Citica vs Curado (100D's)

[KU_Bassmaster.]

What gives .....  1 ball bearing - Is that it??

Anybody have real life comparisons???

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I think the curado is made in japan and the citica korea dont know if that means anyting 1 bearing aint worth 100 bucks though if you ask me

[burleytog]

I have no real-world experience with either, but based on reel counter experience, the Curado 100D is a lot smoother than the Citica 100D.

I don't think it is $80 smoother, but it is smoother.

[KYbass1276]

I bought a Citica and I own a curado but not the 100d.  I have the 200dhsv.   I don't think the citica is a bad reel but I was so used to my curado that it just didn't feel right for some reason.  I took the citica back and replaced it with a Chronarch 100B and it took a little getting used to itself.    Tackle tour Claims that the curado 100d is just a heavier version of the Chronarch.   I know the curado 100d dosen't have HEG and the chronarch does and I think the citica does to.  I'm not sure how big of a difference that makes.  If your used to higher end reels then I don't think you will care for the citica as much not that its a bad reel cause its not.  It' s just not as smooth. But is definatly is a good reel for guy on a budget.

[cart7t]

I just picked up a Citica D I have for sale and played with it.  There's no way a Curado D is worth the extra money. IMO of course.

[links_man2]

Older Citica's had 1 or 2 bearing but most of the current Citica's have 4+1 bearings (4 ball bearings + 1 roller bearing).  There is one of the current models that has 3+1 bearings.  My older Citica CI-200 has 2 bearings and is plenty smooth for my fat fingers especially since my fat fingers are still touching the $80 difference in price.  Just for reference, most of the Curado's have 5+1 bearings but some models have 4+1.  

I would like to see a blind fold test between Cruxis, Citica and Curado all with same line, lure and rod.  Be interesting how many fishermen can tell the difference.  And by the way, I am simply expressing my opinion, not trying to start a reel battle on which is the best.

[TrickyVT1887]

citica 100 D seems to me to be the Old Curado 100B Super Free (the green reel) or are there any differences

[Papa_Tom]

I just got a Citica 200 this winter.  I've only had it out three times so far.  I really like it to date.  I have had Curado's for a good while, and Curado SF's (all 200's) when they came out.  I'm looking to get another soon.  Very smooth.  Compact.  I have to get used to the dropped gear box and change my grip a little, but no complaints.  These are 4 + 1 on bearings (or so I understand).  Where did the one bearing thing come from?

[links_man2]

the 4+1 is 4 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing.  I think the 1 roller bearing is the anti-reverse roller bearing.

[TournyFish001]

I sure enjoy my curado 100d- great reel, just buy what you can afford.    I am sure the citca is good value too

[KU_Bassmaster.]

After much pondering I decided to go with the Curado. I went to BPS and held them both side by side and the Curado seemed a tad more solid and smooth. I am one of those people who can't choose the lesser of two options. I will drive myself crazy with the "If I would have spent X amount more" That X amount (w/in reason of course) is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

[TournyFish001]

KU I know the feeling- good choice that little curado is a great reel.

[hotwheels]

The citica 100 DSV is made in Japan.  Look at the botom of the reel seat.  I have seen this on the TT forum, where someone talked to a Shimano rep. and said that they are losing $ on the Citica.  I don't own one, but I am interested in adding one.  I like the Color better than the Curado too.  

I beleive the only difference is the non ported spool and a bushing instead of a bearing at the bottom of the driveshaft.  

I read that if you flush the grease our of the bearings and re lube with light oil it will cast further.  

It looks like a good value, and can be upgraded with 5.1 gears from the Calais and a Chonarch 50mg or Curado spool and Carbon drag washers from Smooth Drag.  Now if you want to super tune one could add a Calais nutless handle or a Bassart Carbon Handle, and a Chronarch Ti Line guide.  

[Cajun1977]

curados all the way  

[USA-Retired]

Having nothing but time on my hands I did a part by part comparison off the schematics of each reel and here's what I discovered:

1. There are a total of 12 different parts between the Citica 100DSV and the Curado 100D.

2. 8 of the 12 appear to be cosmetic (reel frame, side plates, nut cover, star drag, turnkey dial, handle assembly, etc.) all have a different part number as they are a different color or finish than the Curado parts. They look to be idential in construction.

3. The 4 parts that appear to be different are:

a. A drive shaft bushing on the Citica vs. a drive shaft bearing on the Curado (we all knew this) 3+1 vs. 4+1

b. The drive gear, and pinion gear are different part numbers for the Citica compared to the Curado..not sure if the Citica has Fiber/plastic internal gears (schematic doesn't say)..if the gears are metal, they may be cut differently or maybe not finished in the same manner as the Curado gears (Tooth rounding and chamfering, heat treatment, whatever).

c. The last is the Spool..one is a deep V vs. the regular drilled spool on the Curado (not a biggie here as spools swap out between the two).

That's it folks. The $80 difference comes down to two internal gears and a bushing.

Cheers....

[TrickyVT1887]

oh and both the Citica 100D and the Curado 100D are made in Japan

[flippin4it.]

           I have had this conversation with a Shimano rep twice in 3 months. He explained it to me like this. If you Liked the older Curado, you will love the Citica. If you have money to waste, buy the new Curado. My buddy bought one last Saturday adn it's just like the older Curado's. Casts like a dream and is smooth.

[rbreedi1]

I have three of the Curado 100D's and wouldnt part with them for anything. I fished the citica also and IMO the curado feels better in the hand and smoother. I would choose the curado over the citica anyday. Also, you dont have to pay the full retail to get one. I got all mine for around $150 ea.

[USA-Retired]

For $7.05 and $3.00 shipping you can purchase the drive shaft bearing from Shimano to replace the bushing in the Citica.   The reels are identical in the hand.  They are the same frame, sideplate, handle etc....just different colors.  Part numbers vary because of the color...other than the bushing and two internal gears.  The weight difference is due to the spools...DSV vs. the drilled spool on the Curado.   I will find out what the gear differences are and post it when I get the info.

[USA-Retired]

As promised, here's the deal on the internal gears in the Citica.

I got this from a Shimano service rep....so I can't attest to it's accuracy 100%.  But I have no reason to doubt him.

The Citica drive gear and pinion gear are both brass...not fiber or plastic.

The Curado main drive gear is anodized aluminum while the pinion gear is brass.

Not sure why they aren't using the same pinion gears in both...however,  the pinion gears are brass in both reels.

That makes the Citica 100D a heck of a buy for a fishing reel (IMHO).  Especially when you compare it to a Curado 100D (Which I do own) part for part.

Cheers...............

[Vermelho]

USA-RET,

I agree with everything you say for I have done some research and talked to Shimano Reps and they say the same thing.

Here's what I learned:

The Citica 100 DSV is constructed in Japan in the same plant as the Curado 100 (the reel foot aand the box say "made in Japan").  The Citica is especially targeted to saltwater fishermen who need the extra line capacity for casting to Reds, Specks, Snook and such.  (actually, I think the Curao 100D line capacity is just fine - but there are just so many barnacles and oyster reefs to break a line that the extra capacity in the 100 DSV comes in handy).  The Citica 100 DSV has brass gears in order to be more "Saltwater Friendly" (i.e., this inhibits corrosion).

Also, I have learned from my experience and that of others that the Citica's spool bearings are pretty-much packed with silicone grease and that the insides are also packed with grease.  For example, before cleaning my nearly-new citica, I noticed a "ever-so-slight" slight backlplay on the handle.  I cleaned the reel - and this meant flushing the spool bearings and ridding the innards of excess grease.  I also cleaned and re-lubed the one-way roller bearing.  As a result of the cleaning, the Citica casts and reels as smooth as any reel and the "ever-so-slight" handle backplay is gone - this sucker is exceptionally tight and smooth.  So...looks like Citicas are packed with grease and this is probably because Shimano feels (I'm guessing) that anyone buying a reel at this price point doesn't really perform good maintenence - and the extra grease provides additional protection to overcome the abuse.  

Verm

[zachvii]

Great information here guys.  USA-Ret thanks for looking into this.  Now I know in the future that the citca is the way to go.