Curado DC vs Curado MGL 150

[AmmoGuy]

Warning, there's not going to be much worth reading in this post, lol.... Just putting this out there. 

 

I've fished a couple of Curado DC's on my crankbait rods for a over a year now. They're OK once you get used to the "DC", and how heavy they are. 

But I've been eyeing the MGL 150s since they were released.  I finally caved and picked up an MGL 150 6.2 last week and fished it over the weekend. 

 

My conclusion is..... Why is anyone still using Curado DC's? 

The MGL feels WAY lighter and is more comfortable. It was throwing KVD 1.5s and 2.5s further than my DC on the same rod, AND quite honestly, the breaking system is more versatile and more predictable than the DC. I never got more than a few loose loops in 4 hours of fishing squarebills in 12-14 mph wind. I always end up overrunning my DC's a couple of times in similar conditions. 

On retrieve, they feel pretty much identical. Fairly smooth, with just a hint of "micro" buzz. 

 

I don't think I'll be buying any more DC's.

YMMV. 

[Cbump]

12 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

Why is anyone still using Curado DC's? 

Good question. Been wondering the same. 

[casts_by_fly]

sounds like you know how to set up and cast a baitcaster in various conditions with various lures.  If you know that, then you don't need a DC.

[Darth-Baiter]

i have put a Curado 150 DC into my cart several times.  just living wildly.

 

but i agree, i love my curado 150 MGL's.  nothing sends a light t-rig worm better in my hands.  

[AmmoGuy]

21 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

sounds like you know how to set up and cast a baitcaster in various conditions with various lures.  If you know that, then you don't need a DC.

 

I just view "DC" like I do any other braking system. I don't think anyone needs it, or doesn't. 

 

In my experience, it's far from the "safety net" that some seem to think it is unless you set it on 4 and add some spool tension (which ruins any casting performance). Everyone I fish with with can backlash a DC real just as easily as a traditional reel. 

 

The Curado DC's are fine. They fish OK. But the 150 MGL outshines them in all facets IMO. 

[Hulkster]

I have never used a DC reel but have used baitcasting reels since 1998.

 

I get the impression that the DC feature is geared towards beginner or first time baitcasting users. At least it seems like the marketing is geared that way

 

Why would you need the feature if you already throw as good as Roland Martin? 

 

which is exactly what you found out. 

 

A normal BC reel is just fine, cheaper, lighter and probably casts better too?

[optimator]

I'm with the OP on this one. I never saw a use for DC reels. But then again I started out with a 4600cb so I had to learn what my thumb was for early on. I do love my SLX MGL's, I need to try one of the MGL 150's. 

[AmmoGuy]

24 minutes ago, Hulkster said:

I get the impression that the DC feature is geared towards beginner or first time baitcasting users. At least it seems like the marketing is geared that way

 

Why would you need the feature if you already throw as good as Roland Martin? 

 

 

It's just a braking system. The same as "SV", "Mag-boost", "MCS", etc, etc... 

No one needs any of them, but some of them do have their benefits/uses. 

 

To be clear, my intention wasn't to pick apart the "DC" system or weigh its value.
It was to say that IMO, the MGL 150 is just a better performing reel than the Curado DC. 

[Jig Man]

I only have experience with the DC.  I got one as a gift and bought another one.  What I really like is the fact that I can throw a Knickerknocker as hard as I want to trying to reach a surfacing fish and not have to worry about any line problems.

[Tatulatard]

I would think baits and line that don't play well with the fast and free nature of a centrifugal brake would work well with a DC reel.  Something like heavier flouro and spinnerbaits or glides.  I have daiwas for that so I don't have any DC reels but I could see the appeal. The curado DC doesn't get the fancy JDM DC brake with the x-mode but other reels have this setting and supposedly it bombs but I don't know.  I would only get one for casting clunky baits on stiff line and was a Shimano guy.

[AmmoGuy]

2 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

I would think baits and line that don't play well with the fast and free nature of a centrifugal brake would work well with a DC reel.  Something like heavier flouro and spinnerbaits or glides.  I have daiwas for that so I don't have any DC reels but I could see the appeal. The curado DC doesn't get the fancy JDM DC brake with the x-mode but other reels have this setting and supposedly it bombs but I don't know.  I would only get one for casting clunky baits on stiff line and was a Shimano guy.

 

Agreed on all counts. 

Although from everything I've read/seen, the Curado DC actually gets a little more distance than the Scorpion DC's I-DC5. 
(Higher end DC reel's could be a different ballgame) 

 

I'm a Daiwa guy, and pretty much fish Zillions these days except for some Shimanos I crank with. 

My thoughts on these two reels are related to throwing crankbaits on 12-14lb flouro. 

[Boomstick]

If you like the MGL 150, try the MGL 70, or even the SLX MGL70. A little smaller spool for generally thinner line but that's a great reel for up to 16# fluoro.

 

My kid has both and they cast a mile effortlessly while being fairly small and light.

[Darth-Baiter]

6 hours ago, Jig Man said:

I only have experience with the DC.  I got one as a gift and bought another one.  What I really like is the fact that I can throw a Knickerknocker as hard as I want to trying to reach a surfacing fish and not have to worry about any line problems.

This.  It’s fun watching the spool diameter shrink. 

[LrgmouthShad]

DC reels should be abolished. Banned. Prohibited. Burned

[MN Fisher]

17 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

DC reels should be abolished. Banned. Prohibited. Burned

Shorted out and fried?

[djhands]

I have an Antares MD DC on a white python ii and a scorpion MD on a jackall bpm swimbait rod.  Both cast great with the wind.  But the DC shines casting big baits into the wind

[Darth-Baiter]

12 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

DC reels should be abolished. Banned. Prohibited. Burned

hahhaha..

 

hope you are being sarcastic.  there are bigger cheat aids in fishing...

[LrgmouthShad]

18 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

hahhaha..

 

hope you are being sarcastic.  there are bigger cheat aids in fishing...

Yeah I’m not really being serious on that one ?

 

I do still think DC reels are kinda silly but it’s not a big deal

[Darth-Baiter]

4 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Yeah I’m not really being serious on that one ?

 

I do still think DC reels are kinda silly but it’s not a big deal

i think i can imagine when bait cast reels started having various braking systems.  mag brakes, centrifigual, etc..whatever.  i can close my eyes and see people with big brake-less reels totally whining about it like i hear people do about DC reels.  or any advance in tech.

 

i made  vow not to be one of those types of OG's.  (old guy).  personally, i embrace tech. i cant cast an old brakeless reel anyways.  

 

i  bought some old dude a cup of coffee.  he was yammering about automatic transmissions..he loved the stick shift.  haha..  he was looking at a new truck some other dude bought.  

 

DC.  i dont need the help, but it is cool.  and if it gets more people casting BC, all the better.  i will probably buy a Curado 150 DC purely for flinging heavy hard baits against the heavy winds in Oklahoma.  everyone there uses spinning. i mean EVERYONE.  the wind is no joke.  

[Tatulatard]

Automatic transmissions do suck though. The one in my truck is of very low IQ and the one in my dad's C7 zo6 actively tries to make the driving experience as soulless as possible at all times.  I'm talking shifting into 8th at 60 mph and dropping the revs to 1200.  I have to drop it a few gears in manual mode to bring the revs up to being out the exhaust note and supercharger whine.  

[slackhouse]

The Curado MGL 150 is currently my favorite baitcaster. I feel like I just haven't found the optimal setup for my DC. It performs fine. I just like the MGL better.

[Darth-Baiter]

14 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

Automatic transmissions do suck though. The one in my truck is of very low IQ and the one in my dad's C7 zo6 actively tries to make the driving experience as soulless as possible at all times.  I'm talking shifting into 8th at 60 mph and dropping the revs to 1200.  I have to drop it a few gears in manual mode to bring the revs up to being out the exhaust note and supercharger whine.  

hahah..I have a deposit on a new truck.  finding a stick shift would have been daunting.  my wife, who arguably is the better stick-driver poo-poo'd it anyways.  in a hour long traffic jam, it is not the best option.  (for us)

[softwateronly]

I have a couple dc's and couple 71 mgl's.  I'm not replacing my dc's, but I'm also not getting more.

 

scott

[FrnkNsteen]

2 hours ago, softwateronly said:

I have a couple dc's and couple 71 mgl's.  I'm not replacing my dc's, but I'm also not getting more.

 

scott

Same

[Reel]

If DC reels were the answer to all, Shimano would be building only DC reels.  They are not ! 

 

DC reels can be beat when throwing a 1/2oz spinnerbait into the wind a country mile... or almost.