Shimano Curado 70/71 - Is It Worth It?

[ghost]

I have the 201 I HG, I like the reel. 

Now I'm on the fence with the Curado 71. 

Would it be worth my while to get one?

Those who own 70/71, what are your thoughts of this Curado?

[fishballer06]

You want both, so you should own both.

That's my opinion...
-Bait Monkey 

[Dan_the_fisher]

It's very worth your while, I have quite a few 200i's and I bought the 70 and I'm very impressed with it. Match made in heaven with my 6'6" avid and a Ito 110 ?

[new2BC4bass]

32 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

You want both, so you should own both.

That's my opinion...
-Bait Monkey 

This.  It is never a question of "Is it worth it?"  At least not until the wife threatens to cut you off at the knees. 

[fishballer06]

In all seriousness. I own both. I've only used the 71 for 3 outings so far, but I can say I think it casts better than the 201. Plus I like the smaller overall size of it. 

[thebillsman]

Mine should arrive any day now. I'm really excited. I was looking for a shallow spool, high quality reel that I could use for a ~1/2oz jig outfit. This seems to fit the bill, and being a Lew's guy I'm pumped to try a Shimano for the first time.

The only question I have is will it be okay with 30lb braid? I've always used 40 or 50lb but really want to try and downsize for clear water applications. Oh, and not to boast but they can be had for nearly 30% off on eBay, here's the auction I won earlier in the week!

 

[new2BC4bass]

Some guys on here use 20# braid and less on casting reels.  I always used 40# until I bought a used Alphas F that came with 30# braid.  I had to make several casts and pull out extra line each time because the line had dug in a little.  Later it went to Florida with me where I got it snagged in lily pads more than once.  Don't recall any more digging in.  You have to hold the line and reel it up snug every once in awhile so the braid stays fairly packed on the spool.  You should be fine..

[Dan_the_fisher]

Yea they can be if cheap on eBay, I bought mine off eBay for $160 before they where even released in the us. I prefer my 70 over my 200is as well. 30lb pound braid will dig when you snag a lure on something and that gets to aggravating for me, I just run 10lb super sniper on my 70

[ghost]

In regards to the wife....I'm divorced so no issue there.

I use 30lb braid on my smaller baitcasters, like the Curado 51, Calcutta 51, Lew's MB and Daiwa Tatula CT.

 

Haven't had too many problems with this size braid on the reels.

[curtis9]

I like the 70 much better than the 200.  I never could get comfortable with the 200.  I've been using the 70 for a few weeks now, and it's a great reel, but I still prefer the 50e series reels.  With the 70 I feel like I'm always adjusting the brakes with lure changes, while the 50s are all set up the same.  

The 70s are cheap enough online, that if you like the 200, it's worth trying.

[OnthePotomac]

I have two 70HG reels and they are really, really nice reels. Properly adjusted with brakes. outside dial and cast control cap, no back lash at all. It takes care of itself on the cast.  Both of mine have 12lb fluorocarbon for plastics fishing.

[DaveT63]

I like my 71, but not quite as much as my Shimano 50 size reels yet.  I'm still trying to dial this thing in.  Too many backlashes so far, so more adjustments to be made.  I'm sure once I get it right, it will be a regular in my lineup.

 

[Xirmev]

Totally worth it, once you properly adjust the brakes you wont backlash and will be able to cast a long distance. Palming the reel is very comfortable. You wont regret buying one.

[Big-Bass]

I also have one ordered so when it arrives, I really hope its a nice reel.  I think I'm going to match it with my Expride 66M.

[Bluebasser86]

I have a 70XG that I bought to go along with several 200I series. If I had the option, I'd switch them all out to the 70 series. 

[Big-Bass]

Mine came yesterday and boy does it cast well on both my 66M Expride and 72M Adrena.  I really like the reel.  I am going to further adjust to see where it fits my casting style perfect for both distance and control.  I would order another one.  Makes me wonder if I need to even order an MGL for the Adrena.

[OnthePotomac]

A big surprise to me was how tight I could make the cast control cap and still get incredible distance.  It took me a while to figure that one out.  That was the final adjustment that set it on the money.

[Gavin.Ange]

I've used a 200i and it's very bulky and heavy. Therefore I own a 70hg and it's amazing I have 15# fluro on it for small jigs and flipping and pitching. Very light and very smooth. Cast farther than 200i

[ghost]

Ok, bit the bullet. Bought the Curado 71HG for $158.95 free shipping, price I'm willing to pay.

I hemmed and hawed about buying the 71HG, I do like the smaller Shimano baitcasters.

Can't wait have it to arrive.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Ive joined the 70 club found a place with then on sale $144 so got 70XG

 

[sgibby88]

So the 70 is that nice? I just picked up a 201hg a few weeks ago and love it so far. The local shop didn't have any 70`s to feel. Anybody use the chronarch? If so how would you compare the two?

[DanQS13]

On 10/9/2016 at 1:29 PM, sgibby88 said:

So the 70 is that nice? I just picked up a 201hg a few weeks ago and love it so far. The local shop didn't have any 70`s to feel. Anybody use the chronarch? If so how would you compare the two?

I've used the 201 and 71, neither are better or even as good as the Chronarch Ci4... but thats why it costs another $70.  At the moment, besides my DC reels and my 2016 Stradic Ci4s, the Chronarchs are the only Non-DC Shimano reel I will use.  Can be found on ebay for $220-230 now, but I would still pay $270 for them if I had to.

If I had to buy a sub-$200 reel, I would skip over the Curados and get a Daiwa Tatula Type R or the new CT Type R, in my experience they are better than the new curados (that is just my opinion) and they can be picked up for $140 on ebay.

[bigfruits]

On ‎8‎/‎25‎/‎2016 at 0:54 PM, DaveT63 said:

I like my 71, but not quite as much as my Shimano 50 size reels yet.  I'm still trying to dial this thing in.  Too many backlashes so far, so more adjustments to be made.  I'm sure once I get it right, it will be a regular in my lineup.

 

Several people have said that they turn on all of the internal brakes for the best performance. Might be worth a try

[Preytorien]

I made the move from a 201HG like you did to the 71XHG, and it's been one of the best moves I've made. I'm a fan of the smaller size, but what sealed the deal was how much further I could throw weightless and other lightweight baits with the 71XHG - it's not even close. 

So to answer your question - yes, I think it's worth it

[fishballer06]

On 10/8/2016 at 9:33 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Ive joined the 70 club found a place with then on sale $144 so got 70XG

 

We're all friends here. You should share with us where you got such a deal...

PM me if you prefer.