I am a Daiwa guy, started off fishing the Tatulas, Arachnids, and Zillion TWS. I bought two Curado K reels last year. One is used for flipping and another kind of floats around. I also have a Curado 71 on my swing jig rod. For reasons I will not explain here, I will be purchasing Shimano reels from now on. As I build my knowledge of their reels, I want help identifying what purpose you would pick each reel for within the $175 - 400 range. Im not asking for a comparison, I can easily find that on the internet. Looking for what you'd use the k, chronarch, and 70 mil for and why you choose it over the other Shimano reels.

 

Curado K - I understand it has tough gearing and is good for big baits and flipping

Curado Dc - long casts with moving baits

Curado 70 MGl - not sure

Chronarch series - anything bottom contact from my understanding

Aldebaran - light stuff

   I think you're right about the Curado 200K. In the Shimano stable, you need to go to the high-end round reels or a 300-size to get a gutsier reel.

 

   The Curado 70 MGL is kinda the poor man's Aldebaran, and the Aldebaran is kinda the rich man's Curado 70. At least, that's the way I look at it. I have the 70, I love it, and I'm not interested in the Aldebaran for what I do. I don't go extremely light.

  

   I don't have any DC reels, so I can't comment there.

 

   The way I look at the Chronarch is that it's a smaller, lighter and more refined Curado. Of all the reels that Shimano makes, the Chronarch is the one that I understand the least for freshwater. But if I were fishing inshore, it would be the one I'd look at first.

 

   I hope this little bit helps you. Good luck!         jj

 

  

I would also suggest the Bantam Mgl - its a solid built reel. Its good for medium to heavier applications.

Metanium Mgl- all around good reel for many different applications.

Aldebaran mgl- awesome reel for light to medium stuff. Put it on a lightweight rod and you will smile each time you pick it up. One of my combos weights in right at 8.0 oz.

23 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

I am a Daiwa guy, started off fishing the Tatulas, Arachnids, and Zillion TWS. I bought two Curado K reels last year. One is used for flipping and another kind of floats around. I also have a Curado 71 on my swing jig rod. For reasons I will not explain here, I will be purchasing Shimano reels from now on. As I build my knowledge of their reels, I want help identifying what purpose you would pick each reel for within the $175 - 400 range. Im not asking for a comparison, I can easily find that on the internet. Looking for what you'd use the k, chronarch, and 70 mil for and why you choose it over the other Shimano reels.

 

Curado K - I understand it has tough gearing and is good for big baits and flipping

Curado Dc - long casts with moving baits

Curado 70 MGl - not sure

Chronarch series - anything bottom contact from my understanding

Aldebaran - light stuff

The curado is more of a war horse as opposed the aldebaran being a race horse.  I like the DCs for fishing baits that dont do well in windy conditions like flat cranks.  I dont have one but so far everyone has been happy with the Curado MGLs.  It seems like there a MetB - some of the features, the smaller spools are good for pitchin flippin and lighter baits.  The Chronarchs and Aldebarans are great reels, but the designs are getting old, Aldebarans have been on clearance lately so there may be new one in the works.  If you want to fish for reds, stripers inshore the Chron G supposedly can deal with salt well. The Chron MGL again is a great reel, but the design is 5 years old, I would suggest the Curado 70 over it unless you need the capacity, then look at the Bantam or the MetB.  IMO the Metanium is out of this world, feels solid, casts great, fairly light and smooth.  The Bantam is like the Metanium but its got an aluminum frame so it may be better for frogging or heavy duty fishing.    

Here is what I use mine for:

 

Curado 70 HG - Jerkbaits
Tranx XG - Jigs
Curado 200K HG - Lipless/Squarebills
Metanium 13 - Spinnerbaits
Bantam MGL XG - Topwater
Curado 70 MGL XG - 3/16 Texas Rig
Casitas 150 HG - Med/Deep Cranks
Bantam MGL - Chatterbaits
Metanium 20 XG - 1/4 Texas Rig
Curado 200K XG - 5/16 Texas Rig 
SLX MGL 70 XG - Ned Rig
Bantam MGL XG - 3/8 Texas Rig
Bantam MGL XG - Frogs
Scorpion MGL XG - 1/2 Texas Rig
Bantam MGL HG - Heavy Jig/Texas Rig
Cardiff 200 - Swimbait/A-Rig