Hulkster

is the next step up the Ultegra worth it? I know it has direct drive handle like the stradics which is nice

its gone. the Nasci replaced it. but don't worry, the nasci are supposed to be awesome for the money

back when I got into baitcasting, I bought a Chronarch 101A which was the top of the line reel at the time for shimano (late 90s -98 if I recall). it weighed 7.9 oz and it was considered super light. I believe it had an aluminum frame and graphite side plates. my how times change.

awesome. I'm seeing these reports on the shimano support forum on TT and on Facebook.

Hello, so I have a curado 200i and like it. however, I want to try the new SVS braking system (that you don't need to oil like the 200i's) and am considering upgrading to the curado K. but I am seeing lots of issues with the curado Ks, mainly the clutch bar coming apart/breaking and the cast control dial either being hard to turn, too tight or seized. how common are these issues? I don't recall seeing any issues with the 200i's other than the need to oil the brake drum to stop noise. Did shimano drop the ball? or are these issues fairly rare? is it worth it to upgrade? Is it worth the risk given there seems to be issues? all thoughts are welcome thanks -Hulk

I have two E6Xs and really like them, and the IMX Pros are similar actions while being lighter and more sensitive with better guides. i would get an IMX Pro. If you do, please post pics so I can pretend its mine

Very nice! I have the E6X MH MBR 843 as well and I really like it. some people don't like the E6X's but many do. I have two of them. (have a spinning rod as well) congrats!

I too have this rod and really like it for all purpose use.

I have had shimanos bind up when the friction ring has broken into pieces and the piece gets wedged between the rotor and the spool body. the older shimanos were famous for this. I believe the newer ones all have had this issue remedied. none of my newer ones have ever bound up. sounds like something similar on your reel?

I have 2 G. Loomis Escape travel rods and love them. yes, a 1 piece G. loomis rod would fish better. but these rods are pretty d**n good. worth the investment IMO.

for what its worth, I have a curado 200i paired with an G. Loomis E6X MBR843c and I really like it as an all purpose setup. Although some do not like the E6X rods, I like mine.

I have all G. Loomis rods, although different price points. I have E6X's, Trout Series, GL3s and Escape Travel Rods

for me: Rods: G. Loomis Reels: Shimano line: Sufix Siege mono mainly hard baits: Rapalas mainly

Stradic FK

I am a full time mono user also. my favorite is Suffix Siege in smoke green. I use 10 pound test for both spinning and baitcasting.

this was not done in error, i believe it was done on purpose. the E6X rods are the same way. G. Loomis talks about this on their website about 'swing weight' and how certain rods were made this way due to technique used. to the OP, amazing combo!

I don't think anyone does this anymore to save costs. it sucks. any mid to high end spinning reel used to come with one always as little as a few years ago (eg shimano symetres all used to)

the best thing Shimano ever did was change the horrible round EVA foam handle knob on the first few generations of Ci4s to the septon one. over on tackletour on the support forum, every other thread was about how to change out the handle knob lol at least Shimano listened.

the E6X rods get a bit of a bad rap, mostly from those who 'played with them in the store'. but most who actually FISH with them, like them. casting/jigging/playing the fish is not the same thing as farting around with one at the tackle shop. I have two E6X rods (one baitcast, one spinning) and really like them. congrats!

I have similar set ups, a 3000 stradic and a curado 200i on similar rods. I have simplified things a bit by using 10 pound test Sufix Siege mono on both of them.

For the shimanos, you get the direct drive screw in handle where the handle screws directly into the main gear. everything from the Nasci and down does not have this, the Ultegra and up does. you also get better water penetration protection and a better bail wire where the end is tapered. stradic has this, ultegra does not. I have a stradic FK and I can say it is amazing. by all accounts the CI4 is even nicer

I for one, think it is a stupid trend. try cranking a big lipped crankbait, or #5 Mepps spinner with a fast reel. it sucks. the slower more powerful gear ratio is the way to go for those presentations. I, for example have the 5.5:1 Curado 200i PG and love it. I get it that the fast reels are popular, but the power ratios should at least be available. or make a gear swap kit to easily convert. I understand the manufacturers won't offer them if nobody is buying them. But I believe the demand for 'cranking' reels will always be there as long as crankbaits are popular.

I really like using Sufix Siege mono in smoke green colour.

I am used to the new SVS shimano system but I still don't have a good reason why they changed in the first place. The old style centrifugal system was perfect and you didn't have to fiddle with it as much.

how is the handle on the curado rods? every time I see a pic of them the rear grip and foregrip look huge in girth??