Curado K Setup

[Quarry Man]

just bought two Curado K reels. They were supposedly used a few times, but I think they are brand new. Reels came with line. Amazingly enough, the line I planned on spooling the reels with, 65lb braid for the 8.5:1 and 20 lb floro for the 7.2:1, is what was on them. I am coming from Daiwa reels, so im not familiar with the SVS. Got out on the water for all of 8 casts and had trouble. granted it was 20* and I had micro guides and braid so ice was a factor.

 

I need a guide on how to set the reel up please.

[PhishLI]

Just start off with all four brake blocks engaged and the external dial in the middle of it's adjustment. Minimize side to side play of the spool with the tension knob, then add a tad. Get comfortable then start backing off settings. The reel will cast fine with four blocks engaged, but you'll end up with just 2 on eventually.

[OnthePotomac]

I have three of the K HG's and have 2 brakes on and the outside dial on "3".  All three are spooled with Invizx 15lb flouro and all three throw various plastics, worms, creatures, etc,  It works well for me.

[Mike L]

22 minutes ago, OnthePotomac said:

I have three of the K HG's and have 2 brakes on and the outside dial on "3".  All three are spooled with Invizx 15lb flouro and all three throw various plastics, worms, creatures, etc,  It works well for me.

I have the same one and set the same way. 
 

 

 

Mike

[garroyo130]

31 minutes ago, OnthePotomac said:

I have three of the K HG's and have 2 brakes on and the outside dial on "3".  All three are spooled with Invizx 15lb flouro and all three throw various plastics, worms, creatures, etc,  It works well for me.

Id say 2 blocks is definitely a good start. But if youre just getting used to them, perhaps set the external dial higher. 

[JustJames]

With this new shimano SVS, Shimano recommend 4 brake on and dial to 1 is about the same as 2 on for old VBS (this is the best spot for distance and control.

The external dial is super sensitive, we are talking half a turn not full 1-6. You can go from 3/8oz jig (4 on dial 1) to 1/4oz jerkbait (4 on dial 3-4) very easily.

Once you get used to with the reel, you can set brake to 3 on. At 2 on, you are on the limb of distance and disaster. I’d rather be between distance and control.

[Quarry Man]

thanks guys, I didn't notice the external dial until just now. That is likely the cause. I will try again if it warms up. no sense in fishing with frozen line.

[MittenMouth]

11 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

thanks guys, I didn't notice the external dial until just now. That is likely the cause. I will try again if it warms up. no sense in fishing with frozen line.

I have 2 of these and have no idea where the dial is - I have 2 brakes on though but was about to back one off...now I have to play more. To be fair I’ve had them for a few years and really don’t use them much just bought some to see how they compared with my Tatulas. 
 

 

edit just looked and I do remember that dial. It’s all the way backed down so that makes sense.   I started using one of these with Jack hammers and like it quite a bit. 

[Quarry Man]

59 minutes ago, MittenMouth said:

I have 2 of these and have no idea where the dial is - I have 2 brakes on though but was about to back one off...now I have to play more. To be fair I’ve had them for a few years and really don’t use them much just bought some to see how they compared with my Tatulas. 
 

 

edit just looked and I do remember that dial. It’s all the way backed down so that makes sense.   I started using one of these with Jack hammers and like it quite a bit. 

what gear ratio for jackhammers?

[new2BC4bass]

Glad you posted this.  I've got a Scorpion 71HG.  Had it out once.  Was taking a while to get dialed in.  Now I know why.  I only set the outside dial.  All 4 internal brakes were on.  Now only 2 are on.  Will see how it goes next time I take it out.  I imagine not having to cast it so hard to make my normal casting distance will eliminate many of the overrun problems I had initially.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I like the old six pin centrifugal brakes. Set it and forget it. 

[Bass Rutten]

Just curious... is there a law that says  thou shalt not operate a curado with an odd number of brakes on? Lol I just cleaned and lubed mine and  found that with two brakes on and the external cranked up it would get a little squirrely into a good wind. I’m also trying the zero adjust thing on the tension control. I’ve had three brakes on for a little while now and it seems to work well.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If an even number of brakes works for you, no reason not to put them opposite each other. But I see no reason to not use Just one or 3 of 4 or 5 of 6 if it provides the control you want. 

[FishTank]

For me it's two breaks on and the dial set at 2 or 3 for stuff 3/8oz to 1/2oz on a 7' M Fast rod.  It may differ depending on the rod or the lure.  I would find a starting point that works for you and go from there. 

 

One thing I found with this reel is that, depending how much use it gets, it needs the brake ring oiled often.  I take a q-tip and put one drop of oil on it and rub it around the ring.  For whatever reason, the brakes seem to function better when this is kept lightly oiled.  I found this on all of the Shimano reels with the same brake system. 

[MittenMouth]

12 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

what gear ratio for jackhammers?

The 7.3 or 7.1, whatever it is - that’s my typical but water temps have been cool so I dropped it down to my 6 for the last few weeks since I had to slow down so much.