Disappointed in the Curado DC

[jeffo21]

LoL should have gotten a Lew's

[PhishLI]

17 minutes ago, MDbassin said:

I will say guys I got it set up so it works as advertised but i did some testing tonight. Same rod, same line same lure. I cast and after every cast I would back things off a little until I would get a little backlash then go back so all 3 reels are set up the same then I threw 5 casts and did the math. This wasn't completely scientific as I didnt have a measuring wheel or anything but I went off the IPT on each companies website and these were the results. CURADO DC - 31 IPT and 45 handle cranks is 1395 inches. TATULA SV 29.4 IPT and 50 handle cranks is 1470 inches. LEWS CUSTOM PRO 30 IPT and 50 handle cranks is 1500 inches. So the difference is in my testing anyway is only 6-8 ft and the DC is still the loser on this one. 6-8 ft isnt a big deal so it's not that bad but it's not what you keep seeing on youtube and everything of it out casting reels by 20 ft.... the K maybe but other non shimano reels no. So for this price point in shimano I'm sticking with my Chronarch MGL's

Unfortunately, not scientific at all. IPT will tell you nothing for a number of reasons. Put a marker down where the lure landed and measure the difference between reels if you don't want to hassle with measuring the actual distance.

[MDbassin]

2 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Unfortunately, not scientific at all. IPT will tell you nothing for a number of reasons. Put a marker down where the lure landed and measure the difference between reels if you don't want to hassle with measuring the actual distance.

d**n way to kill my inner scientist lol

[PhishLI]

33 minutes ago, MDbassin said:

d**n way to kill my inner scientist lol

Good sense of humor, man! Glad your reel isn't defective.

[MDbassin]

Tonight was just a quick down and dirty since it's dark by the time I get home. This weekend now that I got it working I plan to actually measure them out 

[FishTank]

You can skip the first 5 minutes of this guy though.  The video shows clearly how the DC should function in his first cast.  The line will start to draw away from the spool and then the spool magically slows down to keep the line in check without backlashing. 

 

 

[DanielG]

50 minutes ago, FishTank said:

You can skip the first 5 minutes of this guy though.  The video shows clearly how the DC should function in his first cast.  The line will start to draw away from the spool and then the spool magically slows down to keep the line in check without backlashing. 

 

 

Like I've written about in previous posts. This is my experience. A little fuzz sometime but it settles down. No backlashes once set correctly. I estimate maybe 1000+ casts last summer. I never pulled a thread afterwards from May till October.

[FishTank]

22 minutes ago, DanielG said:

Like I've written about in previous posts. This is my experience. A little fuzz sometime but it settles down. No backlashes once set correctly. I estimate maybe 1000+ casts last summer. I never pulled a thread afterwards from May till October.

I can't confirm this is true but I get the sense that it's sort learning how I cast.  It just seemed to get better over time. 

[Bandersnatch]

On 2/10/2020 at 9:42 PM, DanielG said:

I love my DC. I've posted here a few times about how I learned to love it.

 

The directions from Shimano suck..... they don't work. The one with the tighten the knob until the reel doesn't rattle. I've contacted them. They've replied with "we'll, take it into consideration". Right...

 

1. Put a lure on your line

2. Set the brake for the line type. I use braided. It's set on 2.

3. Adjust the tension knob so that when you shake the rod lightly the lure drops a little, maybe a foot, with each shake.

4. You have to readjust with each weight lure. It just takes a few seconds.

 

I had not one entanglement all last summer. I cast into the wind, with the wind, light to med/heavy lures. I cast short. I wind up and hurl it. Hundreds of casts. No nests and NO thumb. It will lightly fuzz up a bit sometimes but always settles down. I have to concentrate to keep my thumb off the spool.  I wouldn't have believed it but it's true. No kidding.

 

Sometimes I'll release the brake a bit or the tension knob and use my thumb but otherwise I never thumb the spool.

I agree. I used the steps above. I never looked for any different settings. I adjust mine when I switch lures and while it doesn't feel as nice as reels priced above it, it does bomb lures, especially heavy ones. I could throw a 1/2 trap or whopper plopper to the moon on 40-65lb smackdown. 

[Southcoast Bassin]

Ive tried them all … Tatula's … Lew's Hyper and Pro and I cant see how it's even close ?

Shimano Chonarch's and Mentanium's just blew the doors off of everything.

LOL … both Lew's had issues after the first day. 

Really tough to beat a Shimano.

Now if the Tatula's would get away from the T-wing mechanism they would be incredible. They are getting lighter and smaller too.

There are some great deals on Chronarch's and Metanium's out on the web too.

 

 

[TBAG]

On 2/11/2020 at 10:05 PM, jeffo21 said:

LoL should have gotten a Lew's

 

LOL, right........

[newyorktoiowa57]

I think the DC system is overhyped which can lead to disappointment. At first I was a bit disappointed until I used it more, now I am loving the sound and the smoothness if the casts. 

[iabass8]

On 2/11/2020 at 8:48 PM, MDbassin said:

I will say guys I got it set up so it works as advertised but i did some testing tonight. Same rod, same line same lure. I cast and after every cast I would back things off a little until I would get a little backlash then go back so all 3 reels are set up the same then I threw 5 casts and did the math. This wasn't completely scientific as I didnt have a measuring wheel or anything but I went off the IPT on each companies website and these were the results. CURADO DC - 31 IPT and 45 handle cranks is 1395 inches. TATULA SV 29.4 IPT and 50 handle cranks is 1470 inches. LEWS CUSTOM PRO 30 IPT and 50 handle cranks is 1500 inches. So the difference is in my testing anyway is only 6-8 ft and the DC is still the loser on this one. 6-8 ft isnt a big deal so it's not that bad but it's not what you keep seeing on youtube and everything of it out casting reels by 20 ft.... the K maybe but other non shimano reels no. So for this price point in shimano I'm sticking with my Chronarch MGL's

IPT isn't static. It's based on a full spool . Your IPT vary based on the amount of line you have on the reel , spool circumference and depth of the spool. the less line you have on the spool, the lesser your IPT are.  Gear ratio remains the same but IPT lessens as line is taken off the spool. 

[Robert Murray]

For long distance casting the DC4 should be on setting # 1.  Your test didn't say what setting you had it on.

 

DC's are extraordinary for casting into the wind.  Which is 1/2 the time on the Gulf Coast. Which an experienced angler should have one in his arsenal imo.  I casted mine yesterday against 25 mph wind, with no thumb, no backlash it was beautiful.  After that tried a different baitcaster and had a great rat nest.

 

I actually bought one for my 9 yr old son first.  Which these DC's are especially made for youngsters, beginners, and lady friends to enjoy fishing with a real reel. And keep you fishing not having to fix their backlashes.

 

I have a Scorpion DC and Curado DC. I prefer the scorpion b/c the size is a little smaller.  Haven't played with both enough to figure which DC4 or DC5 I prefer, but I'm pretty sure the DC5 allows more settings thus making it better. The Curado has micro modul gearing and the Scorpion does not, but the Curado DC feels nothing like my Bantam MGL on the supreme smooth butter retrieve. My arsenal is Bantam MGL ( Nothing compares to this period, pure butta ), Curado E ( made in japan - this is my 10 yr old baby ), Scorpion DC ( Love this one ), Tatula SV TW ( Superb reel newer model is smaller and lighter, but this one is cheaper. Awesome for ultra light baits and great backlash resistance for experienced or beginners ), and curado dc for my son.

 

To sum it up, like a few other stated. Get a DC for the wind. Get a DC for your child, wife, or newbies fishing with you. Also I was casting 1/4 oz. jigs perfect with the scorpion dc and it can handle even lighter. no backlash period.  If your an experience angler there is no reason to get one, but there is also no reason not to get one.

 

There's so many good baitcasters out there now, it wasn't that way 12 yrs ago. Nowadays Lew's, Abu, & Concept 13 make great products that are extremely comparable to the big two, with these guys you have to pick which model suits you, do like centrifugal brakes or magnetic brakes; and their combo brake system are not in Diawa's Air brake system league; and DC braking is a marvel. But, Shimano and Diawa lead in innovation and ingenuity, and still leading in refinement. Shimano treated me right 12 yrs ago, when 2 other brands failed, as is why I'm mainly a Shimano guy. But, these other companies are putting out great products, which gives us so many options and makes all of them up their game.  just cast before you buy a particular model and you'll never be unhappy.  or just pick any Shimano or Diawa tatula on up and you'll be happy lol

Quote

my lines were not tight yesterday. but, at least I was reeling on butta

 

[Boomstick]

On 2/10/2020 at 8:53 PM, MDbassin said:

I just wish Daiwa reels werent so dang bulky and uncomfortable to hold.

Some of the newer ones are slimming down like the Tatula 100 for example.

[dodgeguy]

On 2/10/2020 at 8:53 PM, MDbassin said:

I've tried and tried to love the Curado DC and I just cant. For that price I should of got another Chronarch. I follow the instructions to the T eve watch videos on how set them up and over run everytime even on setting 4. Sometimes even a full on backlash. I have to tighten it down way past what is described to get it to the point it wont overrun anymore but at that point I'm not getting the distance I should. I got the same distance on my curado k and even more distance on my lews custom pro. I feel like I paid for a K with less line capacity and a fancy whine sound. I cant believe I sold my Tatula SV's for this. I never had a problem with the SV daiwas and got the same distance. I just wish Daiwa reels werent so dang bulky and uncomfortable to hold. I'll be sticking with my Chronarchs and Lews..... I guess I need to pick up a K or 2 again now too.

I would switch to all Lew's .

[Robert Murray]

21 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

Some of the newer ones are slimming down like the Tatula 100 for example.

And the Tatula 100 sells for only $100 on ebay.  For that price, best reel for the money.  The new Tatula SV TW103 is the exact same reel, but has the SV spool for an extra $100.

[rangerjockey]

Dodge guy,  You should make a pilgrimage to Lews headquarters , You may be overcome with emotion, and maybe I take it for granted since I drive past it all the time.

I did fish them for awhile when they had a good tournament rewards program but they weren't anything special.

Then you could drive down 44 to hwy 65 a few miles to the BPS headquarters and visit all the BPS rods you can stand.

[Boomstick]

39 minutes ago, Robert Murray said:

And the Tatula 100 sells for only $100 on ebay.  For that price, best reel for the money.  The new Tatula SV TW103 is the exact same reel, but has the SV spool for an extra $100.

I wasn't 100% positive that the new SV was the same platform or not as I don't own one yet, but will likely pick up a couple by the end of the year as I have one rod I do not have a reel for and the need for another reel with 17lb fluorocarbon which I would swap out with my jig rod when I'm not fishing braid, and if I'm not fishing braid there's a decent chance I'm skipping docks too.

[jbsoonerfan]

1 hour ago, rangerjockey said:

Dodge guy,  You should make a pilgrimage to Lews headquarters , You may be overcome with emotion, and maybe I take it for granted since I drive past it all the time.

I did fish them for awhile when they had a good tournament rewards program but they weren't anything special.

Then you could drive down 44 to hwy 65 a few miles to the BPS headquarters and visit the the BPS rods you can stand.

Like a 6 pin 27 position centrifugal heaven on Earth!!!!

[The Warp Drive]

On 2/10/2020 at 8:42 PM, DanielG said:

I love my DC. I've posted here a few times about how I learned to love it.

 

The directions from Shimano suck..... they don't work. The one with the tighten the knob until the reel doesn't rattle. I've contacted them. They've replied with "we'll, take it into consideration". Right...

 

1. Put a lure on your line

2. Set the brake for the line type. I use braided. It's set on 2.

3. Adjust the tension knob so that when you shake the rod lightly the lure drops a little, maybe a foot, with each shake.

4. You have to readjust with each weight lure. It just takes a few seconds.

 

I had not one entanglement all last summer. I cast into the wind, with the wind, light to med/heavy lures. I cast short. I wind up and hurl it. Hundreds of casts. No nests and NO thumb. It will lightly fuzz up a bit sometimes but always settles down. I have to concentrate to keep my thumb off the spool.  I wouldn't have believed it but it's true. No kidding.

 

Sometimes I'll release the brake a bit or the tension knob and use my thumb but otherwise I never thumb the spool.

My first time fishing in over 30 years I got a chance to use a buddy's rig and had a blast. I had knew I needed my own rig so started researching. Decided on the Curado DC. I was a little worried being completely clueless about fishing and seeing some reviews about the reel where people had problems. I followed DanielG's instructions and they are perfect. I fished for three hours straight, no thumb ever and no issues with birds nests. My buddy who has been fishing regularly for over 30 years can still cast a little further on his Abu reel but maybe only 10-15 feet more. I have the Curado DC locked down in beginner mode. After her tried the DC he said he had to have one. Thanks Daniel!

[DanielG]

2 hours ago, The Warp Drive said:

My first time fishing in over 30 years I got a chance to use a buddy's rig and had a blast. I had knew I needed my own rig so started researching. Decided on the Curado DC. I was a little worried being completely clueless about fishing and seeing some reviews about the reel where people had problems. I followed DanielG's instructions and they are perfect. I fished for three hours straight, no thumb ever and no issues with birds nests. My buddy who has been fishing regularly for over 30 years can still cast a little further on his Abu reel but maybe only 10-15 feet more. I have the Curado DC locked down in beginner mode. After her tried the DC he said he had to have one. Thanks Daniel!

I'm so glad to hear this. Every time I post the directions and talk about how I don't use my thumb I get comments like "learn to use your thumb like your supposed to", or "you're not fishing if you don't use a thumb", or "someday you'll need your thumb and won't know how to use it", or "that can't be true, I've tried it and it sucks". So, I pretty much stopped posting it and am just enjoying my DC.

[MAN]

I never understood why fisherman who can throw a baitcaster already....would get a DC? Just something different in the arsenal I guess.  

[GaryH]

20 hours ago, DanielG said:

I'm so glad to hear this. Every time I post the directions and talk about how I don't use my thumb I get comments like "learn to use your thumb like your supposed to", or "you're not fishing if you don't use a thumb", or "someday you'll need your thumb and won't know how to use it", or "that can't be true, I've tried it and it sucks". So, I pretty much stopped posting it and am just enjoying my DC.

DG I own 3 and they work flawlessly. Been using BC's for over 30 years so no it's not just for beginners. I can turn the break off and cast it as far as any reel I own but I can set it up and make skipping as easy as with a spinning reel. Also in the wind it's great. Keep using it and you'll love it. Good luck and tight lines.

[TcRoc]

I have 2 . The Curado Dc and the Slx Dc.

I got the Curado when it came out . I have always liked it . It’s just something different to me.  The Slx I just bought and have no idea why lol. I got a good deal on it . Should have bought what I actually wanted ..   but I’ll keep it . They both perform well.