Shimano Curado Casting Reels Review

Curado!, 2005-09-28
Reviewer: Blaine

I have the Curado 200BSF, which is the super free version that allows longer casts. This is such a great reel for the price. It is smooth and casts beautifully. I liked my first one so much that I bought 3 more(actually japan market scorpions which are mildly upgraded versions of this reel). I don't think people have to spend $300 on a reel when they can just buy this. Next year, I plan to upgrade the bearings to even further increase the performance of this fine machine.
I know that Shimano is replacing these soon so I plan on buying another one! The new one will probably have more features, but the more features, the more potential problems.

Curado 201B, 2005-09-03
Reviewer: Nene Araneta

The Curado 201B is an excellent reel in both fresh and light saltwater. I have used it extensively for surf stripers and it has performed flawlessly! Light, easy to palm, it will cast lures with ease and has the power to fight 10-15lb stripers in the surf with no problems. As far a corrosion, none so far, and Ive used it for about 4 months now in saltwater, just lightly rinse, (Not submerge) in freshwater, and wipe down and lube when needed. I wouldnt recommend the super free model for salt due to the holes on the spool. They are susceptible to saltwater getting inside the gears. Other than that, I would highly recommend the Curado for both fresh and light saltwater.

Curado CU200B5, 2005-03-14
Reviewer: Scott M. Bennard

I bought this reel for slow rolling bigger spinnerbaits and throwing deeper diving crankbaits such as DD-22's. The 5:1 retrieve ratio feels perfect to me for these applications. I tried the 3:8 one (CU200B38), but I did not like not having the ability to recover line if the fish ran toward me. The 5:1 is a great comprimise between the 6.2:1 and 3.8:1. I do not like the fact that it does not have a fine tune spool tension adjust, like say a Team Daiwa TD-S, but the spool is easy to remove which facilitates with brake adjustment and lubing. Although mine is not a Super Free version, it casts very well and reels in just as smoothly. Overall, I have been very impressed with this reel and would have no problem recommending it to anyone in search of a good cranking/slow rolling reel.

theres a reason this reel is so popular, 2005-02-18
Reviewer: Arvin Reyes

i own the curado 100B (super free spool)

good:
small size fits nicely in the palm. casts beautifully. cranks very smooth. decent price tag at around $120. known for being the most popular reel for use by tournament anglers.

bad:
doesnt do very well in saltwater. it works fine. but you have to be very careful and vigilant in rinsing the reel off and cleaning and maintenance. i had to send mine back to shimano due to the pinion gear and the pinion bearing being rusted together.

comments:
i love this reel when it works. but hate it (as i would any other reel) when its not. im hoping that when i get the reel back, the bearings will have all been replaced with the new AR-B bearings so i wont have as much of a problem with corrosion as i have had. it is still a very smooth reel and one of my favorites to date. highly recommended.