Shimano Curado DC vs Bantam MGL

[DN3]

Shimano Curado DC vs Bantam MGL....Anyone used both? Pros/cons, etc? Which do you prefer?  This will be going on a do it all type setup

[fishinNWA]

Oh man, well I have only used the curado. Its definitely not a bad reel at all, fishes fine and I've yet to fine a "con".  That being said, I think I would rather have got 2 K's or maybe another Curado MGL 150( which is great) because I don't feel much of a difference so I feel like I'm paying for a just the DC casting system which doesn't justify me spending that much. SO I would choose the Bantam.

Others more knowledgeable will fill in more.

 

Tight lines!!  

[Deleted account]

The Covid vaccine chip in my head interferes with the DC, so the MGL.

[FishTank]

I have both.  The Curado DC is good situational reel for fishing lures that are hard to cast to begin with and for casting into the wind. Other than that, it's just a regular Curado.  The Bantam though is a much better all around reel. It may not cast as far as the DC but its built way better. If it was me, the Bantam would be my choice. 

[T2DM]

I think both serve a different purpose IMHO, i used to have the DC but trade it in
for a rod cause i really didn't enjoy it as much as my other reels, often times
it's really restrictive as far as casting distance when using FC or in setting 3 
but does really well using braided line even at 1 setting. it falls a little short 
when it comes down to versatility, ergonomics was another issue for me but it's
a nice reel don't get me wrong, i just prefer my 17 Scorpion DC over it. now the
bantam is just something else, i just love everything about it and i use them
with just about any lures, any lines. 

 

but if you really want a DC reel then the new Scorpion DC would be a good buy.

[jbsoonerfan]

Bantam is a much nicer reel.

[Msl819]

I have had both and sold all of the Curado DC reels and kept the Bantams. I don’t have anything bad to say about the Curado DC. I will say the DC didn’t seem to do much to warrant the cost. Casting a regular baitcaster isn’t so hard that one needs the DC (at least to me) with the exception of certain, poor conditions. In the big picture, if the wind is blowing that hard that I need a DC reel to tame things my thumb cannot, I most likely won’t be fishing anyway. I guess I am just not that die hard.  
 

Not exactly the question you’re asking, but my SV spool reels handle wind as good as anything I have used. 
 

I have and will keep the Curado 70 MGL and would buy a 150 MGL if I needed another reel in a heartbeat.  I picked up the newest Scorpion DC to play with. Time will tell if it stays or gets released back into the wild.

[newapti5]

A real fisherman buys both. 

 

But seriously, I would choose DC for a do-it-all setup. Despite the toughness and smoothness of 18 Bantam, it doesn't handle light lures that well. But the new 22 Bantam might. 

[scbassin]

If this is my only set up between the two I would get the 21 Shimano Scorpion DC because it has the

 I-DC5 brake, even if the lure suddenly stalls, the appropriate braking force can be obtained instantly.  It a better system than the I-DC4 that is on the Curado. Both reels have the new lighter spool which will give you better casting distance. I would wait until until the new 22 Bantam comes out in March before I make a decision. If it has the lighter spool that would be my choice.