Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Got a chance to give my new shimano Curado DC for the second time.
I made it a point to use this as primary
I have this on a 7-4 st croux Avid X heavy action
Threw a megabass deep six crankbait for a couple hours
Casted into the wind ( intentionally)
I was getting 90-100 ft casts with reasonable casting effort
Trying to wing it but not swinging for the fences

I have the high gear ratio on this reel. I didn’t feel overwhelmed at the torque of the deep crank bait I was burning down and having occasional bottom contact in 16 ft of water . The reel handled that well.

I did get backlashes.
Very minor , just pull em out kinda backlashes . Didn’t have to dig anything out

Personal opinion , advertising that you can not use your thumb at all is BS. I tried it and watched the spool and the line really got kinda wild .
But, just ever so gentle thumbing really is controlled.

The dink I managed to hook didn’t allow any real world drag testing. Maybe later

Everyone talks about the pleasant DC whine during a cast. I can’t hear it. Also can’t hear smoke detector with battery dying beep according to my wife

Let me continue to work this reel thru the paces, and I’ll give more reports.

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

I have two of them. Using them for a year. Still use my thumb. No bird nests if used as directed. Some lose spooling that I pull out and tighten on the rewind. Flouro on one and 40lb power pro braid on the other. Can’t use the mono #1 setting. It will bird nest the flouro and braid. #4 setting works well skipping frogs under overhanging brush at the shoreline. There is a singing wine when casting. If you aren’t hearing it then it is your ears. Ready to replace the flouro. Had some very long casts with the wind and got into some trees. Lost a bit of line each time. I might try mono just to see what happens.

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

Thanks for the info Ben. I recently did an impulse buy on a $200 Tatula. Never owned one or even know anyone that does. It's a little different than what I'm used to. The little knob I've always used to adjust the tension on the spool is used for centering the spool in the frame. It's set at the factory but you can adjust it if you want. The magnetic brake setting has a big set screw in the middle that has to be backed off to change the setting. Going to be interesting, hope I get out soon to throw some different stuff with it.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

You had your drag stressed yet?
Kinda wondering.
I was really skeptical before I bought this. So far I think I like it.
Like to do a st Clair trip next couple weeks. Deep cranks is the deal this time of year. That would give it a decent workout .
Wife would castrate me in my sleep for even suggesting it

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

Wow... a bucket list destination for me. Go, Catch fish. Take lots of pics! The 13 lb. drag system almost made me not buy it. My plan is to use it only on bodies of water where that won't be an issue.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Got cha Steve
13 pound drag is never a problem here
But where you are , yea I see your point.

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

You ever fished with a Dark Sleeper for Smallies? It's a little 3 inch swimbait by Megabits I think. I watched Matt Allen smoke smallies in Michigan with one. We have a place in the mountains right nest to a great smallie fishery. Took a couple to try it out last weekend (no boat but had a Kayak one day) and the Sleeper worked really well. Had one break me off in the Kayak. No doubt in my mind it would have been a new PB. If I can get past the fires I am taking my boat up there for some serious fishing time in a couple of weeks.

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

Damn spell check. MegaBass

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

No but I’ve been eying them.
To me they look gimmicky if that make sense
But they are a spot on goby imitation
A lot of my deep smaller work is goby imitators . Tubes, drop shots etc.

Next season I may have to stock up on 1 or 8

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

8lb. Catfish and 16 inch diameter soft shell, bigger than they are supposed to get. Drag was not a problem. I’m generally in the 1 to 5 pound range. Having 5 years experience with a cheap bc combo and a very good old Curado CU-200 I feel like I have the bc skills. The DC enhances that by allowing the skipping, windy, and swinging for the fences casts to flow smoothly. If I do screw up the pain is minimal.

Zildjbian Loc: Tamaqua,Pennsylvania

My curado is by far the bait caster for the back lash .I thumb it ,You have to.I don't think a bait caster exsists that you can cast with out skill or monitoring.

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

We have one member, and I won't mention Spirit's name, that once posted he's never had a backlash.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Lord knows I’ve had some doozy backlashes.

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

Congratulations Spirit!