Edrod13

Dirty Jigs Tungsten HD Guppy - 1/8oz size 2/0 with a keitech 3" easy shiner catches pigs.

I purchased the SLX DC XT in order to throw light baits and it has not disappointed me. I was considering buying an Aldebaran BFS or something similar but I knew it wouldn't get used very often and then I would just sell it at a loss once the novelty wore off. I can throw 1/8oz jig heads with a 3" keitech on 8lb mono and launch them 60+ feet no problem. I also throw 7" Roboworms with a 1/16 nail weight neko rigged and can also launch them. This is such a sleeper reel, it took away the temptation of owning a true BFS reel that I probably wouldn't use anyway.

Just ordered a Metanium Shallow Edition from Digitaka and they split the tariff charge with me. I received the reel via FedEx in about 4-5 days without any other charges. The fee was an extra $25 but that reel had two features I really wanted, the shallow spool and silver color.

Just wanted to circle back and give you an update as I received the gears, spring washers, and drag spacer washer. I can tell you that these parts exceeded my expectations. The drag now tightens up like it should, zero stutters and I can lock it down with minimal effort. To be honest, I think what had a bigger impact was the drag spacer washer with the teflon coating as it was at least twice as thick as the original one. It's probable that the spring washers are still good but I wasn't going to pass up putting new ones in for 99 cents. Lastly, the new gears made this reel super quite and smooth, it really surprised me how much it changed. At any rate, thanks for taking the time to give me some input. thanks!

Yes, the teflon side goes up against the nut. I am certain it was installed correctly, but can easily verify that. I usually order shimano parts directly from the their site and get parts in two days since I live local to Irvine CA. Yesterday, I just decided to call and talk to someone, and to my surprise they still have both gears, spring washers, and I even order the drag spacer with the teflon side. At this point, whatever the outcome is, we will just have to accept as I pretty much have replaced the most important parts on this reel.

I'm sure the reel was stored for many years without the drag backed off. I normally don't grease Belleville washers and the spacers on any of my reels and haven't had any issues, but that's an easy fix. I ever so lightly applied Cals grease to the drag washers and haven't done any real test to drag pressure other than just pulling the line with my hand like I have always done for all my curados. My main concern, was that the drag star doesn't tighten smoothly as it jumps or stutters when I'm close to the being fully tightened if that makes sense. Just when I think its fully tight, I can turn it a bit further with gentle force, which lead me to believe the washers might have lost their tension.

Just recently given a cosmetically pristine Curado 200e7 to service for a friend. It appears that it has never been serviced and it sounded very geary so I decided to replace all 7 bearings and installed new carbontex drag washers. After cleaning, lubing, and putting it back together, the reel definitely feels better. With that said, it still feels slightly geary so it is safe to assume that the gears are worn? I tried to find some on Ebay and located the pinion gear in new condition but not the main gear or at least it didn't look new. Also, It appears that the drag spring washers have lost their tension. They are still wavy and I installed them like this ( ), but the dragstar seems to stutter when I am tightening at the end of max drag. While it has decent drag tension at the end, I feel like it should have more which leads me to believe that they are shot. Finding spare parts for these reels is hard, but this reel has great sentimental value to my friend so I was hoping to bring this thing back to life. Anyone work on this model recently? What are my options for gears or spring washers? Has anyone successfully used newer curado spring washers?

Just received this from Digitaka and unfortunately I’m looking for a longer handle. With previous 70 size reels I always put on 200k XG handles with the power grip knobs which I love. Right now those are out of stock through Shimano and it would be nice if I could find something to somewhat match the current color scheme. I have been browsing through schematics and it appears that the 2019 SLX MGL 70 has a 96mm handle and I could also order the blue nut and retainer. Unfortunately this handle comes with skinny knobs but I can always switch those out. Anyone modify this reel?

Megabass Orochi Whipsnake with a 24 Vanford 2500SHG. One of my favorite combos to use specifically with 110jr's.

Over the years I tried O-rings and heatshrink. O-rings were ok, but the worm started to split after a fish or two, and the heatshrink edges always starting cutting into the worm from the start. Here is what I currently use for full size and thin pro senkos rigged wacky or neko. On amazon you can buy silicone strays made for kids sippy cups in sizes that match both senko thicknesses. You get like 4-6 straws that you can cut in 1/4" bands and then use a nasal speculum to install them. I also use a 2mm leather punch to place a hole directly in the middle of the silicone band for the wacky hook to go through. It makes it easier to get the hook through the silicone band and it will also allow the bait to slide up the line when you catch a fish. if I rig them neko, then I just run the hook parallel to the worm on the band and ignore the pre punched holes. Here are the links to similar products I have purchased in the past. A set of straws runs like $5-7 and you can cut at least 200+ bands per set, A nasal speculum like $9 which will last you a really long time. Full size senko silicone straws Silcone straws for thin pro senko Nasal Speculum 2mm leather punch These aren't exact links to what I ordered since it was a few years ago. I still have complete straws that I haven't even used yet. I will include a picture of the straws I ordered since I found the pic on my camera roll for reference. The inner diameter of the straws fit perfectly to the outer diameter of both style senkos.

Put in the BNT number and then it will link you to the current number. Also, they usually offer free shipping for orders over $35 or $50, it just depends from time to time. Because I maintain 5 Curado K's I also throw in the small screws that hold the sides together, bearing clips, etc... Because its not something you can just buy at home depot. This will help get to the amount to qualify for free shipping if needed. After 5 seasons some of the screw heads have wear. lol

Interesting enough some of the higher end model bearings are cheaper and they are the same size. Go to shimano USA and on the bottom left there is reel warranty list link. You can then go over the parts section, view the PDF for you particular reel to get part numbers.

Just get shimano OEM bearings. Can't beat them for the price ($4-11) each and can be shipped out to you very quickly. I agree that a properly cleaned/maintained stock bearing is all you really need. I used to buy BOCA but they weren't that much better than the OEM's. I can order all the bearings for my Curado K's for $35 per reel. Something I posted a few weeks ago. I enjoy taking apart my reels and flushing out bearings/greasing gears and such but this last round I just replaced them. Just makes sense. 10EX8 – Shimano US Fish Shop $4.30 x2 (BNT3927) Lower pinion/Upper main handle side (Used on Higher end models) Manual calls for BNT5858 x2 @ $11.36 105BP – Shimano US Fish Shop $4.33 x2 (BNT4194) Lower main handle side, X-ship Manual calls for BNT4945 @ $7.06 for X-ship 105C0 - Shimano US Fish Shop $6.75 x2 (BNT3627) Spool bearings for Antares, Aldebaran, Chronarch (nice upgrade) Manual calls for BNT4343 x2 @ $3.27 6 new OEM bearings for $30.76 plus tax. Almost not worth soaking in acetone and debating how much more life a bearing will have based on a spin test. Especially if you do the work yourself.

I know you didn't ask for this information but just in case you ever need replacement bearings for your K. These are the part numbers I have been using for years as I own 4 K's, manual calls for a few other part numbers but these save a few bucks and you can even get the spool bearings used on higher end models. 10EX8 – Shimano US Fish Shop $4.30 x2 (BNT3927) Lower pinion/Upper main handle side (Used on Higher end models) Manual calls for BNT5858 x2 @ $11.36 105BP – Shimano US Fish Shop $4.33 x2 (BNT4194) Lower main handle side, X-ship Manual calls for BNT4945 @ $7.06 for X-ship 105C0 - Shimano US Fish Shop $6.75 x2 (BNT3627) Spool bearings for Antares, Aldebaran, Chronarch (nice upgrade) Manual calls for BNT4343 x2 @ $3.27 6 new OEM bearings for $30.76 plus tax. Almost not worth soaking in acetone and debating how much more life a bearing will have based on a spin test. Especially if you do the work yourself.

I've recently added the scorpion spool on two of my K's. I did it mainly to stop wasting line since I usually run mono and switch it out often. I'm a bank fisherman and usually run 8-10lb test so you can imagine how much of it will never touch the water. With that said, before I put the spools in I serviced the reels myself. Tore them completely apart, greased gears, drag washers and decided to replace all bearings instead of flushing them. I usually will soak the bearing in acetone, use a bearing blaster as a last step, one drop of TSI321 and put them back in. I can have the OEM bearings from Shimano to my door in about 2 days for roughly $35. So they currently cast like an absolute dream, I wouldn't say much further but definitely way less effort. When was the last time you flushed/cleaned/oiled your spool bearings?