Conventional reel for shore-casting

[Humboldtfisher]

Hi there, first post on this forum for me. I'm shopping for a new conventional reel for shore-casting, mainly the beaches of Baja for jacks and roosterfish that can hold about 250 yards of 15lb mono. I'm partial to a levelwind for this type of casting/retrieving and am considering either a Shimano calcutta 400B or a Penn international 965. Any thoughts or experiences with either of these reels?

Thanks,
Ross

[Russ57]

The 965 looks nice but really isn't a great caster.  The penn 525 mag is a great caster though and the price is right.  Very beefy drag and gears.  More than either reel you mention but no level wind.  The calcutta is a fine reel.  I just bought one myself.  I'd rather have something more powerful for roosterfish.

[alantani]

i got the calcutta 300 te!

[Fishman]

First time poster hear also. As a shore bound fisherman I have been found of the Daiwa Sealine series reels. I not sure of the type of fish you are trying to catch. Here on the Southeast coast of Va. and N.C. a lot of fisherman like the Daiwa sL30SH, Sl30SHA and the Saltist 30H. Look at these reels and form your own opinion.

[Bryan Young]

I use my Abu 6500C3.  It's been service and all parts are either corrosionX'd or thinly coated with marine grease.  Hmm, but I'm using 20# spectra...Not sure how much mono would fit though.

The Calcuttas...ooh nice reels.

[broadway]

Level wind- calcutta TE series (300 or 400)
Non-level wind- Saltiga 15

If there's a chance it's gonna touch the sand go with the non-level winds.... In my opinion they cast farther as well. Just make sure you train that thumb to stop it before the water or else  , though the cast control on the saltiga works nicely. 
Dom 

[ssiniscalchi]

Why not an AVET SX MC?
Or if you don't like the lever drags for shore casting you could always use a Penn International Torque 100. It's a little heavy but built like a tank. Here in my country there reels are highly regarded for surf casting over rocky bottoms because of their speed and stainless steel guts.

[Bryan Young]

Did you guys miss that Ross is looking for a level line reel?