Shimano Curado K Owners

[skekoam]

For those that own this baitcasting reel, how do you like it so far.  My son bought one for himself as a 10th b-day present.  Was considering exchanging it for the tatula 100, but may end up keeping the shimano.  He bought the 8.1 gear ratio model for some reason.

 

Thanks for opinions.  He doesn't have a rod for it yet so its still just sitting in the box.

[dgkasper58]

5 minutes ago, skekoam said:

For those that own this baitcasting reel, how do you like it so far.  My son bought one for himself as a 10th b-day present.  Was considering exchanging it for the tatula 100, but may end up keeping the shimano.  He bought the 8.1 gear ratio model for some reason.

 

Thanks for opinions.  He doesn't have a rod for it yet so its still just sitting in the box.

I have 3 and I love them.  It is a 200 sized reel- so it may be a little on the larger size for a 10 year old.  I have one of the 8.1 for texas rigs rigs.  You really can fine tune it and it is my smoothest reel I own.  I may be in the market for a bantam or another K just need to figure out $$$

[Scott F]

I’ve got the Curado K. It does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It holds the line, when you crank the handle the line comes back in. It’s smooth and quiet. What do you think a Tatula can do that the Curado K can’t?

[PhishLI]

The Tat is a more well rounded reel, IMO, as you can throw a wider range of lures with it. The K doesn't do lighter baits well. Otherwise its a fine reel if you use it in it's wheelhouse.

1 minute ago, Scott F said:

What do you think a Tatula can do that the Curado K can’t?

Throw 1/4 oz jerkbaits.

[OnthePotomac]

I have three of the 200K XG reels and absolutely love them.  They are smooth, easy to cast and a joy with which to fish.  Wow, A Curado K at 10 now that is something.  If he never used a bait caster before, tell him to go easy on the throw power until he get it down.  Is dad experienced and can coach him?  In ant case I recommend he start with 14 -15 lb mono on it until he masters it before goes to braid, or flouro carbon.  Personally, I like that gear ration and always say quicker to get it back (bait or fish).  Congratulations to him and a very belated Happy Birthday.

[LCG]

Wow, I am 40 and just got one but seriously it's a nice reel, very smooth. Had a tatula and fuego. Like the fuego too, but curado k is nicer.

 

As for the new tatula 100, it's a nice reel as well. I did hear of some gear issues recently with this model and being that I have seen a lot of sales on them recently, I wonder if they are clearing them out.

 

The curado k may be a little big for a ten year old but it's a great reel and should last him a very long time. 

[TBAG]

Dang, 10 years old with a Curado K, lucky kid.

 

I have about 5 or 6 Curado K's in all ratios, wouldn't trade any for a Tatula. (Yes I do own a few Tatulas for comparison)

[skekoam]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  My kid had several bass pro shop gift cards and bought the reel without really consulting with me.  I guess he did some research on his own and pulled the trigger. He already has an slx xt, which he likes a lot.  I was thinking of having him exchange the reel for the tatula 100 primarily for size.  

 

He has all this great gear, but can't get out on any lakes right now.  So sad.  

[Shimano_1]

I dont think swapping it for the tatula would gain much. I've owned both and certainly dont find the tatula any better. I actually prefer the slx xt over either. Reminds me of the E7 curados just smaller. So far I've been really impressed with it especially for the money.  They're all great reels tho and I'm sure he would be happy with either. Like everything else it's all personal preference 

[NorthernBasser]

It's a great reel. Is this gonna be a do-everything reel? If so, I'd swap it for a 6.2 ratio reel, personally. Or the 7.4 at least. 

[PhishLI]

59 minutes ago, skekoam said:

He already has an slx xt, which he likes a lot.  I was thinking of having him exchange the reel for the tatula 100 primarily for size.  

No need for a Tat if he has the SLX XT already. It's a good lighter bait reel. The K and XT will cover his bases nicely.

[flyfisher]

I have one and am trying to figure out what i can sell to get some more

[FishTank]

I have the K and the DC.  I like both so far.  I have fished, but do not own, the Tatula SV TWS and it is also a fine reel.  I  didn't care for regular Tatula in hand but there are many that love this reel.  The one reel I would put ahead of the K might be the Tatula Elite.  In hand, it just has that special feel to it.  

 

For a 10 year old though, the Curado will be beyond a great reel to have.  Personally, for that age, I think the SLX might be a better choice just based on the size of the reel alone> and maybe the price point.

 

For the rod, just a suggestion, the St. Croix Avid 7' M Fast.  There are cheaper options for sure but this rod will balance well with the Curado.  He can have a quality rod and sort of grow into it.  It also has a great warranty to boot. 

[skekoam]

21 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I have the K and the DC.  I like both so far.  I have fished, but do not own, the Tatula SV TWS and it is also a fine reel.  I  didn't care for regular Tatula in hand but there are many that love this reel.  The one reel I would put ahead of the K might be the Tatula Elite.  In hand, it just has that special feel to it.  

 

For a 10 year old though, the Curado will be beyond a great reel to have.  Personally, for that age, I think the SLX might be a better choice just based on the size of the reel alone> and maybe the price point.

 

For the rod, just a suggestion, the St. Croix Avid 7' M Fast.  There are cheaper options for sure but this rod will balance well with the Curado.  He can have a quality rod and sort of grow into it.  It also has a great warranty to boot. 

Funny you say that.  He was looking at a st. croix to pair the curado with.  We have the dobyns fury 6ft6 on the slx, which is a great rod as well. 

[Hower08]

I have a curado k deffinately a solid reel. I would stick with the Shimano over the diawa. Just personal preference. I do not like the curado near as much as a chronarch though 

[basser27]

10 hours ago, PhishLI said:

The Tat is a more well rounded reel, IMO, as you can throw a wider range of lures with it. The K doesn't do lighter baits well. Otherwise its a fine reel if you use it in it's wheelhouse.

Throw 1/4 oz jerkbaits.

I agree with you. Any Daiwa casting reel I’ve ever fished can throw a lighter bait much easier than the curado k can

[skekoam]

13 hours ago, basser27 said:

I agree with you. Any Daiwa casting reel I’ve ever fished can throw a lighter bait much easier than the curado k can

How light are we talking?  Would a weightless senko do ok or better for heavier jerkbaits and crank baits/jigs?

[PhishLI]

5 minutes ago, skekoam said:

How light are we talking?  Would a weightless senko do ok or better for heavier jerkbaits and crank baits/jigs?

Reading your first post in this thread, I made the assumption because your son is 10, and you didn't mention the XT, that this was his 1st and only baitcaster. I mean really, how many 10 year olds are on their second! I like this kid already! Anyway, thinking that, I'd recommend a reel that had a broader range. I have a K. I like it for what it does well. Nobody can say with a straight face that it's a good light bait reel, cause it's not. The XT is better here. The Tatula is even better yet "for light baits". Not talking about the SV either, just the regular Tat 100, "for light baits" like small jerks, cranks, and 5" unweighted senkos. If I'm going to the lake with one rod/one reel to throw light baits the last thing I'm bringing is a Curado K. So, as a one and only all arounder a Tatula is the better choice than the K, IMO. Far less touchy with lighter baits than the K and easy to adjust to conditions like wind. Way easier. 

[skekoam]

11 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Reading your first post in this thread, I made the assumption because your son is 10, and you didn't mention the XT, that this was his 1st and only baitcaster. I mean really, how many 10 year olds are on their second! I like this kid already! Anyway, thinking that, I'd recommend a reel that had a broader range. I have a K. I like it for what it does well. Nobody can say with a straight face that it's a good light bait reel, cause it's not. The XT is better here. The Tatula is even better yet "for light baits". Not talking about the SV either, just the regular Tat 100, "for light baits" like small jerks, cranks, and 5" unweighted senkos. If I'm going to the lake with one rod/one reel to throw light baits the last thing I'm bringing is a Curado K. So, as a one and only all arounder a Tatula is the better choice than the K, IMO. Far less touchy with lighter baits than the K and easy to adjust to conditions like wind. Way easier. 

Thanks for that.  I'll let my son know all of this information and he can decide if he wants to keep it or not.  His first baitcaster was an abu garcia black max combo, which he learned on.  The reel is ok, but the rod feels like re-bar.  He got the xt for christmas and now on to the the curado K.  Probably the heaviest thing he throws is a baby bull shad.

 

We are both living through youtube videos right now.  Haven't dropped a line in over a month now.  Major withdraws. 

[PhishLI]

16 hours ago, Hower08 said:

I do not like the curado near as much as a chronarch though 

agree