Debating between the Curado MGL or the DC. Any opinions would be appreciated. I'm not new to casting a bait caster if that has any significance. 

Curado M or MGL for sure.  The M/MGL is far more versatile than a DC IMO and much better with lighter baits.  If you really want a DC go with an SLX DC.  The extra $ for the Curado really doesn't get you anything but an extra bearing and a different paint job.  Performance wise they are virtually the same, with the Curado being noticeably heavier.

Curado MGL or the New Curado M. I own couple mgl great reels for the price. Haven't fished the new M but assuming it's another good one from Shimano.

I would get the MGL. I had a Curado DC I got shortly after they came out and never really liked it. It was a decent novelty at first because it did cast ok, and the noise was different,.... For a while. Then it got irritating.

 

I originally bought an SLX DC and a Curado DC thinking the SLX DC was a little smaller for my wife. We've since gotten rid of both of them. She likes my Tatula 70 more and took it over and I liked quite a few other reels better than the Curado DC

i love the mgl curados.

10 hours ago, ECP1989 said:

Debating between the Curado MGL or the DC.

 

I own both.  If you're comfortable with a baitcaster in the wind, go with the MGL.

I definitely prefer the mgl.  Never been into DC reels.  I have curados of all sizes, but my absolute favorite is the 71 size of which I own 5.  If I were to only choose one though, I would get the 151 without question as it is the most versatile. 

I've never owned a DC so I can't offer a comparison. However, I love MGL reels. The Curado MGL 70 is my favorite reel right now. I also have the MGL 150 and strongly prefer the 70, but they are both great.

I like the 70 size reels but only use them with small diameter lines.  If you are looking for an all around reel, then I'd look at the 150 size.

 

My only DC reel is an older Exsence.  Don't know how it handles lighter lures.  I used it on a MH and plan on keeping it there.  Never cast less than 3/8 oz. with it.  I'd agree the MGL is probably a better all around reel.  Mine haven't had line spooled yet.  

9 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I like the 70 size reels but only use them with small diameter lines.

I use mine from 12lb all the way up to 20lb floro for pitching and flipping and they work absolutely fantastic for that application.

For experienced baitcaster users, DC reels won't increase your casting distance much. It's mostly for casting easiness and fun, and heavy DC spools may have trouble casting light lures, except maybe the new Aldebaran DC.

17 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

I use mine from 12lb all the way up to 20lb floro for pitching and flipping and they work absolutely fantastic for that application.

I fish from shore.  Normally making long casts.  Don't like looking at the arbor after such casts.  Prefer to have more than a few feet left.  But agree that they should work very well for pitching and flipping.

Wouldn't bother with those cheap DC modules that don't have enough adjustements. IDC5 is good, anything under is a waste. Between the two reels mentioned, i wouldn't get either. Save money and get an SLX, or get the real quality for cheap, which is the new Tatula 100, it's far better than shimano's low end.

Most of my reels are Shimanos. I don’t like the one SLX that I have.

 

My DC’s are fine. I don’t understand the hate. I bought them for night fishing so I wouldn’t get big backlashes if I bounced a cast off the bank in the pitch dark.

 

I really like my Curado K’s and MGL’s. I needed another reel the other day and picked up a Curado M.

18 minutes ago, Kayak Koz said:

picked up a Curado M.

Thoughts on it?

51 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Thoughts on it?

If you own a Curado K and like it, there's no reason to get the M. Same if you disliked the K. It's a lateral move performance wise. If I had to choose one over the other, I'd get the M, but that's strictly from a servicing point of view. The M's plastic gear side plate is secured to the aluminum frame from the outside with machine screws whereas the K's plastic gear side plate is secured from the inside into the plastic side plate with coarse self-tapping screws which is a cycling failure mode waiting to happen. Not a problem if one never chooses to service their reel but...

 

Smart move by Shimano to revert back to tried-and-true methods no doubt prompted by their authorized techs stripping side plates.

2 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Smart move by Shimano to revert back to tried-and-true methods no doubt prompted by their authorized techs stripping side plates.

 

It was probably factory authorized service techs who brought it to their attention. 🧐

 

As for curado's... I'm still loving my HG's. Just bought another used one for $20. I never got into the K's when the HG's were sufficient- and didn't fall apart. My next one will be a 71.

2 minutes ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

It was probably factory authorized service techs who brought it to their attention. 🧐

Yup. I doubt they'd pay attention to civilian tinkers who'd blown one out.

Shimano engineers have been proactive going into the field to look at their reels in service shops to see what works and what doesn't.

 

Our shop got visited by Shimano engineers every year before ICAST. They really enjoyed walking up to the wall of reels where incoming reels were torn down waiting to be rebuilt in boxes all cleaned up.

 

The shimano engineers would spend much of the day going over their reels in for service taking notes on what they found. I found this hopeful.

 

Shimano was the only brand of reels who did this. The shop has numerous warranty contract with other brands, but none of them came to the shop to check on their products.

17 minutes ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

My next one will be a 71.

If you're a fan, try the 150 too.

2 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Thoughts on it?

I love it. I have the 8:5:1 and paired it with a 7’ 6” 5H Kistler Helium rod that I use for frogging and fishing in heavy cover.

 

 

Full disclosure, I don't have the Curado DC. However, I fished an SLX DC for ~4 years paired on my lipless setup, which has the same IDC-4 braking system. I also have two Curado 150 MGLs that I've been fishing for the better part of a year now.

 

I would take the 150 MGL/new 150M every time. Unless I was skipping or struggled in the wind, I haven't seen any real benefit to my fishing with the DC.

I own both and would take the MGL over the DC. The DC was neat when I first got it and wasn't as skilled with casting reels as I am these days. Now, I find the DCs tend to overrun or backlash more than my non-DC reels. 

I have both.  They both kick butt in their own way.  The DC is my undisputed distance champion.  It is untouchable.   Wind in my face?  Whatever.  I’ll adjust reel accordingly and send it.   It rides on my rod for topwater right now.  
 

the MGL kills too. I rarely lash it anyways.  
 

you have great choices.  You can’t choose poorly here. 

I have had both, sold the DC, still have & love  the MGL 150 . Can’t really go wrong either way but the DC just never clicked for me personally as a good fit and I didn’t ever really find the benefit of the DC for my use. I’d buy another MGL 150 in a second, it’s just feels right and is an all around performer for me.  I doubt you’d be disappointed in it