Shimano e7

[Tj.]

Anyone know a good way to find shimono e series reels like the curado e7 chronarch and critica I’ve looked one ebay but left handed reels are pretty hard to find 

[new2BC4bass]

Try making a WTB thread on a few forums.  Lots of times it is easier to find a specific reel that way.

[Jig Man]

There is a bass boat forum that had some E7s a few days ago.

[Hammer 4]

Be prepared to Pay for any E series reels. I've been looking for a curado 201, and 301 E..Guys are asking well over $ 300.00 for the 301..which is crazy. Good luck in your search. 

[Ogandrews]

Is there a significant benefit to an E over a K? I’ve used a couple and liked my K’s a lot better. Same with the 300, I don’t see the point of trying to buy one with how good of a reel the tranx is. I know they are quality reels, i just think that the new ones are better.

[Hammer 4]

The older E 7's, ect. were made in Japan. I only changed the drags on mine, but as long as it was clean and properly oiled, they were easy to use, and could flat cast a country mile. Brake were a 6 pin set up, nothing else to adjust. And they were pretty much bomb proof.

 

I have 2 shimano reels but mostly Diawa's..None of them perform like my old Shimano's. 

 

But then everyone has his or her personal preference..

[DomQ]

I just picked up two 200e’s and a 50e a couple weeks back and man I got them for a steal. Gotta keep an eye out man, took me three years to find these ones and get them before someone else did. ?

[Manifestgtr]

If you’re lookin to get into the e series and don’t wanna spend a fortune, the jdm market is fantastic. 

 

scorpion xt 1000

scorpion xt 1500

aldebaran mg7

 

where usdm e series reels go for $200 and up on the regular, a scorpion xt 1000/1500 can often be had for 100-150, sometimes even less. They’re the same as the curado e’s...different color, slightly better bearings (or so I’ve heard...can’t confirm 100%). I absolutely love my scorpion xt 1000. It’s one of the easiest going, most backlash-proof reels I’ve ever used...and I got it for under $100 at a time when I was seeing curado 50e for almost $200

[TBAG]

Keep an eye on the several Shimano Buy/sell groups on the book of face.

[NJBasstard]

Between multiple forums and the Shimano Buy/Sell/Trade groups on FB I see them pop up weekly. The 200's seam to be anywhere from $125-$180 and the 50's are usually $140-$200 depending on condition. Your not the only one looking so keep a look out and be prepared to buy fast if you really want one.

 

It's crazy how well they've held their value considering what they went for when they were being discontinued. I think I paid $109 for the 200E7 and $119 a piece for my 50E's brand new. Hoping to get my hands on another 50 but will likely pick up a Scorpion XT 1000 since when they do pop up they're often less than the Curado.

[OnthePotomac]

59 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Give it time.  The i turned out to be a disappointment with screeching brakes and a gear set that turns into a coffee grinder.  The k needs similar amount to time to see if it is as good as the E.   

I am indeed fortunate then since my two Curado 200IHG reels re now six years old and just as smooth as the day out of the box.  No upgrades, just my annual clean and lube.  I keep one on my frog rod.   No grinding or screeching.

[PhishLI]

33 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Give it time.  The i turned out to be a disappointment with screeching brakes and a gear set that turns into a coffee grinder.  The k needs similar amount to time to see if it is as good as the E.   

I have a Chronarch E7. Rock solid user friendly reel. My K is a 6 speed, so I probably won't see much in the way of gear issues. However, mine was a lemon. Major clutch issues. When I called to explain what was happening they rattled off a list of which components needed to be changed like they were well aware of the issue, so off it went. Early adopter blues? Who knows? I wouldn't let the local seller service it while still under warranty because I've watched their reel tech in action. Oy. The thumb bar pad also popped off and flew into the lake. Yet none of that stopped me from buying more Shimanos, mostly Tranx models. That said I find it interesting how people reflexively defend, or recommend, any model of Shimano automatically with the long list of issues they've had since the E series. AND IT IS LONG, but they'll happily/reflexively bash other brands. Some of that bashing has mertit I'm sure. I'd bet much of it is 2nd hand smoke and herd think.

[The Maestro]

The Curado E's were the reel that was out when I first got serious about fishing. I ended up with 5 of them (which I still use) and didn't think much about how good they were since I didn't have much else to compare to besides a Citica E (also an excellent reel) and a couple of Caenans which felt way lower quality but were also half the price. I just assumed all reels were that well built and reliable. Then I decided to try something else (a Pfluger Patriarch) and while it looked good (irl and on paper), it turned out to be a cheaply made, plastic feeling, imprecise clunker by comparison. I had to sell it (at a huge loss) because it was just so disappointing next to my Curados. I've since moved up to the Bantam MGL but looking back I feel lucky that the E's were out at the time when I was building my first arsenal.

[OnthePotomac]

Years ago I gave my now adult grandson one of my Citica 200 reels, in which I had put ABEC7 SS bearings, drive shaft bearing, CarbonTex drags and polished the spool shafts and pinion gear interior with Fabuluster and to this day he is nuts about that reel.

[Shimano_1]

They were great reels especially when they came out. I personally don't know that I'd take one in any way over a k except for durability.  Guess thats yet to be determined on the k. I think its a mixed bag on why they're still so sought after.  1....they were great reels 2...they don't make them anymore.  I've said for years if shimano would bring the e7 back i think they would sell a ton of em.