Comparing the Shimano Curado K, Daiwa Tatula SV, and The Quantum Smoke HD (heavy Duty)

[Cranks4fun]

First of all, all of the reels have been purchased this summer so they are fairly new to me. Secondly, I spooled the Tatula with 40 Lb. Sufix 832, and the Smoke with 40 Lb. Sufix ProMix braid, and the humble Curado K got 15 lb. Big Game Mono. In addition, I bought a left-handed Smoke (found a display on clearance for $59 as opposed to the reg. $199.99) and the other other two reels are right-handed. I am one of the lucky guys who can fish both right- and left-handed bait casters very well. I cannot do that with spinning reels though. I also have these reels on different rods for my testing: the Tatula is on a an All Star Classic Rod, The Curado is on an Quantum Tour rod (one of the older Really GOOD ones), and my Quantum is on a Lightning Shock Rod just for casting practice. Yes, I own Dobyns, Loomis, Shimano, Daiwa, Abu, and even some Ugly Stik rods. I have these reels on temporary rods for yard casting right now. Now that I have laid out some the variance factors and possible causes for inconsistencies to provide a more honest assessment, I will give you my impressions. These are obviously somewhat subjective because I don't have a lab with equipment for the accurate testing of tolerances and strength and spool spinning.  

 

Let me begin by saying, at this stage, all of the above reels are "good" reels so far. I consider myself primarily a Daiwa fan (except for Round reels-Calcuttas are it!!!) but I have and love lots Daiwa, Shimano, Quantum, ABU, Penn, Pflueger, and Lew's reels- both vintage, older, and new stuff. I have had decent luck with all brands but I do annual maintenance (lube/ cleaning) and spray & wipe down stuff used in brackish water which is very rare now that I live in the Midwest. 

 

So here is a summary of my casting and fishing experiences with these reels as they are presently spooled and mounted:

Distance and weight-

-The Tatula REALLY will cast 1/8 oz Ned rigs much better than the Curado K and the Smoke (the latter needs more testing though). It could be attributed partly to the line used but the Tat performed much better in this area. Again, much better!

-The Curado K did did fairly well in distance casting when compared to with my Tatula using heavier weights (1/2 oz). It beat out my Tat by by approx. 5-7 ft. during actual fishing tests (casting on a lake).

-The Smoke HD surprisingly casted further than both my Tatula SV and my Curado K consistently and considerably (by 15-20 ft.). Go figure??!! I have no explanation except to tell you what I experienced. As far as light weights are concerned, I need to spend more time with the Smoke. At this time it seems to perform about like the Curado K.

 

As far as ease of use,

- Curado -I had some minor "backlash" issues (just a few extra loops) with the Curado K at first but I figured out how to dial it in and it does much better now.

-The Tatula backlashed some at first too with the 1/2 oz lures but I was swinging hard and high for the outfield with it. I got it dialed in pretty quickly too. I casts great now. I was shocked at how easily I was able to adjust the Tatula for casting light 1/8 oz lures. My casting distance was obviously shorter (45-50 ft.) but almost effortless, using and underhand roll cast. I think I could cast a 1/8 oz even further with more practice. 

- The smoke was dialed in from the start and performed perfectly. My son, who also owns a Tatula and and a Revo SX casted the Smoke and was very impressed too. He wants one!

 

Drags:

All of the drags seemed strong and are widely adjustable (you can go very light or very heavy) but I liked the drag adjustment star knob on the curado and the Tatula better than the one on the Smoke. The Smoke's drag knob just felt... ehh... cheap? It was very functional though. I did not test actual weights tied onto the line with any of these- sorry.

 

Well those are my initial impressions. Things may change with time. Long-term durability is a big issue with me and one or more of the reels might show weaknesses in this area after some time. I guess I need to add that I also own a Quantum Energy PT reel that I have used on a frog rod on-and off for about 10 years. Up until now, it has been my longest (furthest?) caster. I have other Daiwa, Shimano, older Japanese Quantums,  and Abu baitcasters but none would cast frogs as far as my Energy PT. Maybe Quantum has something going on right in their R & D department. ?

[ThrowinPlugs]

I've had the Smoke HD for 3 years now, it saw heavy use for fluke and tautog in the salt and is now my dedicated frog reel. Its and incredible value. The only issue I had was the levelwind gear stripped a tooth while fighting a tautog. Easy fix. I just got my curado K today and can't wait to see how it works. They are sooooo smooth. 

[Cranks4fun]

On 9/1/2021 at 6:48 PM, ThrowinPlugs said:

I've had the Smoke HD for 3 years now, it saw heavy use for fluke and tautog in the salt and is now my dedicated frog reel.

I have to admit, My Smoke HD and my 12-year-old Quantum Energy PT have both pleasantly surprised me. If you have fished them in saltwater for three years without an issue, that is a very good sign. 

 

[ThrowinPlugs]

15 hours ago, Cranks4fun said:

I have to admit, My Smoke HD and my 12-year-old Quantum Energy PT have both pleasantly surprised me. If you have fished them in saltwater for three years without an issue, that is a very good sign. 

 

Yea i recently disassembled it for the first time (seriously) since I bought it to give it a good cleaning/ greasing. Absolutely no corrosion from the saltwater. Very good quality reel.