How does everyone set up the spool tension of their curado k? 

 

I have heard minimal side to side play and slow rate of fall. Also because the curado k side plate won't close unless the spool tension is loose, I was wondering if Shimano intended the reel to have a loose tension on the spool. 

 

I have tried both ways but obviously have to adjust the brakes differently. Just trying to get it dialed in. 

With any of my reels (including my curados), I start by minimizing side to side movement and go from there.

 

I keep my frogging curado a little bit tighter because I was getting some loops at the very, very end...right before engagement. My jigging engetsu (basically a curado...) has a little side to side knock because I like my jigs to fall straight down...plus, it’s super short range, so I’m not quite as worried about its casting dynamics. 
 

It sort of depends on what you want it to do. That’s what’s nice about baitcasters. You can adjust them almost infinitely. The side to side minimization has always just been a “starting point” in my mind. 

I set it to where the bait falls freely, then make adjustments on the fly, depending on how the spool fluffs up. Beginning of cast, I add a little tension. If it's middle of the cast, I mess with the brakes. If it's the end, I give my thumb a stern talking to.

On my K, I set with a 1/2 oz crankbait so that it falls somewhat quickly and I leave it there.  Most of the baits I through are between 3/8 and 5/8 of an ounce so the 1/2oz lure does it.  I also thumb the spool if necessary but rarely have I had to.  This reel does a pretty good job on it's own. 

All three of my XGK's have two brakes on, outside dial on 2 and never change it.  What ever bait I have on I start with a gradual drop to the deck, then loosen tension accordingly.

2 hours ago, OnthePotomac said:

All three of my XGK's have two brakes on, outside dial on 2 and never change it.  What ever bait I have on I start with a gradual drop to the deck, then loosen tension accordingly.

Thank you for the tips. That's exactly how I have mine set up, with the spool tension pretty loose, so the fall rate is fast, almost too fast . Love the reel just trying to find that sweet spot. 

My curado k reel seems to stay loose. I can’t make it tight enough. Tons of slack in the spool and my bait never stops falling at a quick rate causing tons of backlashes. Any suggestions as to what the problem and solution may be? 

36 minutes ago, jitterbug127 said:

My curado k reel seems to stay loose. I can’t make it tight enough. Tons of slack in the spool and my bait never stops falling at a quick rate causing tons of backlashes. Any suggestions as to what the problem and solution may be? 

Have you tried removing the tension knob completely and reseating the knob? 

2 minutes ago, LCG said:

Have you tried removing the tension knob completely and reseating the knob? 

Yes multiple times. I’ve also oiled everything. I can tighten it down to a painful amount and minimal movement. It doesn’t slow the fall rate of the bait however 

I assume the palming side plate is completly closed and latched?

 

Maybe try removing the spool and reseating the spool. I can't think why it would do that otherwise. 

15 minutes ago, LCG said:

I assume the palming side plate is completly closed and latched?

 

Maybe try removing the spool and reseating the spool. I can't think why it would do that otherwise. 

It is completely closed and latched.  I took the spool out and put it back. It’s doing the same thing. Weird for a basically new reel. The line is also bunching up on one side 

48 minutes ago, jitterbug127 said:

It is completely closed and latched.  I took the spool out and put it back. It’s doing the same thing. Weird for a basically new reel. The line is also bunching up on one side 

Check your internal brakes maybe? Had the same issues your describing back in my learning days with a Gen 4 STX. All the internals were off.

3 minutes ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Check your internal brakes maybe? Had the same issues your describing back in my learning days with a Gen 4 STX. All the internals were off.

Internal brakes are all on. I turned them on in hopes to help solve the issue. 

6 hours ago, jitterbug127 said:

My curado k reel seems to stay loose. I can’t make it tight enough. Tons of slack in the spool and my bait never stops falling at a quick rate causing tons of backlashes. Any suggestions as to what the problem and solution may be? 

First step is to be sure all tension spacers are in place in the cast control knob and palm side plate. 

Also make sure the knob going in straight not cross over the thread. 

5 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

Also make sure the knob going in straight not cross over the thread. 

knob is going on straight. It felt "too tight" before i oiled it, but it seems to be just fine now. 

7 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

First step is to be sure all tension spacers are in place in the cast control knob and palm side plate. 

I was wondering this as well. It seems to be the most logical place to go next.

 

Does anyone have a Curado K that they could post a picture of the inside of the spool tension knob? Mine just looks to be metal to metal. I think there may be a thin piece of plastic/rubber/silicone whatever it is that may help grab the spool more than straight metal. Pictures online arn't helpful from dr google. 

 This is normal for Shimano, circle rubber underneath the pieces of carbon fiber?. You mentioned metal? I only seen that on some Daiwa and Abu Garcia.

 

I saw that Picture on ebay, and I was thinking i might be short a part. If i flip my spool tension knob over it just shows the gold inside of the spool tension knob (what I'm calling metal, It maybe carbon fiber. I know its a really lightweight material like aluminum but different. Probably carbon fiber now that you say it). I dont see either of those two parts in the Picture (middle or right) in my spool tension knob.  

This is my spool tension knob 

You appear to be missing some shims.  

You need those two parts shown.

2 hours ago, jitterbug127 said:

This is my spool tension knob 

DOH!

 

Bought it new? Return it.

10 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

DOH!

 

Bought it new? Return it.

I bought new in 2017. ?. I literally have used it like 2 times 

Thanks for all the help folks! I’ll get my parts ordered tonight. 
 

now to solve the mystery of my grinding president 

Minimal side play is reserved to reels with a magnetoc component braking, either common linear, magforce ou dual braking centri-mag.