UPDATE* E7 let down

[lightsout]

After being given my choice for a reel for christmas by my fiance, I decided to chose the curado based on internet chatter, reviews, and how it felt in my hand.

After using it 3 or 4 times now I have to say I'm very disapointed. The reel is lacking in casting distance (only one brake on and cast control fairly loose), and it feels like it's "laboring" on the retreive. I don't think its a major mechanical issue, but if I were to reel up a 1/2oz bait from the ground to the tip it just isnt the least bit smooth and almost feels strained. In fact If I closed my eyes while reeling I would think it's a very cheap reel.

I have bookmarked burley's post about cleaning the spool bearings, and will do that soon. I suspect that will help in the casting dept., but what can be done to smooth out the retrieve? I suppose take it apart and clean the main gear, handle bearings, etc.

Obviously it was a gift, and I will keep it. I'm curious if anyone else has dealt with this? If so did the cleaning make THAT much of a diffrence? Sorry for getting off on a rant but with all the hype I expected it to perform better.

Respectfully

Josh

[jc450r]

Two words my friend "Abu Garcia"

Hope you get the problem worked out.....maybe just a bad reel? Most people on here swear by their E7's

[bilgerat]

May be over lubed from the factory. All reel makers guilty of it. Have a thorough cleaning/lube done and see how it goes from there.

[SWMIBASSER]

Two words my friend "Abu Garcia"

Hope you get the problem worked out.....maybe just a bad reel? Most people on here swear by their E7's

+1

I had the same impressions from a quick in store inspection.

[lightsout]

Two words my friend "Abu Garcia"

Hope you get the problem worked out.....maybe just a bad reel? Most people on here swear by their E7's

4 words  buddy, "you got that right".

Lol I love my ambassaduers, revos, and cardinals!

Anyone know any specifics on what exactly should be cleaned?

[Pantera61]

You may want to consider setting another brake.  A single brake can cause the spool to become a little bit unbalanced.

[Dan:]

return it and get a new one to try. Curados are great casters.

[Dan:]

You may want to consider setting another brake. A single brake can cause the spool to become a little bit unbalanced.

that too. If one is on, set the opposite brake on as well.

[roadwarrior]

return it and get a new one to try. Curados are great casters.

Something is defective on that particular reel.

The Curado 200E7 is comparable in every way

to the highest priced Shimanos. At the pricing

point, I thnk it is the best reel on the market.

Unfortunately, you have a dud.

[Ern]

The brakes need to be balanced.  Make sure you have the correct brakes in to.  I got a set of Pinks in. I also did the clean on the Shimano maint. video. for the spool and spool bearings.   

What line do you have on the reel and what distance are you casting?

I'd imagine you should get some distance with the 1/2oz lure.  I get a cast better with the Curado with the same 10lb mono vs. a 2000 or 4000 spinning set up.  All casting a weightless fluke.   

[koulaid]

return it and get a new one to try. Curados are great casters.

Something is defective on that particular reel.

The Curado 200E7 is comparable in every way

to the highest priced Shimanos. At the pricing

point, I thnk it is the best reel on the market.

Unfortunately, you have a dud.

It is comparable to my core100mg. almost the same casting distance and smoothness.You there must have a dud.

[rubba bubba]

Something is seriously wrong; there's no way a Curado is *that* bad.  Clean/relube and see, but if you can exchange it, I would go that route.  I'm not sure if it's possible to buy a crappy baitcaster in that price range these days.

[J Francho]

I've recently done yearly cleanings on about a dozen E7 and five E5 reels, and I can tell you without a doubt your impression of these reels leads me to think something's not right, even with just one brake on.  Exchange it for a new one, or call Shimano 1-877-577-0600.

[lightsout]

I started with two brakes on and just tried one to see if that helped with distance.

As far as actual feet I don't know, but in my pond there is an island in the middle that I use as a benchmark for casting distance, I have to step into it to get close to it, where as virtually every other reel I own can accurately cast to it.

The line is my old stanby #12 Yo-hybrid.

I suppose I'll try to return it,  do any of you know if bps will do a return if a receipt cant be found?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Any reel can benefit form a thorough cleaning and proper lubrication. Many are over lubed from the factory. If evening out the brakes and cleaning don't do it, definitely get a replacement. A Curado that's working up to potential is a quality reel.

[fathom]

return it.

the e's i have owned cast 1/2 oz. almost as well as the calais 100a.

[jb7725]

get it professionally cleaned and lubed i have an E7 and it casts very well

[barroncooper]

mine got smoother and smoother especially after a clean and re lube. as far as i'm concerned there is no better reel and I have some revos and I like them.  as far as the casting, I'd work with the weights.  do you have the green or pink ones installed.  I can flip a 3/8 jig over 35' with mine.  one drop of hotsauce is all the bearings need.  like someone said earlier, you might be over lubed

[bcody]

That sounds crazy.. I own 2 and love the smoothness of the retrieve and the casting ability.

I would bring it to BPS and tell them to exchange it, They should be able to do that.

[The Rooster]

mine got smoother and smoother especially after a clean and re lube. as far as i'm concerned there is no better reel and I have some revos and I like them. as far as the casting, I'd work with the weights. do you have the green or pink ones installed. I can flip a 3/8 jig over 35' with mine. one drop of hotsauce is all the bearings need. like someone said earlier, you might be over lubed

Hot Sauce in a Shimano?? :-? That's a Quantum thing and might void the warranty. I'd definitely check first before I did this.

I'd return that reel for an exchange first thing, before you try to do anything else to it at all. Then when you get the next one, send it to Reel Mechanic right off the bat and have him strip it down, clean and relube it to remove the factory packed grease. I have no personal experience with this since I have BPS reels which he doesn't work on and I don't own Shimanos (except rods) but I hear he's a master at doing this and they come back feeling better than new when finished. He might could fix the one you have too but it's not worth tampering with since it's so new.  Return for exchange on that before it's too late.  Even if BPS won't exchange it, you always have Shimano's warranty....but not if you put Hot Sauce in it.

[JacobK]

take a picture of how your brakes are set up and post it.down is off and up is on fyi.

also theres a "break in" period for these reels it usually takes a solid day of fishing to break it in.

[midnighthrasher]

Trade it. i have a e7 and a e5. My brothers got 2 e7's and these are very good reeels. I think you got a lemon. That why you buy shimano for its warranty and peace of mind. Send it back or bring it to bps and get a new one.

[lightsout]

UPDATE*

Last night I took the reel apart and have to say, you were right about the over lubing of these reels. The spool bearing by the cast control knob was absolutely covered in grease (yes grease not oil). I was shocked at how much came out of the bearings in the acetone baths, especially that paticular one. I dont know if it's even possible for grease to find it's way into the race of a bearing, but none the less this one was FULL of something.

With the exception of the (for lack of the proper term) horizontal track under the line guide, nothing else looked overlubed to my untrained eye. I was kind of getting into it so I kept going using ardent's reel cleaning kit along with some canned air to clean the rest of the reel.

Long story short, I think I'm in good shape now.  I havent got to cast the reel yet, but pitching in the living room seems to take less effort. I dont know exactly what smoothed out the retrieve, but it's better. I highly reccomend the ardent kit to anyone interested.

I must point out that I am frustrated that a nearly $200 reel has to be dissasembled and "fixed" when it's brand new. But at least I now am comfortable taking a reel apart and getting it back together and the lesson will save me money in the future.

[Pantera61]

UPDATE*

Last night I took the reel apart and have to say, you were right about the over lubing of these reels. The spool bearing by the cast control knob was absolutely covered in grease (yes grease not oil). I was shocked at how much came out of the bearings in the acetone baths, especially that paticular one. I dont know if it's even possible for grease to find it's way into the race of a bearing, but none the less this one was FULL of something.

With the exception of the (for lack of the proper term) horizontal track under the line guide, nothing else looked overlubed to my untrained eye. I was kind of getting into it so I kept going using ardent's reel cleaning kit along with some canned air to clean the rest of the reel.

Long story short, I think I'm in good shape now. I havent got to cast the reel yet, but pitching in the living room seems to take less effort. I dont know exactly what smoothed out the retrieve, but it's better. I highly reccomend the ardent kit to anyone interested.

I must point out that I am frustrated that a nearly $200 reel has to be dissasembled and "fixed" when it's brand new. But at least I now am comfortable taking a reel apart and getting it back together and the lesson will save me money in the future.

Some Japanese manufacturers over grease their reels because American anglers don't maintain their reels well.

[VAfishin4me]

I had the same problem and went to Daiwa