Shimano Curado MGL 150 First Impression

[Fishydishy]

I just got the reel in the mail today and spooled it with 20lb powerpro. I had huge expectations for this reel given all the hypes from the internet. However, I am not impressed at all. Its by no means a bad reel. It’s smoother and quieter than SLX, but Its just by a little bit. I would actually rate them the same in terms of smoothness because I am not able to tell which reel I am holding if am blindfolded. I haven’t tested the brakes and it’s casting performance yet. 
 

I also own the Daiwa Tatula SV and Fuego SV, the Lew’s tournament mp and teams lew’s lite. I would rate their smoothness in the order below. 
 

1. Lew’s Team lew’s lite

2. Lew’s Tournament MP

3. Shimano Curado MGL 150

4. Daiwa Fuego SV

5. Daiwa Tatula SV

 

I am not brand loyal at all, if anything I am bias towards Shimano because of their spinning reels, but Lew’s really surprised me. They cast the furthest, and very easy to dial in. They handle light bait very well too. What more can I ask? Honestly I wouldn’t even want to try the lew’s if they weren’t on sale. After 2 months I don’t have anything bad to say about them. I also have the lew’s tournament pro on the way. As to durability, only time will tell. 
 

having said that the curado mgl 150 is not the best reel under$200, at least not to me. I hope it will change my mind after I test it on the water. 

[jbsoonerfan]

No better test than in your living room without casting it or even fishing with it. I'd say you are well on your way to owning a piece of junk. 

[DomQ]

I've held a few 150 mgl's since its come out, and for someone to put the tournament mp ahead of it boggles my mind! By no means am i bashing your review. Just my opinion as well. Maybe get out on the water, cast it around, get some load on the reel and then I'm sure you'll see how well the reel performs under pressure. That in my opinion I where shimano just out classes all other reel brands. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Your comments about the 150 mgl vs the SLX are just ridiculous, sorry not sorry.

If you can't tell a noticeable difference between the two blindfolded then it might be you not the reels. 

The Curado is world's ahead of the SLX in the smoothness department. It only becomes more apparent when you tighten the drag and ACTUALLY USE THE REEL!

And once you actually have a fish on and the reel is under load then you can really tell how smooth the micro module gears really are. 

 

[T-Billy]

My slx xt was curado smooth out of the box. After one season of fairly limited use, it's not. Curado will stand the test of time far better. Anything below curado, you're better off with Lew's. $99 LFS will take a beating and stay smooth in my experience.

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

Consider me subscribed, as that new Curado MGL is on my list. So was a Lews reel, heck and a Tatula. To see how you ranked your list is very shocking to me.

I will say I have just recently spoke to someone else who was not as impressed by the new Curado MGL as the rest of the internet is. So it's made for very interesting reading.

 

[Phil77]

Put about 40-80 hours on it really fishing then report back. Makes about as much sense as complaining about a boat before you've even launched it.

[Hulkster]

so your review was based on turning the handle?

 

got it. 

[LrgmouthShad]

45 minutes ago, Phil77 said:

Put about 40-80 hours on it really fishing then report back

I've used the mgl 150 for around that span of time this year so far after purchasing mine sometime in Feb. I love mine. One of my favorite reels at the moment, and really excels with light lures.

 

Cast it! Let us know what you think after!

[zpelletier]

I got mine in October of last year, and before all the water froze it was fantastic. Very smooth and casts light lures without issues. I used it to throw a ned rig when I left my spinning rod home, and it worked fantastic considering I was using a MH rod. My son has an SLX and, while it’s very smooth, it’s definitely not the same. 

[Darth-Baiter]

OP. You’re living room reveal is perfect.  I’ll take it off your hands for proper disposal.

 

bare minimum, you gotta cast it.  Into the trees if you’re like me. But cast it. 

[jigheadworm]

I would put my 150mgl at the top of the list in my under $200 reels. Is it better than my Metanium's no but it is close.

[DomQ]

Some of you guys need to lighten up a bit.

[MontclairDave]

18 hours ago, DomQ said:

I've held a few 150 mgl's since its come out, and for someone to put the tournament mp ahead of it boggles my mind! By no means am i bashing your review. Just my opinion as well. Maybe get out on the water, cast it around, get some load on the reel and then I'm sure you'll see how well the reel performs under pressure. That in my opinion I where shimano just out classes all other reel brands. 

Can we not call the OP a review please? First impression maybe, but c’mon.