I am looking for a new reel and really like the curado. I am putting it on a flippin stick to pitch jigs and soft plastics. I am just curious to how strong these reels are at pulling fish out of hydrilla and other cover. I have a Pfleuger 7:1 ratio reel and it seems to lack the power of the 6.3's. Thanks for the help!

What Curado has a 7:3? The e7's are 7:1:1 they are great reels, and although they dont have the drag of Abu's they are still able to haul the biguns' outta the slop.  Get one or three you'll love em.

I meant 7.1, sorry about that. Thanks for the reply

Last year I bagged a 41" Northern Pike on a Curado; had no issues with power & drag.

Most high speed reel have less drag but it works for these applications.

THe Curado is a well built, durable reel. However, I have to caution you about using any reel as a winch. Fight the fish with your rod and use the reel to take up line. A 7.1:1 is at that.

I think the curado (even the E7) is ranked at 11# of drag. The boys at tackle review (going by my memory) said it test at 12# of drag I think.

Anyways, I have a couple of citicas and a curado E7 and I don't lose line when pulling them out of slop, bushes, whatever.

If you want a Shimano for pitching and flipping, and want a virtual winch, consider the Castaic.  The Castaic is a wee bit less expensive than the Curado.  But it is built like a Bradley Fighting Vehicle.  The side plates are graphite, but the brake case on the brake side (under the graphite sideplate) is thick aluminum and screws into the frame.  The brake case is what supports the bearing on that side.  The crank side frame that supports stuff on that side is thick aluminum.  The drag is entirely sufficient.  It has Shimano's flipping thumbar called Instagage II.  It's a neat feature that allows you to engage and disengage the thumbar without cranking the handle.  And it will cast the lightest baits very easily.  I love mine.