Thinking about getting one and wanted true reviews of the reel. Casting, backlashing, drag, failures and customer support from Shimano. Tell me what ya think, also if there is a better Shimano reel for the money.
I assume your talking about the DC model , I have 2 , they are great . You can cast into the wind with little or no problem . Customer service , I have no idea , I own 15 or so Shimano reels all in different price ranges . The Curado is the most prevalent, I have never had ANY a problem other any of them . I started using them after a trip to Brazil fishing for Peacock bass , 65 pound text braid , big baits , big fish lots of cover . The outfitter was on his second year with the same reels . Almost daily use ( for 6 months a year ) a real torture test . It is good equipment
Skbrownie is right. Shimano Curado DC 150XG smooth, lightweight and 100% reliable. Have fished this reel in every type of weather with Sufix 50lb. braid; You'll never regret the purchase.
Tip: DO NOT ADJUST THE TENSION KNOB as this adjustment is made at the factory and is delivered "ready to go". However, if you insist find the appropriate YouTube video (instructions in the box are confusing) on how to properly set the spool tension control knob; the process is not difficult but is different from conventional (i.e., non-DC) baitcast reels.
Be sure to experiment with all 4 of the digital brake control settings so you can take advantage of all that this reel offers.
Highly recommend the left-hand version.
TexasBassMan wrote:
Skbrownie is right. Shimano Curado DC 150XG smooth, lightweight and 100% reliable. Have fished this reel in every type of weather with Sufix 50lb. braid; You'll never regret the purchase.
Tip: DO NOT ADJUST THE TENSION KNOB as this adjustment is made at the factory and is delivered "ready to go". However, if you insist find the appropriate YouTube video (instructions in the box are confusing) on how to properly set the spool tension control knob; the process is not difficult but is different from conventional (i.e., non-DC) baitcast reels.
Be sure to experiment with all 4 of the digital brake control settings so you can take advantage of all that this reel offers.
Highly recommend the left-hand version.
Skbrownie is right. Shimano Curado DC 150XG smoot... (
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Thanks Tex for the recommendation. Out of all my baitcasters I only have one that is left handed. Why do you highly recommend the left handed versions? I’m assuming it’s because you don’t have to switch hands with the rod after casting.
Skbrownie wrote:
I assume your talking about the DC model , I have 2 , they are great . You can cast into the wind with little or no problem . Customer service , I have no idea , I own 15 or so Shimano reels all in different price ranges . The Curado is the most prevalent, I have never had ANY a problem other any of them . I started using them after a trip to Brazil fishing for Peacock bass , 65 pound text braid , big baits , big fish lots of cover . The outfitter was on his second year with the same reels . Almost daily use ( for 6 months a year ) a real torture test . It is good equipment
I assume your talking about the DC model , I have ... (
show quote)
Sky I have several Shimano reels and my favorite was the bantam beastmaster (1989). I got this reel for selling hunting clothes at an outdoor sporting goods store. The price on the reel was $250. I started using it but it wasn’t my go to reel. Somehow I cracked the side plate on it so it sit unused for 10 years. A few years ago I found an authorized Shimano reel repair guy that had one but it was for the III reel, I bought it anyway and it fit perfectly. I tore the reel completely down cleaned and lubed it and it worked 100% better than it did when it was new. I could cast it further than any of my other reels. I cleaned and lubed it this year and after casting it, it started having problems with the gears not wanting to reel in the line. I would have to turn the handle 2-3 times to get it to work. I tore it down 4 times thinking I put it together wrong but each time the assembly was correct. I called the Shimano repair guy and talked to him and he said that reel had clutch issues not working. They don’t make most of the parts for that reel anymore and he didn’t have the parts for it. I kept using it for awhile but it kept getting worse. That’s why I’m looking for a new reel. For me I’ve not spent that much money for a reel and was wanting some feedback on the Curado DC. I have the original Curado 1991/1992 reel and it works good.
Exactly. Of course that L-H advice was assuming you are right-handed.
It’s a very smooth and natural thing to cast with left-handed reels. And your left hand/arm IS strong enough to manage reeling - in all circumstances.
Just like your spinning reels!
Rutinbuck wrote:
Thinking about getting one and wanted true reviews of the reel. Casting, backlashing, drag, failures and customer support from Shimano. Tell me what ya think, also if there is a better Shimano reel for the money.
Something to keep in mind...
Don't rule out Daiwa, for every Shimano model there is a similar performing Daiwa, the trick is to figure out what the comparable model is, Daiwa prices are better so as reels get higher end you find yourself in a better model Daiwa for the same money.
I was looking at small high quality line counting reels for Kokanee, Salmon, and trout, the Shimano with a digital line counter was upwards of $250, the small Daiwa Lexa LC100H was about $120/$140 on Amazon...couldn't make up my mind so I got one of each. I knew as soon as I handled the two reels the Shimano was going back. I now have four of the Daiwa's set up on 7' and 7-1/2' rods for trolling. My uncle said these were the sweetest little reels he's ever seen.
The other thing about the Shimano was the digital line counter seemed to be a problem prone reliability thing after a season or two, the Daiwa's are more reliable.
There's a $350+/- Daiwa spinning reel that is Stella quality at half the price...and Daiwa is serious about being competitive with Pro Bass fishermen.
If you are dead set on a Curado they are nice reels...keeping an open mind has it's rewards.
Good luck
TexasBassMan wrote:
Exactly. Of course that L-H advice was assuming you are right-handed.
It’s a very smooth and natural thing to cast with left-handed reels. And your left hand/arm IS strong enough to manage reeling - in all circumstances.
Just like your spinning reels!
That's the way I've always gone, I have to switch hands to use a right hand casting reel, it just doesn't feel right to me, I can cast far more accurately with my right hand and reel with the left.
Curado is absolutely the best reels I’ve ever owned. I’m a huge shimano fan. The citica is another great product from shimano. But for the money around $150 you can’t beat it !!! I have 9 Curados and 2 Citica reels. I buy nothing else. My curados at least 3 of them are 15 years old and still work like new. You still need to clean and oil them but maintenance is a breeze. I also own shimano spinning reels. They are also amazing! You won’t be disappointed.
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