Jrob78

They don't normally release the 50 size reels, previously the 100 size reels, at the same time as the 100/200 size reels. If there is going to be a smaller version it will come later. They only did it with the Chronarch E because they already had the tooling and were already making the Curado 50E.

You can't have a better Curado with more technology and updated materials and expect the price to stay the same. If I remember correctly, the Curado D was a $199 reel, the E actually went down and the G went down again. I would much rather pay $200 for a better reel. They tried a budget friendly reel in the G, that didn't go over too well. You can't have it both ways.

I agree. 2's if regular length trebles and 1's if short shank trebles.

Me too. The rod I use for Flukes and Senkos is a 7'3" MH F. Those baits load up fine on it and cast a mile. Plus, I get better hook sets on long casts.

The St. Croix Avid Pearl are the only rods I know of that seem to be made with women in mind. Fisher Girl makes some womens rod and reel combos but they look pretty cheesy.

Take your reel into the store and put it on the rods you like. See which one's feel the best and pick one of those. That's about as close as you're going to get to knowing what a rod fishes like. You just have to buy different rods until you figure out what you really like.

I would use #1. A fluke is heavy and aerodynamic, you shouldn't have any issue casting it with casting gear. If you prefer spinning gear though, #3 would work fine too.

If you throw deep divers much, a rod meant for deep diving crankbaits is pretty important, IMO. You can throw all your cranks on one rod but it definitely isn't ideal.

A split ring probably isn't going to fit through the eye on most jig heads.

Yeah, you are probably right.

I just found this video on youtube of Shimano's 2014 releases. At the end when it goes through all the new products, there is a casting reel that gets skipped over. It's between the spinning reels and the rods. You can't see anything really but I bet that's the Curado. Look at about the 3:07 mark. Some of the rods look cool too, btw. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYazOCfILwU

Yeah, I don't see any "gaping void" in the hook market. There is a hook in every imaginable size, style and brand. I see no need at all for half sizes.

Round 3 is even more impressive! What an awesome place to fish!

Another thing to consider is the prototypes may or may not have the cosmetics that the final product will have. The fact that they are already replacing the G series suggests that they realize they disappointed a lot of people. I expect the new Curado to be a very good reel, they can't afford to blow this one.

Get a pair of Texas Tackle Split Ring Pliers, the ones with the orange handle. They make changing out anything on a split ring a breeze. You can find cheaper pliers but they won't be as easy to use.

Nevermind

It's so hard to tell. We'll all know what they look like next month.

I'm pretty sure that's a Calcutta. I have no doubt that he was using the prototype some on that trip, you just never get a good look at it during the show.

It looks to me like he's using a Calcutta 200D. I have it recorded so I'll watch it again from the beginning and see if I can see it.

I read somewhere that there are more colors coming out. Some time in February they're releasing a baby bass pattern and a shad pattern. It looks like Monster Tackle has some in stock still, I ordered some from them a couple of days ago.

I actually like using braid for my main line on c-rigs. I feel it helps with hook sets on long casts. I run 50lb braid, a 1/2-1oz tungsten flipping weight, a glass bead or tungsten force bead, a brass clacker/knot protector and a swivel. I like to use 24"-48" of 15-17 mono for my leader. The mono adds a bit of shock protection and helps keep the bait up off the bottom. It's a really good idea to use a lighter weight leader line so that if you get hung up all you lose is the hook and not the whole rig.

Buy the Fuego. They are getting harder to come by and you can buy a Tatula any time you want. The Fuego is a great reel.

This....I will add, besides smelling like something a fish eats, it also helps cover up your scent. I use Pro-Cure also.

I would probably use it for small hardbaits. It would be great for 0.5 size crankbaits and small jerkbaits, as well as small balsa baits. You can use a rod like that for small jigs and light plastics but you need to make sure you're using very sharp, fine wire hooks. It will be hard to get a good a very firm hook set, so large hooks probably won't penetrate well. Also, the baits you will be throwing are best suited to lighter line. I would probably be using 6-8 lb test mono or fluoro and a reel that can handle light weights.

I use the Rapala digital scale also. I have no complaints, other than not needing to use it as much as I would like.