Citica Upgrade???

[ULG]

I understand that upgrading a citica and changing the gear ratio is a normal thing, id like to change a few of my e series more to upgrade to a all around better reel. as i read more on it, it can be comparable to a curado, now thats a idea i like to hear. i have 3 citica e's that could be upgraded,  how much does this bearing and bushing upgrade usually cost? i also wudnt mind changing to the power handle either. can you guys direct me to a trusted name on the subject so i can hopefully turn out my citicas. thanks and msg me or just post any suggestions. thanks again.

[MarkH024]

Mike from DVT tackle (sponsor) would be able to do all the necessary changes you want. The link to his site is on the right side panel of sponsors listed. 

[BrettD]

The drive shaft bushing is 5x9x3 and you can find them for around $10. I installed them on 2 of my citica e's and didn't really think it made that much of a difference. Switching to the curado E handle with bearings and bigger knobs was the best upgrade.

[J Francho]

Brett, down the road is where you'll see the difference.  Or, won't feel any slop is more like it.  As that plastic bush wears, the crankshaft gets a little sloppy.  With the bearing, it wont.  Good move upgrading.

[Capt.Bob]

Brett, down the road is where you'll see the difference.  Or, won't feel any slop is more like it.  As that plastic bush wears, the crankshaft gets a little sloppy.  With the bearing, it wont.  Good move upgrading.

x2 it will reel smoother longer!!

[shootermcbob]

Send them to Mike at DVT. He will change to bushing to a bearing, and deep clean and properly lube the reel. It makes a HUGE difference, or at least it has on the ones I have sent him.

[War Eagle 44]

It's funny you should bring this up, I love my four Citica 201E's and just made some upgrades to them this week. I replaced the spool bearings and drive shaft bushing with Boca Lightning 5 ceramics, replaced the stock drags with Carbontex drags, and added ceramic pawls to the levelwinds. I haven't been out fishing with them yet but plan to tomorrow but just from the few "test" casts I made in the back yard the improvements can be felt. Even though I have much more expensive tackle these reels are the ones I fish with the most by a long shot and I think these upgrades will only up my level of enjoyment out of these reels.

 

Like I said I've not been out with them yet but I think the upgrade I'm going to like the best is the new drags. I know the ABEC 5 bearings will improve casting performance but I'm not sure that they will improve it more over the cleaned stock bearings as much as the new carbon drags will over their stock replacements. I'm perfectly happy with the stock handles on these reels so I didn't even consider upgrades there but I did think about putting 7:1 gears in my "frog" reel and 5:1 in my "crank" reel but in the end decided to just stay with the stock 6 ratio.  

 

I think these are about all the mods that can be made to a Citica E, I hope you find the ones you are looking for. Keep us posted on how this turns out for ya, I'm really looking forward to fishing mine. 

[Fishwhittler]

The upgrades above will be very noticeable.  The crankshaft bearing, maybe not so much at first but it will help as J Francho said.  The stock Citica E handle can't be upgraded other than Curado knobs (which I like—they're bulkier and grippier), but the Curado E handle can only accept a maximum of two bearings.  You'll have to get a Citica G, Caenan, or Core handle if you want to add four handle bearings, and you'll need to purchase at least two additional bearings for the any of those options.

 

The carbontex drag is probably the most cost-effective upgrade and is what I'd start with, as well as a polish of the spool shaft ends.  If you upgrade the spool bearings, you might look at the Big Green Fish ABEC-7 stainless-steel bearings—they're the same price as ABEC-5 ceramic hybrids and are quieter.

 

Hawgtech also has some new ABEC-7 ceramic hybrid bearings that fit the Citica E.  I haven't used them, but they might be worth looking into.  Piscicidal should be hanging around somewhere…

[ULG]

Thank you guys for all the helpful info!!! Wsr eagle44, il bblooking for a post on how they perform on the water but sounds like u did well for sure in ur upgrade! I like my curados n like ny chronarchs even more! Hopefully i can get these upgrades soon! But one question which us main concern is the price of all the mods??? Would it be just as well to purchase a chronarch or another curado seeing tht is the feel im going aftr? But thanks again for all ur posts and knowledge on the matter! And hope to read more about it in the future! O! And in really new to the upgrade issue so can somebody please give me a list of or thier personal upgrade priority list so i can have an idea in where to start, id feel as if ibwas wasting a mans valuble time not knowing exactly wat i wanted. I kno i want th bigger grips for sure. But if somebody cud help with a ball park price on particular mods they have gotten on the citica e's. That would fantastic! And also help eith my question regarding is it just as beneficial to purchase a curado or chronarch tht already have some of the mods im looking for? Thanks again guys n i like this site n forums more and more every day!!! Guys or gals at BR really doin a great job and keep up the good work and thanks again for having me!!!

[shootermcbob]

Thank you guys for all the helpful info!!! Wsr eagle44, il bblooking for a post on how they perform on the water but sounds like u did well for sure in ur upgrade! I like my curados n like ny chronarchs even more! Hopefully i can get these upgrades soon! But one question which us main concern is the price of all the mods??? Would it be just as well to purchase a chronarch or another curado seeing tht is the feel im going aftr? But thanks again for all ur posts and knowledge on the matter! And hope to read more about it in the future! O! And in really new to the upgrade issue so can somebody please give me a list of or thier personal upgrade priority list so i can have an idea in where to start, id feel as if ibwas wasting a mans valuble time not knowing exactly wat i wanted. I kno i want th bigger grips for sure. But if somebody cud help with a ball park price on particular mods they have gotten on the citica e's. That would fantastic! And also help eith my question regarding is it just as beneficial to purchase a curado or chronarch tht already have some of the mods im looking for? Thanks again guys n i like this site n forums more and more every day!!! Guys or gals at BR really doin a great job and keep up the good work and thanks again for having me!!!

Send Mike at DVT a PM regarding price. It will depend on what modifications you want done.

[Basswhippa]

I added the driveshaft bearing.  Nobody with any Curado ever made nor a Chronarch 200E will beat me because of the reel.  It is comparable in every way that matters.  Some think the Citica handle is even superior, due to simplicity and lack of maintenance of the bearing in the handle.

[stkbassn]

Those Citica E's are great reels. I had them and loved them. I've since gotten some Chronarch E's so obviously I'm very happy and couldn't go back but the Citicas were darn close to a Curado for sure. These upgrades should be sweet.

[ULG]

thanks alot guys for all your help and plan to make some calls about the issue in the near future for sure!!! BR... best forum around! thanks agian for havin me!!!

[piscicidal]

The upgrades above will be very noticeable.  The crankshaft bearing, maybe not so much at first but it will help as J Francho said.  The stock Citica E handle can't be upgraded other than Curado knobs (which I like—they're bulkier and grippier), but the Curado E handle can only accept a maximum of two bearings.  You'll have to get a Citica G, Caenan, or Core handle if you want to add four handle bearings, and you'll need to purchase at least two additional bearings for the any of those options.

 

The carbontex drag is probably the most cost-effective upgrade and is what I'd start with, as well as a polish of the spool shaft ends.  If you upgrade the spool bearings, you might look at the Big Green Fish ABEC-7 stainless-steel bearings—they're the same price as ABEC-5 ceramic hybrids and are quieter.

 

Hawgtech also has some new ABEC-7 ceramic hybrid bearings that fit the Citica E.  I haven't used them, but they might be worth looking into.  Piscicidal should be hanging around somewhere…

 

Fishwhittler, thanks for the mention. 

 

ULG,  I sell ceramic hybrid spool bearings for the Citica E (ABEC7, ceramic ball, stainless races.)  for $18/pair.  If you use the Bass Resource coupon code when ordering (BRG15) you'll get 15% off your order.  $15.30/pair.   You won't touch that price anywhere.  Some places charge that much (and more) for one bearing.   

 

See video below.  Free spool on stock Curado goes from ~12 seconds to 80-100 seconds, just replacing the stock bearings with our ABEC7 hybrids.

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On a cost/benefit basis my recommendations for a Citica would be:

1. Clean/Lube/Bearing flush - $22

2a. Carbontex Drag - $8

2b. Crank shaft bearing - $7.50

3. Super Tune - $34 (includes cleaning

4. Upgraded spool bearings ABEC7 preferably ceramic hybrid - $29.95/pair for Bocas

Forum members get 10% off listed prices

PM, email or call with questions.

[BradH]

I did the driveshaft bearing (5 bucks?) and Curado E handle ($30 or so) upgrade to mine.  I did not care for the small knobs and lack of bearings in the original handle.  It's one of my favorite reels now.  I use it for squarebills and lipless.