I have a question that perhaps one of the posse members can answer for me.

I sent an email to American Legacy about the Curado 50E sale and I got lucky about a week later I got an email that they had a cancellation so I snapped one up. I like it so far but one thing:

Handle seems a bit hard to turn to engage the spool after a cast. Also is a pretty audible "Click". Will this get better with use or is this how it is? Not a huge deal. Just curious.

In my experience, a die-hard Shimano guy, Shimanos are generally very tight all around from the factory. They usually do free-up with use, but I've never noticed one being tight in that respect. I bought two of them from the Americanlegacy sale. I just picked them up and felt of them, yeah they are tighter than normal. I have a new Core coming in today or tomorrow. I'll compare them and see when it gets here and get back to you.

Probably will loosen up with some use, I don't think it's anything to be concerned about.

I got the 50e. It does seems tight right out of the box so I open it up for re-lube.

The Drags were a bit dry. Started greasing the inside wall and gears and oiling all bearings.

Now it's ready for some action.

Here's what I feel after using it a couple of days..

Casting this thing is like a dream and the retrieve is very smooth. If you like the CU100B, this is your mini CU100B but smoother and cast 3" BH on 1/4oz a lot easier and further.

I'm able to cast the super spook and Duel side popper by 100ft and the Zara spook Jr by 80ft.

It was a great deal getting it for $97.88, I'm glad I stock up a bit..

I got the 50e. It does seems tight right out of the box so I open it up for re-lube.

The Drags were a bit dry. Started greasing the inside wall and gears and oiling all bearings.

Now it's ready for some action.

Here's what I feel after using it a couple of days..

Casting this thing is like a dream and the retrieve is very smooth. If you like the CU100B, this is your mini CU100B but smoother and cast 3" BH on 1/4oz a lot easier and further.

I'm able to cast the super spook and Duel side popper by 100ft and the Zara spook Jr by 80ft.

It was a great deal getting it for $97.88, I'm glad I stock up a bit..

Maybe I wasn't clear in the OP, but the problem is it seems like it takes more "effort" to re-engage the spool after a cast by turning the handle. Everything else after that is smooth as silk. Picture reeling the bail closed on a spining reel. Seems like I have to turn the handle harder than any other reel I own to re-engage the spool after a cast and it makes a distinctive clicking sound when doing so. All else is fine.

Yeah, I bet they sold quite a few at $97.88.

This is probably nothing some break-in and a deep cleaning and proper lube won't take care of. Unless it actually feels like it's binding, you don't need to worry. On the opposite side, I service a lot of Daiwas that don't engage properly without an aggressive turn on the crank. Same solution.

I still have some 50e's on sale ..... not for $97.88 .... but good price

What DVT said.

If that does not work it could be that the 'Anti Reverse Ratchet' or part no. BNT 3483 is flipped the other way, making it missing the Clutch Pawl when you try to engage the gears. I have that issue when I disassemble it for lubing and mistakenly put the Anti Reverse Ratchet the other way. It had diffculty in engaging the gears and would make that clicking sound when trying to engaged it. I just flipped it back and it works great.

I would send it to shimano if you are not the DIY guy type.

I clean and "re-lube" all my new reels so that isn't the issue.

Sounds like I need to use it more and break it in.

Thanks guys.

Historically, the gear engagement on the Curados and the Chronarch reels has been different. The Chronarchs have always engaged with a decided "snap" and if your 50E does it, I'd assume it has similar parts inside. If so, it will never "wear-in" and become quiet - that's just the way it works.