Shimano Snobs.....question

[stkbassn]

Hey guys, I'm going with all Shimano reels this year and I've been slowly building my collection. I have Curados and Citicas and I like them quite a bit.

I have to ask a question of you guys that are in the know and here it is below.....

I'd like to pick up a Chronarch or Scorpion but come on..even used they are way up there in price...How in the world can there be so much difference in money on the Curado compared to the Scorpion, Chronarch, Core and the other ridiculously priced models they have.....I saw one for $600 the other day..REALLY?

I mean really, what in the world can they be putting in these other reels that make them hundreds of dollars better than the Curado???! Are they really THAT much better and how?

Anyway, this has always puzzled me. Can someone shed some light here please.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I used to wonder the same thing, I have 5 Curados and a Citica and recently bought a Chronarch D7. While the Curados are great reels, the Chronarch is so much smoother and refined. Casting is similar but the retrieve of the D7 is much better. I agree that the price difference is hard to swallow though.

[northern basser]

I recently picked up a mint cond. used chronarch d7 for like $180 shipped. Otherwise I can't justify having a boatfull of them. I've fished with the citica e, cur. e7, core 50mg7, chronarch 50mg, chr. d7. The d7 and the 50mg7 are very nice reels, very smooth!

I buy, use, and sell stuff frequently. Currently my baitcast arsenal consists of a chronarch d7, pflueger patriarch xt, okuma cayenne, and a cabelas prodigy. Didn't pay retail for any of them and got the cayenne and prodigy for half price. I'm planning on adding one more soon.

IMO There is really no need for me to go above the curado or citica(one of which will be my next reel). The more expensive shimanos are very nice, but the curado and citica's perform as good as I need a reel to. I wouldn't have even thought of getting the d7 if it wasn't for the price I got it for.

[senile1]

The Shimano reels that cost over 600 dollars have the digital control (DC) feature which uses electronic circuitry to assist in the elimination of backlash. It seems like yesterday but they rolled this feature out in 2006. Since that time they have added it to some other models in addition to the Calais. The prices for these reels run 400 dollars and up. Below is a link to a review of one in 2006 on Tackletour.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocalaisdcreview.html

[baluga]

With shimano, you normally get what you paid for. The higher level you go the smoother the reel goes. More bearings and less plastic parts.

[Raul]

Japanese Shimanos are not equal to their domestic counterpart, there´s a level of equivalence but not of equality, they aren´t THAT much more expensive than their domestic counterparts and some models aren´t even available domestically ( like the Metanium Mg DC ) but what goes one way goes the other, there are some domestic models not available to the Japanese market ( ex: Curado E5 ). Are they THAT much better ? is some aspects they are in others they aren´t. I do have several japanese Shimanos ( Scorpion 1000, Scorpion 1000 Mg, Metanium XT ) and in some aspects they were well worth the extra 10-15 dollars in other aspects they were not, ex: Metanium XT vs Chronarch 100B, one ounce less and a clicking tension knob were not so great when you compare paint vs metal deposition finish.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

IMO There is really no need for me to go above the curado or citica(one of which will be my next reel). The more expensive shimanos are very nice, but the curado and citica's perform as good as I need a reel to.

x2

The Citica is such a great reel for the money spent it's funny. The Curado is a bit better, and it's another fine reel. I use my Citicas far more than my other Shimano models. I'll probably be buying more before too long while they're on sale. I'm fully expecting to see some for sale on the flea market after ICAST and the new toys come to the market.

[Fat-G]

I think Shimano makes a quality reel, no doubt. It's basically the Toyota Camry.

I think Daiwa makes the Audi, however. I feel like Daiwas are more solidly built.

[Hammer 4]

I have a curado, castaic, and a chronarch bpv101. When I first looked at the curado, I asked to see the chronarch, which felt much smoother, as was related in a earlier post, anyways, I bought it. I have flipped, pitched, worm fished, and just about any other method, even threw swimbaits with it.

Now the castaic is my primary flippin/pitchen reel, while the 301 curado takes care of most of my swimbait duties. I think unless your going to be using the chronarch for finesse type stuff, I'd go with thr curado, and maybe have it supertuned..?

[Locked]

I have a curado, castaic, and a chronarch bpv101. When I first looked at the curado, I asked to see the chronarch, which felt much smoother, as was related in a earlier post, anyways, I bought it. I have flipped, pitched, worm fished, and just about any other method, even threw swimbaits with it.

Now the castaic is my primary flippin/pitchen reel, while the 301 curado takes care of most of my swimbait duties. I think unless your going to be using the chronarch for finesse type stuff, I'd go with thr curado, and maybe have it supertuned..?

If you decide to go with the curado like hammer suggested. I would suggest looking at bass tackle depot or another sponsor, because you can usually find a curado for cheap. I actually just saw the curado for 143 at BTD.

Sorry to hi-jack, but I've been looking at the 300e for a swimbait setup. How do you like it for that purpose? Also, what line are you using?

[NJ-BassSnacher]

I just stick to curados!

[Hammer 4]

If you decide to go with the curado like hammer suggested. I would suggest looking at bass tackle depot or another sponsor, because you can usually find a curado for cheap. I actually just saw the curado for 143 at BTD.

Sorry to hi-jack, but I've been looking at the 300e for a swimbait setup. How do you like it for that purpose? Also, what line are you using?

I love the 301 for swimbaits from 6" on up. I currently have 20lb yozuri ultrasoft on it now, I find that that line holds up really well. I have it saddled to a Dobyns 807, and have used it a few times for inshore fishing, i.e. calico bass, ect. I would however have it serviced right out of the box, mine was over greased..I also had corbontex drags installed. Also sorry for the OT..

[Maico1]

Hey guys, I'm going with all Shimano reels this year and I've been slowly building my collection. I have Curados and Citicas and I like them quite a bit.

I have to ask a question of you guys that are in the know and here it is below.....

I'd like to pick up a Chronarch or Scorpion but come on..even used they are way up there in price...How in the world can there be so much difference in money on the Curado compared to the Scorpion, Chronarch, Core and the other ridiculously priced models they have.....I saw one for $600 the other day..REALLY?

I mean really, what in the world can they be putting in these other reels that make them hundreds of dollars better than the Curado???! Are they really THAT much better and how?

Anyway, this has always puzzled me. Can someone shed some light here please.

To answer your question yes they are worth every penny to me, but that is just my opinion. I enjoy working on all my fishing equipment and do appreciate product that will stand the test of time. If I can have a reel that the spool speed can be double or tripled and will not backlash ,well then I am in.If I can have a reel with 11 instead of 6 or 8 ball bearings I am in. I can go on but I think you can get my point. As for the cost well let me suggest a different point of view. If that 600.00 reel lasted you 10 or 15 years that would average 40 to 60 dollars a year not including maintenance which you would do on any reel you own. Again this is just my opinion but I would suggest you try some of the reels you mentioned and you may just come out with a different point of view.

[Maico1]

Hey guys, I'm going with all Shimano reels this year and I've been slowly building my collection. I have Curados and Citicas and I like them quite a bit.

I have to ask a question of you guys that are in the know and here it is below.....

I'd like to pick up a Chronarch or Scorpion but come on..even used they are way up there in price...How in the world can there be so much difference in money on the Curado compared to the Scorpion, Chronarch, Core and the other ridiculously priced models they have.....I saw one for $600 the other day..REALLY?

I mean really, what in the world can they be putting in these other reels that make them hundreds of dollars better than the Curado???! Are they really THAT much better and how?

Anyway, this has always puzzled me. Can someone shed some light here please.

To answer your question yes they are worth every penny to me, but that is just my opinion. I enjoy working on all my fishing equipment and do appreciate product that will stand the test of time. If I can have a reel that the spool speed can be double or tripled and will not backlash ,well then I am in.If I can have a reel with 11 instead of 6 or 8 ball bearings I am in. I can go on but I think you can get my point. As for the cost well let me suggest a different point of view. If that 600.00 reel lasted you 10 or 15 years that would average 40 to 60 dollars a year not including maintenance which you would do on any reel you own. Again this is just my opinion but I would suggest you try some of the reels you mentioned and you may just come out with a different point of view.

[northern basser]

I've read posts in the past on this site that suggest that once you start spending more than $150-200, your "bang for buck" ratio starts going down. I would have to agree with this also.

If a person can afford a $600 reel, more power to them. Most of the expensive reels are very nice. IMO there are a lot of really nice reels around the $100-200 range from a variety of manufacturers. I love shimano, but my pat. xt is a extremely nice reel. Okuma is making some nice baitcasters. I haven't owned a daiwa bc yet, but the prodigy I have is basically a tierra w/ cabelas stamped on it. If daiwa would make a smaller framed reel w/ a little more drag power, I'll be trying one out.

The monkey never rests!

[Hooligan]

Man, every chronarch I've ever owned is worth every penny. I will choose them over my Core reels every time, particularly for moving baits. They're just so smooth and reliable. My choice will always go to the Chronarch, my hope is that they don't jack it up with the "new" model.

[kms399]

there comes a point were you just have to quit trying to up grade. what I mean is, for me any way, the more I use better stuff I just cant stand to fish "lesser" equipment I always feel like I am missing something. but for the last couple years I have been forcing myself to be happy with what I have and fish what I can afford and I honestly cant tell the difference. My older curado's and older citicas do everything I need and require very little attention so really why switch. I think that if you are a recreational angler there really is no need to go over $200 for a reel or $250 for a rod. you can get some amazing gear for those prices. although if you can afford it then go nuts!

[BobP]

Yes, there is a declining return on how much better reels get as you spend more money on them. Everyone has to decide for himself where the sweet spot is on the cost curve. It doesn't really have to make sense to anyone but the buyer. I bought a Scorpion when they first came out to get the SVS braking system and think it was worth it. I have a couple of JDM reels. Better quality than domestic Shimanos? No, not in my experience but I'm not sorry I bought them. As far as Shimanos go, I say choose what you think you want to fish and can afford - then stop worrying and enjoy using it.

[roadwarrior]

Low profile seems to be the dominate trend these days, but if you are willing

to try a round reel the CTE200GT is the strongest, smoothest reel I own. I have

two plus a supertuned CTE100GT.

[Nine Miler]

I have 5 casting set-ups; on those I have Daiwa, and Shimano reels. I use the Citica the most out of all of them. It was also the least expensive.

I have more spinning set-ups than casting set-ups and I use the Daiwas mostly. They were the most expensive. Sometimes its hard to tell what you like until you try them. The good part about Shimano and Daiwa is that they have good resale value if you keep the boxes/parts, etc. Try them a few times, if you don't like them, you can post them in the flea market and only lose a few bucks, or trade for something else to try.

[South FLA]

Low profile seems to be the dominate trend these days, but if you are willing

to try a round reel the CTE200GT is the strongest, smoothest reel I own. I have

two plus a supertuned CTE100GT.

Nothing like a super-tuned Calcutta simple and SMOOTH. I have a JDM Calcutta 100 and it is simply one of the smoothest reels I own.

As to the point of the post, there is always a point of diminishing returns, but there is something to be said about the smoothness and weight of the higher end reels, especially when fishing all day. My favorite is my Chronarch, like it better than the Metanium MG JDM I own.

[JDN54]

Technology in rods is constanly improving and there is a drastic dfifference in a $100 vs ~$250 and up rod. It is noticeable a lot of times. In a reel however, what do you really need in most circumstances. Reliable drag, smooth casting and smooth retrieve. Thats really it. At the end of the day all the reel really does is hold line. To me it makes a lot more sense to spend a little more money on a rod that may "feel" a few extra bights a day and go with a reliable affordale reel that will perform at any level. Most reels from the major manufactures in the $150-$200 price range will do that for any and every angler.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't think being a snob is using higher end Shimano equipment, I believe being a snob applies to a group of fishermen(using any brand)that honestly thinks the more expensive the equipment, the more fish they catch and of course they are having more fun, just ask them. I always get a chuckle out of that statement and it isn't exclusive to bass fisherman, fly fisherman and saltwater fishermen can be snobs as well.

If it were me and I spent 500 or more on outfit and I'm catching on average 2# and 3# fish or not very many, I'd be disappointed and depressed and probably look for excuses why the bite is off. I think the person who is catching the nicest and biggest fish is having the most fun, just my take.

As in golf, you can't buy a swing, maybe invest in fishing lessons before dropping big bucks on equipment.

[stkbassn]

I don't think being a snob is using higher end Shimano equipment, I believe being a snob applies to a group of fishermen(using any brand)that honestly thinks the more expensive the equipment, the more fish they catch and of course they are having more fun, just ask them. I always get a chuckle out of that statement and it isn't exclusive to bass fisherman, fly fisherman and saltwater fishermen can be snobs as well.

If it were me and I spent 500 or more on outfit and I'm catching on average 2# and 3# fish or not very many, I'd be disappointed and depressed and probably look for excuses why the bite is off. I think the person who is catching the nicest and biggest fish is having the most fun, just my take.

As in golf, you can't buy a swing, maybe invest in fishing lessons before dropping big bucks on equipment.

Interesting point but I didn't mean it like that to be truthful. I was just targeting folks who use it exclusively and for the reason that it's a quality name in fishing. I've always liked it but never invested in an entire arsenal of them exclusively for the simple reason that my wallet hasn't allowed me to. And I never said I didn't know how to catch fish

[midnighthrasher]

I have 2 core 50's , 1 core 100mgfv, 1 calais 100a and 1 curado e7. They are all awesome and do an amazing job. One is not necesarily better than another. Where the core 100mgfv is amazing for flipping and pitching the core 50 can launch a pointer better than the others. The curado is a all around work horse that can do everything.

Different reels for different people. You have to figure out what feels best in your hands.