Shimano Curado K Vs SLX XT

[lugueto]

Hello,

 

My name is Luis and I'm new to the forums, not new to fishing nor baitcasting.

 

I recently lost a rod/reel and now I've been facing a decision on what to replace the reel with.

 

I've been using a pair of Curados for the past 12 years that, while very dated, are extremely reliable so I never felt the need to change them.

 

The logical step would be to simply buy a pair of Curado Ks and be done for the next 12 years or so, but I've been looking at the SLX XT and have been wondering what the difference in feel and reliability will actually be?

 

The reels are used once or twice a month for heavy Peacock Bass. I have seen the new Curados around but haven't used them. I've also seen the SLX but the basic version and didn't feel quality was on par with the former. I understand the SLX XT would be sort of the gap between the two, so how close would it be to one or the other?

 

I appreciate any insight on the subject, saving 100$ on the pair is a fairly tempting factor but only if the sacrifice in reliability is small.

 

Cheers,

 

Luis

[jbsoonerfan]

This is not a review, so take it with a grain of salt. I have owned 2 Curado K's and now I have another on the way, they feel like solid workhorse reels to me. Sometimes that is seen as quality that will last forever and sometimes people think that they are heavy and should be used as anchors lol. I have used them for chucking and winding cranks and small swimbaits along with some topwater baits. I have not owned an SLX but I have handled them in the store. They are pretty small and seem a little on the "light" side of what I would consider a workhorse reel. If I were to buy one (which I would if they didn't have that ugly blue on them lol) I would use them for slow presentations like a Texas Rig, jig etc. I use my Metanium, Scorpion MGL, Scorpion XG for those slow presentations and my Bantam MGLs for my cast and retrieve techniques because of the "feel" of them. All that being said, and maybe not a good personal experience reply, I would go with the K for what I feel you will be using the reel for.

 

Oh, and if you are like me and OCD and cannot handle the gold on the cast control knob of the K, you can order a black one for the Met from Shimano to replace it.

[bwjay]

I like my SLX XT, but based on a few minutes with a Curado 200K at Cabela's, I think the Curado K feels a tiny bit higher quality. Not much though, it still felt kinda cheap to me, but then again it was the demo model that had been abused by everybody. I had the SLX and the XT feels the same internally, it just looks nicer on the outside, and the SVS Infinity braking is great. It honestly is a great reel to have in your arsenal and will more than do the job whether you're straight retrieving or picking up slack. I horsed a couple 2-3lbers through 2-3lbs of weeds with both the SLX and XT and they never felt like they were locking up or grinding or flexing. My Bantam is on another level of rigidity and smoothness, obviously, but again both the SLX and XT are worth having in the arsenal I think.

 

If you need more line capacity, go with the K. If you think you might like a smaller reel and want to try something new, get the XT. It's a sweet reel.

[OnthePotomac]

Peacock bass I recommend the K.  It is a 200 size reel and a little huskier for peacock bass and SLX is a 150 size reel.  The K also has micro gears and the X ship bearing for additional pinion strength.

[Smalls]

I own a couple K’s, and my wife has an SLX. The SLX is definitely a nice budget reel, and the new XT version had me thinking of saving some cash and switching to them. I’ll probably buy 1 or 2 for light use, but the K’s will continue to sit on the rods I use heavily. 

[TBAG]

I own a few of both, the K feels more sturdy and the build quality is nicer than the SLX.

 

But, I have smaller hands and prefer the SLX size over the K.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Personally the externally adjustable centrifugal brakes aren’t worth $30 to me. I miss the old set it and forget it style. Longevity wise, either will outlast you if cared for. 

[lugueto]

I appreciate all your comments.

 

I honestly believe I wll buy the Curado just for peace of mind, but the question still remains just how much less reliable the SLX XT could possibly be.

 

I'm not a spec snob really, all I worry about is reliability and funcionality. I'm not really keen on having a reel collection, and don't plan on changing them until I lose another or they kick the bucket. Either way, I hope they last m another decade.

 

The spool size is not really a concern as the ~90m of line I can get into a 150 size spool is more than enough. Sizewise, smaller and lighter I suppose is better, but I've been fishing with these huge, heavy ol' Curados for days on end without really caring for it, so if the Curado is slightly bigger that'll still be way smaller and lighter than what I'm used to.

 

I do know these reels will last a great deal, these Curados, which I really don't now what generation they belong to, lasted for over 12 years fishing heavy bass at least once a month and even with a few salt water trips in between.

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The SLX is as close to the old Curado as you can get. Buy either with confidence. 

[pauldconyers]

On 1/15/2020 at 9:31 AM, jbsoonerfan said:

Oh, and if you are like me and OCD and cannot handle the gold on the cast control knob of the K, you can order a black one for the Met from Shimano to replace it.

Oh this is me too! I assumed there was a reel that would have the right sized knob but was unsure which. What website have you found the easiest and cheapest to order Shimano parts like this through? Is there a specific part number for it? Glad to find another OCD about my equipment brother on here LOL

[jbsoonerfan]

44 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

Oh this is me too! I assumed there was a reel that would have the right sized knob but was unsure which. What website have you found the easiest and cheapest to order Shimano parts like this through? Is there a specific part number for it? Glad to find another OCD about my equipment brother on here LOL

I bought the one from the Met after reading about it, but it is a little bit more shallow than the K. I am going to try one from the Bantam MGL.

 

https://fishshop.shimano.com/collections/bantmgl150xg 

 

BNT 5778

[pauldconyers]

2 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I bought the one from the Met after reading about it, but it is a little bit more shallow than the K. I am going to try one from the Bantam MGL.

 

https://fishshop.shimano.com/collections/bantmgl150xg 

 

BNT 5778

Well I will hold off for a bit, hopefully you can report back!

[Manifestgtr]

I own and love both. The curado will inevitably be a bit “sturdier” due to its x-ship and might feel a bit “smoother” (ugh...) due to the micromods...but honestly, my favorite “curado” is the scorpion xt 1000. It has neither of those things, is ridiculously smooth and free casting 10 years into its service. So those features don’t make or break a reel for me.

 

If you like smaller reels, the slx series is really nice (aside from the dc, which is basically the size of a modern 200 curado). They’re built on 70 sized frames and feel really nice on the retrieve.

 

You won’t be disappointed with either...however I will add this. Word on the street is that there’s a new 70 sized curado coming soon. Retailers are trying to sell off the I series 70s as quickly as they can. So if you don’t mind waiting...I’m even more excited for those than the new metaniums 

[jbsoonerfan]

On 1/17/2020 at 5:42 PM, pauldconyers said:

Well I will hold off for a bit, hopefully you can report back!

Here is the Met cap and the Bantam cap. I prefer the Bantam cap. To me, it looks WAY better. I may actually buy a couple more K's knowing I can replace that ugly one. LOL

[pauldconyers]

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Here is the Met cap and the Bantam cap. I prefer the Bantam cap. To me, it looks WAY better. I may actually buy a couple more K's knowing I can replace that ugly one. LOL

Which is which? Do either "fit" better than the other? Whichever you say, does it fit as well the stock?

[jbsoonerfan]

Top is Met, bottom is Bantam. Met is shallower, the Bantam is almost the same as the K. They both do the job, but in my opinion the Bantam is a better fit and look.