Hey everyone, I am about to purchase my second baitcaster and I decided on the Shimano Curado K. I would like to know of some good rods to pair it with. I know not all reels fit well on rods from different brands, so I want to find a rod that it will fit on perfectly. I'm wanting a 7'0 medium heavy rod. Something relatively cheap; nothing special really. I also want to try braided line. What lb test should I use for the Curado? Also, I've heard something about line dig-ins with braid on a baitcaster. Can someone explain to me what that is and how to avoid it? I've been fishing for years but braid is all new to me. Thanks

What's your budget for a rod?

 

The most common cause of braid digging in that I see is from people not applying enough pressure when spooling. Basically the braid isn't as tight to the spool as it should be and the first time you apply enough pressure when catching fish or getting snagged the top of your line buries itself. I've had it happen and have always been able to pull it out, but their have been times I didn't notice until I go to cast and no line comes off the spool. 

 

As far as what pound test to use I always recommend 30lb minimum just because anything less can be hard to manage. Add backing to prevent the line from slipping on the spool.

 

 

Use 50lb minimum

30lb braid is fine to use. I never experience dig in at all. Check out the Daiwa Tatula casting rods. The 7'1" MH would suit you. The Curado rods are nice too, the 6'10" or 7'2" MH would also suit you. Both are high quiality, well made rods.

I recently purchased a curado k and paired it with a carbonlite 2.0 6'9" MH-XF. Makes for a nice combo. Spooled with 30lb braid. It's my all around combo for texas rigs, jigs, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits. Rod goes for around $100 at BPS. Love the Winn grips. 

Hello @Eric M and welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums. To answer which rod to pair your Curado with, the Curado rods were designed to paired together and would be a good starting point.  As mentioned by other BR members, 30lb test braid would be a good all around braid for most techniques.

I have one sitting on a Falcon LowRider, All Purpose,  7ft.

 

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All three of my K's are on 7' MH fast tip Carbonlites and all three with 15lb Invizx.  Very comfy set up for me.