I'm currently a beginner looking to buy a decent to good baitcasting reel, and I have come down the SLX XT and the Curado K. I have felt an SLX XT in my hands before, but I was wondering how it compares to the Curado K. Does the "old" factor of the Curado K make any difference?

I'd just get the Curado 150 if I were you. It's better built than the SLX and far more versatile across a range of baits than the Curado K.

Never used a SLX, but Curado is always a step up from the SLX. And those guys from Shimano are famous for making sure reels from different tiers are truly different, AKA, you get what you pay for. But if we focused on reel smoothness alone, my Curado K is surprisingly as smooth, if not smoother, as my Metanium and Bantam.

4 hours ago, newapti5 said:

And those guys from Shimano are famous for making sure reels from different tiers are truly different, AKA, you get what you pay for. 

 

The Citica would like to have a conversation with you. 

In terms of the release date, the "technology" or anything isn't too far behind on the Curado K, correct?

3 hours ago, PeterS said:

In terms of the release date, the "technology" or anything isn't too far behind on the Curado K, correct?

Curado K is a little bit behind in Technology compared to these 3 Curado reels released after it:

70 MGL

150 MGL

200 M

Curado K does not have MGL spool and Silent Tune, but for many, it's still a great reel and a monster caster when using 3/8 and above lure weights.

 

 

3 hours ago, PeterS said:

In terms of the release date, the "technology" or anything isn't too far behind on the Curado K, correct?

 

IMO the only missing technology from the K worthy of noticing is the MGL spool, and if you want, you can always order a JDM Scorpion 150 MGL spool for the K.

I sling 1/8 oz to 1 oz on my XTs, no problem. 

Save $$ and get the SLX 70 MGL, equal performance to the Curado 70 MGL imo.

Tom

I have several of the SLX XT's and I have very happy with them.  I like the Curado's I have also but I have not been as impressed with the K series.

Is a curado k for 130 bucks a decent deal?

9 minutes ago, PeterS said:

Is a curado k for 130 bucks a decent deal?

For which uses?

I have a couple of each.  I like the Curado K for  heavy line applications (I.e. pitching and frogging).  Use the SLX for winding and applications that won't lut it through as much abuse.  

 

Hope that helps. 

What websites would you recommend to buy reel parts like the mgl spool

On 10/21/2023 at 9:55 PM, PeterS said:

I'm currently a beginner looking to buy a decent to good baitcasting reel, and I have come down the SLX XT and the Curado K.

Since this is the case, I'd advise you against the Curado K 200. Why? Because since it'll be your first and only bait caster, I imagine you'll be wanting to throw a range of baits down to weightlessly rigged worms, or at least baits in that weight range. The 200K simply isn't ideal for this. You'll have a hard time and end up picking out lots of backlashes which may end up turning you off completely and unnecessarily. I've taught a good bunch of people how to use a baitcaster. Non could deal with the K initially. Two were fine with the SLX, including my brother. Most chose a Tatula variant. He ended up getting a XT and the MGL version. He bought a K 200 but ended up selling it eventually. He simply found it too touchy using baits below 1/2 oz. He actually hated it. I still have mine, and I can deal with it, but it's probably my least favorite reel regardless of how smoothly it cranks.

 

If you can't spend for the Curado 150 MGL which is better than the K in every way IMO, then just get the SLX MGL instead. It's definitely easier to learn on than the K 200.

On 10/21/2023 at 11:08 PM, PhishLI said:

I'd just get the Curado 150 if I were you. It's better built than the SLX and far more versatile across a range of baits than the Curado K.

+1

On 10/22/2023 at 5:47 PM, WRB said:

Save $$ and get the SLX 70 MGL, equal performance to the Curado 70 MGL imo.

Tom

This is my recommendation as well as long as it's not being used with line much over .013" in diameter. My kid has one of each, they perform and behave nearly identical to each other and are really well performing reels.

On 10/24/2023 at 1:56 PM, PeterS said:

What websites would you recommend to buy reel parts like the mgl spool

 

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Genuine-Part-Scorpion-Spool-13GG7/dp/B081NLSRKZ

 

https://www.plat.co.jp/shop/catalog/partsorder.php?products_id=2620

how is the curado 200 m? does the mgl spool allow for lighter lures than the k?

1 hour ago, PeterS said:

how is the curado 200 m

Why do you feel that you need the line capacity of a 200 for a general use reel? Yes, the spool of the M is a tad lighter than the K, but because it holds a lot of line it's still heavy compared to other choices,

On 10/22/2023 at 5:47 PM, WRB said:

Save $$ and get the SLX 70 MGL, equal performance to the Curado 70 MGL imo.

Tom

100%.   I actually prefer the slx 70 mgl more than my curado 70 mgl reels that i sold both my curado 70 mgls and still use my slx mgls.   
 

but I just got the slx dc xt start of this year and it blows all those reels out of the water.  Even all the curados.