Here's a visual... Hope it helps. 

 

13 hours ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

I'm on an hour plus of searching online and trying everything under the sun... And supposed to take it out to use tomorrow ?

I thought for sure that would have been the problem since thats how the Curado I worked for me, but judging from the other posts it may be something more. If the side plate is sitting flush then I don't think its the spool tension, which I believe pushes the spool against the side plate to squeeze. In that case the side plate won't quite sit flush when trying to close it, which in turn means you can't latch it.

did you back off the brake pipe dial? it pushes the pipe forward when its on the highest setting and can cause the plate not to be able to latch.

 

also as mentioned the cast control knob. I have the I series and its the same.

 

I doubt you broke/bent something. just have to back everything off, put plate on, then readjust.

 

 

Send it in to Shimano, I had to send mine in too, they replaced the pinion gear, drive gear and a ball bearing. I got mine back in about 3 ish weeks. I had to pay shipping to them ($15) and they covered it back. They will want you to exchange it, if you can first.

Take a look at the inside of the swinging side plate. There is a nub or bump out that has to align with the mating recess on the reel body when you attempt to close the outer plate. Once you line them up it will close completely & lock. The inner portion has rotated causing misalignment & not completely seated. Also back off the cast control as somebody already mentioned. I have this kind of a problem on a newer conquest & the new bantam. 

If it is sitting flush and the switch won't latch, then that's the issue...the switch is not catching whatever bracket it holds on to.  Something may be bent there.  When it is open and you move the switch, do you see like a blade or pin moving inside attached to the switch? 

 

If the problem isn't whatever is directly attached to the switch then it is where the switch latches on. 

Just want to thank everyone who participated so quickly. I tried all of your suggestions and I'll be exchanging reels. I should be able to get the replacement before my next big trip. Much appreciated.

 

Tight lines,

RT

 

Minnow, when you replace the cover,  place it on the spool shaft with the front of the cover pointing down a bit.  As you approach connecting it to reel body rotate it up as you connect to the reel body.  See if this works.

After watching the vid... Unless the side switch was broken trying to force it.... It doesn't add up to me. I'd be curious to know what was actually wrong with it... If you decide not to trade it up, let us know what the culprit was. A broken latch? I've owned many of these reels and have broken all them down to the frames and have never seen anything like this 

On 4/15/2018 at 10:17 PM, Poolshark said:

After watching the vid... Unless the side switch was broken trying to force it.... It doesn't add up to me. I'd be curious to know what was actually wrong with it... If you decide not to trade it up, let us know what the culprit was. A broken latch? I've owned many of these reels and have broken all them down to the frames and have never seen anything like this 

Unfortunately, we will probably never know. I've already sent the reel back for exchange. 

 

It's a solid reel. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be getting another. My guess would be I got the one reel out of every thousand or so that has a defect. 

 

Waiting to see what arrives first, the new reel, or spring-like weather.  In the meantime, I have more than enough options to get me through ?

I just also ordered that 200k, I still don't know what I'm gonna do with it, but found it on sale,Talk about bait monkey, huh? I hope I don't get a POS like yours.

You will love the smoothness of the 200K once you get it dialed in.  I ended up with two brakes on and the outside dial on "3" for senkos with 15lb invizx.  The micro gears are really nice.  You may also find the cast control requires being a little tighter then usual, but has no effect on casting distance.

On 4/18/2018 at 6:40 AM, JustJames said:

I just also ordered that 200k, I still don't know what I'm gonna do with it, but found it on sale,Talk about bait monkey, huh? I hope I don't get a POS like yours.

I think you'll be just fine. My new reel should arrive Wednesday!!

Curado k are in high demand right now their pumping them out like hot cakes factory defects are inevitable.

Mine arrived and I don't see any problem with it, open and close just like normal.

I’ve had this problem with my Curado I before, but after a few minutes of jimmying I got it closed properly. Sounds like you’ve tried just about everything though...let us know what you end up doing!

On 4/21/2018 at 11:57 PM, Graham said:

I’ve had this problem with my Curado I before, but after a few minutes of jimmying I got it closed properly. Sounds like you’ve tried just about everything though...let us know what you end up doing!

New reel arrives tomorrow!

BTW I should mention that this order and exchange was all through TW. They made it really easy, and they are handling the warranty side of things.  Shameless plug, but happy to give them high praise as well as my hard earned $$$. 

@rtwvumtneer6 glad to hear it! Stick some West Virginia hogs for us and post some juicy photos

2 hours ago, Graham said:

@rtwvumtneer6 glad to hear it! Stick some West Virginia hogs for us and post some juicy photos

@Graham I'm actually in PA, but I'm a proud WVU grad. 

May 2, 2018 7.52# Ask and you shall receive @Graham

1 hour ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

May 2, 2018 7.52# Ask and you shall receive @Graham

Pennsylvania Pig for sure!

I’m just wondering did you ever figure out the problem because my reel is doing the same thing.

If I take the spool out the side plate still will not latch.

On 6/10/2019 at 1:04 AM, Fishingthewoods said:

 

 

On 6/9/2019 at 12:11 AM, Fishingthewoods said:

I’m just wondering did you ever figure out the problem because my reel is doing the same thing.

I got the reel replaced.  It was a defect.  It happens and that's what warranties are there for.  The replacement reel works great and I purchased another Curado after that without any issues.

what was the actual problem though? was it the latch switch to close not latching?