Curado dc 150 vs Mentanium mgl 150

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

Long story short my gear has all been sold with out my knowledge till now. I haven't bought new gear since 2013-14 time frame. I decided i was gonna buy a autopiolit 136 and get back into fishing again owing a business ahs taken me away from the things i enjoy and i decided it was time to make time to fish again. So i went to get my stuff where i had it stored and most of its gone. I am trying to purchase new reels and things but not up to date on the latest options. So i have narrowed it down to curado dc 150 or mentanium mgl 150s Im buying 5. Obviously the cost for the curado is significant and could buy me a spinning reel and another rod. I had 4 2014 mentaniums and 2 curado 200s that were sold. So i'm looking for some real life experience to help me decide. Money really isnt a oblect but i dont want to set it on fire either. I have a lot of stuff to replace pretty much everything but honestly just want to get some stuff on the way so i can at least go fish use the new kayak

 

Im also used to all dobyns rods i have 4 rods left i will update post when i get home from the office with what i have left. I know i need a pitching rod and finesse spinning rod and a shallow CB rod not sure if i should stick with dobyns or buy loomis so any suggestions there would be great as well.

 

Thanks for your time

 

[lunkerboss923]

I am no expert, but the Curado DC is the best reel I've ever owned. It makes casting fool proof. It's a true to form Shimano...very smooth. I've paired it with a Dobyns 734c Fury. I throw spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and swim jigs on it. 

 

The way I understand MGLs, is basically they are made for finesse with a smaller spool. They are also strong enough to pitch jigs in heavy cover. I can't understand why you'd want 5 MGLs, but I do get maybe purchasing 2 one for finesse lures and one for pitching. 

 

Maybe you get a 6 speed, 7 speed, and 8 speed Curado DC and a 7 speed MGL on a medium fast rod for finessing and 7 speed MGL on a Heavy Jigging Rod. 

 

Just my .02

 

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

2 hours ago, lunkerboss923 said:

I am no expert, but the Curado DC is the best reel I've ever owned. It makes casting fool proof. It's a true to form Shimano...very smooth. I've paired it with a Dobyns 734c Fury. I throw spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and swim jigs on it. 

 

The way I understand MGLs, is basically they are made for finesse with a smaller spool. They are also strong enough to pitch jigs in heavy cover. I can't understand why you'd want 5 MGLs, but I do get maybe purchasing 2 one for finesse lures and one for pitching. 

 

Maybe you get a 6 speed, 7 speed, and 8 speed Curado DC and a 7 speed MGL on a medium fast rod for finessing and 7 speed MGL on a Heavy Jigging Rod. 

 

Just my .02

 

Thanks for the input. I should of been a little more clear. The reason i was thinking all mgls was for one they are easier to find right now. Im having a hell of time finding the dc I found 3 in one place a 6 & 2 7s. They dont have MGLs in stock so not sure wanted to buy everything from one place so i could get a discount. 5 BC 2 spinning reels 3 rods one spinning set up is replacing my panfish rig The other reason was when i bought the mentaniums back in 2014 it seemed like i didn't want to pick up the curados defiantly just being picky. Before i started out with 4 curados bought 2 mentaniums when they came out. Next thing you know im selling the 2 of curados and buying 2 more mentaniums.  I defiantly agree with what you said thats secretly how i was leaning on going just didn't want to influence peoples input. 

 

I am torn on the rods 

 what i have left are 

Dobyns 734c 

Dobyns DX 744c

Dobyns 805CB 

Croix LBC68MF

 

Dont think i will ever use the 805 in a kayak. But thinking dobyns 705cb for shallow to medium depth 

I would really to have a frog set up and good finesse rod and maybe a nrx for my jig rod. Never owned a loomis so not sure. Knowing what rods i have left. any suggestions? I plan on taking 5 BC combos 2 spinning one for panfish for dinner. **** maybe im crazy for trying to take so many combos in a kayak. Ive only owned boats up until now.

 

 

 

 

[Tywithay]

I have 3 of the JDM 2020 Metaniums. Solely because they were available and cost less than $300 a piece. Of the recent releases, I've owned the Curado DC, Curado K, Scorpion DC, SLX MGL, and Bantam MGL. I can say with 100% confidence that the new Metanium is a far superior reel. Ergonomically, it's far superior to the Curado. It feels quite a bit smoother and that smoothness should last since they went to brass gears in that model (finally). The MGL III spool is a noticeable improvement over the initial MGL spools and an even further upgrade over the non-MGL Curado spools, especially on the lower range. I've spent most of the summer trimming off my old Shimano and Daiwa reels to buy more Metaniums. Only reason I kept my two Bantams is because they do feel a bit more robust for my deeper cranking sticks.

[lunkerboss923]

1 hour ago, ShimanoDobynsGuy said:

Thanks for the input. I should of been a little more clear. The reason i was thinking all mgls was for one they are easier to find right now. Im having a hell of time finding the dc I found 3 in one place a 6 & 2 7s. They dont have MGLs in stock so not sure wanted to buy everything from one place so i could get a discount. 5 BC 2 spinning reels 3 rods one spinning set up is replacing my panfish rig The other reason was when i bought the mentaniums back in 2014 it seemed like i didn't want to pick up the curados defiantly just being picky. Before i started out with 4 curados bought 2 mentaniums when they came out. Next thing you know im selling the 2 of curados and buying 2 more mentaniums.  I defiantly agree with what you said thats secretly how i was leaning on going just didn't want to influence peoples input. 

 

I am torn on the rods 

 what i have left are 

Dobyns 734c 

Dobyns DX 744c

Dobyns 805CB 

Croix LBC68MF

 

Dont think i will ever use the 805 in a kayak. But thinking dobyns 705cb for shallow to medium depth 

I would really to have a frog set up and good finesse rod and maybe a nrx for my jig rod. Never owned a loomis so not sure. Knowing what rods i have left. any suggestions? I plan on taking 5 BC combos 2 spinning one for panfish for dinner. **** maybe im crazy for trying to take so many combos in a kayak. Ive only owned boats up until now.

 

 

 

 

I love my Fury 705cb. The 805cb might be a bit much on the kayak. I'm a budget guy so I like the Fury series rods.

 

For frogs I think a Champion 736c is a better rod. Though I love my 735c, I think it's a little whippy for frog rod, it makes up for it in the backbone. Once you get a strike and set the hook the rod comes alive.

 

The best finesse baitcasting rod I've ever owned was the Duckett Ghost (white rod, discontinued). I'd put my MGL on this rod or something similar. 

 

If you're not into the baitcasting finesse rod setup. The Dobyns 703 spinning rod is great. I have the Colt series, but I'm sure all the higher end 703 rod are a ton better. I'd pair it with a Shimano Sedona 2500 or a Pflueger President. 

 

Just fyi, I think the quality of the G.Loomis rods have gone down since the buyout. I've used both and I'd buy a pre-buyout rod before I'd think about a Loomis today. This is coming from a shimano guy. 

[jbsoonerfan]

4 hours ago, lunkerboss923 said:

I am no expert, but the Curado DC is the best reel I've ever owned. It makes casting fool proof. It's a true to form Shimano...very smooth. I've paired it with a Dobyns 734c Fury. I throw spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and swim jigs on it. 

 

The way I understand MGLs, is basically they are made for finesse with a smaller spool. They are also strong enough to pitch jigs in heavy cover. I can't understand why you'd want 5 MGLs, but I do get maybe purchasing 2 one for finesse lures and one for pitching. 

 

Maybe you get a 6 speed, 7 speed, and 8 speed Curado DC and a 7 speed MGL on a medium fast rod for finessing and 7 speed MGL on a Heavy Jigging Rod. 

 

Just my .02

 

I don't think you quite understand what an MGL is at this point. It is simply a lighter spool. That doesn't make it a finesse reel, not in the least bit. I have 6 Bantam MGL's, 2 Met MGL's, an SLX MGL and 2 Scorpion MGL's. So I have 11 MGL's and only one of which I would even consider a finesse reel. Most people, guessing you included, don't have a clue what a true finesse set up is. A wacky rigged 5" senko on 20 lb braid is a finesse presentation to some people when in actuality a 1/32 drop shot with a #2 hook and a finesse worm on 6lb line is really a finesse presentation.

 

I owned 2 Curado DC reels and a Scorpion DC, owned as in past tense, They are far from the top of the Shimano line up.

 

EDIT* I have 2 Chronarch MGL's as well, so 13 I guess.

[kayaking_kev]

I have the Dobyns Champion XP 704cb Glass and it's great for tossing light cranks and have even thrown the size 90 & 75 Whopper Plopper on it a lot this year, although I now prefer my Tatula 7'0 M/R for the Whopper Plopper. The 704cb Glass is also lighter than the Champion 704cb Graphite version. I have that paired with a SLX MGL 70 and I like it a lot.

 

I had the Dobyns Champion XP 705cb Glass Fast Action and it's great for lipless and medium diving crankbaits, I found it a little heavy for my liking though at 5.4 oz.

 

I also had the Dobyns Champion XP 736cb Glass and it's great for Chatterbaits and decent for deeper diving crankbaits, but again I found it too heavy for my liking at 6.0 oz.

 

Shimano SLX now have Glass rods available too at a lot cheaper price.

 

I use a St.Croix Panfish Series Spinning 6'9 UL rod for panfish and it's has a nice blank, but if you want a Dobyns they are getting ready to release two new Ultra Finesse rods in the Sierra series for panfish, a 7 ft, and 7'4 ft rod. The Dobyns Kaden Panfish rod will also be available in November.

 

As far as reels go, I love the MGL and SV spools by Shimano and Daiwa. I have the SLX MGL 70, 2020 Metanium MGL, and 2020 Tatula SV. I have one DC reel, which is the SLX DC and I like the DC technology, but I don't like the weight. The only DC reel I would really love to have is a Metanium DC because they are light. But, if you are planning on keeping that Dobyns 734, then a SLX or Curado DC would pair nicely with that rod, but the combo would be on the heavy side. My SLX DC is on my Champion XP 734c and it's my heaviest combo, probably going to sell it.

 

Out of you two narrowed down reel choices, I would personally go with the Metanium, but I would take a long look at the SLX MGL 70 and the new Curado MGL 70, and if you aren't totally against getting a Daiwa, the Tatula SV.

 

As far as a finesse Dobyns rod, I like the 2 power in Spinning models, except in the Sierra series, I like the 3 power, but I would personally rather have a Expride + Vanford.

 

Some other rods to check out that people are raving about right now are the Poison Adrena & Megabass Destroyer P5.

 

[lunkerboss923]

6 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I don't think you quite understand what an MGL is at this point. It is simply a lighter spool. That doesn't make it a finesse reel, not in the least bit. I have 6 Bantam MGL's, 2 Met MGL's, an SLX MGL and 2 Scorpion MGL's. So I have 11 MGL's and only one of which I would even consider a finesse reel. Most people, guessing you included, don't have a clue what a true finesse set up is. A wacky rigged 5" senko on 20 lb braid is a finesse presentation to some people when in actuality a 1/32 drop shot with a #2 hook and a finesse worm on 6lb line is really a finesse presentation.

 

I owned 2 Curado DC reels and a Scorpion DC, owned as in past tense, They are far from the top of the Shimano line up.

 

EDIT* I have 2 Chronarch MGL's as well, so 13 I guess.

One man's trash is another man's treasure, I suppose. I probably won't ever own a $500 reel, so the Curado DC is about as top of the line as it gets for me. Wacky rigs, drop shots, Ned rigs, Necko rigs, and anything with a light wire hook and/or a weighted jighead to me is a finesse presentation.

 

I can't imagine you using more than about 5 during the course of a day, but hey, great if you can. No need to be little people in the process, there's more diplomatic ways to get your point across.  It doesn't make you any better of a fisherman having 30 rods and reels than the guy who has a few. Nice collection by the way. 

[jbsoonerfan]

1 hour ago, lunkerboss923 said:

One man's trash is another man's treasure, I suppose. I probably won't ever own a $500 reel, so the Curado DC is about as top of the line as it gets for me. Wacky rigs, drop shots, Ned rigs, Necko rigs, and anything with a light wire hook and/or a weighted jighead to me is a finesse presentation.

 

I can't imagine you using more than about 5 during the course of a day, but hey, great if you can. No need to be little people in the process, there's more diplomatic ways to get your point across.  It doesn't make you any better of a fisherman having 30 rods and reels than the guy who has a few. Nice collection by the way. 

I never said owning a hundred rods and reels made anyone a better fisherman. But just the other day you were asking what an MGL was and now you are telling people they were made for finesse presentations, which simply isn't true. Shimano makes reels with light weight, SHALLOW, spools that were intended for finesse presentations. They are BFS reels and you should check them out sometime. 

 

I apologize if you took my statement as anything more than me trying to say you weren't fully understanding what an MGL reel was.

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I never said owning a hundred rods and reels made anyone a better fisherman. But just the other day you were asking what an MGL was and now you are telling people they were made for finesse presentations, which simply isn't true. Shimano makes reels with light weight, SHALLOW, spools that were intended for finesse presentations. They are BFS reels and you should check them out sometime. 

 

I apologize if you took my statement as anything more than me trying to say you weren't fully understanding what an MGL reel was.

I actually thought they were a finesse reel as well. Seems like you have plenty of experience with these reels could you give me some food for thought on them. I am a buy once cry once kinda a guy so price doesn't always concern me. I don't want to waste money but i do want high quality gear that will last a lifetime. I am open to other brands as well I have owned several shimano and a couple abu garcia. I'm looking at buy 5 BC and not sure on finesse set up ive always been under the impression a spinning set up is the go to for finesse but after reading your post i see there must be good BC options. The problem here is i want to buy everything at once so i can get a better discount and i want to go fishing. I have no gear but the rods i mentioned no tackle left not even crappie jigs. It was all sold. So i need people with knowledge of this stuff to fast track me so i dont have to spend the next month researching all the different things out.  Thanks for your time.

[jbsoonerfan]

Well these are just my opinions after having fished with a number of Shimano reels over the years and most recently spending a ton of time on the water with the newer models. First and foremost, the new Metanium B is probably my favorite reel that I own. I use them exclusively for t-rig fishing at the moment. One is mounted on a 7'3 MH Poison Adrena for 1/4 oz and the other is mounted on a 6'11 M+ Poison Adrena for 3/16 oz. I have tossed around some moving baits with them and they are just amazing reels, I would own 20 of them if given the chance. My 2 Chronarch MGL's are on Jig rods. One on a 7'2 MH Expride for 1/4 and 3/8 and the other on a 7'2 H Expride for 1/2 oz +. These reels are lightweight and they feel like it. By that I mean some people say they feel "hollow". I don't feel that as much I suppose, but I do get where that could be what some think. I have heard these reels get "geary" feeling, but mine have yet to do that. Currently my Scorpion MGL's get to throw my heavy weighted texas rigs (1/2 & 3/4 oz). However, I have used them for jerkbaits, squarebills and lipless in the past and these reels are awesome reels for what you can find them for. My SLX MGL is the only one that I have dedicated to a "finesse" set up. I wouldn't call it finesse, rather light weight. I throw 1/8 oz t-rigs or 3/16 oz ned rigs on it. It sits on a 6'10 ML Zodias with 20 lb braid. Now the Bantams, these are my workhorse reels. They do the moving bait work. I use them for squarebills, spinnerbaits, med cranks, deep cranks, lipless and frogs. These reels are amazing, they were my favorite up until the new Met was released. They feel solid and palm incredibly well. If I had any complaint at all about them is that they do get pretty cold in the winter, but that is a minor issue.

 

If I were building a lineup today with only 5 reels it would be 5 of the 2020 Mets if I only wanted one reel. If you wanted a little variety here is what I would do: 2 Mets, one for texas rigs & one for jigs - 2 Bantams, one for lipless & one for crankbaits and a Chronarch MGL for jerkbaits. I chose those 5 baits because I consider those my 5 "go to" baits, YMMV.

 

Yes, for a true "finesse" set-up I would go with a spinning reel, especially if you are going with 5 BC's.

 

Take this for what it's worth, just my opinion.

 

BTW, if I were to rank them

 

1. 2020 Met

2. Bantam

3. Chronarch

4. Scorpion

5. SLX

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The SLX DC is so close to being a Curado DC and is a bit cheaper.  If you want the Curado DC because it looks better get the Curado.  If you like quality check out the 20 Metanium MGL.  The MGL doesn't necessarily mean its a finesse reel, it means it can cast lighter baits more efficiently then reels with heavier spools.   Compared to the SLX DC its superior in early every aspect imaginable other then forgiveness.  If you change baits and want to get the best casting results you have adjust the settings.  Having said that the 20 Metanium runs smooth and free with all of the brake shoes engaged.  The benefit of the DC reels is simplicity.  You set the dial to the line you are using, set spool tension to desired level and your set.        

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

3 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Well these are just my opinions after having fished with a number of Shimano reels over the years and most recently spending a ton of time on the water with the newer models. First and foremost, the new Metanium B is probably my favorite reel that I own. I use them exclusively for t-rig fishing at the moment. One is mounted on a 7'3 MH Poison Adrena for 1/4 oz and the other is mounted on a 6'11 M+ Poison Adrena for 3/16 oz. I have tossed around some moving baits with them and they are just amazing reels, I would own 20 of them if given the chance. My 2 Chronarch MGL's are on Jig rods. One on a 7'2 MH Expride for 1/4 and 3/8 and the other on a 7'2 H Expride for 1/2 oz +. These reels are lightweight and they feel like it. By that I mean some people say they feel "hollow". I don't feel that as much I suppose, but I do get where that could be what some think. I have heard these reels get "geary" feeling, but mine have yet to do that. Currently my Scorpion MGL's get to throw my heavy weighted texas rigs (1/2 & 3/4 oz). However, I have used them for jerkbaits, squarebills and lipless in the past and these reels are awesome reels for what you can find them for. My SLX MGL is the only one that I have dedicated to a "finesse" set up. I wouldn't call it finesse, rather light weight. I throw 1/8 oz t-rigs or 3/16 oz ned rigs on it. It sits on a 6'10 ML Zodias with 20 lb braid. Now the Bantams, these are my workhorse reels. They do the moving bait work. I use them for squarebills, spinnerbaits, med cranks, deep cranks, lipless and frogs. These reels are amazing, they were my favorite up until the new Met was released. They feel solid and palm incredibly well. If I had any complaint at all about them is that they do get pretty cold in the winter, but that is a minor issue.

 

If I were building a lineup today with only 5 reels it would be 5 of the 2020 Mets if I only wanted one reel. If you wanted a little variety here is what I would do: 2 Mets, one for texas rigs & one for jigs - 2 Bantams, one for lipless & one for crankbaits and a Chronarch MGL for jerkbaits. I chose those 5 baits because I consider those my 5 "go to" baits, YMMV.

 

Yes, for a true "finesse" set-up I would go with a spinning reel, especially if you are going with 5 BC's.

 

Take this for what it's worth, just my opinion.

 

BTW, if I were to rank them

 

1. 2020 Met

2. Bantam

3. Chronarch

4. Scorpion

5. SLX

Any preference on gear ratio?

[jbsoonerfan]

16 minutes ago, ShimanoDobynsGuy said:

Any preference on gear ratio?

Yep, I prefer an XG for all my bottom contact baits. Here is a list of what I am currently using for the technique

 

8 gear 

all bottom contact baits

buzzbaits

frogs

 

7 gear

jerkbaits

spinnerbaits

squarebills

lipless

 

6 gear

shallow cranks

med cranks

swimbaits

 

5 gear

deep cranks

a rigs

 

BTW, I apologize, I lied earlier. I forgot that I switched my jig rods over and put my scorpion 70 XG reels on there that I recently acquired and moved my Chronarchs over to soft plastic rods with fluorocarbon on them. I just looked at my list and noticed my mistake. I am always tinkering and switching things around trying to find different combos that work the best for me.

 

 

Here is what I have on paper. I am pretty certain that is what is in the rod box, but the way I change things, I really never know. I just re-did a lot of these over the last couple weeks.

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

5 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Yep, I prefer an XG for all my bottom contact baits. Here is a list of what I am currently using for the technique

 

8 gear 

all bottom contact baits

buzzbaits

frogs

 

7 gear

jerkbaits

spinnerbaits

squarebills

lipless

 

6 gear

shallow cranks

med cranks

swimbaits

 

5 gear

deep cranks

a rigs

 

BTW, I apologize, I lied earlier. I forgot that I switched my jig rods over and put my scorpion 70 XG reels on there that I recently acquired and moved my Chronarchs over to soft plastic rods with fluorocarbon on them. I just looked at my list and noticed my mistake. I am always tinkering and switching things around trying to find different combos that work the best for me.

 

 

OK I'm thinking

2-2020 mgls 8s

2- not sure yet 7s 

1- not sure yet 6

 

whats your rod selection look like? brand and power action and thoughts.

 

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

3 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Yep, I prefer an XG for all my bottom contact baits. Here is a list of what I am currently using for the technique

 

8 gear 

all bottom contact baits

buzzbaits

frogs

 

7 gear

jerkbaits

spinnerbaits

squarebills

lipless

 

6 gear

shallow cranks

med cranks

swimbaits

 

5 gear

deep cranks

a rigs

 

BTW, I apologize, I lied earlier. I forgot that I switched my jig rods over and put my scorpion 70 XG reels on there that I recently acquired and moved my Chronarchs over to soft plastic rods with fluorocarbon on them. I just looked at my list and noticed my mistake. I am always tinkering and switching things around trying to find different combos that work the best for me.

 

 

Here is what I have on paper. I am pretty certain that is what is in the rod box, but the way I change things, I really never know. I just re-did a lot of these over the last couple weeks.

Thanks for sharing that. I must say if they have a RRA around you  "Rod & Reel anonymous" you might want to give them a jingle. JK? Nice collection you have there.

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

Update 

 

Finally was able to replace my gear. 

 

Bought

5 2020 Metanium 150s 

1 Fanford 3000

 

1. dobyns 744 champion extreme with a 8.1 frog set up

2. Dobyns 734, champion with a 7.1 all purpose

3. Croix TBC 6.8 with a 7.1 top water jerk bait 

4. Dobyns 705cb with 6.1 crank baits

5. NRX 894 with 8.1 jigs 

Spinning 

6. Poison Adrena 6.7 with a Fanford 3000

 

If you have thoughts or suggestions please let me know. Thanks