Curado DC vs Chronarch MGL

[hwright38]

So, I got an MGL during the Winter, and now that I've had a chance to fish it, I love it so much I'm buying another.

However, the Curado DC is also very intriguing, and I'm curious how much better (if any) the DC casts over the MGL spool, especially in the wind or with smaller lures. They're so close in price, so that's not an issue for me. 

 

I'd be using 40lb braid if that makes a difference. Not a fan of fluorocarbon or anything else for what I'm planning (t-rigs, jigs, etc). 

[newyorktoiowa57]

58 minutes ago, hwright38 said:

So, I got an MGL during the Winter, and now that I've had a chance to fish it, I love it so much I'm buying another.

However, the Curado DC is also very intriguing, and I'm curious how much better (if any) the DC casts over the MGL spool, especially in the wind or with smaller lures. They're so close in price, so that's not an issue for me. 

 

I'd be using 40lb braid if that makes a difference. Not a fan of fluorocarbon or anything else for what I'm planning (t-rigs, jigs, etc). 

The DC casts further according to tackletour, but the MGL is smoother and compact. 

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocurado150dc.html

[Camjuno]

I bought a curado dc just before winter last year and I love it the dc just makes everything so easy you really don’t need to adjust anything once you have it set up. And it can bomb mid sized crank baits and spinner baits. It can also throw lighter lures but not as well as the mgl  (In my opinion) 

As for the chronarch my friend I fish with has one and it’s normally the first thing he grabs for using soft plastics But he doesn’t like it as much for cranking. (although it is really smooth) 

I supose like all things it depends on what you want to do with it. But hey they are both good Shimanos so you should probably get both ???

  

[hwright38]

@Camjuno I agree with your friend that the MGL isn't as good to crank with.

 

58 minutes ago, Camjuno said:

probably get both

That's what I'm trying to decide lol. Already got an MGL.

[jbsoonerfan]

I have owned both. For me, it would depend on what I wanted to use it for. For what you have intended, I would opt for the MGL, BUT since you already have one, I would go with the DC and use it for moving baits and switch your MGL to your t-rig/jig rod.

[hwright38]

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I have owned both. For me, it would depend on what I wanted to use it for. For what you have intended, I would opt for the MGL, BUT since you already have one, I would go with the DC and use it for moving baits and switch your MGL to your t-rig/jig rod.

Would you still recommend that if I told you I already have a Curado K for just that? I guess my question boils down to is the Curado DC really something special enough to warrant buying it if you already have what's immidiately below and above it? I know that's really subjective but I've heard some amazing things about them and I'm not sure I buy into the hype.

[jbsoonerfan]

I too have a Curado K, I would take the DC over it any and every day.

[Fishes in trees]

I have the Curado DC and I've played with it a few times and fished with it once.  Using 15 lb co-poly, a half ounce practice plug, standing outside my fishing shed, I can throw a long ways, throwing out almost half the spool.

On the water, it is a little different story.   I bought this reel to be my dedicated spinnerbait reel and it seems that given the anti-aerodynamic nature of spinner baits, I can only get a little more distance than I can using my previous spinner bait reel choices.  It does seem like it takes less effort to achieve the distances that I'm getting and the reel itself is lighter than my previous reel choices, so I like that.

 

I think that if I were to throw square bills with it - or minus 1s or something in that category I'd get more distance on the water.  Anyway don't have a MGL - recently acquired the Curado DC - like what it does throwing spinnerbaits so far.

Not very far along in experimenting using different rods yet.  Currently in an unplanned money crunch (torn meniscus & resulting surgery, long story totally off topic)  however when a spare $250 comes my way I'm thinking I am probably going to want another one,  that is assuming that Shimano doesn't come out with some newer reel that I've got to have.

[Mike Badge]

I own both reels and I have no complaints against either. Frankly, all things being equal, the Curado DC 150 probably casts a bit farther.

 

Curado DC 150: The digital system samples the reel angular velocity (think RPM) every 1/1000 of a second and adjusts the braking to prevent backlash (overrun). You need to set the tension knob so the reel shaft has no back and forth play. After that, set the magnetic brake adjustment to 2 - braid, 3- fluorocarbon, 4 - dock skipping, and 1 for bombing it a mile. It makes a faint humming sound when you cast it (charging DC system). It is an amazing reel by any measure!

 

Chronarch MGL: This reel has an adjustable external magnetic brake (clicking noise tells you your changing the settings), but it also has internal pins you can have 'on' or 'off'. I've only had the reel 1 month and I haven't even opened the reel to change the factory settings. I've fished with it 6 - 10 times and it does cast like a dream and there is no charging noise. 

 

 I'm not a profession fisherman and I haven't adjusted the Chonarch's internal magnetic pins, so someone experienced may feel the Chronarch is superior if adjusted properly. 

 

If I had to choose one reel over the other I'd flip a coin - to me, they are that close in performance. 

[Matt_3479]

I have 3 or 4 chronarch mgl’s, 1 curado k and have fished a dc a few times. While all three are excellent I was in the same boat when after getting a chance to fish them side by side for a day I continued purchasing the chronarchs. They are one of my favourites!! The palm so well, cast a freaking mile. Have used them for jigs, t-rigs, squarebills and lipless, frogs, top water and beat the hell out of them. It was on my frog rod for 2 seasons being fished extremely hard (probably the most use out of any reel) and last year it moved over to my squarebill stick and preformed flawless. Would of stayed on the frog rod if I hadn’t changed to the bantams for my heavier stuff. 

[Mike Badge]

Hi Matt - Your comment just confirmed what I suspected - the more expensive chronarh mgl is your choice, since you are experienced and probably tinkered with the braking adjustments. It looks like you're in Canada and you probably catch muskie and large pike too. I'm guessing if you do hook 20 lbs+ fish the drag may be a less than you want.

 

 

[Matt_3479]

5 hours ago, Mike Badge said:

Hi Matt - Your comment just confirmed what I suspected - the more expensive chronarh mgl is your choice, since you are experienced and probably tinkered with the braking adjustments. It looks like you're in Canada and you probably catch muskie and large pike too. I'm guessing if you do hook 20 lbs+ fish the drag may be a less than you want.

 

 

I’ve never caught a Muskie personally but we have hooked into a few nice pike. Haven’t personally broke the 20lbs range so can’t confirm this. That said though I’ve never felt underpowered carrying my chronarch mgl’s. I’ve caught 2, 5.5lbs bass on the frog rod in some super heavy mats without issue. Caught 2 pike 1 hook neither very large but super weird how it played out and struggled a bit but still not a problem. 
 

I have 1 curado, 3-4 chronarchs, 2 bantams mgl’s, 1 2016 Mets, and 1 2020 Mets. The chronarchs for the price I feel are a nice step up from the curado’s ans feel very nice in comparison to price of the Mets. My go too reel for sure. That said those new Mets blow my mind!

[Mike Badge]

12 hours ago, Matt_3479 said:

 

12 hours ago, Matt_3479 said:

I have 1 curado, 3-4 chronarchs, 2 bantams mgl’s, 1 2016 Mets, and 1 2020 Mets. The chronarchs for the price I feel are a nice step up from the curado’s ans feel very nice in comparison to price of the Mets. My go too reel for sure. That said those new Mets blow my mind!

You have 2 Metanium dc reels? Those are high end reels and I'm guessing they're worth the cost. 

 

I already said I like the curado DC - when it's adjusted right it casts about as far as any reel I've used and reduces the likelihood of backlashes. I'm getting familiar with my new chronarch mgl and it is an amazing reel too. Yesterday I turned off 2 of the 4 mag brakes on the chronarch and tried casting 1/4 - 1/8 oz lures. I did get a few backlashes but they weren't bad and I decided to put all 4 mag brakes on when I'm casting light lures. I probably should have switched to spinning tackle for casting lures below 3/8 oz.

 

So here's a question about rods (I know this isn't the forum for it ...sorry) - I have a 6'-10" KVD medium heavy ('cranking') rod that has micro line guides, so can't use braid/fluorocarbon leaders. Do you have a favorite 6-10 rod that uses regular guides you like?

 

Thanks - BTW, we caught several 2-4 lbs bass so on blk/blue Z-mann chatterbaits and blk/blue jigs - the Z-mann chatterbaits seem to be better than the others ...