For my next rig I am looking at getting a Shimano Curado 150M and appropriate rod to match, or a Bass Pro Shop Johnny Morris Baitcasting combo of approximately the same cost. Mostly because I have the chance to handle a combo in person but can't find a Curado locally to handle and have to order one online.

Is a Johnny Morris combo likely to have the same quality as a comparably priced Shimano reel?

The JM reel is a different colored Lews LFS. Also just wondering if you have any tackle shops near you where you can handle the Curado?

Edited March 30Mar 30 by Eric 26
Added a question

No local shops have one. Thanks for the info.

@SJS I will add although I’m not sure of the frame differences I had a first generation SLX and I currently have a Curado 151 MGL and also a SLX MGL and the Curado and SLX line palms very similar to me at least. I believe you have a BPS that you could possibly handle the SLX which I believe they stock or maybe handle a Curado M if they have any in stock although I’m not sure how it feels compared to the Curado MGL. I’m in no way trying to talk you out of the JM combo btw.

Thanks, there is a BPS near me, and they do have the SLX reels in stock, just not the Curado, but I bet if I wait they will eventually.

I’m of the opinion that if you can wait have them order all of the reels they do not currently have in stock you’d like to handle and handle them all at the same time preferably with a rod you already have or plan on purchasing. Both the Cabelas and BPS by me (yes I know they’re the same) are more than willing to do exactly as I just stated along with bringing in rods and reels they don’t normally stock as long as they carry the brand.

Dang, I never thought to do that. Good idea.

I went to BPS to buy a Lews reel, ended up leaving with a JM Carbonlite combo, which I have been super happy with. They had a Lews reel right beside the carbonlite, the only difference was the color. The young man behind the counter noticed I was comparing them, said with a smile “ they are both made by Doyo.”

The Carbonlite is one of my favorite setups, so like @Eric 26 mentioned do there and compare.

The Carbonlites are Badd a… Been using them a long time. Have a buddy that has a JM combo for 2 years now and loves it.

Last year I went to BPS to buy a Tatula 100, ended up leaving with a JM carbonlite 2.0 baitcasting reels, the black ones. Very good casting reel, smooth, good distance and control. Solid reel and they go on sale frequently.

Love their black carbonlite rods, Just wish the white rods would just purge out of site.

30 minutes ago, Falkus said:

Love their black carbonlite rods, Just wish the white rods would just purge out of site.

I couldn’t agree more! And this is after owning a Carbonlite 2.0 bait casting combo before the Technique specific rods/reels came out and I also bought a Carbonlite 2.0 spinning reel for $50.00 and had to buy a coordinating Carbonlite rod as the color combination matches literally nothing else on the dang market 😬

@SJS If I may ask what did you ultimately get? It appears you may have gotten the JM reel but I don’t want to assume.

On 3/31/2026 at 10:41 AM, bowhunter63 said:

The Carbonlites are Badd a… Been using them a long time. Have a buddy that has a JM combo for 2 years now and loves it.

I like my older Carbonlites. Used them to learn casting #5 Shad Raps.

14 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

@SJS If I may ask what did you ultimately get? It appears you may have gotten the JM reel but I don’t want to assume.

also wondering how your experience went and what you wound up buying.

Yea @SJS … inquiring minds wanna know.

What did you end up getting?

Eric 26. Well, it's about an hour drive in bad traffic to get to my BPS and I never found the time to drive it. So, I went to my local Dick's and as something to use for now I bought an Abu Garcia Max combo for under $100, and I am enjoying the heck out of it. Turns out modern cheap baitcasting gear is pretty darn good compared to the old stuff I had been using. A pleasant surprise.

@SJS Im not sure if you shared what you were using before but I will say although I’ve not personally used a Black Max it gets plenty of love on here and I’m not surprised in the least bit that you’re enjoying it. I will also add I for one find that there are some hidden gems in the lower price points and 2 that come to mind for me are the Daiwa CA80 casting reel and the Piscifun Carbon X (1) spinning reel, I was able to get my Daiwa for just under $70.00 delivered to my door from Amazon and I have 3 of the Piscifun spinning reels. I definitely enjoy my Tatulas along with some better spinning reels but I still enjoy using the above mentioned as well. Most important thing as far as I’m concerned is that you’re getting out to use your gear. Best of luck and be sure to post some pictures when you get your first fish on your new combo.

@SJS my nephew has a black max combo and loves it, never seen him have an issue with it.

I agree with @Eric 26 some and of the reasonable priced combo surprise me. I pick up a BPS Prodigy combo on clearance…. The older black and white series, not the weird colored ones they have now. It has become one I take all the time and has been a good reliable rig.