Hi, I have been looking for a new casting rod and reel. I plan to use it as my jack of all trades and throw about anything on it (from plastic worms to smaller swimbaits). For the reel, I have my eye on the Shimano Curado DC150 and Curado M200. For the rod, I am probably just looking for a 7'0"-7'3" Medium-heavy fast action, but I am open to suggestions. Thank you!

Dobyns Kaden 713C on sale at Amazon for $146, regular $199.

JDM import Daiwa Tatula 100 ~$150.

If its in your budget, I'd look at the Megabass P5 Daemos. I use it for 4in swimbaits, spinnerbaits, some topwater and bladed jigs. I have also thrown shallow crankbaits on it. Its soft enough in the middle to pin fish on treble hooks but there are better options for deeper diving cranks.

On the lighter end (plastic worms) I’m going to assume around 1/4-3/8 total bait. On the upper end, what’s a smaller swimbait to you? 6” magdraft at 1.25 oz?

4 hours ago, Jayce Andersen said:

Hi, I have been looking for a new casting rod and reel. I plan to use it as my jack of all trades and throw about anything on it (from plastic worms to smaller swimbaits). For the reel, I have my eye on the Shimano Curado DC150 and Curado M200. For the rod, I am probably just looking for a 7'0"-7'3" Medium-heavy fast action, but I am open to suggestions. Thank you!

Do you mean Keitech or soft swimbaits less than 5 inches in total length?

Most 7’ to 7’5 Medium heavy fast action rods will cover what you need. What brands do you have access to and what is your budget?

The reel choice is also subjective. If you’re not familiar with the DC system or haven’t used one I’d suggest better money spent elsewhere. Where do you plan to use the gear? On a boat, in a kayak, from shore?

1 hour ago, TNBankFishing said:

Do you mean Keitech or soft swimbaits less than 5 inches in total length?

Most 7’ to 7’5 Medium heavy fast action rods will cover what you need. What brands do you have access to and what is your budget?

The reel choice is also subjective. If you’re not familiar with the DC system or haven’t used one I’d suggest better money spent elsewhere. Where do you plan to use the gear? On a boat, in a kayak, from shore?

I'd say 6" swimbait is the biggest I'd use. My budget is around the $200 range and have access to a variety of brands. I live in Nebraska and will sometimes go up to Okoboji where I have access to a boat. Mostly from shore though.

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

On the lighter end (plastic worms) I’m going to assume around 1/4-3/8 total bait. On the upper end, what’s a smaller swimbait to you? 6” magdraft at 1.25 oz?

Yes, i'd say 6-8" swimbait is the biggest I'd throw.

I am now looking at the curado mgl150 because it may suit me better for the lighter baits I will use. Honestly, I'd rarely throw anything over 1.25oz. I will primarily throw in the 1/2oz-3/4oz range with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits etc.

2 hours ago, Jayce Andersen said:

I'd say 6" swimbait is the biggest I'd use. My budget is around the $200 range and have access to a variety of brands. I live in Nebraska and will sometimes go up to Okoboji where I have access to a boat. Mostly from shore though.

Hmm. You’re pushing into a two different rod powers with the weights. An unweighted senko is 3/8s oz but a 6” keitech is upwards of 1.25 ounces.

If you’re never going to throw a trick worm I’d go heavy vs medium heavy. But in your next post you said you’re looking at the MGL for the light weights you’ll throw. I think you should determine 100% what you’re going to use the rod for first. One rod will not throw a finesse plastic and a 6” swimbait. Well, it will throw them but one or the other will cast so poorly you’ll stop trying.

Personally from the bank in the $200 range I’d suggest a used Victory, Daiwa Tatula Elite on sale, or maybe something Dobyns on sale. I’d not recommend anything with a short warranty because bank fishing is going to put more wear and tear into a rod and increase the chance you need to replace it. Whether or not they will replace a rod you crushed is up in the air but St. Croix has a stellar reputation for a reason.

I fish a ton from the bank and while more difficult it’s just as rewarding. Don’t get discouraged trying to find the one rod to rule them all. It doesn’t exist, but there are tons which will have you catching fish for years to come.

1 hour ago, TNBankFishing said:

Hmm. You’re pushing into a two different rod powers with the weights. An unweighted senko is 3/8s oz but a 6” keitech is upwards of 1.25 ounces.

If you’re never going to throw a trick worm I’d go heavy vs medium heavy. But in your next post you said you’re looking at the MGL for the light weights you’ll throw. I think you should determine 100% what you’re going to use the rod for first. One rod will not throw a finesse plastic and a 6” swimbait. Well, it will throw them but one or the other will cast so poorly you’ll stop trying.

Personally from the bank in the $200 range I’d suggest a used Victory, Daiwa Tatula Elite on sale, or maybe something Dobyns on sale. I’d not recommend anything with a short warranty because bank fishing is going to put more wear and tear into a rod and increase the chance you need to replace it. Whether or not they will replace a rod you crushed is up in the air but St. Croix has a stellar reputation for a reason.

I fish a ton from the bank and while more difficult it’s just as rewarding. Don’t get discouraged trying to find the one rod to rule them all. It doesn’t exist, but there are tons which will have you catching fish for years to come.

I appreciate your input. Yea I should've clarified... realistically for me, I will be looking to throw jigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, etc (3/8oz-1/2oz + trailer). As well as some plastics, cranks, and more. If I find myself wanting to use swimbaits and glide baits, I will just need to invest in another rod specifically for that. So just looking for an all around reel for the baits I listed above.

4 hours ago, Jayce Andersen said:

Yes, i'd say 6-8" swimbait is the biggest I'd throw.

2 hours ago, Jayce Andersen said:

I am now looking at the curado mgl150 because it may suit me better for the lighter baits I will use. Honestly, I'd rarely throw anything over 1.25oz. I will primarily throw in the 1/2oz-3/4oz range with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits etc.

An 8” swimbait is a huge step up in weight from a 6” (like 1.25 oz to 4 oz) but if you set a realistic upper max at a 6” magdraft and a realistic lower end at 3/8 total (1/8-1/4 oz plus plastic) then you’re talking about a ‘big’ medium heavy or a lighter heavy. I know the falcon lineup and that would be a 6-power rod like the head turner or heavy cover jig. A St croix MH like the 7’4” MH/F would be another. The expert head turner would be great for what you want, but it’s in the $250 range now (used to be $200). I don’t know the lowrider version enough to say for sure but I’m pretty sure it would be a good choice. If you like a longer rod, ignore the lure rating and look at the lowrider swim jig at 7’2” MH/F. It has plenty of grunt to throw an ounce swimbait but a light enough tip to throw 1/8 plus a trick worm.

I agree on the 150 size over the 200. I throw a 100 size for most things myself.

If it was me I'd go with a Curado 150 m or mgl paired to a Megabass levante perfect pitch. It's a 7'2" heavy but has a soft tip to it with plenty of backbone lower. It's extremely versatile great for jigs, T rigs, light frogging, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, 6inch mag drafts, even bigger top waters, and so much more. I even threw a 1/4oz ned+nedboosa on mine when I was pond hopping with it as my only rod I had with me. Youtube it there's plenty of videos on there talking about it's versatility

For me, the best Shimano deal right now is the Sellus series. A seven footer in MH will set you back 65$ only. A great rod for the price.

Out of the rods I’ve tried the most versatile is the dobyns Kaden 714 heavy fast. It is a heavy fast but closer to a mh. I have thrown 1/8 ounce Texas rigs all the way to a 6 inch magdraft or 1/2 ounce bladed jig/jig. It is a true fast but still very versatile. I have heard the sierra is a little bit more moderate than the kaden, so it may be even more versatile in a 734/704. For the reels, curado would be fine for lighter and heavier stuff and I would choose the 150 over the 200 unless you really need the extra line, but most likely you don’t. It palms much better and is lighter. To me, a Daiwa is slightly more versatile even than the curado 150. The curado can throw light stuff well and skip well, but I just feel more comfortable and it is way easier to do it on a Daiwa tatula/zillion for my experience. To make the decision harder, have you looked into jdm yet?

8 hours ago, BigBassBlake said:

If it was me I'd go with a Curado 150 m or mgl paired to a Megabass levante perfect pitch. It's a 7'2" heavy but has a soft tip to it with plenty of backbone lower. It's extremely versatile great for jigs, T rigs, light frogging, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, 6inch mag drafts, even bigger top waters, and so much more. I even threw a 1/4oz ned+nedboosa on mine when I was pond hopping with it as my only rod I had with me. Youtube it there's plenty of videos on there talking about it's versatility

I'll take a look! Thanks

9 hours ago, BigBassBlake said:

If it was me I'd go with a Curado 150 m or mgl paired to a Megabass levante perfect pitch. It's a 7'2" heavy but has a soft tip to it with plenty of backbone lower. It's extremely versatile great for jigs, T rigs, light frogging, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, 6inch mag drafts, even bigger top waters, and so much more. I even threw a 1/4oz ned+nedboosa on mine when I was pond hopping with it as my only rod I had with me. Youtube it there's plenty of videos on there talking about it's versatility

My only warning is Megabass rods tend to multiply rapidly if exposed to water and then stored in a dark garage. Purchase with care.

50 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

My only warning is Megabass rods tend to multiply rapidly if exposed to water and then stored in a dark garage. Purchase with care.

I can confirm this theory. It also works on megabass lures as well. So, be careful…