I have a buddy who just bought the new Curado I and raves about it thus far. I am interested in all opinions concerning this reel. I have a Shimano Core 50 and a Chronarh C-14 but am getting tired of spending  a lot of money. Would be paired with a quality 7 foot crank bait rod  rated medium heavy. I plan to fish a lot of baits mostly 1/2 oz (mostly blade baits) which are easy to throw to an occasional 3/8 oz.. The reviews on this reel seem pretty good. I am looking for anyone who has used this  reel and has any pros and cons concerning it.

I think it's the best value in the Shimano lineup. Similar to the Chronarch Ci4+, with baits over 3/8oz or so. Feels a little more solid than the Chronarch CI4+ as well. I actually like the new casting system and frame better than the old Core 100's, though the Core 50 still feels a little better but not by much. If you like the Chronarch CI4+, I think you'll really like the Curado.

I have two of the HG's. They are really good reels. Palm well, very strong drag, on the light side.  Very simple to use. I set two of the brakes and I have forgotten about them ever since. Both reels have braid, and they can cast pretty dang far with the right bait. To give you an example, one of my outfits is strictly used for frog fishing in the Everglades. I have it on a Dobyns champion 736. I can launch a medium LT Koppers hollow body frog with 50lb braid for 45+ yards. Throw in a pair of HawgTech's with swept handles, and you have yourself a pretty good reel for under $180 if you know where to look. I got both of mine for $150. The only con, and its not really a con just a maintenance thing, on every couple of outings after heavy use, you might want to clean and oil  the drum of the braking system as per the instructions. If you do that, your reel will perform well  for you. Good luck on your decision. 

I like my Curado I more than my ci4+ regardless of price. As to why I sold my ci4 and kept my curado. Throwing a hollow body frog the Curado outcast the ci4 and was way less finicky.

I can't add much of anything that hasn't already been said. Very palmable, well made, I found the external brake dial, nice to have and allows real additional braking in windy conditions... Personally I feel it's the best reel on the market at its price. I use 7.2.1 and no shortage of torque, I really like the clutch design too, I can engage it with my thumb.. Like my Diawas of years past, except the Shimano completely engage's where my Daiwa's always took a fraction of handle turn to fully engage.. A small thing, but as far as I'm concerned one I always missed when I became a Shimano fanboy!

I have a buddy who just bought the new Curado I and raves about it thus far. I am interested in all opinions concerning this reel. I have a Shimano Core 50 and a Chronarh C-14 but am getting tired of spending  a lot of money. Would be paired with a quality 7 foot crank bait rod  rated medium heavy. I plan to fish a lot of baits mostly 1/2 oz (mostly blade baits) which are easy to throw to an occasional 3/8 oz.. The reviews on this reel seem pretty good. I am looking for anyone who has used this  reel and has any pros and cons concerning it.

 

The Curado offers great bang for the buck, but will not hold a candle to your Shimano Core (to me at least, like night & day).

 

Roger

I picked one up to use for crankbaits. It's the 200PG 5.5:1 gear ratio. It is a great little reel so far. I agree with Roger it is not as nice as the core 50 but it is a great value for the money.

The Curado offers great bang for the buck, but will not hold a candle to your Shimano Core (to me at least, like night & day).

 

Roger

Core 50 is a $369 reel. The Curado shouldn't compete with it. I don't think you can buy another reel for $180 that beats the Curado though.

Core 50 is a $369 reel. The Curado shouldn't compete with it. I don't think you can buy another reel for $180 that beats the Curado though.

 

That is why I embedded the original poster's quote.

NavyVet already owns a Shimano Core, and I warned him not to expect a Shimano Curado

to hold a candle to "his" Shimano Core (like night & day to me).

 

Roger

It's a decent reel I went from a Lew's BB1 to the curado-I so it felt super light to me and my newest reel is a tatula type-r, depending on how the tatula fishes this season I might get another one or go for the Lew's tournament pro. Honestly I purchased the curado because of all the hype around it and because a local mom and pop's sporting goods shop sells them for $135 NIB.

 

I would say,

 

pro's: it will cast light baits, you can fine tune and adjust the breaks from the outside on the side plate, re-sale value

 

con's: like someone said before cleaning and lubing the break drum often, it feels light and cheap however, if you pair it properly with a lighter rod it wont be a problem

Wow feels light and cheap? They are tanks to me and feel super rigid. Ive tried lews and I just don't see anything special with them unless its the TP. I guess to each their own.

It's a decent reel I went from a Lew's BB1 to the curado-I so it felt super light to me and my newest reel is a tatula type-r, depending on how the tatula fishes this season I might get another one or go for the Lew's tournament pro. Honestly I purchased the curado because of all the hype around it and because a local mom and pop's sporting goods shop sells them for $135 NIB.

 

I would say,

 

pro's: it will cast light baits, you can fine tune and adjust the breaks from the outside on the side plate, re-sale value

 

con's: like someone said before cleaning and lubing the break drum often, it feels light and cheap however, if you pair it properly with a lighter rod it wont be a problem

You don't have to lube the brake drum that often. I used mine for about two months solid and only oiled it because it was winter time and I was bored. If it's not squealing, it doesn't need oil. That whole deal has been completely overblown because of the little cards that came in the boxes, which were translated wrong in Japan, according to Shimano.

You don't have to lube the brake drum that often. I used mine for about two months solid and only oiled it because it was winter time and I was bored. If it's not squealing, it doesn't need oil. That whole deal has been completely overblown because of the little cards that came in the boxes, which were translated wrong in Japan, according to Shimano.

 

very well

The Curado I is a great reel. I own four of them and find them comfortable to throw all day. They have a solid feel to them as well as excellent performance for the price. One of my four started making noise during my third trip with it, so I ran a dry qtip around the brake race and then rubbed a qtip with a drop or two of the included oil on the same spot and haven't needed anything since. It's been a little over three months without the noise returning and this is one of my buzz toad rods that gets used a bunch.

I have the curado I it's a great reel, one of the smoothest reels I've ever held and casts grey once you get the brakes figured out

I have 2 curado I's and a CI4 the Curado is the best bang for your buck. I personally like the CI4 a little more just because its a little lighter and I really like the color scheme. The CI4 handles lighter baits a little better than the Curado. Other than that they are pretty identical.

I've been really happy with mine, happy enough that I ordered another one anyways. 

Can't really add anything of substance that hasn't been already said other than if I find myself needing another baitcaster, it will be another I.

No need to shop and compare anymore.

Mike

I've not had very good luck with my Curado's. First one I had the door to the magnets wouldn't latch right after a few months. Don't get to fish much so by the time I realized and returned it to BPS they didn't want to take it back and give me another. They did though and now I'm having the same problem with the 2nd one! It's way too late now though to take it back. I like the reel other than that though.

I've not had very good luck with my Curado's. First one I had the door to the magnets wouldn't latch right after a few months. Don't get to fish much so by the time I realized and returned it to BPS they didn't want to take it back and give me another. They did though and now I'm having the same problem with the 2nd one! It's way too late now though to take it back. I like the reel other than that though.

 

One reel, I can understand. Same problem on a second reel? Are you positive you are closing it properly? 

I've not had very good luck with my Curado's. First one I had the door to the magnets wouldn't latch right after a few months. Don't get to fish much so by the time I realized and returned it to BPS they didn't want to take it back and give me another. They did though and now I'm having the same problem with the 2nd one! It's way too late now though to take it back. I like the reel other than that though.

Magnets? Which reel? Which shimano are you referencing? The curado I does not have magnets

Magnets? Which reel? Which shimano are you referencing? The curado I does not have magnets

 

They have...it attracts fishermen

 

Kidding aside, yeah they don't have physical magnets on the curado I.

 

I have the the 201HG and its a great reel for burning buzzbaits.

The non-handle side plate needs a little getting used to when opening and closing.

I have every curado since d ... And I like this new one a lot but not as much as my e series ... But it's is very refined etcn throws baits nicely ... I'm going to get another one .. Because the one I have I use for jigs.. It is light but very sturdy ... Even more so than an e series ..

Loosen the spool tension knob when you open the side plate to set the brake blocks then tighten the tension knob again after you've closed the side plate...

 

I'm disappointed there is no 5.x ratio left retrieve model.

 

 

oe