Citica 200D impressions

[Raul]

The BaitMonkey made me do it ! ( re: The BaitMonkey at it ...again! part II )

The day I got the reel I thought the box was big, inside the box I saw the reel and it comes in a bigger box than it needs.

Features:

1.- Man it really is a nice reel to stare at, I specially liked the 1/4 turn release sideplate,

2.- Spool looks like the spool found in the old SF,

3.- METAL ! everywhere,

4.- no cheap plastik tension knob cap !,

5.- no graphite star drag,

6.- nice handle nut cover,

7.- drilled handle,

8.- sticky material on the top of the thumbar;

In esence ----> overall cool !

Got home took the reel out and compared it to the venerable old Curado 200, here 's what I found:

1.- Width: both reels have the same width

2.- Length: the Citica is slightly longer at the center front of the reel by a couple of milimeters, what makes it longer is the shape of the front, slightly pointy = a couple milimeter more in length.

3.- Height from the reel foot to the top of the reel: both reels are the same height.

So aside from the handle side plate where the bigger gear is located both reels have the same dimensions, the handle side doesn 't count for the ergonomic contour comfort of the reel, so it 's not THAT big and not THAT bulky.  8-)

4.- Weight: well at 10 ounces isn 't exactly the lightest reel I 've fished with but it 's not the heaviest either, my old Abus XLT series ( that don 't see much action nowdays ) weight more, but .... the shoulder ain 't what it used to be 20 years ago and while 20 years ago I could cast all day long with a 10+ oz reel and not get tired now 20 years later I seriously doubt I could do the same.  :-[

So why did I purchase the Citica ?

1.- I wanted a low profile reel for swimbaiting that could hold around 100 yards of 17 lb test and not having to spend an arm and a leg in the process.

2.- The BaitMonkey made me do it.

3.- The silver body/gold accents make a perfect color combination when paired to my Clarus flipping/small swimbait rod.

4.- The BaitMonkey made me do it.

5.- 60 dollars ! ( with the rebate and purchased on sale at TW ), it don 't get better than that !

6.- Did I mention the BaitMonkey made me do it ?

Now comparing the features of both reels ( Old Curado 200 vs new Citica 200D ) the Mean Green Feechin Machine looks like the old VW Beetle next to the new Beetle.  

Went yesterday for a "quickie" to one of the ponds and took my swimbait box to see if I could ketch me a bigun, no biguns, only a couple of 3 pounders but let me say you I 'm impressed so far with the reel.

Weight issues ? talking in consideration that when you fish with baits the size and weight of most people 's average catch and that you cast with both arms the weight of the reel is no issue at all, if you are young and strong, have your Corn Flakes in the morning I don 't think you are going to feel the weight of the reel.

I think the new Curado is in trubble when compared in price to the Citica.

[burleytog]

And it's already gone. :-/

[Davis]

I agree totally.

Again with just limited experience this year with BCs.....I sold my Revo s right away after fishing with my 200d. I now own a 100dsv and 200dpv to go along with my D. At 60 bucks how could you pass a reel like this up? Love them to pieces and now have found my self being a Shimano only man. Just very well built and your right....the weight does not effect me at all. I was throwing crankbaits and spinnerbaits all weekend. Didn't get worn out at all by the reel.

[roadwarrior]

Man, that's a review with substance!

Thank you.

8-)

[Raul]

the weight does not effect me at all. I was throwing crankbaits and spinnerbaits all weekend. Didn't get worn out at all by the reel.

Ahh, that 's because: you are young and strong, have your Corn Flakes in the morning, throw in a couple of eggs and some strips of bacon ( there 's nothing like "healthy" and tasty food   ) and you are ready for a full day of casting without the reel burning you out.  

Now I 'm wondering how good the Citica 100DSV should feel on my CR724 spooled with 17 lb test to jig n 'flip to them tuff mesquite trees and huizache brush ? ..... I think I better shut the heck off before you know who gets another of it 's bright ideas.  :

[Davis]

I like my 100 but I adore my 200s.  

[burleytog]

Now I 'm wondering how good the Citica 100DSV should feel on my CR724 spooled with 17 lb test to jig n 'flip to them tuff mesquite trees and huizache brush ? ..... I think I better shut the heck off before you know who gets another of it 's bright ideas. :

Why wonder? Get it now while you still can. When they're gone, they're gone.

As an aside, I can tell you that a 100DSV on a CUC-72MH is the cat's meow. And the dog's bark.

Line capacity is about 65 yds of 17 lb. PLine CXX

[TxBuddha]

I've been fishing 4 Citica's for the past year, mainly for white bass, hybrids, and stripers. They've held up really well and are still going strong. I bought one off E-Bay that had a bad idler gear from the get-go and it was repaired by my local Shimano service center under warranty. Other than that not an issue with a one of 'em and that's including a few days of high double digit white bass fishin'.

[fooman]

I used my 100 and 200 for the 1st time today..I really like them especialy the 200..I threw a couple baits with my green Curado and was thinking the same thing about all the metal and the thumbar felt better..

Well by the time I made it home the bait monkey had the better of me so I ordered 2 more 200's,guess I'll have to retire my old red Curado's :'(