First Impressions: Shimano Curado 150 DC

[CybrSlydr]

Before I purchased this reel, I did some looking and while tackle tour and another site or two had some write-ups on this reel, I didn't find a whole lot out there.  So I'm going to do a little write-up to help those who were in my position.

 

I decided I wanted to move to a baitcaster from my spinning setup.  Being me, I wanted to make sure I bought good equipment.  The plan was to swap out my Dobyns Sierra 692SF for a Sierra 734C.  Well, that didn't happen (yet).  At the time, I was trying to decide between the Curado K and the Curado 70.  Well, my paycheck was a bit more than I expected, so I decided to splurge on the reel and picked up a Curado DC 151XG.  

 

Packaging

 

I was surprised how plain the box is.  When I'm spending this kind of money on a reel, I figured the box would be a little less non-descript than it is.  Just a plain, black cardboard box with the name and model in silver font on top with typical reel info on the back.  Inside, it was packaged well with a nice bubble-wrap pouch and assorted information such as warranty, exploded parts view and instructions as well as a little bottle of lube.

 

Reel

 

This is my first baitcaster, so I wasn't really sure what to expect.  Shimano lists the reel specs as the following:

 

    Model            PwrPro (lb/capacity)      Mono (lb/capacity)    Oz    Brngs  Ratio   Drag

CUDC151XG

20/150,30/135,40/105

10/120,12/110,14/90

7.9

6+1

8.5:1

11

 

     Right away, I realize this reel is super, super light!  Granted, I'm used to a 4000-series Penn Battle II at 12.8oz and metal construction, but wow - very nice! 

 

  

 

     The reel feels super, super smooth as well.  The left side has the star drag, which has a very satisfying "click" when you spin it, however something I wasn't prepared for was the lack of a sound when you pull line out against the drag.  Coming from my spinning rod, I found that surprising.  This side also has the spool tensioner, which is the knob next to the handle.

 

 

     On the right side we have the sideplate that houses the switch for the DC brake.  The brake has 4 settings - 0 is Open, 1 is for minimal braking on the spool, 2 is for braided line, three is for fluorocarbon lines and 4 is max brake for windy days or other situations where you want max braking.  I settled on 3 for my first use as I was using Berkley Super8 in 8lb (had to take it off my old Penn - long story...).

 

     I have to say, the DC system works!  Granted, it takes some getting used to.  It's neat to watch the spool and watch the line start to overrun but then magically it backs back down.  Now, this doesn't work all the time - there certainly is a "sweet spot" when you cast as to how hard you can cast without immediately overrunning.  I found that out the hard way.

 

 

     This was Suffix 832 15lb braid that I completely ruined by hitting the thumb release and letting the lure hit the ground.  Had to cut the entire spool off and never got to cast it.  -sigh- $16 down the drain...

 

Performance

 

     I also really like the gear ratio.  I typically use bullet weights with Senkos and Whopper Ploppers, so this fast retrieve actually helps me out.  I can slow down my retrieve a lot easier than I can speed it up - also lets me collect line slack a lot quicker to prevent loose line on the spool.

 

     As for the drag, it worked well!  Well enough that it helped me catch my first ever smallmouth on a Whopper Plopper 90!

 

 

     So, is it worth the $250?  To me...  I don't think so.  Maybe if I had more experience with a baitcaster that I could see how well the DC system was working, I might appreciate it more and see more value in it.  Is it a nice reel?  Oh yes, no doubt!  It's light, sturdy, smooth and everything you'd want - I just don't think I have the perspective to really appreciate what it does.

 

     For now, I'm reserving my total judgement until I can put it on the Sierra 734C in a few weeks.  I cannot wait!  

[A-Jay]

Nicely Done ~ 

As your fist revolving spool reel, DC or not, a good choice in line while you 'dial it in' is 15 lb Big Game.   Decent, handles OK and is reasonably $$.

Have Fun

A-Jay

[OnthePotomac]

Great review and I love Shimano, but the birthday this week will probably produce another Curado K.  I agree with A-Jay in that you might want to stay away from tiny braid until you master that reel and even then stay at no less than 30lb.  Better yet, use what he suggested and spend more time fishing and less time fussing with any braid.

[Backroad Angler]

As your first baitcaster, I would definetly use mono, like AJay said big game. I used Trilene XL and XT 12lb-15lb on my first set ups and still use them on some to this day lol.

[CybrSlydr]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Nicely Done ~ 

As your fist revolving spool reel, DC or not, a good choice in line while you 'dial it in' is 15 lb Big Game.   Decent, handles OK and is reasonably $$.

Have Fun

A-Jay

How much is a big mono line like that going to affect casting distance?

[A-Jay]

31 minutes ago, CybrSlydr said:

How much is a big mono line like that going to affect casting distance?

 

As a Novice casting reel user your first order of business will be to get some consistent distance.

How much will come with time & practice. 

My recommendation is centered around this.

A-Jay

[new2BC4bass]

Nice review.  I don't understand what you don't like about that backlash.  Looks like a professional one to me. 

 

As a noobie to baitcast reels, you should start with 40-50 pound if braid is what you want to use.  Unless I am going to be casting into weeds all the time, I prefer a mono or co-polymer.  I use a lot of 12# Siege and AN40.

 

You will soon discover that the DC system is worth it once you start buying more baitcast reels.  Reels with Daiwa SV spools or Magforce 3D braking are a couple more that are very hard to backlash.  I have an older DC reel.  You can cast it without need for a thumb.  Excellent for someone wanting to get into baitcast reels that never could before because they couldn't learn to control the spool.

 

7.9 oz. is not light for a baitcast reel today.  There are ones weighing less than 5 oz.  Having used spinning reels for years I am like you.....my 8 oz. plus OG Zillion feels like a feather.   

[mrcimon]

Excellent Review.  I’ve got several myself, there great for letting my daughter and girlfriend use a bait caster with little worry of backlash 

 

Just some advice. If you’re not fishing a finesse setup either go with 40lb braid or mono like A-Jay said.  Bigger braid is easier to dig out if it backlashes, as well as 40lb being the same diameter as about 15lb mono/fluoro.  

 

Also you can set up the DC system to not backlash by tightening the spool tension till the lure drops real slow. You’re going to sacrifice distance but you’ll be able to practice with it and eventually loosen the spool tension till the spool barely moves. 

 

Good of luck and have fun!

[CybrSlydr]

Taking your guys advice, went with some 14lb Trilene XT and it worked great.  Little wind in my face and setting 3 was just enough distance and controlled overrun well.  Tried it on 2 a few times and it resulted in some mild birdnesting.  Easily pulled out and resolved.

[rippin-lips]

That reel requires the tension knob to be a little tighter than recommended in the manual. The manual states to set it tight enough to just barely eliminate side to side play.  Setting 2 with mono and add about 1/2-3/4 turn of spool tension to the knob and you’ll be good to go. I could throw a plopper 75 as hard as I wanted to and it took no thumb to control until it hit water. 

[Backroad Angler]

5 hours ago, CybrSlydr said:

Taking your guys advice, went with some 14lb Trilene XT and it worked great.  Little wind in my face and setting 3 was just enough distance and controlled overrun well.  Tried it on 2 a few times and it resulted in some mild birdnesting.  Easily pulled out and resolved.

Little tip with the birdsnest, I'm sure you already know this but it took me a while to figure this out lol. When getting a backlash, as you pull out the line to fix it pay close attention to it because if you pull it and it makes a knot in the spool and keep pulling it, gonna be impossible to fix that and you gonna have to cut it. So as your pulling it out, if you it feel like its not gonna keep pulling, stop and pick at it some more till it frees itself. Also make sure to loosen the drag by a lot. I'm sure you already know this stuff, just wanted to pass on some knowledge I found out when I was learning.

[CybrSlydr]

1 hour ago, JoshFromBolo said:

Little tip with the birdsnest, I'm sure you already know this but it took me a while to figure this out lol. When getting a backlash, as you pull out the line to fix it pay close attention to it because if you pull it and it makes a knot in the spool and keep pulling it, gonna be impossible to fix that and you gonna have to cut it. So as your pulling it out, if you it feel like its not gonna keep pulling, stop and pick at it some more till it frees itself. Also make sure to loosen the drag by a lot. I'm sure you already know this stuff, just wanted to pass on some knowledge I found out when I was learning.

I made that mistake with the Super8 line I had and the Suffix 832.  It got knotted or something and I pulled too hard and couldn't make it budge.  Had to cut both off.  -sigh-

 

Didn't have that problem with the TrileneXT though!

[burrows]

On 10/8/2018 at 4:22 AM, CybrSlydr said:

 

 

 

 

    Model            PwrPro (lb/capacity)      Mono (lb/capacity)    Oz    Brngs  Ratio   Drag

CUDC151XG

20/150,30/135,40/105

10/120,12/110,14/90

7.9

6+1

8.5:

 

  

 

     

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     So, is it worth the $250?  To me...  I don't think so.  

I presume you’re opinion will change as you become more acquainted with the reel.

 Keep us posted!