They don't make em like they used to...

[Espo66]

or do they? I see lots of seemingly good deals on the used market. I'm not all that versed on the history of fishing gear and its advances in technology, maybe they are not so good a deal? I do have lots if older gear inherited from my dad, including some circa 90's Dawia reels, some St Croix rods and a few really nice Fly rods(Sage) and reels(Abel). My point of comparison, I purchased a few new pieces of gear this year, including a Shimano Expride rod that has blown me away with the sensitivity. The newer spinning reels are smoother and lighter, and the bait casters have the DC technology, but the basic design of the gear hasn't changed all that much, on the surface. For context, when I say used, anywhere from 2 or 3 years old, to maybe 15...maybe made in this century.

 

 

My questions are:

 

Are there any models of rods/reels where, in your opinion, are steals on the used market? For example, I see a lot of used Bantam Curados in the $60 - $80 range that I'm sure were tops in their day. Is it your opinion that spending another $100 on new is worth due to the quality or features, the weight, etc?

 

I realize the industry is driven by the new models, and I'm not trying to debate if they are indeed better. Just curious about all the used gear and if the average to semi-enthusiast would be content with them. 

 

Other than weight, are there any "must have" features or materials that you will sacrifice buying anything that is X years old? Is there a period where you might say "Any Curado circa 2013 and up is a great reel" "Stay away from such and such from these years " orr something similar to that?

 

Hoping to tap into the boards knowledge and personal experience.

 

Thanks!

 

Larry

 

 

[jbsoonerfan]

Being the admitted Shimano fanboy that I am, I will stick with what I know. I would take a Curado E series over the G or I series. I do however like a longer swept handle and bigger knobs. I have a Core 100mg, Chronarch 50e, Chronarch 200e and Chronarch 50mg that I have replaced the handles and put new 96mm Chronarch handles on with the Power Knobs. Once I make those adjustments, they are as good as any new reel in the same category to me. I like my Chronarch 50e as much as I do my Chronarch MGL's. The D series Curado is about as far back as I would go. My buddy still fishes a few that he got from me a long time ago and they are still performing well. I have a brand new still in box Bantam Curado "Tomato" that is from 1993 I think and the new reels are llight years ahead of it, but I don't feel the new reels are that much better than the D series reels.

[Nibbles]

If you can find an OG Daiwa Advantage HSTA, Fuego, Sol, CV-Z, TD-Z, Zillion, Alphas, or Steez in decent mechanical condition theyre all solid reels. The T3 is also an underrated reel that can be had for fairly cheap. 

[Bankc]

In my experience, when buying used, condition is the most important factor.  And if you're buying a reel that's more than just a few years old, I'd probably stick with Shimano or Daiwa.  As for age, the two most important advancements in the last 50 years in reel designs are adjustable brakes and infinite anti-reverse.  And both of them have been pretty much standard issue for the last 20 years or so.  If you can, buy locally so you can test it out first.  Second choice would be buying from a site like this, where there's a bit of a community vibe and knowledgeable sellers, which should help cut down on the odds of buying a lemon, sight unseen. 

[Espo66]

Quote

2 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Being the admitted Shimano fanboy that I am, I will stick with what I know. I would take a Curado E series over the G or I series. I do however like a longer swept handle and bigger knobs. I have a Core 100mg, Chronarch 50e, Chronarch 200e and Chronarch 50mg that I have replaced the handles and put new 96mm Chronarch handles on with the Power Knobs. Once I make those adjustments, they are as good as any new reel in the same category to me. I like my Chronarch 50e as much as I do my Chronarch MGL's. The D series Curado is about as far back as I would go. My buddy still fishes a few that he got from me a long time ago and they are still performing well. I have a brand new still in box Bantam Curado "Tomato" that is from 1993 I think and the new reels are llight years ahead of it, but I don't feel the new reels are that much better than the D series reels.

 

Thanks sooner fan, you understood exactly what I was getting at.

 

Do you know the timeline, or is it on the internet somewhere, for each series. (a,b,c,d etc)

 

As best I can find, the number is the size, a numeral 1 is for left hand retrieve, and 5/6/7 is gearing ratio?

 

I know the letters are the generation, how long is a generation, usually? 

[jbsoonerfan]

I don't have a lot of time to research, so this is off the top of my head. I think the Curado D series was released in about 06 and ran for about 2 years, then E series for about 2 or a lil longer, and the G (in my opinion one of the worst) was only like a year or so and then the I in about 2014 or so and the K in around 17 or 18. Along those years were the different Chronarchs that were mixed in (a Chronarch E was released after the Curado when the G came out and most people saw it as a repainted Curado E) Like I said, this is all off the top of my head and I am in a rush, just trying to answer when I can. 

 

I am sure someone will come along and correct me

[Linewinder]

This is an interesting question, as I have recently been asking myself this again too.  I'm somewhere in your average to semi-enthusiast range.  I still use circa 35+ year old reels and rods.  I certainly didn't have tons of money back then being a newly minted young man, but I took basic care of things I had.  Are new stuff better than those of then?  Perhaps.  Probably.  Would I want to have more of those older items?  Yes, and am casually keeping an eye out for them.  Why?  I'm familiar with them, and they worked very well then so I wouldn't expect them not to now.  Should be cheaper now (relative value in $), but I am finding that is not the case -- perhaps the collector's market dictates those prices.  So the current value of the old stuff I want isn't at a level that makes sense vs. new equipment.  Will newer stuff work well?  Yes.  Will I seek those out?  Only if the prevailing (non-collector) market values them closer to the market for the (collector) value of the older things and I'll pay more for the newer stuff of course.  But I'd say I'd pay more for a newer good rod long before I pay for a reel because the better rods make for better fishing (there is a thread somewhere here recently where the OP explains this very well about rods vs/matching reels).  I'll put my old reels on it.  Of course not all my older reels are 35 years old.  So, if you follow this, you'd see that I don't buy the latest and greatest ($$$) equipment, but if I was competing (and therefore would not be average to semi-enthusiast) I'd naturally step it up in cost and quality. So, currently I wouldn't be sacrificing any features that new stuff have by not buying those (other than weight).  Happiness in the interest/hobby/activity is more valuable.  What's your happy?  When I begin to work for the stuff new or old, and an equivalent happiness doesn't follow, I know I've gone too far ($$$).  Honestly, I'd know that before I made the purchase.  It's been said before that this is a personal decision.

 

I do remember using my brother's St. Croix rods probably 12 years ago so those would be within 15 years old.  Mojo and Triumph.  I thought then that these were definitely better than the older Berkley rods I was using, but the Shimano reels (round, perhaps a Calcutta; and spinning reels) didn't seem to impress me much into the 3-digit prices then.  The rods had such better balance and smoother action than anything I had.

 

Edited September 25, 2020 by Linewinder
additional thought

[iabass8]

If you can find a well taken care of chronarch D7 or Core59 , jump on them. 2 awesome awesome reels ahead of their time

[Big-Bass]

There are some nice deals on the big auction site with some old school Daiwa stuff.  I may or may not have an inside scoop on some of these!

 

 

[Nibbles]

Yep, you can find OG JDM Steezes in pretty nice condition for 160 - 180 on there. Comes out to a bit more after shipping from Japan, but still a pretty nice deal.

 

Also see some decent deals on older Alphas models on there from time to time. Zillions not as often.

[FishTank]

My personal favorite is the Curado B series.  I have repaired several over the years and they are the easiest to work on out any reel I have touched.  I could take one apart in my sleep.  

 

After a clean and lube, with new high quality spool bearings (if needed), carbontex washers, and maybe a super tune, this reel can go toe to toe with its newer version any day.  I has that iconic status amongst the guys I fish with.  It's always fun to see that look of amazement when a guy uses this reel after new parts are put in.  I think out of the reels I have worked on, it tends to benefit the most when it comes new bearings and a super tune. 

 

Another reel is the Shimano Core.  Great in the same way.

[Captain Phil]

For what it's worth.  Some years back I had the pleasure of fishing with a well known tournament angler.  This particular person is a Classic winner with over $3 million in lifetime tournament winnings.  I am sure he could have used any reel he wanted to.  His boat was full of Shimano Curado reels.  

[GTN-NY]

2 hours ago, FishTank said:

My personal favorite is the Curado B series.  I have repaired several over the years and they are the easiest to work on out any reel I have touched.  I could take one apart in my sleep.  

 

After a clean and lube, with new high quality spool bearings (if needed), carbontex washers, and maybe a super tune, this reel can go toe to toe with its newer version any day.  I has that iconic status amongst the guys I fish with.  It's always fun to see that look of amazement when a guy uses this reel after new parts are put in.  I think out of the reels I have worked on, it tends to benefit the most when it comes new bearings and a super tune. 

 

Another reel is the Shimano Core.  Great in the same way.

I have some Curado 201’s from the 90’s. Are those the b series? How much are those new parts and labor to fix mine up?

[VolFan]

I have 5 Curado Ds, a couple Pixies, and a Chronarch Mg (thanks @roadwarrior). That is my regular rotation for everything from dropshot to big swimbaits with various rods. All of these reels are super smooth tanks - they're not feathers, they're hammers.

[FishTank]

2 hours ago, GTN said:

I have some Curado 201’s from the 90’s. Are those the b series? How much are those new parts and labor to fix mine up?

 

This guy is the one I am referring to.  

 

The guy I fish with every week has 5 and I know about a dozen guys that still use at least one or two of them each week in the tournaments we fish.  I usually service about 20+ reels for these guys each year.  I charge them about $15 to $20 at the most for a clean and lube plus parts and some maybe $10 if I owe them a favor or something.  I also have about 15 different reels of my own that I take apart and clean each year. 

 

As far as parts go, it depends on what it needs.  It can be hard some times to find specific things but I usually have good luck on ebay or E-replacement Parts.  Bearings, though, are not an issue.  Most just need a good clean, soak, and re-lube but some guys do some heavy fishing and it kills them.   I have not branched out from the local guys as I know what to expect and sometimes my repair knowledge is a work in progress. I have been doing this for about 10 years and I am always surprised at what I find sometimes. 

 

The best and also a good resource for me has been DVT.  His prices are fair and his knowledge is quite extensive, plus he probably has a better track on parts than I do. 

[GTN-NY]

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

 

This guy is the one I am referring to.  

 

The guy I fish with every week has 5 and I know about a dozen guys that still use at least one or two of them each week in the tournaments we fish.  I usually service about 20+ reels for these guys each year.  I charge them about $15 to $20 at the most for a clean and lube plus parts and some maybe $10 if I owe them a favor or something.  I also have about 15 different reels of my own that I take apart and clean each year. 

 

As far as parts go, it depends on what it needs.  It can be hard some times to find specific things but I usually have good luck on ebay or E-replacement Parts.  Bearings, though, are not an issue.  Most just need a good clean, soak, and re-lube but some guys do some heavy fishing and it kills them.   I have not branched out from the local guys as I know what to expect and sometimes my repair knowledge is a work in progress. I have been doing this for about 10 years and I am always surprised at what I find sometimes. 

 

The best and also a good resource for me has been DVT.  His prices are fair and his knowledge is quite extensive, plus he probably has a better track on parts than I do. 

I have 6. 4 are good just a little less casting distance. 2 make noise when casting/retrieving 

[FishTank]

7 minutes ago, GTN said:

I have 6. 4 are good just a little less casting distance. 2 make noise when casting/retrieving 

Without seeing it....Casting distance> could be a lot of things.  Brakes need to be changed, the brake racing needs a drop of oil, spool bearings, the spool itself needs a small drop on it and probably a few things I can't remember....

 

Noise >Is it a loud, high pitch noise during casting?  If so, I have seen these reels, over time when left on a boat, dry out (no oil) and moisture seeps in.  As the day goes on and the sun heats up, somehow this magically gets better but is not fixed.  All it really needs (maybe) is a good cleaning and re-lube. 

[GTN-NY]

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

Without seeing it....Casting distance> could be a lot of things.  Brakes need to be changed, the brake racing needs a drop of oil, spool bearings, the spool itself needs a small drop on it and probably a few things I can't remember....

 

Noise >Is it a loud, high pitch noise during casting?  If so, I have seen these reels, over time when left on a boat, dry out (no oil) and moisture seeps in.  As the day goes on and the sun heats up, somehow this magically gets better but is not fixed.  All it really needs (maybe) is a good cleaning and re-lube. 

Naw they’re quite for a few casts then it gets worse

[mrpao]

I have one of those greenie curado 200b and a citica 200b.

Both are still super smooth.

[roadwarrior]

My favorite "old" rod comes up in our Flea Market occasionally:

G.Loomis GLX MBR844C  (The IMX version is good, too!)

 

 

[scaleface]

I have three of the Bantam Curados 200b's that I dont use anymore . I tried one last week and it sits too high and felt cumbersome . They still work well but its difficult to switch back and forth with lower seated reels .

[GTN-NY]

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

I have three of the Bantam Curados 200b's that I dont use anymore . I tried one last week and it sits too high and felt cumbersome . They still work well but its difficult to switch back and forth with lower seated reels .

I’m just the opposite. I have a better grip with a higher reel. 

[OnthePotomac]

I have two Curado 100 B's now 15 years old that are just as smooth as the day they came out of the box, but I have maintained them my self over the years with proper cleaning and lubing and they are all original inside.  I had three and finally gave in to a friend, who bought it for $85 and thought he got a steal.  The appearance of all three is a 10/10.  He got the original like new box and its papers with it.

[GTN-NY]

On 9/26/2020 at 5:02 PM, FishTank said:

Without seeing it....Casting distance> could be a lot of things.  Brakes need to be changed, the brake racing needs a drop of oil, spool bearings, the spool itself needs a small drop on it and probably a few things I can't remember....

 

Noise >Is it a loud, high pitch noise during casting?  If so, I have seen these reels, over time when left on a boat, dry out (no oil) and moisture seeps in.  As the day goes on and the sun heats up, somehow this magically gets better but is not fixed.  All it really needs (maybe) is a good cleaning and re-lube. 

Would you be interested in looking at/fixing these two reels?

[FishTank]

On 10/2/2020 at 7:34 AM, GTN said:

Would you be interested in looking at/fixing these two reels?

PM sent.