New Reel

[Esox_Magnum]

Well I fell into the dark side today. Some of you know I'm not a fan of Abu's but with the new Revo Toro I think they may have something there. Hopefully its not a purchase I'll regret like the rest of my Abu muskie reel buys. But I got a great deal on it, its similar to my Curado that I love but with a lower gear ratio. I'll be putting this on my soon to get new cowgirl rod and be ready to go when tourney time starts May 3rd. Hoping it preforms as well as it looks and feels. I'm happy with my Revo S I use for walleyes and bass so it should fit well into my arsenal.

[cbrooks]

I would have figure that the Curado would be tough reeling in DCG. Do you put a power handle on it?

[Esox_Magnum]

I don't mind it, we'll see how the 5:3 does this year.

[cbrooks]

I was thinking of getting a trindad and maybe ordering a custome 9 foot rod for throwing DCG.

[HugoBox]

cbrooks -

Don't want to hijack or change the thread but you'll love a 9 footer. I be I used it about 75% of the time over the rest of my stuff. Even at a real heavy action the length allows me to throw anything and it also makes doing 8's a lot easier.

-erik

[smeese]

Which model did you pick up? I picked up a Revo Toro after finding a good deal on one too......I am hoping they are on to something. We will see when the open water appears.

[BrianLucky13]

Just ordered a 9'2" St Croix!!! Cant wait to see it!!! Some type of Shimano will be going on it. The rod will only be used for DC-10's. Is it June yet????

[Esox_Magnum]

I got the Toro 60 in the 5:4:1. I will be going on a 9' rod yet to be determined for DCG's

[smeese]

I picked up the same reel with the 6:4:1 I put it on A St Croix 7' HF but may upgrade that before the season begins. A 9' would be sweet but we wilol see......assuming you got it in do you think it will handle the DCG's? Seems pretty heavy duty to me...Flea Bay had some good prices on them.

[Esox_Magnum]

I ran DCG's on a 6:3:1 Shimano Curado 300 DSV last season with no problem, I don't see the Toro being a problem. Rod will be a custom from Thorne Bros, just not sure what blank yet, waiting to see Lonnies new creation to compete with the Steel and Sling Blade.

[BrianLucky13]

Esox, how often did you use the Curado?? Once a week or do you fish everyday?? Did you only use it for reeling DC-10s??? Im kind of looking at that reel. The slingblade isnt cheap. Thats what I was gonna go with then I got talked into a 9'2" foot heavy action premier. Half the price and I guess pretty close to being the same. Thanks

[Esox_Magnum]

3-5 times a week. normaly get out 2-3 nights a week after work and daylight till after dark on weekends. In other words I used it alot. My log book says over 400 hours after muskies last year, not alot by some standards but all I could get out. I would say cowgirls though only accounted for 40% of my casting.

[BrianLucky13]

Thanks Esox!!! What kind of reel would you compare it to???

[RK]

Hiya -

I used the Toro 5.4:1 a lot last season. Frankly it's the first Low Pro reel I've thought could handle muskies. I love the thing.

I just got a first look at a new model Toro - the Winch. It's a 4.3:1 gear ratio that'll be awesome for big baits. Word right now is they'll be available right around the beginning of June.

FYI...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Esox_Magnum]

The Curado and new Toro are all there is to compare. I haven't got to abuse the toro yet only time will tell.

[BrianLucky13]

Ok thanks!! I guess I wont try abu garcias anymore though.

[JimBuck]

I've enjoyed Abu's line of baitcast reels. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a Toro as soon as I take care of some other boat accessories. Hey Rob, will the Winch have a similar line capacity to that of the Toro? I'm looking for a big bait reel and low-profile is high on my list.

[RK]

Hiya -

JimBuck - yeah, it's exactly the same reel as the other Toros, just a different gear ratio. Same line capacity as a 6500C basically.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[goblueM]

I've been debating getting a new setup, and I think I'm down to the the Curado or the Toro for the reel

I have a setup for DCGs and big baits already so I probably wouldn't be throwing monster baits more than 25% of the time. What do you guys think? Seems like there are people who like both reels and they both look pretty sweet

[Esox_Magnum]

I use the low pros for big baits to. I wont hesitate to rip a mag dawg on my Curado and will rip them on the Toro to see what it will handle. The Toro will primarily be my cowgirl reel though, providing it does its job as well as the Curado did last year. I may consider when the time comes to replace my round reels with low pro ones except for trolling.

[TrophyEyes]

Esox, now here is a dollars and sense question. If you could buy a New Curado 300 for $179, would that be a better buy than a Calcutta 400TE for $300. Which would you prefer to have? Which is a better buy? I only through DCG's about 15% of the time and fish about 20 days a year with it. By the way I also have a new Abu Record for whatever that is worth. I am just trying to find an all around reel for my Shimano 8' Heavy.

[Esox_Magnum]

A good deal for $179, but better than a TE, I don't think so. You'll be happy with the Curado though, for the time you fish hard to justify the extra bucks on a TE. I fish over 100 days a summer and don't yet own a TE ( will someday) I don't use the Curado for everything, a better budget all around reel would be a Corvalus or Okuma Induron $80-$120.I have both and both have served me well so far.

We run 4 Calcutta B's and other than the drags backing off have been reliable reels. I have 1 partner that can break about anything and his 2 400 B's lasted all year. His new ( June 08 )Luna has been rebuilt twice now. Give him an Abu and he'll tear it up in a weekend.

I have several friends thats had the Records, I hope you have better luck with yours than they have.

[TrophyEyes]

I bought the record for $100 new, so either way, I think it is a good buy. I was considering the luna, TE and some others, but cannot find the right one. I cannot buy a Calcutta B because they don't make a left handed model.

[Esox_Magnum]

A Lefty huh? Narrows the search down a little then. I saw a lefty Toro 60 at the berkley outlet last week for $180 not sure if they have them listed online. A little beffier than the 33 Curado. look up fishemans factory outlet and see .

[TrophyEyes]

Does anyone trust the Toro's yet? I kind of want to see if they have worked all the bugs out first. Yeah for left handed reels I am limited to Curado, all the Abu's (except the 7000), Calcutta TE, Luna 300L, and a few others. I am just looking for an all around reel that can handle a little bit of DCG action and some light trolling duty. Unfortunately the Muskie reels have gotten so specific in there design that the TE is one of the few that does everything well. At least that is what I have been told.