Have Shimano Curado K's problems been fixed?

[Cranks4fun]

I have a a couple of Daiwa Tatulas and a couple of Shimano Curados and was considering getting a second Curado K series reel but I have been seeing complaints on several forums about thumb bars falling apart. One guy said it was just a problem with early run Curado K's. Has Shimano corrected this issue? I have not had the issue myself but I have not used my Curado K but four times/outings. Years ago I fished Shimano bantam 200B's almost exclusively and had three of them and Castaic. I gradually phased them out for reels that could cast further and effectively cast lighter baits. I still have one old "greenie" that I keep for memory's sake. I like the K series as well as my Tatulas and wanted another one but I am reluctant to buy one because of these complaints. Does anyone know whether Shimano has corrected this issue on the K series? One guy suggested they have on another forum. 

[r83srock]

I had 4 Curado K reels and no longer have any. They were nice, but fussy. All of mine needed the plastic piece glued on the thumb bar. I found them to palm nice to me, but I feel the tatula 150 is a better reel overall. It’s a full frame reel but still palms well. It’s a tank, and perfect for frogging/ punching. But I can still throw a senko weightless if need be. Not sure if the Curado M will be an improvement, hope so. I too am a long time user of Curado B reels.

[Cranks4fun]

r83srock, Thanks for sharing that. I really love both my tatulas, especially my Tatula SV, and might settle on another one. I have a Shimano SLX too and have not had any issues with it yet, but I just started using it.

[Aaron_H]

4 hours ago, Cranks4fun said:

r83srock, Thanks for sharing that. I really love both my tatulas, especially my Tatula SV, and might settle on another one. I have a Shimano SLX too and have not had any issues with it yet, but I just started using it.

 

Can't speak to the Curado K, but I've been running my SLX reels for 4 years now for the oldest one and I have had zero durability issues out of hundreds of outings. I have 4 regular SLX, 2 MGL, and a DC and while I think the MGL is the sleeper of the SLX series, the standard ones are hard to beat for the money and get a lot of use from me.

[Cranks4fun]

Aaron_H, I have one of the SLX standards too and it has been fine for the two outings or so when I used it. I have read a lot of positive reviews on them. Four years of regular, steady fishing is a pretty good run. I hope you get another 4 out of it. What do you see as the advantage of the MGL version? casting lighter lures or greater distances or fewer backlashes?  

[Aaron_H]

4 minutes ago, Cranks4fun said:

Aaron_H, I have one of the SLX standards too and it has been fine for the two outings or so when I used it. I have read a lot of positive reviews on them. Four years of regular, steady fishing is a pretty good run. I hope you get another 4 out of it. What do you see as the advantage of the MGL version? casting lighter lures or greater distances or fewer backlashes?  

 

Just checked my fishing logs, I've had ~450 outings since I bought my first SLX reel. They don't all get used every time, but they are all on techniques I use frequently.

 

As for the MGL version, a little of all of the above. That MGL spool gives me better distance, the ability to cast lighter lures, and the SVS brakes gives you a little more fine tuning than the standard VBS brakes on the SLX (though I've never had an issue with the VBS personally). The MGL is also the only SLX version that comes with the cross carbon drag, which is definitely a noticeable upgrade over the other SLX models IMO.

 

That said, several of my PBs were on the standard model SLX and they are a very fine reel especially for the price.

[Cranks4fun]

Aaron_H, I see that you are living down there in the land of gators, giant bass, and Peakcock bass. Catching a big peacock bass is on my bucket list. I have family (cousins) in Florida. I need to create a reason to go visit them!

 

[Aaron_H]

35 minutes ago, Cranks4fun said:

Aaron_H, I see that you are living down there in the land of gators, giant bass, and Peakcock bass. Catching a big peacock bass is on my bucket list. I have family (cousins) in Florida. I need to create a reason to go visit them!

 

 

I'm a bit too far north for peacock bass, but I can attest to the gators and sometimes I get lucky with some plus-sized largemouth.

[padon]

idk but i have 6 curado ks and havent had an issue with any of them. fish probably 4 to 6 days a month for 8 months a year.

[PhishLI]

9 hours ago, Cranks4fun said:

One guy said it was just a problem with early run Curado K's.

Mine, circa 2017, was one of them. Shimano fixed the thumbar and a few other issues it had. I haven't heard much regarding problems after the first batch. I'm with @r83srock. The Tatula 150 is more versatile, IMO, and rock solid.

[NorthernBasser]

I have 2 K's that I bought around 2018. This year I had the plastic thumb bar piece come off one of them. I super glued it back on and so far it's held up fine, but I also haven't used it a ton.

 

They're rock solid reels, but I'd take the Curado 150 MGL over it 10 times out of 10. 

[waymont]

The thumb bar issue was from the initial release. It was fixed pretty quickly by Shimano.

[r83srock]

I had 1 SLX when it first came out and unfortunately the anti reverse gave out after 3 months. My local shop took great care of me and I traded it for a Tatula ct which I’ve had no issues. I also bought 3 SLX mgls, the first one being a jdm and a slightly shorter handle. I like these reels a lot, very good casters and palm great. I did have a anti reverse bearing separate on 1, causing the reel handle to freely spin backwards. I was able to put the bearing together and it’s been working fine since, strange. It’s got me a little spooked but I still really like these reels. I would consider these reels for general purpose use, but would still chose the tatula 150 for heavy cover situations due to the double bearing supported pinion gear and dual aluminum side plates. 

[FishTank]

I have 2 K's and no issues so far. They are just like they were when I bought them, solid and smooth. 

[Chilidog]

I have a last years curado K that I sent in because the thumb bar wouldn't pop back up when you engaged the reel.  I sent it in and Shimano sent it back and said they couldn't find anything wrong with it.  I used it a few times this year the thumb bar is not releasing again.  I have tried to contact Shimano without a response yet.  I have started to switch over to Diawa as I update my reels.  So far I am impressed with the Tatula.

[Darth-Baiter]

I got my K back in 2019.  it still looks brand new.  it feels giant in my hands, but I still love it.  super solid, and truth be told, I should have filled it with braid and taken it to Brazil instead of the MGL150 I made ride shotgun.  bigger line capacity and the extra size would have been welcomed going after the native peacock. 

[garroyo130]

No issues with my K ... other than its a K. Honestly I wouldn't buy it again. 

[Hulkster]

I thought since shimano changed the thumb bar design on the Curado 150 MGL and the Tranx 150 that they had moved away from that thumb bar design. But then they went and put it back on the Curado 200 M. The thumb bar design on the previous generation curado (the 200i) (and the one on the 150 MGL) is way better IMO. 

[Big Hands]

I haven't had any Curado 150 K reels, but my Curado 200 K has been an excellent reel. Mounted to my Tatula Elite TAEL741MHRB, filled with 15 lb Big Game, it's money for big hardbaits, buzzbaits, and underspins for bass and stripers.

[Cranks4fun]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I have Lots of Shimano Baitcasters (2 Curados k & B, 3 Calcuttas, an SLX, and some old Bantams from the 1980's). I have never had any serious issues with any of them except not getting enough distance casting the older ones. I have a few Daiwas too ( 2 Tatulas -older 100 and an SV, a Tierra, and some vintage Pro mags from the Neanderthal  Days). All of those reels have been good but I really want a durable long-casting reel. My Curado K has only been used recently and I want some reassurance before considering another one or the new Curado M. Maybe a need to get a new Tatula and add some ABEC 7 bearings to it. My son says that worked on his reels.

[Bankbeater]

I have a Curado 200E7 that is in semi-retirement, and I love that reel.  I purchased two Tatula CT100H reels a few years back because of the issues I was hearing with the K models.  I have not had any problems with the Daiwa reels.  I am waiting to hear the reviews for the Curado M.

[Lead Head]

You might already know this but it's worth mentioning. 

 

If you feel like you aren't getting the distance you should from your daiwa reels, check your spool tension. They are intended to be used with none. Many people (myself included) start off adjusting the spool tension like you do for other reels. When I backed it to 0, I got much better casting distance. 

You can also try flushing the stock bearings and adding 1 drop of light oil (I like tsi-321). This should give you noticeable improvement from your stock bearings. From there you can decide if purchasing aftermarket bearings is worth it or not.