Say Hello To My Little Friend --> Curado 201 I

[ghost]

Was at the BPS store an hour ago to pick the Curado 201HG. 

 

So different from previous Curado's, such a nice change.  I still do like the Curado green color but things change and so does the frame color for 2014.

 

I so don't understand the SVS braking, how many brake blocks do you have on? And the brake dial, does it work well? Do I even need any brake blocks on then if I adjust the brake dial adjusted?

 

So I'll spool with 30/8 lb Power Pro and for now it will be on a 7'2", MH Cumara. 

 

Can't wait till tomorrow morning to test out the Curado 201 HG!

 

[bootytrain]

It probably has 2 brakes on from the factory, I started with that and if Im using a lure that casts really well I can go down to 1 brake with 1 on the external dial. Id start with 2 and make adjustments on the dial(the higher the number the more braking force) as needed. The external dial works very effectively and really allows you to dial in your casting. Enjoy!

[ghost]

Thank you, that's a good explanation!

[Raul]

Cool ! what´s that I see too, a Hudd weedless 68? very nice too !

[Dwight Hottle]

The brake dial adjustment only works if a brake is turned on. If all the brakes are off the dial doesn't do anything. The purpose of the dial is to increase the braking tension once the brake is set in the on position. Hope that helps.

[thehooligan]

Nice reel

[TNBassin']

Wouldn't just having one brake on disturb the balance of the spool?

[bootytrain]

Wouldn't just having one brake on disturb the balance of the spool?

It doesn't seem to affect anything, and that's when you can really dial long distance. I'd only recommend it for really good casting aerodynamic lures.

[ghost]

Impressions after using the curado 201 I HG today. 

 

I think this reel needs to be broken in for a few outings.  I noticed it did not cast that far with 2 brakes on. I finally went with 1 brake against my better judgment.  Why I say that is how used  I am to older Curado, 6 pin braking. 

 

With one brake on, the Curado HG casted farther, but felt inconsistent in distance.  At times it would cast far using a  5/8 oz hollow frog after a few casts, I wouldn't get similar distance. 

 

I'm still trying to get used to the adjustable tension brake dial. I felt it was a bit difficult trying to find that sweet spot from over run to too much tension.

 

The reel feels solid, goodly smooth. I'm quite surprised Shimano finally went with a swept handle.  I think the Chronarch  150 CI4+  also has a swept handle.

 

The tension dial, I wish it had a "click" when it is being turned. Also location of the dial is odd that it's low and you have to look at it to see what tension number you are set at.

 

It's such a smaller feeling reel compared to the Curado 201E, 201D and 201B, but not as wide as the 201E. 

 

I so far like the reel, it just feels so different from previous Curados, it's like thinking outside the box different.  

 

I hope after a few more outings with the Curado 201I HG that the casting will improve and be more consistent in distance.  It just seemed that during the cast, it slows down quick that I almost don't need to thumb the spool to slow down. 

 

So after all the hype of the new Curado 201I, and after the first use; I'm not all that impressed as I was hoping to be like previous Curado's. I just hope that this is a break in period, which I never had to deal with previous Curado models.

[bootytrain]

Impressions after using the curado 201 I HG today. 

 

I think this reel needs to be broken in for a few outings.  I noticed it did not cast that far with 2 brakes on. I finally went with 1 brake against my better judgment.  Why I say that is how used  I am to older Curado, 6 pin braking. 

 

With one brake on, the Curado HG casted farther, but felt inconsistent in distance.  At times it would cast far using a  5/8 oz hollow frog after a few casts, I wouldn't get similar distance. 

 

I'm still trying to get used to the adjustable tension brake dial. I felt it was a bit difficult trying to find that sweet spot from over run to too much tension.

 

The reel feels solid, goodly smooth. I'm quite surprised Shimano finally went with a swept handle.  I think the Chronarch  150 CI4+  also has a swept handle.

 

The tension dial, I wish it had a "click" when it is being turned. Also location of the dial is odd that it's low and you have to look at it to see what tension number you are set at.

 

It's such a smaller feeling reel compared to the Curado 201E, 201D and 201B, but not as wide as the 201E. 

 

I so far like the reel, it just feels so different from previous Curados, it's like thinking outside the box different.  

 

I hope after a few more outings with the Curado 201I HG that the casting will improve and be more consistent in distance.  It just seemed that during the cast, it slows down quick that I almost don't need to thumb the spool to slow down. 

 

So after all the hype of the new Curado 201I, and after the first use; I'm not all that impressed as I was hoping to be like previous Curado's. I just hope that this is a break in period, which I never had to deal with previous Curado models.

This is odd, mine casts great out of the box, greased up bearings and all. Just keep fishing it.

[TNBassin']

I don't think I've ever seen anyone put reel grips over the Shimano grips before lol. 

[F14A-B]

Mine cast like a RPG... They are extremely long casters with 2 brakes on... Maybe oil the raceway clean with qtip... Idk... Seems like more complaints now that the leftys are getting into the market now, well good luck guy!

[bootytrain]

maybe you have the spool tension on too tight?  Is the external dial set to 1?

[ghost]

Tension set is at 1.

[MemphisFF]

Love both of my righty's right out the box I believe I got two brakes set and dialed in at 4 casts like a dream for me both of em..

[Tywithay]

Tension set is at 1.

The spool tension doesn't have numbers.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Flush the bearings, ghost. I can almost guarantee that is your issue if you're getting inconsistent distance.

[TNBassin']

Take the spool tension cap off and put a small dab of oil or grease on it. That tension pad was dry on all 3 of mine.

[ghost]

So I've used the Curado 201 I HG now for a couple days and I'm starting to slowly getting used to it.  The casting is still a bit inconsistent, and I did go ahead and lightly oiled the drum where the brakes would rub on...best way I could describe that.  The reel did feel solid, no play at all, like everything on this reel is dialed in.  Also the grips from my other Shimano reels and other mfg's, there would be some play, back and forth on the handle.  It's a bit annoying especially when working certain lures.  The Curado 201 I HG did not have this play, I like that alot!

 

So did some night fishing and caught 3 bass, last one was camera shy and the best and hopped off the lure when I got it close to me.

 

 

 

Used a Cabela's Forked Tail swimbait, fishing from shore and right by the edge, this bass wanted dinner.  Not that big of a bass, but a catch is a catch; and the Curado 201 I HG did a good job.

 

 

Rapala rattle trap style lure in silent.  Hopped it on the bottom and reeled in the lure and that's when it got smacked.  I like the higher speed of this Curado, felt quite smooth reeling in the lure.

 

I've come to figure out that the Curado 201 I HG casts lure 3/8 oz and up and I get good distance out of the cast.  Lighter lures like the Rapala Scatter Rap is when I was getting inconsistent casting distance.  But for some reason, the Scatter Rap Shallow is slightly heavier that it casts better than the other Scatter Rap models.

 

I also used a Yamamoto Fat Ika and that thing casted quite far, I lost the lure during the cast in the air since it was dark, didn't see where in landed in the water but I could tell it was a long cast. Heavier lures the Curado 200I HG shined.

 

I'll try and post a pic(s) of the Curado 201I HG compared to a Curado 51E later to compare size and all.

 

Now about the Reel Grips, I have those on all my reels.  I like the feel of the Reel Grips and it also bulks up the grips, which I like.  It just has a more positive feel for me when reeling.