Curado I Casting

[deep]

Fished my new-to-me 'rado 201I for a while today, and have a question.

 

I will admit that my thumbing skills are average. Also, I was fishing a 3/16 oz jig with a baby rage craw on the NRX 893 with 12# Tatsu. The bait is on the lighter end of the weight range I'd like to fish on an MH rod. I have had the reel for less than 5 hours.

 

Anyway, even with all the handicaps, I know the reel was outcasting my (older) Curados and Citicas by a few yards.

 

But, I had to use 2 inner brakes, and the outer brakes were set on 3 or 4. Spool tension was set pretty high, and even then I had to thumb quite a bit- which I don't need to do with my other reels (all Shimanos with VBS brakes).

 

Is this normal with the I-series? Part of the learning curve? Or does my thumb flat out suck?

 

Thanks,

 

 

P.S. I didn't have time to clean and lube the reel, but will do that over the weekend.

 

P.P.S. All problems solved. See post #13.

[Hooligan]

In short, totally on par with my experience.

[John G]

I think that you had to thumb more because of the lighter weight lure and possibly because of the external brake adjustment on 3 or 4. I have very limited experience with my 200HG but I do know that the external brake adjusted from 6 to 1 makes a difference. I plan on leaving my external brake adjustment at 1 and then adjust up to help with wind or a lighter lure.

[Ozark_Basser]

For 3/8 oz t rigs on a heavy power rod with a full spool of line, I have two brakes set. The dial set to 2, and the spool tension set pretty loose. I think you're spot on, especially because it is new. I think I used that setting for even heavier lures than you are using when I first got mine a couple of months ago.

[deep]

That's reassuring, and it probably will get better as I get used to the reel. Thanks guys.

[Bluebasser86]

In short, totally on par with my experience.

Agreed. Mine outcast my other Curados, but I have to stay on my toes (and thumb), to keep from getting an overrun. 

[iceintheveins]

That seems about the same as my experiences. Not sure it outcasts my old Curado E, but the external brake dial is nice to have. I was casting a 3/8 ounce crank a long ways with 2 brakes on and the dial set between two and three with a pretty loose spool tension.

[deep]

Think I'm starting to get the hang of this reel.

 

Made some changes today. Added some backing to get the line to full capacity on the spool, chose a rod that's a half power lighter, and a heavier bait (1/4 oz swim jig with a skinny dipper trailer).

 

With the internal brakes still on 2, and the external brakes on 2, I was casting pretty well. Still needed some thumbing to manage an occasional fluff, but much better than yesterday. It's not backlash-proof like my other Shimanos, but nothing I can't handle.

 

I think I was casting too hard yesterday anyway, because that's how I usually cast, and this reel doesn't seem to like that.

 

It definitely outcasts my Curado G's (I fish this reservoir for an hour or two after work a few times a week), not that casting distance matters much after 30-35 yards.

 

Very smooth reel, and I like how it feels under load. I didn't hook anything bigger than an estimated 2# to verify that though.

 

In short, I love this reel. A definite improvement on the E's and G's (I love them both equally). $100 well-spent.

[War Eagle 44]

Granted I've only been out twice with my new Curado I but it casts great IMHO. I cleaned the bearings first and started with two brakes on and the dial set at 3. After a few hours I now have it set with 1 brake and the dial at 2. I have it on a Powell Max 3D 736 CEF frog rod with 50# braid.

I've only fished Spro Bronzeye 65's and 5/16 dirty jigs no jack swim jigs with skinny dipper trailers but it casts both of these great.

[sigep1967]

Been using Citcas for years and just bought the new Curado I it will cast a mile but will holler at you on a short soft cast like the brakes are chattering or something but only does it on a softer short cast?

[Mike L]

When I first got it, I set 2 brakes on and external dial on 2, and adjusted the spool tension for a steady fall useing a 1/4 oz plug.

I don't change anything regardless of what I throw with it and it's good.

Mike

[Steveo-1969]

I fished (almost) exactly the same thing this weekend.  Curado I 200HG, NRX 893, 3/16 jig with baby Rage Craw trailer, 12# Invizx.  2 internal brakes set and external dial set on 4.  Spool tension set for slow fall.  No backlashes (even casting into a pretty stiff wind at times) but I had to stay alert with my thumb at times.  Overall I'm extremely happy with how this rod/reel casts lighter baits.  I was even throwing an 1/8 ounce jig with 3" grub.  It wasn't easy and distance wasn't great, but it was doable.

[deep]

Shimano has hit it out of the park with the Curado I.

 

After breaking this thing in, it casts so far with minimal effort/ braking and little thumbing. Almost as little thumbing as my trusty G's and E's.

 

Now I'm debating if I want to sell my older Shimanos and upgrade to all I's.

[John G]

Shimano has hit it out of the park with the Curado I.

 

After breaking this thing in, it casts so far with minimal effort/ braking and little thumbing. Almost as little thumbing as my trusty G's and E's.

 

Now I'm debating if I want to sell my older Shimanos and upgrade to all I's.

I have had the the Curado B, D, the Scorpion 1500 series, same as Curado E, and the I, and I think the I is the best Curado of them all. 

[DTack]

Fished my new-to-me 'rado 201I for a while today, and have a question.

 

I will admit that my thumbing skills are average. Also, I was fishing a 3/16 oz jig with a baby rage craw on the NRX 893 with 12# Tatsu. The bait is on the lighter end of the weight range I'd like to fish on an MH rod. I have had the reel for less than 5 hours.

 

Anyway, even with all the handicaps, I know the reel was outcasting my (older) Curados and Citicas by a few yards.

 

But, I had to use 2 inner brakes, and the outer brakes were set on 3 or 4. Spool tension was set pretty high, and even then I had to thumb quite a bit- which I don't need to do with my other reels (all Shimanos with VBS brakes).

 

Is this normal with the I-series? Part of the learning curve? Or does my thumb flat out suck?

 

Thanks,

 

 

P.S. I didn't have time to clean and lube the reel, but will do that over the weekend.

 

P.P.S. All problems solved. See post #13.

Thanks for the review and the couple follow ups, that's cool!

[Preytorien]

Agreed. Mine outcast my other Curados, but I have to stay on my toes (and thumb), to keep from getting an overrun. 

 

X2

 

Out of the box mine casted better than my old Curado G with ceramics. It's a smoking reel. You'll soon be addicted to the casting distance and won't ever want to go back