have a web site? Are these reels better than Abu Garcias?

You can get info on them from Shimano\'s website

You can buy them at any decent sporting goods store like Outdoor Emporium, G.I. Joe's, Sportco, etc. Or order them from Cabela's at their website

IMO, they're much better than Abu Garcia.

They're both good reels. The Curado casts better and has a smoother drag, but if I'm fishing in the salt or looking for really big ones in the river I take the Abu 6501.
http://www.bighook.com/bass/rodsreels/product_detail.asp?id=1074

Thanks! hopefully i will have one on my rod soon.

I love the Shimano's....I have both reels on my casting rods and abu's on my plug pullers...for repeated casting, especially if you are anal about accuracy like myself, you will appreciate the Shimano's smoothness.

As far as fighting 'the bigger ones', the smoother drags on the Shimano's made the two fifty plus kings i landed a couple years back no problem at all.

The abu's are better for plugs because its easier to let the same amount of line each time you let the plugs out...

The Calcutta's are far superior reels. They will run you from $200 to $350. I have the 401TE and it is awesome. Smoothest reel I have ever used. I also use the Curado BSF for stellhead. It casts way smoother that my Abu's and is highly recomended!

Good Luck

I just don't like the form of the Calcutta. I'm referring to the 251 model because that's the size I use. It's probably just because my hands are too big for it, but I really don't like that bar that runs across the top of it. The open face style of the Curado is much more comfortable.

Forgot about the biggest drawback to Calcutta's...they get wicked cold. If you fish in cold weather alot I'd lean Curado.