Curado DC not sure how I feel about it

[fastfed]

So after years of looking at the DC baitcasters I finally pulled the trigger.

I've been fishing for 30+ years now (wow im old) and always used baitcasters, started with an Abu Garcia with no brake on it lol, was able to skip it, throw it into the wind and all. I have experience. So, I decided to get he Curado DC 150  7.4:1. I also did something new, I added fluorocarbon 10#, I've tried it in the past and was not a big fan but since this is all new and shiny I thought I would go with the fluorocarbon. Also I normally use 8# test but I wanted to make sure to give this reel a good chance out of the gate and thought 10# would be best.

 

I spooled it up and spooled it normal as I would always with about 1/8th of an inch to the end, but realized I didn't have much left of my 200yard spool after that, and this reel says it takes 120yards of 10#.

 

Anyway, I followed the instructions, loosened the adjuster until the spool would go back and forth and tightened just enough until it stopped, set my brake to #3 and first cast was a disaster lol. Backlash like crazy. I'm not sure why this particular reel has instructions like this but testing it the normal method my bait would fall like a rock, it was so fast. After playing for a while and back lash after backlash I decided to tighten the adjustment as I would any baitcaster and at that point I was better, still not perfect but at least it wasn't backlashing like crazy.

 

My question is really, did I spool too much on? see the pictures, it does seem weird that it looks to be heavy in the center and not the sides, did I spool it too soft, I didn't have that much pressure.

 

My plan was to go back to good old Mono and put 8# test on which I like better for my fishing style and give it another go. I never liked braid since I was a kid when it was just becoming popular but if it works better on this reel I could give that a go? what other tips and tricks do you guys have

 

 

[fastfed]

[Craig P]

Check the diameter of your line and see if it is better suited to be on another setting.  I am running Sunline assassin 15, .0134 diameter and it’s a great paring.

 

The lightest I run on any non-dc 150 reel is 12#.  10# just leads to trouble for me. 

[casts_by_fly]

Yeah, you look overspooled by a good bit. Start by taking 20-30yards off and go from there. 

[Craig P]

Just seen the pic.  Agreed, over spooled. Still though, check that diameter and the setting. 

[Bird]

Another vote......over spooled.

[Reel]

Yes, to much line.  It might be rubbing underneath.  

 

Also, always be very careful with the first cast with a DC reel.  The dynamo has not built up the energy in the DC module and the system does not slow the spool down.  Each cast produces the energy to control the next cast.  There is no battery to power the module.

[shackman]

Yes sir, way overfilled and when spooling, you need a lot of tension on the line or when you pull drag it will dig in because the line is loose. 

[fastfed]

Ok thanks for the advice all! I will take some off for sure. I'll measure out 30 yards or 90 feet

.011" is the line, it was the BasiX fluro.

 

 

[Woody B]

It's over spooled as others have said.  Also it's common for the DC brakes not to work correctly until you've made a cast or 2.   I think something has to get charged.   I usually have my DC brakes on 1.  Sometimes 2 if it's windy.   

[FrnkNsteen]

Agree with what others have said about filled too full and that they act up on the first couple casts.

 

I actually had 2 DC reels and have sold the Curado DC and have the SLX DC sitting for sale on the consignment shelf at the local shop. 

 

What I found was like others said.... If you didn't cast them for a while, they would kind of struggle the first cast or two. It really messed with my wife, who isn't the smoothest of casters, so between not using it regularily, or if she had a bit of a jerky cast, it would give her issues. She is doing much better with the smaller Tatula SV 70 and the Daiwa T3s I set up for her.

 

The final deciding factor was the noise started getting irritating after a while of using them. Cool at first but the novelty wore off quickly!!!

[Reel]

The low pitch hum is a sign that the system is working correctly.  I don't think that there is any other mecanical system that works quite the way Shimano DC reels work.  They are unique and one of the easiest baitcasting reel to use once you understand the system.

[JediAmoeba]

50 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Agree with what others have said about filled too full and that they act up on the first couple casts.

 

I actually had 2 DC reels and have sold the Curado DC and have the SLX DC sitting for sale on the consignment shelf at the local shop. 

 

What I found was like others said.... If you didn't cast them for a while, they would kind of struggle the first cast or two. It really messed with my wife, who isn't the smoothest of casters, so between not using it regularily, or if she had a bit of a jerky cast, it would give her issues. She is doing much better with the smaller Tatula SV 70 and the Daiwa T3s I set up for her.

 

The final deciding factor was the noise started getting irritating after a while of using them. Cool at first but the novelty wore off quickly!!!

That noise is like nails on a chalkboard to me. I am glad there are very few people I fish with that use them.

[casts_by_fly]

9 hours ago, fastfed said:

Ok thanks for the advice all! I will take some off for sure. I'll measure out 30 yards or 90 feet

.011" is the line, it was the BasiX fluro.

 

 

 

You don't have to be as precise as measuring.  When you look at the spool there will be a taper on the edge of the spool nearest the frame.  And then the spool will taper to a more vertical main taper all the way to the arbor.  I like to fill just about a line diameter less than the junction of those two tapers.  That allows for less than optimal packing of the line or loose line lay.  Looking at your spool, I'd say its probably 30 yards of line, maybe more to get to that stage.  Just strip 20 arm lengths off and see where it is on the spool.

17 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

That noise is like nails on a chalkboard to me. I am glad there are very few people I fish with that use them.

 

same.  I've not used one in person but when you hear one on video you know it.  I even don't like the sound of centrifugal brakes whizzing so much.  

[new2BC4bass]

I fill to the spool bevel on all my reels.  My Excense DC is buried in a box since my move to Florida.  Purchased used and I can't remember if it came with line on it.  If so, I use as purchased.  If not, I spool line to the spool bevel.  Never backlashed any reel yet that could be traced to overfilling.  I have one reel that the line will rub on if filled this way, so I had to remove a couple yards from it to clear.

 

I don't mind the noise at all from a DC or ceramic bearings.  I consider it a help with having an idea of spool speed which can help me with thumbing the spool.

 

I almost exclusively run 8# mono or co-polymer on all my Medium and ML casting rods.  This would be in the neighborhood of 25 rods or so.  I use 10 different brands of reels.  Never had a problem.

[Derek1]

I’ll also add with mine I had to tighten up the cast control just a little more then I normally would. 

[fastfed]

Holy crap, what a difference. I unspooled the entire reel and respooled it a little more tension this time and didn't fill it as much.. Was out for about 4 hours and no backlash this time at all. Smooth as butter. Even using all sorts of lures and baits to test, from heavy to super light crappie rigs.

 

THANKS ALL!

 

I just dont really understand the tensioner knob, I mean it was always based on the weight of your lure and adjustments were made. If all I have to do is just adjust until there is not side to side movement on the barrel (like I can do on all my baitcasters) why not just set it permanently like that from the factory and have no knob at all? I mean regardless of what I'm using I never have to adjust it, so whats the point?

[Derek1]

I still adjust it on mine. It’s just a touch tighter then how I would normally set it. 

[Dwight Hottle]

@fastfed The newer versions of top end Shimano have eliminated the tensioner knob. You only adjust for line type & pick a setting for brake force  from high to low.

[fastfed]

On 3/14/2024 at 6:11 AM, Derek1 said:

I still adjust it on mine. It’s just a touch tighter then how I would normally set it. 

So you adjust it as a normal baitcaster? I kind agree with this. I switched from a ultra light jig to a pretty heavy wacky rig yesterday, I mean I let line fall and it fell fast as hell. Of course theres gonna be some backlash, I don't get this procedure at all.

 

I tightened so it fell slowly like a normal baitcaster and sure enough it was fine, still casted a long distance

[GreenPig]

My Curado DC is my only reel of 50+ BCers that'll bless me with 3 or 4 unexplained blowups per trip. It's a paper weight to me at this point and gets no more boat rides.

[Fishingmickey]

     I've got 3 DC reels (2 Curados and a Exsence).  I like them, the noise doesn't bother me. I've found that flurorcarbon when freshly spooled on the reel can be dangerous. Fluorocarbon because it is a stiffer line and until it get used some. The "spool" memory on a freshly spooled reel birdnests much easier then monofilament.

FM

P.S. The heavier cheaper fluorocarbon lines are much "stiffer" (not as limp).  Seaguar Tatsu and Diawa Samurai are about the limpest fluorocarbon lines on the market.  Also the most expensive too.

p.p.s.s. That spool is was way overfilled.

[GaryH]

First as previously mentioned way over spooled. I’ve been running several Curado dc’s for several years. I run Suffix 832 30lb. or 40lb. and I’ve only have had a couple of bird nests and they were completely my fault. I adjust just like I would with any of my other reels and there good to go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[suzuki2903]

Proper way to setup a dc reel. And they aren’t fool proof! You’ll still get birds nests here and there …..

 

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, fastfed said:

So you adjust it as a normal baitcaster? I kind agree with this. I switched from a ultra light jig to a pretty heavy wacky rig yesterday, I mean I let line fall and it fell fast as hell. Of course theres gonna be some backlash, I don't get this procedure at all.

if you’re getting more than a could loops here or there on any baitcast reel then you need a little more practice and understanding. If a reel is backlashing at the start of the cast, turn up the brakes.  If it’s backlashing at the end of the cast, turn up the spool tension or use your thumb at the end more. Each reel is a little different in the specific settings, but once you get tuned to your own reel you’ll figure out when you can add more or less on each setting.  Also, this is general advice , not dc specific.