Curado MGL 70 vs 150 - which one would you choose and why?

[Msl819]

I am beginning to look for a dedicated jerkbait outift.  I have a MF TFO Tactical Elite that needs a reel and was looking between these two.  Which reel would you choose and why?  Or would you look at something else like a Tatula SV? Or am I missing something else all together?   Let’s call the budget ~$250.

[T2DM]

I have the Curado 70k MGL and planning on using it this year for a dedicated jerkbait setup, I could already tell it will do really well with jerkbait just by using it for weightless fluke, don't have the Curado 150 MGL yet but would rather have it than the 70k cause of the line capacity and maybe lighter. It would do MORE in my opinion compare to the 70k, 70k is an awesome reel though!

[Msl819]

I have a 70 MGL as well and really, really like it.  I have not had the 150 MGL in hand but hard to go wrong with Curados, IMO.  

[GreenPig]

My baitcast jerkbait rig is a Curado 70 MGL K HG on a Zodias 6'10" Med Fast spooled with 10 lb FC and is the best I've used for the task so far. The reel holds 110 yards of 10 lb line which just happens to be over double the distance I can throw a standard jerkbait on a good day.

[JustJames]

I don’t have either but curado 70 was my jerkbait reel for years (base on line capacity and size of reel)
. The biggest line I use for jerkbait is 10lb Copolymer and 70 provide more than enough of line capacity. I don’t fish anything bigger than LC pointer 95, mostly 78 (8lb Copolymer/10lb FC).

This year I tried with alphas SV TW, I like it better than my old alphas SV105, palm better just like Curado 70. 
About the distance my Curado win hand down on LC pointer 78 and up. I’m not sure about the 70 MGL but if anything like SLX 70 MGL, I don’t think you would see much difference between 70MGL and alphas SV.

 

[jimmyjoe]

  I use the Curado 70 when I use baitcasters for jerkbaits. It's more comfortable.      jj

[Basswhippa]

I use 20 pound mono regularly to keep  jerkbaits over grass.  150 would be minimal.  200 is better.

[JohnFromLisbon]

I have the MGL 71 HG (lefty) on a 6'10 Zodias and it pairs up just perfectly. Palms great, especially for stuff like jerkbaits and topwater, where you're constantly imparting action on slack line. If you spool it with 20-30lb braid as a main line you'll never run out on a cast. I tried it with my 201 and it just sort of overwhelms everything. It's a great reel, but on a shorter, medium power rod it's too big and too heavy.

 

As soon as I can get my hands on a 151 it's going straight on my jig rod.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Having a smaller framed reel on a JB outfit makes a huge difference for me.  I haven't handled the 70mgl or 150mgl, but if I had to pick between the 2 it would be the 70mgl.  The only other reel I would recommend would be a JDM Met B.  Its a little over your budget @280$ish but man its a sweet reel.   

[Msl819]

1 hour ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Having a smaller framed reel on a JB outfit makes a huge difference for me.  I haven't handled the 70mgl or 150mgl, but if I had to pick between the 2 it would be the 70mgl.  The only other reel I would recommend would be a JDM Met B.  Its a little over your budget @280$ish but man its a sweet reel.   

Not sure I am familiar with this model of Metanium.  Where can I get more info?

[T2DM]

10 hours ago, Msl819 said:

Not sure I am familiar with this model of Metanium.  Where can I get more info?

 JDM and USDM Metanium B info are all over youtube, I have the USDM version and by far the best reel I own. A lot of people buy them at Ebay for a lower price, you must be very careful where you buy them cause of the warranty eligibility. Serious warning! Once you own one, you will want to buy more of it and might develop OCD later in life!?

 

[Junk Fisherman]

I love my Curado 70 mgl but I've only thrown dropshots with it.  It's great for that.

[Msl819]

6 hours ago, T2DM said:

 JDM and USDM Metanium B info are all over youtube, I have the USDM version and by far the best reel I own. A lot of people buy them at Ebay for a lower price, you must be very careful where you buy them cause of the warranty eligibility. Serious warning! Once you own one, you will want to buy more of it and might develop OCD later in life!?

 

Yeah… I have seen info on the metanium b I just have t seen the for $285ish.  More like $420.  I thought we may be talking about different reels.

[Boomstick]

I got my oldest son a Shimano SL-X MGL70. It's a nice size and it's real good for 10# or 12# fluorocarbon. If you use anything above 15# fluorocarbon (.33mm diameter), you'll want a larger reel though.

[waymont]

3 hours ago, Msl819 said:

Yeah… I have seen info on the metanium b I just have t seen the for $285ish.  More like $420.  I thought we may be talking about different reels.

For a while Asian Portal had them up on their site for $278. They are now around $300

[Msl819]

1 hour ago, waymont said:

For a while Asian Portal had them up on their site for $278. They are now around $300

Thanks… good to know.  I don’t spend much time searching out these types of sites.  Are there concerns with counterfeits/blemished/etc reels from sites like Asian Portal?

[waymont]

3 hours ago, Msl819 said:

Thanks… good to know.  I don’t spend much time searching out these types of sites.  Are there concerns with counterfeits/blemished/etc reels from sites like Asian Portal?

None. Totally safe.

[Big Hands]

I really don't see myself needing more than 100 or so yards of line on my baitcasters, but YMMV. Seems like the extra rotational weight alone would be a downside, and I would just put backing on a deeper spool anyway.

 

If you don't need the capacity of a 150, why not go with the 70?

[Msl819]

9 hours ago, Big Hands said:

I really don't see myself needing more than 100 or so yards of line on my baitcasters, but YMMV. Seems like the extra rotational weight alone would be a downside, and I would just put backing on a deeper spool anyway.

 

If you don't need the capacity of a 150, why not go with the 70?

Great and fair question.  I have the 70 MGL and think it is a fantastic reel. My assumption is the the MGL spool will help with casting lighter JBs so that’s a plus and why I was comparing the two.  I ask about the 150 MGL because it is new and maybe there is something with it or another reel that makes it a better/more versatile option than the 70.

 

I have large hand (almost 11” from tip of pinky to tip of thumb)so palming reels of larger size is not a huge concern for me but I know it is for some and why they choose certain reels.  Plus the MSRP on the 150 is $30 cheaper than the 70, not sure why, but that is something.

[Big Hands]

45 minutes ago, Msl819 said:

I have large hand (almost 11” from tip of pinky to tip of thumb)

Wow, mine is only barely 10.5". I feel like the only decent thing to do is offer you my screen name should you desire it  ;~)

 

I don't seem to sensitive to being able to palm reels since they have gone to locating the drive gear in a lower position on 'modern' reels, but everyone has their own way of handling a reel.

[Msl819]

7 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

Wow, mine is only barely 10.5". I feel like the only decent thing to do is offer you my screen name should you desire it  ;~)

 

I don't seem to sensitive to being able to palm reels since they have gone to locating the drive gear in a lower position on 'modern' reels, but everyone has their own way of handling a reel.

I appreciate the offer but will gladly leave you the name you rightfully claimed first. 

All jokes aside… having large hands has mostly just proven hard to find gloves that fit well.  If they don’t come in XXLs and up I don’t give a second look!  They were great for palming a basketball back in the day, though.  
 

I started with palming the “old” Abu Garcia round reels so all modern low profile baitcasters are small by comparison.  I also don’t usually fish for some many hours on end that the size or weight of a specific reel become a huge detraction.