Shimano Cardiff A Series Casting Reels

The Shimano Cardiff A Series casting reels have all the great features of a round reel without sacrificing the benefits of a low profile design. The recessed reel foot allows the reel to sit close to the rod, allowing you to palm like a low profile reel. The only difference is that the spool still has the high line capacity you would expect from a round reel. You get the best of both worlds. The Shimano Cardiff pairs perfectly with a big bait rod. You'll have enough capacity for lots of heavy line, the power to crank big swimbaits and fight big fish. Not to mention the larger spool diameter that is necessary for casting big baits a long way. The Super Stopper instant anti-reverse, the VBS anti-backlash system, the solid one-piece aluminum frame and deep anodized sideplates make the Shimano Cardiff reel a winner!

Reel Specs

Cardiff 100A

Bearings: 4+1 Line Cap: 8/165, 10/140, 12/120, 14/100

Cardiff 200A/201A

Bearings: 4+1 Line Cap: 8/230, 10/210, 14/120

Cardiff 300A/301A

Bearings: 4+1 Line Cap: 12/230, 14/180, 17/150

Cardiff 400A/401A

Bearings: 4+1 Line Cap: 12/330, 14/250, 17/220, 20/165

Comments: i have 100A and 200A and this cardiff cast very smooth and it is powerful for handling big fish .. the best reel on its price .. its just that most shimano is not suitable for Giant Snake Head Hunting on Weedy Area .. high lb test  line + max drag will cause the spool shaft bend this happens to my Malaysia and JDM Cardiff .. but still i recommend to newbies to get this cheap and good reel.. u wont get a good reel other than cardiff at its price

From:  =D

Comments: I owned a Cardiff 400 taken it around the world has never failed me

From: Henry: San Carlos

Comments:  I ordered a 301 from here and have used it a full year. My only complaint is the thumbar design. A reel repair guy put a different washer on it (the one that holds the assembly together when the side cap is off) and I haven't had any problem since. I have used the reel more this year fishing big swimbaits than most reels would be used in a lifetime. Its a great reel for the price and I will own more in the future.

Comments: Not happy with this reel. Owned it for 1 season and the release is acting up like crazy.

From: Jared: Ontario

Comments: They are the best casting reels I own. I have two of the gold 100 series Cardiff's. I have heard that they have the same gears as the Calcutta from someone who works on reels in a well known bait shop. This may be a round reel, but it acts as if it has a low profile due to the recessed reel seat. They throw easier and farther than my Curado's, Revo SX, and Revo Winch. I really like mine for cranking. The size of the plug does not matter, it will pull anything from a 1.5 to a 3/4 Hotlips. Even though the gear ratio is a little high, the small diameter of the spool lets you pull the plug pretty easy. The only problem I have had is that the thumb bar is getting harder to mash on one of them. Overall, the Cardiff is the best money I have ever invested in a reel.

From: Trey: Rogersville, AL

Comments: Got the 400 size for hucking big swimmers. This reel lasted like 2 months, then something inside the gears broke. I have had this happen on a few different Shimano reels. Im gonna have them fix it, then sell it and never buy anythign that says SHIMANO on it again.

From: Meatwad: Hatin on shimano

Comments: I've had the 100 and 200 for 5 yrs now. I use in both saltwater and freshwater and it still works like a charm. Easy to take apart and clean and overall a great little reel.

From: Rik: San Diego

Comments: I've fished my original Cardiff 300 (gold colored) for 8 years.  I've fished the 400A as well for the past 4 years.  Both have been really easy to tear down, maintain, and put back together.  I love 'em.  Best 'bang for your buck' reel out on the market.

From: Richard: San Diego, CA

Comments: This is a great reel! Always my go to reel when all is in doubt and very easy to cast and always gives you great response. Definately worth the money.

From: Brady: Oregon

Comments: Excellent reel for those of you looking for your first baitcaster.  Very easy to cast and hard to birdsnest even for the beginer.

From: Nick: LOZ, MO

Comments: I have the older gold model. It is a 100 A. I like it better than my Curado E series but not the model before it. It performs and ranks right with my Revo Winch and SX on castability and smoothness. I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is the best real on the market for the money.

Comments: Excellent all rounder reel, had it for 7 months worth it weight in gold. Easy to use, excellent retrieval great performer against most fish species. Glad I got one.    

From: John: Auckland, New Zealand

Comments: Awesome reel for the price, I have one  and it's over 8 years old still use it for cranking slow swimming swim baits and spinners.

From: Max: Chicago, IL

Comments: I have no affiliation with any of these reel manufacturers.  Just an avid fisherman with expectations for his equipment to work properly.  I bought a 201A and the thumb bar for cast release is very poorly designed and flimsy.  It broke on me during my first time out with it and it would not re-engage.  I took it apart afterwards and was shocked that Shimano would mass produce a reel with this type of thumb bar design.  It won't last.  If you don't believe me, take one apart and judge for yourself.  Also, after using this reel one time in saltwater (without dunking the reel or even getting it wet), the gears developed a clicking noise every time I crank the handle.  Save your time and money and buy a different reel.  Shame on you, Shimano.  I know that this reel is not a Calcutta, but surely, you can do better for your customers than a $100+ disposable reel.

From: Henry: Houston, TX

Comments: Really excellent reel for casting, the best quality. I really love Shimano.

From: Erwan: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia 

Comments:A quality, well priced reel from Shimano. For freshwater swimbaiting, its one of the most economical reels you can buy. The 100 and 200 will cover most anything if you like to fish round reels. the 300 and 400 will fish both big baits and the salt species no problems. I use every size for inshore & offshore fishing. The only thing I would recommend is a drag upgrade if you have a need for smoother drags. With a Carbontex drag upgrade for about 10 bucks, this reel can do most things a Caluctta will do for much less.

From: Chris: So Cal, USA

Comments:Excellent Reel. I will only buy Shimano because of the quality. After about 8 months I needed to oil the reel but other than that it is a superb reel. Great quality and extremely durable. Shimano all the way, I wouldn't go with anything else... And I have tried.

From: Scott: Quincy, IL

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