Shimano

23 CALCUTTA CONQUEST MD

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  • Regular price $549.00
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Condition: New

The flagship of the anti-monster specification circular reels specialized for freestyle fishing with a wide variety of lures, such as big size bass, sea bass, and inshore and offshore salt game. With a maximum reeling length of 101 cm and a maximum drag force of 8 kg, this reel is designed to handle big fish. Micro-modulated gears and Infinity Drive for smooth and nimble rotation are covered by a highly rigid HAGANE body, creating a secure and comfortable feel. The compact, easy-to-grip body designed to be more compact than the previous model further increases the sense of stability in the hand. Of special note is the inclusion of SVS MD TUNE, which is worthy of the Monster Drive name. The SVS MD TUNE improves long castability and backlash resistance, and the level wind system smoothly feeds the line in conjunction with the drag release, making it a solid piece of equipment with seamless performance in all areas.


A high line capacity anti-monster special designed for all conditions in both freshwater and saltwater. For the first time in Conquest's history, the lure has evolved into the long-awaited XG with a gear ratio of 7.5 and a handle speed of over 100 cm per revolution. The maximum drag force is 8 kg, which is 1 kg more than the previous model. The star drag has also been enlarged for easier tightening. It can be used to make long casts to the far side of the water and attract targets that are turned on by speed, taking advantage of the winding speed of the high-speed gear. After hooking a fish, the smooth-operating drag follows the monster's powerful run while powerfully reeling it in to take the initiative. The Calcutta Conquest MD is a circular flagship that will not yield to even the most monstrous of monsters.


The larger star drag can be tightened at a moment's notice. The synergistic effect of the gear, which has been greatly improved in both strength and feel, provides anglers with a fighting edge.


Equipped with Infinity Drive for reduced reeling resistance and Micro Module for improved reeling smoothness. In addition to these two Shimano baitcasting reel technologies that give the angler an advantage when fighting monsters, the round body with reduced overall height allows for a firm grip and stabilizes the angler's hand. All of these elements come together to give the Calcutta Conquest MD an even stronger edge against monsters, making it a dependable partner that gives all anglers an edge when using glide baits and other strong game lures.


Despite its circular shape, it is easy to grip, approaching that of low-profile models.


Four models (300XGLH/301XGLH/400XGLH/401XGLH) are equipped with a 51mm long handle for more powerful and efficient reeling. The 300XG/400XG models feature a stable 45mm handle and flat knob, similar to that of the 22XG/22XG, for stable casting and fast hand retrieval. It also contributes to stable casting and quick hand return.


The SVS centrifugal brake supports cast elongation and the external dial-type magnetic brake provides anti-backlash performance. The coexistence of these two brakes enables the SVS MD TUNE to achieve excellent casting extension performance and trouble-free casting. The Calcutta Conquest MD is also equipped with a level-wind interlocking mechanism that leads the angler to an advantage in the fight against monster-sized fish. The reel is now equipped with all the features that make it a monster reel.

The level-wind interlocking mechanism is an extremely effective function for smoothly feeding the line on a strong reel designed to fight monsters, which can drag even a tightened drag. However, there have been restrictions on whether or not the level-wind interlocking function can be installed due to the structure of conventional dual-axle reels. This is due to the existence of a "coupling gear" that links the level wind to the rotation of the spool.
The coupling gear must be placed on the B side of the body (opposite the side where the handle attaches), but in reels with conventional construction, the dial-type brake is placed on the B side, creating a structural dilemma that interferes with the coupling gear. Therefore, it was impossible to combine the level-wind linkage and the dial-type magnetic brake in a single reel.


【Left】The side where the handle attaches is called body A and the side where the spool fits is called body B. The level-wind connecting gear must fit on the B side. (Photo: 18 Calcutta Conquest 300)

【Right】The 21 Calcutta Conquest 200 (top photo) is equipped with a brake on the B side of the body. Normally, the dial type brake is mounted on the side opposite the handle. Therefore, in the 18 Calcutta Conquest 300 (photo below), the brake was not used in favor of level-wind linkage.


In order to link the drag actuation with the level wind, the coupling gear must be rotated using the reversal of the spool. This mechanism is not a priority if you are using standard-sized lures and targeting standard-sized targets. However, the situation is completely different when using big lures to target monster-sized fish. The level-wind interlocking mechanism has the effect of stabilizing line release by drag by keeping the angle between the line and the level-wind small, which is a great help to anglers when fighting with a monster. On the other hand, the level-wind also works when casting, which creates resistance to line release, but this is not a problem if you are using heavyweight big lures.

In order to adopt this mechanism, which is very effective for reels that are used against monster class lures, we had to give up the use of a magnetic brake.... To overcome this dilemma, the internal structure of the Calcutta Conquest MD was reviewed.
By placing a dial-type magnet brake on the A side of the body, we succeeded in installing a coupling gear that links the level wind to the rotation of the spool. The SVS centrifugal brake, which supports casting extension, and the dial-type magnet brake, which provides anti-backlash performance, coexist and are linked to the level wind to stabilize the line release. The golden circular bait casting reel, worthy of the MD name as a monster reel, has finally been completed.


SVS brake mechanism with variable brake force by the number of brake shoes ON/OFF and level-wind coupling gear on the B side of the body.


The 18 Calcutta Conquest 300HG on the left and the 23 Calcutta Conquest MD300XG on the right, the new model features a magnet brake on the A side of the body that supports the brake shoe action, successfully coexisting with the level-wind interlocking mechanism.


The SVS MD TUNE is a brake system that, once the internal brake shoe ON/OFF is determined, allows substantial brake adjustment almost exclusively with an external dial. In situations where the Calcutta Conquest MD comes into use, the lure type to be cast tends to be somewhat consistent with the rod on which the reel is set. The lures and situations can be limited to some extent, such as glide baits, large saltwater tops, minnows, vibrations, jigs, and so on. Therefore, once the basic settings for the internal brake shoes have been determined in advance, the rest can be adjusted using only the external dial. This makes brake adjustment quicker and easier than ever before.

Brake shoe position numbering is now set in a symmetrical direction, making brake setup even easier than before. In the previous model, the brake shoes were numbered sequentially clockwise from 1 to 2 to 3, but in the Calcutta Conquest MD, the numbering has been changed to 2 on the diagonal of 1, 4 on the diagonal of 3, and so on. This is a device to make it easier to keep track of the number of brake shoes turned on and off. If you make symmetrical settings such as "1 and 2 are on" and "3 and 4 are off," it will be easier than ever to manage the on/off settings and prevent setting errors.

【A】SVS brake shoes of 18 Calcutta Conquest, numbered from 1 to 8 consecutively and clockwise.
【B】 Exterior view of the brake shoe cover. Since it is difficult to see the parts that are hidden by the cover, it sometimes took time to check when you wanted to turn on the brake at the symmetrical position.
【C】Brake shoes of 23 Calcutta Conquest MD. Changed the numbering to diagonal: 1 and 2 are turned on when 2 are turned on, 1 to 4 are turned on when 4 are turned on, and so on, making it easy to make symmetrical settings by turning them on and off diagonally.

IMPRESSION
"In the battle for speed, I no longer feel defeated."

HAJIME MURATA

The Calcutta Conquest was the weapon that helped me to kill the golden "Dorado" in Argentina more than 10 years ago, and it is still the weapon that I use to this day. I am deeply moved by the fact that we have finally created a weapon that allows us to fight even more advantageously than back then against an opponent who would have seen through us if we had not been using full speed.
The handle length has been maintained for maximum high-speed reeling, and above all, I am glad to see the adoption of the XG, which has reached 101 cm per handle. The XG has a compact body size comparable to the 200 of the time, but with a strong housing and ample line capacity. In addition to being able to hold the lure firmly in the hand, the handle is closer to the center of the body, and it is equipped with an infinity drive that allows even heavy lures to be reeled in very lightly. It's unbeatable. I don't feel like I can lose. The latest SVS MD TUNE brake system combines the best parts of a centrifugal brake and a magnetic brake, and the system used in Shimano's early lure bait reels, the BM series, which existed approximately 35 years ago, has been revived using modern technology. With a seamless finish that also works with level winds, this golden Calcutta Conquest MD is truly worthy of the monster drive.

■ HAGANE
■ Micromodule Gear
■ HAGANE Body
■ Infinity Drive
■ X-Protect
■ Silent Tune
■ SVS MD Tune
■ S Compact Body
■ Exciting Drag Sound
■ S3D Spool
■ S-ARB
■ Saltwater OK

■ 300 XG (Extra High Gear)
Gear Ratio:  7.5 : 1
Maximum Drag: 8kg
Weight: 335g
Ball Bearing: 11 S A-RB
Roller Bearing: 1
Line Retrieve per Crank: 101cm
Line Capacity: Nylon (lb-m) #20-160, #25-135
                          PE (No-m) #4-180, #5-140, #6-120

■ 300 / 301 XG LH (Extra High Gear / Long Handle)
Gear Ratio:  7.5 : 1
Maximum Drag: 8kg
Weight: 360g
Ball Bearing: 11 S A-RB
Roller Bearing: 1
Line Retrieve per Crank: 101cm
Line Capacity: Nylon (lb-m) #20-160, #25-135
                          PE (No-m) #4-180, #5-140, #6-120

■ 400 XG (Extra High Gear)
Gear Ratio:  7.5 : 1
Maximum Drag: 8kg
Weight: 340g
Ball Bearing: 11 S A-RB
Roller Bearing: 1
Line Retrieve per Crank: 101cm
Line Capacity: Nylon (lb-m) #20-235, #25-200
                          PE (No-m) #4-260, #5-210, #6-170

■ 400 / 401 XG LH (Extra High Gear / Long Handle)
Gear Ratio:  7.5 : 1
Maximum Drag: 8kg
Weight: 365g
Ball Bearing: 11 S A-RB
Roller Bearing: 1
Line Retrieve per Crank: 101cm
Line Capacity: Nylon (lb-m) #20-235, #25-200
                          PE (No-m) #4-260, #5-210, #6-170