Shimano Curado K

The reason I would not get this reel is if you have the extra money to spend on something like this, as good as this really is, this is better. One ne...

The only competitor I see of this in the price range like it blows everything out of the water. In the past this won a lot of awards at ICAST but the ...

and for 70 dollars less, I would say it's absolutely worth it.

I normally buy all of my gear on tackle warehouse, but the left hand shimano curado ks were sold out everywhere. I found one at sportsman's and was under the impression it was brand new as it was "factory sealed" and was charged full price (179.99). I got home, opened it, found the reel out of the bubble wrap, the instruction manuals were all balled up and wrinkled, the reel itself had superficial scratches, and a piece off the breaking system cover had been glued back on.

I've heard nothing but gushing over this reel (or basically any Shimano reel). This is not worth $190. The braking system is not great. It does not prevent backlashing, and it does require constant fiddling. Definitely not the best baitcaster I've ever used, even though it is the most expensive.

I ended up doing a bunch of research based on what everyone said. Then based on u/maximumindicaton495 comment about checking used I took all that research and went looking and almost immediately found exactly what I was initially looking for, a Shimano Curado K 7.4 and it was on a 7'5" Shimano SLX medium heavy extra fast rod.

If your spool is tightened and you unclasp the plate it will not clasp back unless you untighten the spool. I have not been able to adjust my dial but I haven't needed to adjust it so that's good. Otherwise the Curado K is a great reel, very smooth, and I am glad I bought it.

If you can spend another 60 dollars buy a higher level reel. Shimano has the Curado K or buys whatever you like made by a quality manufacturer. Two hundred buys a very nice reel. I have been fishing for over 50 years, using baitcasters for 40.

Reel don’t perform right, drag system not working right reel stiff casting is real noisy like something inside not right. Didn’t use reel when I first got it and my 30 days were up so I figured I just got screwed.

I have a Curado K 201HG, and the 2021 Tatula SV TW HSL. Tatula throws the lighter baits better, but I think for what you want the Curado would be better. I would skip the SLX DC and just get the $180 Curado before February 1st (That's when the price will increase).