You've been on this forum too long, and are now completely brainwashed.

Kidding aside, I think it would be hard to find a bad model of Shimano baitcast reels.

try a coroilis or a chromica talk about junk

You've been on this forum too long, and are now completely brainwashed. 

 

Kidding aside, I think it would be hard to find a bad model of Shimano baitcast reels.

 

No brain washing needed. The proof is in the pudding for me.

 

I bought my first Curado in the early 2000's, and I still use that reel to this day without issues. That reel has caught numerous 4 lb+ bass, many 32"+ pike, and many 5 lb+ walleye. I've also got got two of the new Chronarch Ci4's and one of the new Curado I series. Both are which are amazing reels and I really enjoy all the new technology in them. Now I understand that these reels are all less than a year old, but I see no reason why they shouldn't easily last me 10 years.

I remember the old days when you could buy a Curado for 120.00 dollars that would last you a lifetime. Shimano seems

to have said goodbye to the average joe who could swing 120.00 but not today's price...Old school basser...

 

When the E seriess was closed out Curados were available from a number of retailers for $125. NIB or

gently used pop up on our Flea Market quite often.

After updated research in the under $200 price range - The Abu Garcia REVO STX ,  Daiwa Tatula R and the Lew's Tournament Pro Speed would appear to offer more value in that price segment .

Most venerable, B series Curados, best built D series, fyi, I do own E and G series for comparison and they are not up par with the other two imho.

Most venerable, B series Curados, best built D series, fyi, I do own E and G series for comparison and they are not up par with the other two imho.

I'd say fishing for the monster bass of Mexico - you might have an idea of which series Curado would perhaps have the best quality / hold up the best !

I caught my PB with my Curado 200B and many less than 13.86 lbers with it, I´ve caught many big fish with my D series Curados and Citicas. The B series are really very nice and durable reels, the only s*y part part of them are the graphite composite drag star and cheap plastic tension knob cap ( a metalic cap from a Castaic solves the problem, not needed in the BSF versión that does come with the metallic cap ).

 

D series Curados and Citicas are a much better animal than the previous generation, they are better built and have much better features, the only "problem" is the weight, at almost 10 ounces they are "heavy" (  I bet most of the spinach eater young guns can handle the weight, I can and I´m a 50 year old fart  )

 

If you want a great reel for not a whole lotta money then the D series is what will work.

Yea , D is such a solid reel, no doubt, but it's older and parts maybe harder to find (101D) resale seems to hold high on the D ... My Shimano 300 E is nearly the same build as the D's were, but with some improvements , still has a gear side aluminum plate( not junk) very powerful gear set, 15 pd drag, metal drag star w/ click... cast as good as my Curado I model and can crank in line at 29" per crank it's a brute of a reel.. Use it for cranks, a- rigs, swimbaits, or salt use, weighs 10.2 oz... But it's bad to the bone! And way better than a Lexa, it's not even close IMO.

Japan made, mine are... Just sayin it's a nice reel to have in you're inventory at at fair cost.

try a coroilis or a chromica talk about junk

 

Probably why I've never heard of them. 

Chronarch ci4 is great. Smooth and light.

I just picked up a curado 201B5 and to be honest, I forgot what a great reel the B's are. 20 minutes with it and my first thought was "dam, this reel feels good!".  I have a curado101D and its a great reel also.  I think if a guy who has a tight budget and wants a great reliable baitcaster thats trouble free and you can cast all day without backlashes, grab a curado in the B or D series used, they are well worth it.  I would much rather have an older curado than a new black max or silver max for the same money.  Its a no brainer for me.

I have a couple of old chronarch 200's that still amaze me with their smoothness,and casting abilility .I bought them in the early 90's still use them.model CH200 bantam

I'm a Daiwa guy myself, but I work on a lot of reels. In my opinion, the best bang for the buck reel shimano ever made was the E series Curado. In today's line-up, anything from the Citica on up will do you just fine, if it's a shimano you're after.

Everyone has there favorites, but any of the name brand reels $125> are god quality and separated only by features and preference IF you compare apples to apples. Shimano has made some model name reassignments and changes in the last couple of years but the overall quality has always been there.

I personally feel that the MET13's are the best low pro baitcaster Shimano has released, and yes you can get them sub $300 NIB.