My first baitcasting reel was a Diawa ProCaster 6+1, coupled with a BassPro 6' ML crankin' stick.  I finally treated myself to a 6'6" M Mojo Bass rod with a Citica reel and am so glad I did - Wow, what a difference!!!  I actually spend more time using my baitcaster than my spinning rigs. 

I just picked up the 7' MH Mojo Bass rod and put the ProCaster on it.  I can definitely tell the weight difference with the ProCaster so I'd like to put a Shimano on the new rod (and "hand down" the original setup to my son). 

Should I spend the extra coin for a Curado - or stick with another Citica ?

Thanks,

Walter

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocitica200e.html

Tackletour compares the differences in them. 

Thanks very much !

No problem.

The review and the other focused on the Curado seem to focus on the slower 5.x:1 ratio and talk alot about using that for crankbaits.  Is the 5:1 better than the 7:1 for crankbaits - or is it easy enough to slow down the retrieve with the faster reel?

I was going to mainly throw crankbaits and lipless cranks with this rig - just curious if the slower setup is really the better choice.

Thanks,

Walter

I personally, and I believe most of the other people I've talked to, prefer the slower reel for cranks.  It's not just about the speed that you crank, it's also fatigue.  The lower geared reel is more powerful.  That equates to less user fatigue when casting cranks out.

Great - thanks.

Both are great reels but if there's a thought that you should get a curado, go ahead.  And the E5 is a great crankbait reel, I also prefer a bit slower gear ratio

If you plan on throwing lipless baits often, get the 7:1, you will give yourself carpel tunnel trying to keep that 5:1 up burning a trap.

Its much easier to slow down a fast reel as you said. If your gonna be throwing DD22's thats one thing, but  if your throwing bandits or 1 minus type baits a 7:1 is fine. This is only my opinion though, you can always demo both from tackle wharehouse and try them for yourself.

Citica. 6.3:1 is a great all around speed for just about any lure you want to throw. Slow down a little on deep running cranks. Speed up for burning a lipless or for bubbling a frog across the surface. Spinnerbaits, no problem. Plastics, easy to adjust to with almost any speed reel.

The new Curado 50E is a 6.3:1 reel I believe. Lot more "coin" than the Citica E though.

I own a curado e7 and a citica e.  I personally wouldn't own anything much slower than what gear ratio the citica is.  Thats just me. 

  If your going to cast more finesse/light lures and don't mind the speed I'd go w/ the e7.  If the speed concerns you and you'll be casting average weighted lures(1/4-1oz.) I'd get the citica.

  Yes the curado is a better reel,  but not "tons" better by any means.  The citica is newer to me and I must admit I was impressed by its overall performance.  Especially since I got it for 20% off.

The review and the other focused on the Curado seem to focus on the slower 5.x:1 ratio and talk alot about using that for crankbaits. Is the 5:1 better than the 7:1 for crankbaits - or is it easy enough to slow down the retrieve with the faster reel?

I was going to mainly throw crankbaits and lipless cranks with this rig - just curious if the slower setup is really the better choice.

Thanks,

Walter

I would definitely go with the 7:1. IMO you have more control over what the crainkbait is doing. Think of this way, it is WAY easier to slow yourself down then to burn that reel with the 5:1.

And yes go with the Curado

Thanks folks.  Looks like the 5:1 is out as it only comes in a right-hand retrieve, and I'm much more comfortable with a left-hand retrieve and I'm not sure I can get used to the left hand managing the pole.  That leaves me with the 7:1 Curado vs. the 6.3:1 Citica. 

I suppose I could put the Citica on the 7' MH Crankbait rod and get the Curado for the 6'6" M Topwater rod - which I use for buzzbaits, frogs, pop-Rs, torpedos, etc.  Not sure I'd be throwing much lighter than 1/4 with the topwater rig, as I would likely fall back to my spinning rig for soft plastics and lighter lures.

I've been throwing lipless cranks lately, mainly because they've been working.  Most of my crankbaits run in the 4-14 ft range, definitely not deep runners, but not always running at the surface either.

Sounds like the demo option from Tackle warehouse may be the ticket - and at least gives me more reasons to hit the local park

-Walter

it all depends on what bait you r using but i like the curado personly but i cant say i have one but i want to get one for spinnerbaits

I have 8 of the citica e reels and they do very well. I don't think that you would be disappointed with them. If you look on ebay you can find them priced in the $95 range new