Looking to pick up a Shimano baitcaster

[Gorris317]

I'm looking to pick up my first Shimano baitcaster, been a Daiwa guy for as long as I can remember. This is going to be a workhorse reel that I throw a lot of different baits at different weights on. Mainly will be throwing jigs, T-rigs and some topwater frogs. Currently leaning towards one of the DC reels, either the SLX or Curado and I'm not sure on the choice. Is the Curado worth the extra $$$ of the SLX? 

[ATA]

If I was in your situation, I would go with SLX combo.

[NJBasstard]

Don't think you can go wrong with either but for your application I'd lean more towards the Curado. With X-Ship & the micro module gears it should theoretically hold up to more abuse than the SLX.

 

If your paying retail and your not set on the DC I'd also be taking a look at the Bantam. They can be had for not much more than the Curado DC.

[FishTank]

Either would be fine but if the SLX DC is like the regular SLX I tried out, I would go with the Curado.

 

I have the Curado DC and tried out the SLX for a few minutes fishing at the dock.   The SLX is a good reel but not as smooth as the Curado and it seemed like best entry level reel I have fished.  With that said, the Curado is more of a workhorse reel.  I think it would better fit your needs based on your statements above.  I have loved mine so far. 

[norb]

id get the curado dc if money is not a problem

[Jig Man]

I don’t know about the SLX.  I have the Curado and really like it.

[Hertboi]

SLX DC or like NJbasstard said, get a Bantam! The Bantam is the best reel in the line up to me. I haven’t had an Antares yet though. LOL I just got on the DC wagon last month. Bought a SLX DC and gave it to my son. I really didn’t care for it to be honest. If you are a guy that has one reel, I see the appeal but if you have multiple setups I don’t really see a plus. If you’re a tackleholic get it just to mess around with it! 

[Ogandrews]

I own a curado dc and really like it but don’t rule out the non dc reels. The dc is nice but it doesn’t make a huge difference a lot of the time. If you don’t want to spend the money on a curado dc then I would get a regular curado k, I think it will hold up to hard fishing better than an slx dc. If you really want a workhorse of a reel than the tranx 200 is one of the toughest bass reels you can buy and is only $200, casts just like the curado k. If you want to spend a little more than I’d definitely go with a bantam, definitely a better reel than any of the curados.

[scbassin]

If your going to use it for frogs also with out a doubt go with the Bantam. If that is out of your price I would get a Curado K.

[TBAG]

For a workhorse I'd go with the Curado K even though I prefer the smaller size of my SLX's over my Curado K's. Just personal preference though. 

[RoLo]

 

Curado is arguably the best bang for the buck.

If you can swing it, pick up a Bantam and you'll probably forget about Diawa 

 

Roger

[jbsoonerfan]

Bantam

[The Maestro]

Get a Bantam if you can swing it. Especially if it's close in price to the DC Curado K. Never owned a DC reel. Never seen a need for it.

[GGzet]

Personally i own a SLX MGL 70 and it feels great for compact size setup

[Gorris317]

Thanks for all the replies. Think I'm going to pick up a Bantam. Little more than the DC reel but all the reviews I have seen say its an amazing reel.

[mrpao]

At first I thought the Bantam was butt ugly and wasn't going to get one. Then I ran across great deal on a new one and couldn't pass it up. I was totally impressed. Now, I have four in my line up.

It's a little on the heavier side but it is super smooth.

[onenutinthewater]

3 hours ago, Gorris317 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Think I'm going to pick up a Bantam. Little more than the DC reel but all the reviews I have seen say its an amazing reel.

Wise decision!

[OnthePotomac]

On 5/14/2020 at 12:20 AM, scbassin said:

If your going to use it for frogs also with out a doubt go with the Bantam. If that is out of your price I would get a Curado K.

My vote also.  It is a solid, work horse reel that will serve you well.  At least my three do.  Mine are XG (8.5:1) versions and I love them.

[ckherring92]

Ive had/have a couple of the shimano line.  had a SLX (it took a swim haha). currently have a SLX XT and a Curado DC.

 

depending on your application the Curado DC is great.   the SLX XT is imop a fair bit nicer then the standard SLX due to the improved brakes.

 

i love the SLX/XT frame size in my palm vs the curado. but thats just me.  the SLX DC is almost exactly the same size as the Curado DC but with a few differences that make it slightly cheaper.

 

if your skilled with a baitcaster i dont think you will get 100$ difference if the DC feature is the only feature you care about. but for someone like me that isnt the best it is nice to not backlash as much or when i do they are usually fairly manageable to correct

[Fishingmickey]

You got it right! The Bantam in the schiznit and a d**n fine reel. I have been converting most of my flock over to Bantam's and Scorpion MGL's. Currently running three Bantam's and four Scorpions.

FM

[Manifestgtr]

The slx honestly isn’t a bad place to start with shimanos. Might be worth getting an slx or an slx xt just to see what you think of the experience...that way, if you just like the daiwas more, hey you’re only out $100-150. I’ve owned every slx and can say, they’re very good reels (although...my xt HAS gone a bit geary on me this season). I’ve been loving the slx dc lately. 

 

Just about any curado is a great choice but I would stay away from the curado 70 as a first shimano. I have one and love it to death, almost as much as my mets and aldes but it’s just not a very friendly first shimano. It bites back quickly when set loose with little thumb control. Coming over from a super intuitive, user-friendly reel like most daiwas are...I can imagine it’d be nothing but frustrating. 
 

slx, slx xt, slx dc, curado k, scorpion xt 1000, jdm 13 metanium...those would be my picks for anybody wanting to get into shimanos. All friendly, all reasonably inexpensive nowadays.