Shimano Citica

[gspman]

Posted in equipment/experts forum but I thought I'd post it here too.

Hi folks,
Found a deal on a couple Citica's for $50. Normally these are $90+ reels. I figure I can buy them, order some bearings and replace the bushings and have something that closely approximates a 5.2:1 Curado for a lot less $$$. What do you think? Should I go for it???
gspman

[Deitz Dittrich]

In my opinion, to get good berrings like ABEC 7...your going to end up spending what the reel would have been new...However you would have a very good reel when you are done... I myself would just buy the Curado to start with if it were me...OR just be happy with the Citica they are a decent reel.. but I probably wouldnt replace the berrings unless they needed replacing.

[gspman]

ExudeDude,
I didn't think ABEC-7 bearings costed that much. At $50 per reel I have $70 to work with before I approach the $120 price of a new Curado. I should be able to get a couple ABEC-7 bearings for $16 plus shipping. That still only adds up to about $70. Let me know if I'm off base here but I think I can do this at total cost for much less than the price of a new Curado.
gspman

[Deitz Dittrich]

To be honest... I changed out the berrings on one of my Curado's a few years ago.. and for some reason I thought it cost me about 30 bucks for 2 berrings to put into one reel(one on each side of the spool). Maybe I am way off base here, I guess I dont know.

You could be totally right here. I think the only person who can answer your question is you. If you do, do it.. Please post back in here and let us know how much you feel it helped. Enquiring minds want to know....

I will tell you that the Curado that I put the abec7 berrings did cast a bit better than the other curado's I had... But I could tell no difference on the retrieve at all....

[gspman]

Okay boys,
Here's the scoop. I picked up these 2 Citica's at WalMart. Don't know if this is at every WalMart or just the one I went to. Got one on clearance for $53 and the other for $30 because it had 2 parts missing (end cap, brake collar).

There are 2 bushings in the reel on the spool shaft and 1 on the drive shaft. The advice I got from Heartland Reel Service in Kansas is there is no gain to replacing the one on the drive shaft. So I have 2 bushings on each reel to replace at $8 per bearing.

Reel #1 - $53
2 bearings - $16
Total $69

Reel #1 - $30
2 bearings - $16
End cap - $ 1.80
Brake collar $ .25
Total $48.05

So for just under $120 I have 2 decent reels that are very similar to the Curado.

I think I did okay on this one for a change.

gspman

[Trailblazer]

Your Quote: So for just under $120 I have 2 decent reels that are very similar to the Curado.

Not to rain on your parade, and I am sure you got a great deal, but here is my philosphy. You get what you pay for....
The Curado has been a proven reel for many, many years. The are tought and durable - heck, I even use one when muskie fishing.

The Citica does not even compare to a Curado and I hope you get yrs out of this reel. I have my 4 Curado's for 5 yrs now and no problems!

Good Luck

[gspman]

Trailblazer,
You may be right. But it remains to be seen. I do have 3 Curados and I agree that they are awesome reels. If you look at the parts explosion diagrams for the Curado and the Citica they are exactly the same except for the bushings/bearings differences. The Citica has 3 bushings where the Curado has 3 bearings. I also called Shimano customer service to verify and they said the reels are pretty much the same except for the bearings and possibly a slight spool difference.

Anyway for me, I'm willing to take the risk for what I have planned for these reels.

Thanks.

gspman

[andy j]

I like the way you think more power to ya. wish I would of thought of that