Anybody using a shimano corsair baitcasting reel?

[spokey9]

I got a sweet deal off ebay on a corsair cs300a and i couldnt find much as far as reviews go, so i took a chance on it. I plan on using it mainly for throwing darts out in the sound off the piers for salmon and catfishing. Just wondering if it's junk or a decent reel.

[flinginpooh]

Havent used this reel, but I picked up a corvalus at a yardsale for cheap. The reel was really smooth. Everything seemed cool with it when I handled it. However It didnt have any line on it and I didnt pay attention to the level wind. My fault. Needless to say there is only 1 plastic gear in this reel and it was worn and teeth had a groove in it. The reel you just bought has that same 1 plastic gear. Dont let your kids get into your reel when ya take it apart and go to the bathroom. Youll be missing more then just a gear. Im not even sure what parts Im missing now. I was only out 10 bucks. If that gear is good it will last ya awhile and work well. If the gear is bad spend a few bucks fix it and reel will work well for you. Either way depending on price its a good deal.

[wolverine]

Whatever you paid for it was probably 75% too much. This reel was a real black eye for Shimano. They were trying to compete with the low end Abu's with the design but they ended up with a real slug. Use it, abuse it, but don't put another dime into it when it fails. You definitely get what you pay for in bait casters.

[spokey9]

i'm only into this reel 20 bucks, so i cant complain. i did find out shimano did a recall on them and i should be able to send it back to them with another 20 bucks for a new corvalus the same size. worst case scenario i get a corvalus for half price. i didnt want to spend too much on a reel, like i said i'll be using mainly for throwing darts & buzzbombs from shore or piers around the sound and none of the baitcasters i use for the rivers have enough line capacity for that. so until i can pony up the dough for a calcutta 400 i dont want to spend too much on something thats gonna go through salt.

[wolverine]

Corvalus is a far better reel. Make the swap as soon as you can. Calcutta's are very good casters but they need to be well maintained if used in the salt. I've got 2 400te Calcutta's that are great reels. I maintain all of my reels except my te's. They get professionally cleaned every year. If all you're going to be using the reel for is jig tossing off a pier, a mid priced ROUND Abu works just fine. Easy to clean and maintain, great line capacity. About the only thing that ever goes wrong on Abu's is the pawl and level wind gear. Both cheap, easy to find, and replace.

[Blackmouth]

Use it, abuse it, but don't put another dime into it when it fails. You definitely get what you pay for in bait casters.

+1.

Why go cheap on arguably one of your most important pieces of tackle??