Quantum Smoke Vs Shimano Curado

[JigginKid]

Looking to get some opinions on these two reels. One of which I will be picking up shortly. Going with the high speed gearing on whichever one I go with. I know the Curado is a little cheaper, so does the smoke have anything that warrants the extra cash? I like the external breaks of the smoke more than I do the pins on the Curado. Hopefully someone thats owned both can weigh in here.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I have both the aformentioned reels. The smoke is one of my favorite reels. However my Curados have since replaced it as my go to reel. The reasons for this change are as follows. I feel that the Curado is a much smoother reel as far as casting and retrieve goes. The Smoke is quite smooth just not IMO as much as the Curado. I can dial in the brakes on my Curados and just forget about them. As opposed to having to constantly adjust them on the Smoke. My biggest complaint with my Smoke reels is that they backlash like all get out. Seems like every fourth cast Im having to pick out a backlash. Its the only reel that I have this kind of trouble with. Those are the reasons I prefer the Curado reels. I advise you to go for the Curado.

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

One is a Shimano the other is something else.

Strong, smooth, silent and reliant.

[Hooligan]

Not that I want to be accused of being one of the "Posse", but what RW said is pretty dead on. One's a Shimano, and there's one that is something else.

[00 mod]

Does quantum even make fishing gear anymore????

[CKFishin]

Hmm...

One is a Shimano the other is something else.

Strong, smooth, silent and reliant.

Not that I want to be accused of being one of the "Posse", but what RW said is pretty dead on. One's a Shimano, and there's one that is something else.

Does quantum even make fishing gear anymore????

What they all said....

[midnighthrasher]

Shimano vs anything..... Shimano wins

[Hammer 4]

I can only speak for the Curado....BUY One..

[Fat-G]

Curado, for the money there is NO better reel.

The Smoke would make a great paperweight though.

[Quitlimpin]

Got a buddy who has a smoke combo. Sweet looking setup for sure. I've thrown it plenty and certainly don't hate it, but it's not even in the same league as a curado. With the price they are going or now, you could ****** up two for about the same price as one smoke. No brainer

[ChiCityBasser]

The Smoke can be found cheaper on ebay that the $199 price is a good deal.

[grimlin]

I don't know what all the fuss is about on the Shimano curado E series. I like the D series better.

I've grown to hate my Curado E. I'm thinking about letting it go and getting another daiwa fuego.

[tracker01]

Shimano, nuff said.

[J Francho]

I have two Smokes from a buddy that came from Zillions, a 100 and 150. He sent them to me because they just didn't feel "right." He's right, they don't feel right. Noisy little coffee grinders without much free spool. There's not much I can do to fix poor quality. After just the 1st two, I'm not impressed at all. By the way, I have had four other Zebco/Quantum reels come across my bench. Their automated, web based parts ordering system is state of the art. They seem to have repairs down to a science. It always costs, too.

[Fishes in trees]

Isn't the smoke towards the top of the line for Quantum gear? To be fair, shouldn't you compare it to more top of the line Shimano reels? Like a Chronarch, or a Calcutta TE or a Core? Oh, that's right, there is no comparison, sorry.

[grimlin]

I have two Smokes from a buddy that came from Zillions, a 100 and 150. He sent them to me because they just didn't feel "right." He's right, they don't feel right. Noisy little coffee grinders without much free spool. There's not much I can do to fix poor quality. After just the 1st two, I'm not impressed at all. By the way, I have had four other Zebco/Quantum reels come across my bench. Their automated, web based parts ordering system is state of the art. They seem to have repairs down to a science. It always costs, too.

I might just send you my curado E...It feels a coffee grinder to me too. might just be me...I dunno.My D series reels don't feel like that.It makes me wonder how much stuff they cut when they went lighter and cheaper than the D series.

[piscicidal]

Apparently, I'm in the minority here...but I prefer my quantum smoke to my curado 200E. I bought both new this April, so I may represent a good data point.

I disagree with those who say the curado is smoother...my Smoke is smoother. The smoke is much lighter, has a stronger drag and I much prefer the Smoke's brake adjustments. I can cast it farther as well and have had almost no issues with backlash. Maybe I got a good one??

Granted, the Smoke is a little more expensive and I agree that the Curado is probably a better buy for the money. I have to say, though...my favorite setup for moving baits (frogs, swimbaits) is my Smoke/Veritas combo. Very, very light. For ~$250 I don't think you can beat this combo and plan on adding a couple more.

[hatrix]

My curado was my favorite reel. Till someone stole it....

[J Francho]

Apparently, I'm in the minority here...but I prefer my quantum smoke to my curado 200E.

Then you got a good one - that's way I believe they should work.

However, time after time, Quantum has proven to me that they simply cannot put a consistent quality product. These are expensive reels, and for two (two different models at that, a 100 and a 150!) to be horribly crappy is just plain bad.

It stinks, because on paper it should be an awesome reel. The bearings are all quality. The gears are solid. The drag on the 150 is impressive - nice carbon fiber, multi-disk design. The ported crank shaft is a thing of beauty that no one will see. They even skip out on the stupid hot sauce crap lube.

Put it all together? Crap. Why? What is wrong with these reels?

They hiss when they spin. On the cast, there's an uneven noise that oscillates with spool speed. I thought it was the brakes, but no. The gears grind on the retrieve - no matter what, and I've tried three different lubes on them. The 100 won't freespool for more than a turn when you flick it. Most reels I can get to spin for 10 or more seconds on the flick. At first, both would skip when you tried to engage the spool. A cleaning and proper lube took care of that.

Ridiculous. Shall I continue?

This is just the 1st two reels I laid my hands on. Perhaps it's a coincidence, and my friend had bad luck, and bought the only two bad reels.

I'm glad yours (and anyone else that bought them without issues) work well. If they work, they are badass Chronarch Mg/Fuego/Premier killers.

[bass-z-no]

I 2nd the notion that I like the Smoke PT more. I have a Smoke PT100 and I absolutely love it. I did have to add a little bit of oil to smooth it out a bit, but after that I have had no issues what so ever. Smooth cast, one of the smoothest retrieves I have ever felt, it never bird nests, strong drag, feather light, very easy to dial in. I am not talking down on Shimano though. Both reels are great. If you want to save a little money get the Shimano, but if you aren't concerned then try a Smoke PT.