If you love the slightly retro look of round baitcasting reels - the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG 17 is probably high on your wishlist. Either that or you're already on your way to owning several...So does this reel actually live up to its own hype??
Enter the guest reviewers...
For this article, then, I'm going to take a slightly different approach. Yes, you'll still find the technical specification details for the reel (you can click here to jump right to the specs - or just scroll down). As well as the straight facts, I wanted to capture more of the experience of owning this reel - straight from the horses mouth...
There seems to be something a bit special about owning a Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG 17 (the "17", of course, stands for the 2017 model). We hear about the buttery smooth cranking experience, how small in the hand the BFS (bait finesse system) version of the Conquest actually is - its silky smooth casting (and the looks). OK, that sounds great - but is that all there is to it?
A Headwaters Addict Reports on owning the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG
Let's check out a pragmatic "small streams lifer" take on this reel in the form of Jay Johnson.
Jay Johnson
Headwaters Addict
From a small stream angler’s perspective, the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG is an extremely versatile reel...
In early Spring and late Fall, I’ll spool up #0.6 braid with an 8lb fluorocarbon leader and go after lake run rainbows, brown trout, and even landlocked Atlantic salmon (below)
Landlocked Atlantic salmon on Bait Finesse: Tenryu Rayz Rod, Conquest BFS HG "Left" Reel
The drag has an incredibly smooth startup when a hooked trout or salmon takes a run, protecting the line and leader at crucial moments.
(Editor's note: Jay's observation on the absolute lack of "grabbing" as the drag starts up is a very practical use for the lovely aesthetics of a silky-smooth drag. For light, finesse styles where bigger fish may be encountered, this is a significant factor to consider)
Big rainbows are a handful at the best of times: You do not want your drag jerking and grabbing
As Spring turns into Summer: Smallmouth bass will move up into the streams, offering an opportunity to go after bass pushing 20”. Again, the reel performs flawlessly.
An absolute Tank of a Smallmouth Bass for Jay Johnson on the Conquest BFS
Then, when temperatures of local streams rise, I’ll continue to chase trout by targeting headwater streams in the mountains. Switching to a fluorescent #1 nylon I’ll target native brookies in tight streams with difficult casting conditions and technical water
Being able to cast under a branch into a tight seam can be the difference between success and failure. A quality reel helps facilitate such casting requirements.
Having one reel that I am comfortable with allows me to operate at a level of efficiency that I might not otherwise achieve if I am constantly switching reels based on conditions.
Knowing what level of braking my lures need and familiarity with on-the-fly drag adjustments help me focus on fishing, rather than messing with my reel, potentially causing birdsnests or losing fish.
Whether fishing headwater streams for 5 inch brookies or a Finger Lake’s tributary for trout and salmon, I like using the same reel. With my casting ability, preferred lure weights (3g-5g), water types, and target species: the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG is a no brainer for its performance range.
Not to mention, round reels just look amazing.
Jay Johnson
Conquest BFS HG 17 Stock Levels Can be Patchy!
Probably the best value for money is to keep checking Digitaka.com for new deliveries - however as I write this I have managed to find some Right Hand Wind reels in stock on Aliexpress with free shipping (believe it or not). Product links in this article are also a way for FD to earn commission - without altering the sticker price on linked products:
It's not you it's me: Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG Breakup Letter
When I asked new BFS convert (and ace Keynote speaker of Todd Talks Ltd.), Jason Todd what he thought of the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG, he sent me the bitter-sweet tale of love and loss below...
Jason Todd
New BFS Fan
It instantly feels like your most comfortable shoes, favorite shorts, loyal dog...
We rescued this letter of Jason's from the fireplace of all his other BFS reels:
It's not you - it's me...
What a bonkers way to start a reel review, but how else do I tell the other reels who have been loyal companions on our adventures, all the memories, the places visited, the fish, the birds’ nests the tree’s bushes and rocks snagged??
We had some fun and frustration but I feel our relationship may be over, I have met some one new.They are not necessarily better at casting (although they may be) they are not younger or thinner in fact quite the opposite, it's just how they make me feel, there is that special something, a feeling, it's just right...Who are they you may ask? Well it’s the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG 17, the standard one, out of the box.I love this reel, as I mention above it just feels right, it may not cast better but I do when I use it, words like “tank” “solid” and “work horse” have been used to describe it, they all fit as a descriptive, it certainly does not feel heavier than my other reels when its on the rod (it is heavier though). So what’s it like?
In short an utter joy to use, you can find all the numbers and stuff below, but is not about retrieve ratio, or material construction, for me it's that special something, it instantly feels like your most comfortable shoes, favorite shorts, loyal dog, it's not just an incredibly practical reel - it makes you want to carry on fishing...Now I do have one major criticism of this reel and that’s the fact that I am going to have to upset my favorite rod by telling it that it's going to be replaced with a glass version...
Jason Todd
While we leave Jason to tend the wounds of a "still-raw" situation - here's Angler Saito showing what is possible with this reel - plus the right rod and a lot of practice:
Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG Specifications and Features
Quick-view Specs sheet:
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Special Features of the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG 17
Hagane bodies
When Shimano list the body material of the Conquest (and other reels) as "Hagane", this could be a bit confusing if you just look for a direct translation... Technically, the word hagane refers to "steel" - however here Shimano are using it to represent an entire philosophy of metalwork manufacturing. This goes back to the tradition established by their original, parent, company "Shimano Iron Works" - which began operations in 1921.
Their Hagane concept promises "eternally smooth reeling" and they state that this comes from attention to cold forging and concentrating on great material strength as well as precision.
Micromodule Gears plus X-Ship System
Instead of using cutting tools to shape the gear teeth, the Micromodule "X-Ship" Hagane gears are made by pressing each piece of metal in a cold-forging process using up to 200 Tons of pressure.
This is done at room temperature (rather than hot-forging the metal) - which Shimano says is what allows them to create the tiny, precise teeth on their micromodule gears.
They also state that the whole "Hagane" concept is important for these gears to work smoothly and reliably - because without a very strong, precisely-built body, the reel could deform during use. The rigid chassis of the Conquest BFS reel, then, is designed to ensure the smooth and strong operation of the gears - due to its resistance to deforming when subjected to force.
The X-Ship system is reported to use an outsized drive gear, two-point support for the pinion gear (which has a bearing on each end) - and again, is stated to provide smooth reeling - even under heavy loading.
Perhaps these elements are the secrets behind the user-experiences reported above?
Take-home Summary Points
Paul Gaskell - with fantastic guest commentaries by Jay Johnson and Jason Todd (all the "Jays"!!)
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