RBK

20# Braid IMO is way to light on a bait caster. Power Pro list 20# as 6# mono equivalent. I tried 20# Braid on my Chronarch CI4+ and had problems with back lash. Ended up respooling with 12# Ande Mono and had no problems. If I ever consider Braid again I would go with 50# Power Pro which is 12# mono equivanlent. I feel line diameter plays a big factor on Bait Casters. Take a look at the Power Pro web site, some pretty good tips there. Rick

I would recommend cleaning them. When I removed the bearings from both reels they were really stiff and would not spin freely. I soaked them in Lighter Fluid and after a few soakings they spun freely. Be sure to dry them off really good and just use a very small drop of the supplied oil. I applied the oil to both sides of the bearings and spun them. ( use oil sparingly ). Before closing the reel up put a little oil on a Q-Tip and cost the brake drum. Rick

I just bought two Curado 200I reels. Loaded them up with 14# Silver Thread AN 40 Copolymer line. The bearings were packed with grease but after a good cleaning and a drop of the reel oil supplied the bearings spun freely, Set them up with two breaks on and the side dial on #2. Casting on a few different rods from Medium to Heavy fast action and weights from 1/4 to 1 OZ they performed on par with my Chronarch CI4+ !!!! No complaints, money well spent and at 140.00 a great price. Rick

Just picked up another Curado 200I on Ebay for $137.00 with free shipping. I bought on last week from Dicks with a 15$ off coupon and still ended up paying 175$ with the tax. Excellent Reel for the money at either price. Will give it to the Wife ( she loves casting reels ) to celebrate the purchase of our fishing place on Black Lake, NY. Hopefully she will break it in on a nice Northern Pike when we head up the beginning of May. Rick

I can't comment on the LEW'S but I just picked up a Curado200 I and it's just as smooth as my Chronarch CI4+. I also own 4 other Shimano Casting Reels plus a half dozen Shimano Spinning Reels. Never had a problem with any Shimano Reel. Rick

YEA !!!! I know what you mean about getting stared at. You should see the looks I use to get when I'm on the Front Lawn Double Hauling my 10wt Fly Rod with a 8 inch Pike Fly ( pointy part cut-off ). Wife forbid me on the front lawn, almost caused a head on. People just don't understand. Rick

I just received a Lamiglas Infinity Bass casting rod from FedEX this morning. It's the 723C Model, 7'2" 3 power. It's rated for 10-20 # line, 1/4-3/4 lure weight. First Impression "Outstanding Craftsmanship, Excellent Guides and Handle Assembly, and Super Light" I have a Shimano Chronarch CI4 High Speed 7.6:1 gear ratio Casting Reel spooled with 10# Mono on it and the Balance is excellent. I plan on using it for Small / Large Mouth Bass with 1/4 oz twister tail jigs, Yum Mony Minnows and other swim baits,weightless Senko's, and Topwater Stick Baits. Due to Global Warming it's just to Dam Cold Out to try casting with it right now. ( NorthEast PA ) hopefully this coming week I'll go out in the back yard and try to hook a few Snow Bass. I'll let you know how it performs with 1/8 - 3/4 0z baits. It's an expensive set up but You Only Live Once, I just hope if I pass-on before the Wife she dosen't sell it for what I told her I Paid for it Rick