Shimano reels

[LCG]

Was wondering people's opinions of Shimano reels, specifically the curado k and stradic lines. 

 

I currently use daiwa tatula and daiwa fuego baitcasting reels, and pfluger president xt spinning reels as a point of reference. 

 

I was playing with both in store and they seem very well put together and smooth. Obviously the price is a step above what I currently use. Is there a real world advantage to upgrading my reels? None of the reels I currently have have let down in any way, but curious if they offer any appreciable difference in daily use and longevity. 

 

 

[hawgchaser]

Everyone knows Shimano makes great stuff. But so do other companies! It’s kind of a Ford vs Chevy debate. I personally think both of the reels you mentioned are proven performers and I doubt you would regret buying them. However, is it worth upgrading? I’m not sure. 

[drew4779]

Shimano reels are fantastic, among the best...but so are daiwa reels.

 

What you are currently using will no doubt get the job done.  It's all about personal preference. 

 

My favorites are my shimano reels but I also love my daiwa reels too. The K is an upgrade over the fuego but if your happy with what you already have, then wouldn't worry about it too much.  Fuego's are nice quality reels.

[Grim_Reaver]

Most if not all reels $100 and up are good and will last if you take care of them. What matters more imo is finding what feels best in your hands. For me, the Daiwa CT frames fit best, for my buddy the Shimano frames fit better. As mentioned above, it's really personal preference. Shimano reels are very high quality and you won't regret buying one.

[WRB]

Shimano made the first low profile reel for Lew Childre BB1 in their USA bicycle parts plant and that put them in the reel business. Their 1st Shimano brand reel was the Bantam 100. 

Before the BB1 low profile patent baitcasting reel were round and Swiss made Abu Ambassadors ruled the market, times have changed.

Daiwa was competing with Abu with their Millionaire round reel entering the low profile market in the early 90's with Team Diawa TD HTSA, the instant anti reverse and free spinning spools. 

Shimano offered a bullet proof round reel made from machined 1 piece frame with the round Calcutta reels followed with the low profile  Cuardo series reels.

Both Daiwa and Shimano have been the top fresh water baitcasting reels for over 20 years, it's a coin toss.

Spinning reels Shimano came out with the Stractic series in the 90's and Daiwa has gained some ground but Shimano is the top spinning reel and Daiwa a close second.

Tom

[Mikeltee]

The curado 200s and Ks, and DCs haven't been around long enough to judge the longevity, but I like the curado better than my Tatula SV and Lee's Pro LFS which are all similarly priced competitors. Not only do I feel that they function better, they also feel more solid to me. I would be happy with anyone of them though to be honest. All 3 brands are excellent. I am going with Shimano here on out though unless an offer that I cant refuse comes up. I just dont trust the TWS system. I feel that it's the weakest link in the Diawa chain. Too much cheap plastic to rely on. Im sure one of the reel buffs that hangout here can negate my opinion though. The Lee feels a little more bulky and gimmicky/flashy imo.

[Hulkster]

stradics are great pretty much every model of them has been. Ive owned many over the years from the late 90s till now. The only one i haven't used was the silver one (FI?) and i havent used the CI4s, i stayed away because of the EVA foam handle on previous models, hated how it felt, now they are back to hard rubber and they are awesome but i haven't bought one yet. I do have a 3000 FK and they are great. 

[jimmyjoe]

4 minutes ago, Mikeltee said:

I just dont trust the TWS system. I feel that it's the weakest link in the Diawa chain.

   Same here. That's why I bought the Fuego; no TWS.    jj

[waymont]

3 hours ago, Mikeltee said:

I just dont trust the TWS system

You may not trust it but it's rock solid. As many can attest, the TWS doesn't fail any more than a standard line guide does, which is not very frequently. It's a proven system. I have Curado K, Lew's Pro G, and a bunch of Tatulas, and all are excellent reels. All of them feel different from each other, but feel great.

[Hammer 4]

7 minutes ago, waymont said:

You may not trust it but it's rock solid. As many can attest, the TWS doesn't fail any more than a standard line guide does, which is not very frequently. It's a proven system. I have Curado K, Lew's Pro G, and a bunch of Tatulas, and all are excellent reels. All of them feel different from each other, but feel great.

Totally agree with waymont. I have a few reels with the TWS and have had no problems, or lack of performance vs my 1 shimano reel.

[WRB]

When the Daiwa Tatula 100 series reels 1st came out about 7 years ago they had heat treat issues resulting in line wear that was quickly resolved. Everyone forgets that Daiwa was the 1st to off 8:1 gear ratios years before Shimano. 

We all used to change out Daiwa drag washers to Slick drags, Shimano had superior factory drag washers. You don't hear a lot about drag washer upgrades that were popular a few years ago. 

I am not a fan of the current series of Lew's reels.To me Lews are relagated to the discount stores along with Abu Garcia Revos, popular but living on past reputation.

Check the after market values, if the reel holds it's value there are good reasons.

Tom

[Mikeltee]

1 hour ago, waymont said:

You may not trust it but it's rock solid. As many can attest, the TWS doesn't fail any more than a standard line guide does, which is not very frequently. It's a proven system. I have Curado K, Lew's Pro G, and a bunch of Tatulas, and all are excellent reels. All of them feel different from each other, but feel great.

I agree that they are all excellent reels, but I will explain why I think the TWS is the weakest link. It must actuate when you lock and unlock the spool and no other reels goes through this procedure. I know that all line guides are plastic but all the others just travel down the plastic worm gear. I stumbled down a cliff once and landed in the sand. A little sand got in my reel. After a thorough cleaning, it failed to actuate half the time. Granted the directions do not claim to be sand and trauma proof, but when I landed, I made sure my body took the blow and not my gear. The reel looked new still and it was only the second time I fished with it. Long story short... I liked it so much for light lures that I bought another one the next day, but I am very cautious with it to say the least. 

[Jig Man]

I made the switch to Shimano several years ago.  I don’t have any other brand.  I have several different models.  They all perform very well.  I have 4 or 5 Stradics and about a dozen Curados.

[JediAmoeba]

Somehow I have never owned a Shimano reel.  I never liked the feel of them, but I know they work great.  

[king fisher]

I have been a Shimano fan for over 30 years.  All my salt water and most of my fresh water reels have been Shimano.  Last year I bought a Diawa BG spinning reel because a friend recommended it.  I think it is the best spinning reel made in the $100 range, would go as far as to say it is better than any other $200 spinning reel.  After having such good luck with the BG spinning reel, I decided to try a Tatula CT.   Again very pleased.  Now I own 3 Diawa bait casters.  I  believe Shimano makes the best spinning and bait casters, in the upper price range, but feel Diawa owns the $100-$150  class.

[JustJames]

If you’ve never tried shimano baitcaster reel with centrifugal brake system, you should, you might like it more than daiwa, it might take time to dial in, but once that part done you might have a blast. 

To me shimano is more comfortable to hold due to narrower size compare to daiwa, but daiwa win hand down in smoothness.

Spinning, if you are not gonna get stradic ci4 at least, I would go with Daiwa LT series. Shimano in lower end doesn’t offer anything new.

[Vilas15]

16 hours ago, LCG said:

Is there a real world advantage to upgrading my reels? None of the reels I currently have have let down in any way, but curious if they offer any appreciable difference in daily use and longevity. 

 

 

It's fun? In my eyes there's no reason to upgrade for "longevity" by replacing equipment that hasn't had any issues yet.

[JediAmoeba]

1 hour ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

If you’ve never tried shimano baitcaster reel with centrifugal brake system, you should, you might like it more than daiwa, it might take time to dial in, but once that part done you might have a blast. 

To me shimano is more comfortable to hold due to narrower size compare to daiwa, but daiwa win hand down in smoothness.

Spinning, if you are not gonna get stradic ci4 at least, I would go with Daiwa LT series. Shimano in lower end doesn’t offer anything new.

I don't see why - I love the way the Daiwas work and casting side by side with someone with a Curado DC I can outcast them...but usually distance is never a concern so that point is moot anyway.

 

I think the answer is to put a shimano reel on a rod and see how it feels.  Every rod and reel pairing is different - some just don't work well for one person but are great for another person.  One of my big complaints about the higher end reels is the weight.  I don't like a feather light reel.  I can go out casting 1oz+ lures for 10 hours on a 300 sized Lexa without complaints 

[new2BC4bass]

10 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

I don't see why - I love the way the Daiwas work and casting side by side with someone with a Curado DC I can outcast them...but usually distance is never a concern so that point is moot anyway.

 

I think the answer is to put a shimano reel on a rod and see how it feels.  Every rod and reel pairing is different - some just don't work well for one person but are great for another person.  One of my big complaints about the higher end reels is the weight.  I don't like a feather light reel.  I can go out casting 1oz+ lures for 10 hours on a 300 sized Lexa without complaints 

As a shore fisherman...in a highly pressured area...I would disagree with that statement.  Sure you want to start in close hoping the person ahead of you didn't...or didn't present a lure any fish that might be in the area was interested in...but it isn't long before you are looking for that country mile cast.  Even when in a boat with my fishing buddy in Florida, I find it is often necessary for me to reach out there because of boat position and where he is casting.  I always let him fish an area he is interested in.

 

As a general rule I am also looking for the longest cast possible when throwing a crankbait.  Naturally there are times I am targeting targets close by.  (Can suck for me.)

 

When I practice I spend a lot of time on distance casting.  Because of this I am more accurate at distance than with a close in target.  This doesn't mean that I am within inches at 45 yards (happens occasionally) and feet at 10 yards (happens occasionally ), but relatively speaking I am better at a longer distance.  I've noticed that some rods are more accurate (for me) than others.

[WRB]

The reason I say the difference is coin toss between Daiwa and Shimano is because both companies are excellent and keep parts inventory for a long time. Lew's on the other hand has changed ownership several times since Lew Childre passed and it's difficult to determine where the reel was made and what parts it my have. In today's throw away world customer service and parts support may not matter but it does to me.

If the member who had the falling accident contacted Daiwa they would have cleaned or replaced the reel under warranty.

Instill use my early 90's Shimano and Daiwa reels.

Tom 

[Joe_w1234]

Just saying if u are going to get a Curado k just get the new Slx for similar price it’s better I think

[LCG]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Lots of information to digest. 

[OnthePotomac]

I like Shimano reels because they get great, reliable performance with longevity without stuffing  a dozen bearings in their reels....great engineering design.

 

 

[Shimano_1]

I've owned and still own some of both. If you like ur daiwas ur not gaining anything by upgrading.  I like the ergonomics of the shimanos better and breaking system of the daiwas better. I would have no problem using all shimano or all daiwa or all lews for that matter. 

[Bandersnatch]

I'm a shimano fan boy at this point. All the mgl reels are fantastic! Somebody tell me I'm missing something from the net mgl, bantam and aldebarans. If im missing some fantastic diawa let me know!