Buying used DC reels. How to tell a used DC reel is in good shape?

[Finessegenics]

I've been thinking of getting a DC reel for a while now. It's quite a big step up for me as I'm just a college student with a part-time job. The Curado DC has been my target for a while and they retail at 350$ CAD up here in canada. After our ludicrous sales tax, it comes out to $400. Ive been eyeing one on Facebook Marketplace for the past week and the seller is asking for $300. He said he's willing to negotiate and he says it's lightly used, only 16 hours on the water. 

 

Is there any way to tell a DC reel is still in good shape aside from the aesthetics of the reel (scratches and whatnot on the frame) just by feeling it in my hands? For example, to make sure braking system still works and so on. (By the way, it wont be going on sale around here at local tackle stores for black friday but i have no idea about boxing day)

 

Thank you in advance! And yes i realize im only really gonna get to use the reel next spring but that wont stop me from making casts in any open water I can find ?

[JustJames]

You won’t be able to tell if DC reel still in good shape just by the look. One thing though, nice clean used reel show that owner taking care of their reel. When I bought used reel, I check the smoothness of the reel by spin handle fast, free spool to see any wobble, then apply pressure (thumb press on spool) and spin handle, look/feel for any grinding sound.

With DC reel, it is gonna be harder since digital brake mechanism involved. You might be able to test by casting and looking for those distinguish sound of DC brake. Good thing though I think that reeltest guy already prove off water resistant on Curado DC by drunken the brake side plate in water for 10-30 seconds and still work.

 

Buying used reel is pretty tough choice, yes of course, you get a good deal but sometime you get a dud. I’ve bought quite a lot of used reel but so far I’m pretty lucky. I would check the seller if reliable or trustworthy. If you know how to maintenance the reel in side out, that would be a plus. One reel that I bought look okay from outside but inside was pretty nasty, all grease become black, but just a little bit of TLC the reel work with no problem.

[Basswhippa]

Make sure the battery isn’t dying.   You don’t want to replace one.

[Finessegenics]

19 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

You won’t be able to tell if DC reel still in good shape just by the look. One thing though, nice clean used reel show that owner taking care of their reel. When I bought used reel, I check the smoothness of the reel by spin handle fast, free spool to see any wobble, then apply pressure (thumb press on spool) and spin handle, look/feel for any grinding sound.

With DC reel, it is gonna be harder since digital brake mechanism involved. You might be able to test by casting and looking for those distinguish sound of DC brake. Good thing though I think that reeltest guy already prove off water resistant on Curado DC by drunken the brake side plate in water for 10-30 seconds and still work.

 

Buying used reel is pretty tough choice, yes of course, you get a good deal but sometime you get a dud. I’ve bought quite a lot of used reel but so far I’m pretty lucky. I would check the seller if reliable or trustworthy. If you know how to maintenance the reel in side out, that would be a plus. One reel that I bought look okay from outside but inside was pretty nasty, all grease become black, but just a little bit of TLC the reel work with no problem.

Thanks. The owner doesnt have any line spooled up on it so I cant cast it, but I'll use your other tips and open it up just to look at the insides. I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to completely disassembling a casting reel. I've done it before but only for very basic cleaning. 

14 minutes ago, Basswhippa said:

Make sure the battery isn’t dying.   You don’t want to replace one.

Im pretty sure the Curado DC doesnt have a battery. At least thats what I've seen on other threads on bassresource

[JustJames]

15 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

Thanks. The owner doesnt have any line spooled up on it so I cant cast it, but I'll use your other tips and open it up just to look at the insides. I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to completely disassembling a casting reel. I've done it before but only for very basic cleaning. 

If I’m a seller and you are not my friend, I wouldn’t let you open up my reel. But if Im selling the reel and buyer wanna see inside, I’ll open up in safe place and let him see it.

To me, I’ve never ask anyone to open up the reel, that is direct insulting. But I do keep my reel clean inside so I don’t mind open it myself. 

It is not difficult, just 4 screws, handle nut, drag pressure nut, spring, 3 or 4 washers, bearing, AR sleeve and bam you see the inside, missing one of those and you are screwed.

 

Another suggestion if you may, buy a cheap spool of line, and fill the spool there with owner permission (don’t forget casting plug). If it is too much trouble, “as seller I would sell it to someone else”, “as buyer I would buy it new with warranty”.

[Finessegenics]

2 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

If I’m a seller and you are not my friend, I wouldn’t let you open up my reel. But if Im selling the reel and buyer wanna see inside, I’ll open up in safe place and let him see it.

To me, I’ve never ask anyone to open up the reel, that is direct insulting. But I do keep my reel clean inside so I don’t mind open it myself. 

It is not difficult, just 4 screws, handle nut, drag pressure nut, spring, 3 or 4 washers, bearing, AR sleeve and bam you see the inside, missing one of those and you are screwed.

So you're saying even if i buy a reel that isnt in the best shape, its still worth it if im able to clean it up myself? 

[Logan S]

I wouldn't be concerned, the DC systems are all pretty much maintenance-free.  I have several that I've bought used...and I've used them pretty hard since without issue.  

 

If the reel seems mechanically fine otherwise I'm sure it's good to go.  I'd be shocked if anything was wrong with the DC system, especially on the newest model DC reel.

[diehardbassfishing]

DC reels do not have a battery. They charge themselves early in the cast.

 

Good review of Curado DC here:

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

 

I have purchased a used Calcutta Conquest DC - no problem. It was in nice shape, so I figutred it was pretty well cared for.

 

You'll have to cast with it to test the DC system.

 

Karl