Fun size Conquest

In line with my original plan to hunt for wild barras and togas, this is the MH to H setup which includes a Shimano Calcutta Conquest paired with Evergreen's Temujin Crossfire Stallion. A setup with an intention of hunting lunkers with big lures and potentially include some light cover hacking.

Again, I managed to source some of the 'pimp up' parts in advanced so I can bolt everything on before the reel gets to wet some lines. The Shimano Calcutta Conquest is the new fun size variant. A welcome change for smaller hands.

Newly designed from ground up. The brake side now includes an externally adjustable SVS brake tuning knob.

Gold everywhere with little contrast. Even the knob is a new design with hollowed inner section for lightness.

Overall modernized design cues with chiseled curves.

The sum of all parts. Almost.

The brake side flips open to reveal the newly designed SVS brake enclosure.

Unlock the enclosure to reveal the spool and SVS brake cams. Fitment is top notch and rock solid even with a combination of aluminum and composite plastics. No free play whatsoever. Impressive.

Stock handle's forged aluminum with hollowed out knobs. Light. To be replaced with Studio Composite's shallow swept handle and ZPI's cork knobs. Lighter. Gives the whole package more contrast.

Insides, once again, typical Shimano. Sufficient but I'll need to lather everything with maximum protection. Micro module gear employed here.

Stock drags a combination. Top stack is carbon fiber and lower stack is of their typical fiber material. Most probably paper based fiber.

Originals on the left. Custom sized carbontex drags on the right. Slightly bigger disc for the lower stack. Top stack will be replaced with thicker disc. I will be performing a controlled test on drag characteristics changes based on different modifications. Stay tune for that.

All bearings nicely packed with marine grease and free spool bearing being replaced with RPC hybrid ceramic bearings for the added distance. Main gear's covered in Shimano's heavy grease, smooth and creamy when cranked.

Fancy bearings inside. Red bit sticks out and will be replaced when the gold nut retainer arrives.

This could be the better side for now without the sticky red bits.

Ready for some action dialing up a bit more of the old schoolness with cork knobs.

This fun sized Shimano Calcutta Conquest is a solidly built reel and the dramatic scale down is quite impressive while maintaining or even improving most of the core features of the original Conquest. I'm sure something's going to give when downsizing and I'm keeping my mind open with what this reel can do when it comes to cranking power. Can't wait to haul some monsters with this.