Curado 50E Vs Stradic 2500 Fj

[Cody0707]

If you could only have 1 of these to do all of your fishing to include some light saltwater which would it be?

[j.bruno]

Probably the stradic, but if it was a 200e curado, Than the 200e

[J Francho]

The decision is pretty simple. The Curado is NOT rated for saltwater use and the Stradic is.

[Hooligan]

The decision is pretty simple. The Curado is NOT rated for saltwater use and the Stradic is.

DingDingDingDing We have a winner.

[0119]

Texas inshore guys swear by the Curados even the new ones. Bantam advises it is saltwater safe. That being said, theres good reason why low profile baitcasters arent the norm in most coastal areas. Wind. Its pure misery trying to throw a under 1/4 DOA Shrimp into a 15 or 20mph wind on the flats. You'll even see that wind on the jetty or in plain old bay fishing.

[J Francho]

Bantam advises it is saltwater safe.

You realize the warranty DOES NOT cover corrosion, and Curados do not have ARB bearings. I wouldn't call that "saltwater safe."

Yes, you can use any reel in saltwater, and never have a problem, if you properly maintain your gear, and rinse gently after every use. But there are better tools designed specifically for the task. You want a baitcaster for salt, then get a Calcutta.

[Chris at Tech]

Stradic

[0119]

All the ARB bearing is...is the same bearing with the shield removed. Aint no difference in its ability to thwart salt. Just a gimic I was using those Calcuttas in the salt before they thought up ARB bearings with no difficulty.

[SirSnookalot]

Personally I wouldn't pick either reel, but for the once in a while saltwater trip it's the 2500 stradic. Light saltwater, IMO, does not always mean fishing from the beach or fishing in areas that are very low to the water, which is my preference. Fishing from a pier or jettie I'd use a 4000 size minimum, most here in my part of Florida use even bigger, you just never know what's swimming by on any given day. Fishermen here than use bait casters use bait, live or cut, for lures spinning is almost exclusive, a low profile b/c is a rare sight. Depending on the time of year 15-20+ mph wind is the rule not the exception.

[Cody0707]

I guess I should sell my nib curado 51e and get a stradic then. I don't think I would need larger than a 2500 as I will be fishing flats in a kayak. If I hook on to something bigger I'll just hang on and go for a ride. Thanks for the help.

[Capt.Bob]

No doubt, the Stradic FJ 3000 would be my choice, same frame and size as the 2500, holds more line, but has a better handle (my preference, wish the 4000 used the same one), and the new FJ's are ssssssoooooo ssssmmmmmooooooottthhhhh on bigger fish!!

[baluga]

I'll go for the 50E, a lot of fun for inshore fishing, load it with 20# S8S braid. It can withstand the saltwater. I use mine in saltwater. Just grease the inside walls and gears the first time you use it, plus always wash it after using. I even use my CORE 100 in saltwater fishing.

[Capt.Bob]

The Stradic definatly has better specks and power for big Snook and Reds, permit Bones???

* Model: ST-3000FJ Spinning Reel

* Line retrieve per crank (in): 35

* Line capacity (# Test/ yd): 6/230, 8/170, 10/140

* Max drag (lb): 15

* Gear ratio: 6.0:1

* Weight (oz): 9.3

Curado 50E Specs. are a little light for salt water.

• Model - CU50E
  
• Line Capacity (Power Pro) - 20/115, 30/105, 40/80
  
• Line Capacity (mono) - 10/105, 12/85, 14/70
  
• Bearings - 5+1
  
• Gear Ratio - 6.4:1
  
• Line Recovery - 25" Per Turn
  
• Max Drag - 10 lbs
  
• Weight - 6.9 oz
  
• Retrieve - Right Hand
  

This is why I would suggest the Stradic, you get better line recovery, 35" compared to the Curado's 25" per handle turn, the 15 pound max drag for stopping bigger fish with limited line capacity, which by the way the Stradic holds 140 yards of 10lb mono compared to 105yards for the 50E.

I would prefer the Stradic for these conditions, to choose the Curado I would have to go to the 200 size. This was why I made my recommendations, because of specs. But Reel type preference is personal and another mater, just don't make it more suited.

[Cody0707]

I went fishing today using my cheap Shimano Syncopate 2500. I had it correctly spooled up with 10lb power pro. I was fishing texas rig, poppers, and a Rapala. About half way through fishing I got a huge knot in the line discovered while I was casting and hung up on the rod. Cut the knot out. ABout 2 cast later I had to do the same thing all over again.

Is this do to a cheap reel, rod, or both? If this is something I continuously have to deal with then I will take the baitcaster and just get really use to what it can do in saltwater.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Im being respectful when mentioning this I feel it is operator error when this happens not equipment.

That happens from too much line on spool and/or not pulling slack out of line after flipping bail closed by hand or just useing handle to close bail. A little loop forms over the spool and next time you throw out the line catches the loop and twists it off tangle/knot ensues. You trade that off for backlashes in a baitcaster.

[Cody0707]

Im being respectful when mentioning this I feel it is operator error when this happens not equipment.

That happens from too much line on spool and/or not pulling slack out of line after flipping bail closed by hand or just useing handle to close bail. A little loop forms over the spool and next time you throw out the line catches the loop and twists it off tangle/knot ensues. You trade that off for backlashes in a baitcaster.

I am sure you are correct. How do you keep slack line out if your using a texas rig or something of that nature or does it not matter once the bail is closed? Sooner or later your going to have to reel in slack line.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Yeah should be taken care of once bail is closed and then give line a little tug to get line seated in lineguide/roller

[SirSnookalot]

The only thing in common between raising sheep and cattle is they both eat grass. That said my advice would be get your information from a saltwater board specifically for the area you are going to fish. I fish saltwater nearly 365 days a year, that does not make me an expert on your target species and the places you will be fishing, my knowledge centers around South Florida fishing.

One of the only reel specs that is important to me is line capacity, max drag is not that import, you're not going crank it down anyway, and I really don't favor one reel over another because it's a few ounces lighter. BR is a pro Shimano board, where I fish Shimanos are far from the most popular, Penns are and some of the real "experts" here love Quantum cabos. I do like my stradic 4000 fi's, but like I my Penn conquer, Abu Soron's and my Quantum cabo equally as well, my Pflueger medalist is the smoothest reel I own. If the intent is a double duty with reel the 3000 size probably the best bet, full time use it would be a 4000 size.

Even though freshwater and inshore techniques are quite similar, it's all moot if you don't know how to land them, it is different.

[Cody0707]

The only thing in common between raising sheep and cattle is they both eat grass. That said my advice would be get your information from a saltwater board specifically for the area you are going to fish. I fish saltwater nearly 365 days a year, that does not make me an expert on your target species and the places you will be fishing, my knowledge centers around South Florida fishing.

One of the only reel specs that is important to me is line capacity, max drag is not that import, you're not going crank it down anyway, and I really don't favor one reel over another because it's a few ounces lighter. BR is a pro Shimano board, where I fish Shimanos are far from the most popular, Penns are and some of the real "experts" here love Quantum cabos. I do like my stradic 4000 fi's, but like I my Penn conquer, Abu Soron's and my Quantum cabo equally as well, my Pflueger medalist is the smoothest reel I own. If the intent is a double duty with reel the 3000 size probably the best bet, full time use it would be a 4000 size.

Even though freshwater and inshore techniques are quite similar, it's all moot if you don't know how to land them, it is different.

I actually grew up in south Florida fishing grouper with only Penn reels. It's good to know Penn is still one of the more dominant companies. After doing a search on several other forums it seems like Shimano is still a recommended brand just no where near what BR forum members recommend. On other forums it seems to shift more to Penn. Quantum and Daiwa are also recommended.

[Capt.Bob]

I actually grew up in south Florida fishing grouper with only Penn reels. It's good to know Penn is still one of the more dominant companies. After doing a search on several other forums it seems like Shimano is still a recommended brand just no where near what BR forum members recommend. On other forums it seems to shift more to Penn. Quantum and Daiwa are also recommended.

Maybe others have never used the Shimanos!!

[0119]

Keep looking on many of those forums, you'll see the new Penns are nothing more than black colored Pfelugers from mother company Pure Fishing. The Conquer has been plagued by severe frame failures and misalignment of its gearing. Tha Slammer and SSg are being phased out and replaced with a model combining both. I imagine it'll be on the frame of the new Revo Inshore Spinning Reel that is coming out at ICAST. Penn from Philly Pa. is long dead and gone.

[Cody0707]

My Curado 51e arrived today. I put 12lb mono line on and threw around a buzzbait that I practice with. I love this reel so far. I'm going to keep it and just get a separate spinning reel. Thanks for all the help.

[Capt.Bob]

My Curado 51e arrived today. I put 12lb mono line on and threw around a buzzbait that I practice with. I love this reel so far. I'm going to keep it and just get a separate spinning reel. Thanks for all the help.

Good choice for both worlds, spinning and casting!!

[SirSnookalot]

Fishing for grouper has no relationship to inshore fishing at all, a conventional reel would be my choice, not that a Penn international is a bad reel to use, fishing in 80' off a reef and pulling fish that get large requires heavier equipment. Inshore fish for the most part are caught in shallow water, the fish have nowhere to go but out (if that's the right wording), not deep, that said different equipment is required. I own that Penn conquer(7000) and it's a real workhorse, I use it for offshore use, I know others that own smaller ones for inshore and just love them. The Quantum Cabo or Boca lines could be the best drags in that class, reels are a bit heavy for fisherman that only fishes freshwater, many saltwater anglers are bit less concerned with reel weight, not saying I don't love my stradics for inshore use, but's a reel that I would never consider offshore, it isn't built for it.

People can spew technical data all day long, it boils down to the fisherman, not the reel.

[MarkM]

I'll give you another option. Shimano Saragosa; it's made for saltwater and has similar stats as the Stradic with one important difference. It has a max drag of 22lbs! I have a 4000F that I love. It is a bit more $ than the Stradic and a little heavier, but I believe it's worth it. I was debating between the Saragosa and the Penn Conquer (smaller version eqivalent to the 4000 Saragosa). I chose the Saragosa, although the Conquer is also a very fine reel. I agree with SirSnookAlot...if you're using this reel for offshore or large inshore fish, the Stradic is not the best choice.