Bass Baitcaster Questions

[gorbs412]

Looking to a bass rod/reel baitcaster setup. This will be used to pull crank baits and spinners. Which reel do you recommend for this type of use? I have heard good things about the Curado, but there seems to be many models in that line up and I am not sure on which one. Would like to spend no more than $175-200 on the reel, and do not need to spend that much if I do not have to!

Thanks for any advice!

[Larson15]

The Curado is definitely the flagship reel of the Shimano baitcaster line-up. Very solid and will provide great durability. With that being said the Shimano Citica is also a good choice if you want to save a few bucks. They are very solid as well. They run around $120. If you are looking to pull crank baits and spinners the Citica might be a better option because it has the lower gear ratio of 6:2:1. The Curado has a faster gear ratio of 7:0:1.

[BassKid8]

I'm patrial to Abu Garcia reels. The Revo SX is a good option it's gear ratio is 6.4:1. This is a solid reel and all that I use. This will handle slow cranking and burning a spinnerbait. It runs at about $170 dollars but if you are able to find the older model it may be cheaper. For the rod specifically for Cranks its hard to beat a 7' fiberglass (KVD Tour Series). If you want a crank/spinnerbait rod go with a 7' M or MH. Make sure it has a medium taper. This means the rod will bend bend farther down the blank. This is especially important when using trebles. You want the rod to be more forgiving when you set the hook so that the trebles don't rip out of the mouth. This will also be a good rod for spinnerbaits for the same reasons. Remeber with rods and reels you get what you pay for.

[Deitz Dittrich]

If you are dedicating a reel to just do spinnerbait and deep cranks many people look to lower gear ratios. When pulling larger crank baits over a period of time it can be a work out on your flexor and extensor muscles of your forearm. The Curado E5(5-1 gear ratio) was designed for this. I have one and its really nice. But I dont like it for pulling rat-l-traps and smaller cranks. You just have to reel to fast. The suggestion to go to the Citica is also a good one. The Curado E7 would not be good as its gear ratio is too high for cranks and spins.

[blakjack23]

I agree the E5 would be a great reel for spinnerbaits and diving cranks. Like Deitz said though, it might be too slow to use with lipless cranks.

Another good option would be the new Curado 50E. I have a Core 50MG7 which has the same size frame and its just awesome how small it is. The Curado 50E has the 6.x gear ratio which is a great all around ratio. Should be able to find one of those on the E Bay for around $150-160.

[RumRiverRat]

Take a look at the Revos for Abu Garcia.

New in Box Revo STX can be found for 149.99 on E Bay, normal retail is $199.99

The Revo Winch would be another option.

[Superduty]

Get a Shimano baitcaster. Daiwa and Quantum next in line. IMO

ABU Garcia Revo=Bass Pro Shops Reels=Lew's=Pflueger=Pinnacle=Browining

All made in the same South Korean factory.

[Bass Whacker]

My vote would also be for the shimanos. I had 2 revo sx and both of them went to the scrap heap after they broke in the first summer and abu refused to warenty them after telling me they showed signs of "abnormal wear". my curados are going on 3 years with no issues at all.

[gorbs412]

Everyone. . .THANKS SO MUCH!

[Chris519]

Another vote here for Shimano!

[suncruiser234]

Shimano all the way! I have 5 Curados that are better than 8 years old.

[Irish]

Get a Curado! Shimano is the best no doubt.

[gorbs412]

What are your thoughts on the Curado 300E, looks like that one has the 6.2:1, very close to the Citica's 6.3:1. Is the Curado's quality that much better than the Citica's? It seems the curado has a VERY loyal following compared to the Citica.

[Larson15]

The Curado 300E is a serious reel made for bigger baits like 1-2oz blades, swim baits etc. You would probably have a tough time throwing your normal lighter baits on it. I dont believe that it would be a good choice for what you have described.

The Citica E and the Curado E have the exact same mechanical components part number for part number with a few exceptions:

1. Different Grips - the curado has the bigger septon power grips.

2. Different spools - curado has a magnum-lite spool opposed to the normal aluminum spool in the citica.

3. The Curado has 7 bearings opposed to the 4 bearings in the Citica. Two of the bearings in the curado are in the handle which makes it a little smoother.

There is a bearing at the base of the main crank on the curado instead of a bushing on the Citica. This will have no effect on the lasting of the reel, only the smoothness. You can also change a Citica gears out to make it 5:1 or 7:1 or you can take the Citica Gears and put them in either Curado to make it a 6.2:1. Now there are some cosmetic and bling additions on the Curado but like power steering over conventional. They will still turn. Other than that the only other difference is the color.

[mww24]

man you guys know the workings of these shimanos.

[slipperybob]

It's amazing how some few changes and choice of materails used in a reel can change much of the reel's performance. The Curados' also do a better job at casting light lures in the 1/4 oz weight than the Citica's. As stated already, to some blings but the material is what makes it better.

Aluminum Star drag with fully integrated clicker assembly.

Aluminum drag Key washer

Brass brake pegs

Aluminum cast control knob

Titanium levelwind line guide

Most of all, the added bearings is really what makes it better.

[Superduty]

You can easily add the main shaft bearing to the Citica for about $8. If you know enough about a reel to clean it, you can make this change. I did a few of mine and will see if I can tell them apart as the year progresses. They are a good reel out of the box though. No change is needed unless you are into reel tinkering.

[olski]

To throw another good reel out there, take a good hard look at the Lew's tournament pro for $179 or for that matter the tournament at $139.

Good solid reels for the money and if you want a crankin reel the 5.4 tournament with the long sweeping handle is pretty tough to beat.

[Irish]

What are your thoughts on the Curado 300E, looks like that one has the 6.2:1

These reels are for throwing bigger baits than the 200s. Many guys use the 300s for throwing light musky baits which are huge compared to most bass baits.

[gorbs412]

Ended up going with with Citica and a skeet reese crankbait rod. Thanks Everyone!

What are you guys using for line on these? I had a recommendation from Gander to spool it with 14lb mono, which I did for now.

Thanks!

[suncruiser234]

I would go with 8/30 Power Pro.

[beakgeek]

I have a Abu Garcia Revo S new in the box and still have a receipt. After hearing how crappy they are I am going to return it and get a Shimano Curado.

[Deitz Dittrich]

beak- Even as a shimano pro staffer I would say dont do it. The revo may work perfectly for you and may become your fave reel of all time. This one post is only a very small sample of consumers. The Revo is a great selling reel, for good reason. Quality vs performance.

That said, I would be more than pleased to have another Shimano Curado customer..

[beakgeek]

@Deitz

It was not just the comments here. After reading this thread I went online and read a bunch of reviews from different sources. I heard nothing but glowing responses for the Shimano Curado. The Revo had enough negative comments to make me change my mind.

[dobiel]

@Deitz

It was not just the comments here. After reading this thread I went online and read a bunch of reviews from different sources. I heard nothing but glowing responses for the Shimano Curado. The Revo had enough negative comments to make me change my mind.

You can't really compare a $130 reel to a $180 reel and be fair about it. Maybe compare an SX with a Curado. I own both Curados and Revos and there are great features to both and I wouldn't hesitate to use either as my primary reel. The Curado may be arguably more durable but the Revo definitely has the Curado in pure comfort if you want ultra low profile. In addition, I fish my Revos hard and often and they've held up just fine for the last few years. I think it comes down to which one feels better in your hand.