Shimano Curado...rods?

[flyfisher]

So i had some amazon gift cards and rewards points burning a hole in my pocket and I needed a new spinning rod so I decided to go ahead and get one of the 6'10" MXF spinning rods that i paired up with a stradivarius FJ 2500.  At first glance i wasn't sure I'd like the handle and it seemed a bit tip heavy but aesthetically i really liked it with the matte black finish.  I plan on using this rod as my weightless soft plastics set up.  One thing i really liked is the guides as they seem really stout.  Fishing from a kayak, my rods are always being moved around and banged on the boat more than a regular boat which i think is the reason i have 2 rods with busted guides.

 

I got to use it yesterday and as it turns out, skipping flukes into recently flooded areas and under docks was the ticket.  The rod performed very well and i think the XF action made more solid hooksets than my MF rod i have been using (my MXF rod has a broken guide).  I ended up catching 10 all in the 15-19" range and chunky.  The rod performed flawlessly an I am contemplating trying out one of the bait casting models as well.  

 

In the price point i think it is a solid contender

[Tywithay]

I have the 6'10" MH casting version with a Revo Premier on it. I've used it for some small jigs in tight quarters and spinnerbaits. It's a sweet little rod. I don't think it's super sensitive, but it's about average for the price point. It's well-built with solid components. The casting reel seat is comfortable and, as you mentioned, the K-series alconites are solid. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another, though I wish the spinning version also had a full handle. 

[Dtrombly]

Glad your enjoying it. While I don't own one I have handled them in the store and the 7'2" MH casting rod felt very nice, a tad heavy weight wise but very well built. 

[flyfisher]

1 hour ago, Dtrombly said:

Glad your enjoying it. While I don't own one I have handled them in the store and the 7'2" MH casting rod felt very nice, a tad heavy weight wise but very well built. 

you know it felt "heavy" to me before i was using it or mounting a reel to it but after fishing with it, it felt light.  Weird, I know.  

[Graham]

After feeling them in my local shop I could not justify paying the ticket for them. While they have that style factor that I love about shimano, they felt a touch tip heavy and lacking in sensitivity. The rubber grip on the reel seat is interesting as well, not sure how I feel about that.

[Riazuli]

I've got a 7'0 M/F paired with a Curado K... Feels, looks, and fishes really well.  Can't go wrong pairing two Curados together! 

[flyfisher]

14 hours ago, Graham said:

After feeling them in my local shop I could not justify paying the ticket for them. While they have that style factor that I love about shimano, they felt a touch tip heavy and lacking in sensitivity. The rubber grip is interesting as well, not sure how I feel about that.

Mine doesn't have a rubber grip, just your standard cork split grip.  As far as sensitivity goes, I was pretty impressed with it's sensitivity while fishing.  

[Tywithay]

1 hour ago, flyfisher said:

Mine doesn't have a rubber grip, just your standard cork split grip.  As far as sensitivity goes, I was pretty impressed with it's sensitivity while fishing.  

I would agree. They're just as sensitive as any $160 rod. I'd compare it to an Avid, performance-wise, with a better reel seat. A lot of rods feel different on the water. You can't really tell much of anything holding one in a store, other than overall weight.

[Graham]

2 hours ago, Tywithay said:

Mine doesn't have a rubber grip, just your standard cork split grip.  As far as sensitivity goes, I was pretty impressed with it's sensitivity while fishing.  

Rubber reel seat* (thats where I hold onto so it's quite different from the typical plastic ones I am used to.)

2 hours ago, Tywithay said:

I would agree. They're just as sensitive as any $160 rod. I'd compare it to an Avid, performance-wise, with a better reel seat. A lot of rods feel different on the water. You can't really tell much of anything holding one in a store, other than overall weight.

Glad you guys like em! Im pretty confident in my ability to hold a rod and tell if I like it tho. Its certainly not junk, I love Shimano products, but for the price I expect more. If I can get one for less than retail I'd consider checking one out.

[Boomstick]

I have no experience with Shimano rods as from actually using them, but I've seen several in stores and always thought they felt like they were built like a tank, like I could use one as a baseball bat and not break it.