By Michael in Tackle Reviews —

Shimano 23 Calcutta Conquest BFS: Impressions After a Full Season of Use

Shimano 23 Calcutta Conquest BFS

Introduction

Adding the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS to my arsenal was easily one of the highlights of my 2024 fishing season. The long-awaited package took 45 days to arrive from Japan, and during that time, I experienced the full spectrum of emotions—ranging from eager anticipation to mild despair at the sluggishness of international shipping. When it comes to new fishing gear, I turn into that guy who obsessively tracks every step of the delivery process, planning future fishing trips like I’m awaiting an inheritance from a long-lost millionaire uncle.

But let me tell you—it was worth the wait. The Shimano 23 Calcutta Conquest BFS is the most beautiful piece of fishing gear on Earth. If I were an artist, I’d be painting its portraits every day.

photo Shimano 23 Calcutta Conquest BFS

The Purchase Story

At the beginning of 2024, we moved to the western region of Ukraine. A new home, new opportunities—and, of course, new waters to explore. The mountain rivers in the area called to me, offering the perfect environment to test my handmade lures in their natural habitat. That’s when I decided to put together a BFS setup to handle ultra-light lures in the 2-3g range.

Choosing a reel was a no-brainer—it was either the Calcutta Conquest BFS or nothing! Finding the right rod, however, took some effort. The ultra-light baitcasting segment isn’t exactly overflowing with options, but after some digging, I came across a PALMS RERA KAMUY II RKSS-53UL in mint condition for just $60 on Zenmarket. Locally, the same rod would have cost two to three times more—what a steal!

As for the reel, it set me back $330, including shipping—another solid deal. Now, all I had to do was wait…

Technical Specs

There’s no point in listing a wall of numbers when plenty of detailed reviews already exist, but for those who appreciate the fine details, here are the key specs:

  • Weight: 195g – feels solid but not fatiguing.
  • Spool weight: 6.6g.
  • Spool capacity: 6lb – 45m.
  • Bearings: 13+1 – silky smooth with zero play.
  • Gear ratio: 7.8:1 – fast but controllable.
  • Drag force: 3.5kg – more than enough for BFS applications.

In short, this is a premium-level baitcasting reel, designed to handle ultra-light lures with precision.

Design & Ergonomics – A Reel You Can’t Stop Admiring

One of the main reasons I went with the Calcutta Conquest BFS? Its looks. This reel is an absolute head-turner—so much so that if it were a rabbit, every snake in the jungle would be hypnotized by it.

The aluminum body with an anodized finish gives it the luxurious feel of a high-end watch. Sometimes, I catch myself just staring at it, appreciating the craftsmanship.

It sits perfectly in hand, remains comfortable throughout a full day of fishing, and delivers that satisfying feeling of solid, well-engineered precision. The handle is lightweight, the knob is comfortable, and the rotation is buttery smooth.

The only thing I didn’t love? The stock knobs. Maybe it’s just personal preference, but I swapped them out for custom ones, and now it feels even better.

custom knobs for Shimano 23 Calcutta Conquest BFS

Performance on the Water

Casting Distance & Accuracy

Now, let’s get to the real question—how does it perform?

Marketing materials and YouTube reviews claim that the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS can cast a 1g lure. And technically, that’s true… in a controlled test environment, with zero wind, using a perfectly spherical lead weight.

In real fishing conditions (where I’m throwing 2-3g minnow lures), things look a bit different:

  • Comfortable casting starts at 2-2.5g.
  • Casting distance is around 10-12m, which is perfect for my needs.
  • Fluorocarbon can improve distance slightly, but in my case, it’s unnecessary.

So yes, this reel handles ultra-light lures beautifully, but don’t expect miracles with 1g baits.

Upgrades & Tuning – Can It Get Even Better?

If you’re determined to fish with 1g lures comfortably, you might want to look into upgrades.

The Avail Microcast Spool [23CNQ16R] weighs 5g instead of the stock 6.6g. That 1.6g difference makes a noticeable improvement in controlling ultra-light presentations.

Smoothness & Durability

After a full season of diverse conditions, the reel has retained its silky-smooth performance with zero issues.

  • No play, no squeaks, no weird noises.
  • Fished in the rain, even dropped it in the water—no damage whatsoever.
  • A bit of maintenance before the new season wouldn’t hurt, but I’m 99% sure it’s still in top condition inside.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Money?

The Shimano 23 Calcutta Conquest BFS is for anglers who:

  • Want the perfect balance of casting distance, smoothness, and precision.
  • Appreciate durability and longevity—this reel is built to last.
  • Don’t mind spending a little extra (and maybe even investing in an upgrade or two).

Want the perfect balance of casting distance, smoothness, and precision.
Appreciate durability and longevity—this reel is built to last.
Don’t mind spending a little extra (and maybe even investing in an upgrade or two).

If you’re new to bait finesse fishing, this reel is one of the best places to start. It forgives mistakes, helps refine your casting technique, and offers an incredibly comfortable user experience.

Downsides? Apart from the price and a possible need for a spool upgrade, there really aren’t any. So yes—this is an investment in pure fishing joy.