Shimano Curado MGL 150

[fishinNWA]

Does anyone own this reel? If so, what is your overall thoughts on the reel? Was going to add one to my lineup of curados but thought I would ask you guys first incase it had something I should know about! Thanks!

[PhishLI]

28 minutes ago, fishinNWA said:

If so, what is your overall thoughts on the reel?

It's everything the Curado K should've been, but isn't. Way more versatile than the K and the lower line cap is meaningless. Nobody's using the line cap of the 200K in bass fishing unless they're throwing 2oz cranks on a 8' rod.

[fishinNWA]

10 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

It's everything the Curado K should've been, but isn't. Way more versatile than the K and the lower line cap is meaningless. Nobody's using the line cap of the 200K in bass fishing unless they're throwing 2oz cranks on a 8' rod.

So a good buy?

[JohnFromLisbon]

I have a 71 on my jerkbait/light topwater setup and it's very very good. I also just ordered the 151 today to replace the 201K on my jig rod. The way I see it, they're most likely a good choice, unless you put them on a rod that's not that well balanced and the fact that these reels are lighter contributes to the whole setup feeling tip heavy.

 

So, unless you're using a tip heavy pool cue of a rod, the MGL reels are superior to the regular Ks.

[PhishLI]

4 minutes ago, fishinNWA said:

So a good buy?

Yes, if you like Shimano. Personally, I've become too accustomed to my Lew's and Quantums with externally adjustable centrifugal brakes to want to have to open side plates to adjust brake blocks, especially when I'm rotating through a wide range of baits while fishing with one rod. However, if you're a Shimano guy and that doesn't irk you, then the 150 makes the K sort of obsolete, IMO, so it's worth it. With its build elements it'll hold up better than the SLX series.

[Junger]

It seems to palm smaller than the 200K too. I haven't put it on a rod yet, so I'm not sure if it'll suit my needs. But it seems tiny.

[fishinNWA]

Thanks guys! 

[suzuki2903]

I think this reel will be a big hit for shimano at its price point.  I have one and changed out the spool bearings with hedgehog air bearings and installed a Lews Winn grip handle .   Casts easily and palms wonderful , so far the couple times I had it out I was very happy with it. I tried the curado k and sold that right away then wound up with a few 20 metaniums as well which are my favorite reels 

[mrpao]

To me, it feels very solid. Alot like the metanium and bantam.

Very smooth with very little play.

[Bass Rutten]

Picked up the 71 mgl last spring and I love it, my last few curados went to heck in a handbasket in less than two seasons, started feeling geary, drags became sketchy, but this one is still solid after a full season, ??. I’ll pick up a 150 before spring.

 

On 1/10/2022 at 10:08 AM, PhishLI said:

Nobody's using the line cap of the 200K in bass fishing unless they're throwing 2oz cranks on a 8' rod.

I ran a 200k for boot tails like the 6” magdraft, 5.8’s, bigger spinners, chatters and wound up replacing it with a tatula 200 for the capacity. Larger diameter line was an issue for me with  the curado 200 with cast n crank presentations and 17-20lb line, I could easily empty over half the line on a cast, bye-bye ipt’s.

[jejenkyns]

I just bought one, it was listed as a pre order on cabelas.ca so indication on when it will ship. I hope to hear lots of great thing about this reel before I get mine!

[BobbyBudnick]

Mine should be here tomorrow, hopefully get to try it out on Saturday 

[DomQ]

First off, you can never go wrong with a curado. Its a great reel and a very versitile reel. The mgl spools are great for getting the most out of your casts, super easy to adjust and worry free! You will not be disappointed . 

[T2DM]

Got mine in today from TW, as expected good quality, smoooooth, looks really good, palms almost like my 71k and I like it so far. I used to own 201k and DC but sold/trade them both after a while, they were nice reels but they just feel "bulky" to me for some reason, anyway can't wait to try it out soon.

[NJBasstard]

Is the handle side plate on these aluminum or a CI4 material? 

[T2DM]

1 hour ago, NJBasstard said:

Is the handle side plate on these aluminum or a CI4 material? 

I doubt it at that price point, looks like graphite to me, star drag looks like CI4+.

 

MGL 70 I think has a CI4+ handle side plate. 

[Craig P]

On 1/13/2022 at 10:20 PM, T2DM said:

Got mine in today from TW, as expected good quality, smoooooth, looks really good, palms almost like my 71k and I like it so far. I used to own 201k and DC but sold/trade them both after a while, they were nice reels but they just feel "bulky" to me for some reason, anyway can't wait to try it out soon.

Any chance you have played with this reel yet?  I have a 71 and absolutely love it so I would like to hear your opinion. The Reeltest on YouTube pretty much states they are identical and he sees the 150 making the 70 obsolete. I wouldn’t mind a little extra drag and to save $20.

[T2DM]

2 hours ago, Craig P said:

Any chance you have played with this reel yet?  I have a 71 and absolutely love it so I would like to hear your opinion. The Reeltest on YouTube pretty much states they are identical and he sees the 150 making the 70 obsolete. I wouldn’t mind a little extra drag and to save $20.

I wouldn't say they're entirely identical, the 71 still feel smaller and sits lower, but if you are in the 
market for one and have to choose between the two then the 151 is definitely the one to get, with more line capacity and a new 6 pin version of SVS  it's a better value for sure.

 

There's something special about the 71 and 151 will not replace the 71 but just another new reel IMHO.
 

[fishinNWA]

2 hours ago, Craig P said:

Any chance you have played with this reel yet?  I have a 71 and absolutely love it so I would like to hear your opinion. The Reeltest on YouTube pretty much states they are identical and he sees the 150 making the 70 obsolete. I wouldn’t mind a little extra drag and to save $20.

I got mine, love the reel super smooth, haven't caught anything yet, but I was able to throw a 1/8 oz rooster tail with the 150 and 12lb mono. I was throwing it on a dobyns champ 683. Good buy for sure

[zpelletier]

4 hours ago, Craig P said:

Any chance you have played with this reel yet?  I have a 71 and absolutely love it so I would like to hear your opinion. The Reeltest on YouTube pretty much states they are identical and he sees the 150 making the 70 obsolete. I wouldn’t mind a little extra drag and to save $20.

I got mine back in October, it’s awesome. Super smooth. I’ve even used it to throw a 1/10th ned rig with no problems. 

[ryguy1313]

Just sold my Curado 200K on FB Marketplace after 3 years of use and purchased an MGL150. Looking forward to using it in the spring!

 

The Curado 200K gets pretty finicky and tough to dial in when throwing lures under 1/2oz. I've had other users on this forum say similar things.

 

Hopefully the MGL150 will handle my 1/4oz jerkbaits better

[ryguy1313]

Anyone have any recommendations on what is the best line to use with this reel? Looking at increasing casting distance. Mono or Floro? # test?

 

I'll be mainly throwing 1/4oz jerkbaits.

[mrpao]

What rod are you using? Thats pretty important too.

I would probably use 10 lbs floro for 1/4 jerkbaits. Maybe even down to 8 lbs but you may get too much stretch with 8 lbs.

Or a braid to floro leader for more responsive jerks.

[ryguy1313]

Nothing too fancy, a 7' GLoomis Medium-Heavy Fast action. Rated for 1/4oz - 3/4oz

[Darth-Baiter]

it the only reel that I own two of.  I love the things.