Shimano Curado BFS XG review. Watch before you buy

This tiny Shimano baitcaster reel has fantastic specifications on paper. Real life is different though. So, in this review you will see all the truth about the performance of this Curado BFS and what needs to be done to transform it into something what is a joy to use.
Shimano Curado 21 BFS XG on Ali: bit.ly/3J2oYsA or bit.ly/3s9rLcy or bit.ly/34k4Ymi or bit.ly/3seJiA3
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Grease/Oil set bit.ly/3roCTmH
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[@Stonehorn]

It’s definitely my favourite bfs reel so far. Prefer it to my slx bfs for sure

[@joonasantikainen]

Thank you Andrew for your great videos and reviews. I really enjoy watcing yoir content. How would you compare Curado BFS to Kastking Kestrel Elite?

[@AndrewsKnots]

I didn't like the Curado and sold it ages ago.

[@arcuriotv6894]

Shimano over greases and over strengthens components because the reel was designed for the U.S. market. Finesse fishing in the States is just starting to become relevant. Most anglers in the states are going to overuse the design purposes of this reel. I believe Shimano is looking at the longevity of its products. In my opinion, that is why the heavy grease and over built parts are being used. Thanks for the great video!

[@oxfordlureangler9592]

I have the scorpion bfs had it a few months and it's awesome wouldn't sell it and rarely use my spinning set up now

[@AndrewsKnots]

Great to hear.

[@Cl-hm3tz]

Great detailed video. 👍. I have the Curado 151, which magnetic dial adjuster looks similar but on the bottom side, and I am ok w the magnetic brake dial adjustment without using the nail; just press down on the dial with the index finger side whilst using the reel and push up or down to adjust. The resistance of the index finger w the dial would turn the dial without any issue. Maybe it’s just me, just sharing.

[@AndrewsKnots]

Thanks for the info!

[@JoshuaCussins]

23:00 Curado bfs vs Scorpion bfs

[@JoshuaCussins]

15:00 Wrong Oil & Grease (Frozen Butter)

[@JoshuaCussins]

22:26 Handle is too Big for this Reel

[@gvidasgi2480]

Grease on spool shaft and spool bearings is a big no, just kills performance, you don't want it there. Drop of oil every 2-3 fishing trips is sufficient. Lot of folks after buying a new baitcaster cleans spool bearings from thick shit manufacturers put there for average consumer who doesn't maintain them at all. Bantam Bfs oil is used for these small bfs spool bearings. Regular bantam for standard baitcaster spool bearings, and also you can use it for worm gear mixed with gear grease 50/50.

[@AndrewsKnots]

Thanks for the info. Cheers.

[@JoshuaCussins]

25:12 Again wrong grease service for best performance

[@elwooddestiny11blues20]

Customs fees , shipping handling fees and gotta pay to return the reel to china for warranty . Not cheaper to buy on Ali than in the UK .

[@AndrewsKnots]

Whatever works for you. During sales I paid about 125 GBP.

[@elwooddestiny11blues20]

@@AndrewsKnots Was that before or after customs ? Im just trying to be honest here is all . I bought a rod from Ali Express from a well known brand a couple of years ago . On sale . It looked like a great deal . When it arrived in the UK i got hit by customs and shipping handling fees . It added up to nearly £40.00 . The rod was £69.99 from Ali Express with free shipping . So what looked like a bargain , turned out to be total paid £110.00 roughly . I buy from Ali Express often . Lures , tungsten weights etc . I never get hit by customs for such items . As long as you dont get hit buy customs , Ali Express is really good . However , when it comes to more expensive items , im not sure its as good as people make out .

[@ugachaka6144]

The DAM Quick 5 BC is a good and affordable BFS reel, check it out

[@AndrewsKnots]

Thanks for the info.

[@wuquanchi]

what is the average casting distance with 3.5gr lures or jigs? any idea? Thanks in advance!

[@AndrewsKnots]

To be safe I will say 20-30 m. without risking to blow up.

[@kieras255]

BFS or DC? What's should I choice?

[@AndrewsKnots]

Different purposed reels.

[@mattnguyen1672]

Get both. Antares dc is amazing. Check out my latest videos on it

[@fairladyz9957]

Is it only available in XG? Like the high gear ratio?

[@AndrewsKnots]

Can't comment; check Shimano's website.

[@imanilyas]

I had bought a used one from a friend and it felt geary/ grindy or probably you can call rough sandy feeling. The moment i get the reel, i opened it and straight up service it, and when i check it, it has no traces of sands or small tiny pebbles anywhere. I cleaned, i grease it, i do oil the bearing with bantam and bfs oil provided, but it is still having the rough feeling/ spooling. Do you have any solution sir? Thankyou and hope you can give any tips regarding the rough feeling/ spooling during spool spinning 🙏🏻 ( sorry if my english was bad, im from malaysia )

[@AndrewsKnots]

It's just not a smooth reel due to gears used, I take.

[@leen8939]

What’s the difference in distance with 6 instead of 8 magnets like , I’ve not tried it yet . I flushed the spool bearings in mine and just put 2 tiny drops of the green oil on with I needle and it casts lighter than before , I test casted an ssg shot out back when I did it and it did it fairly well . Not had it fully in bits to clean it yet but I’ll be doing that when I’ve got time and I’m thinking of getting the lighter avail slx spool at some point aswell

[@mona-vdB]

6 magnets cast far more freely Than 8 magnets. I personally wouldn't spend money in the avail spool as it is only half a gram difference. more important is that you only put something of 40 meters of line of your choice on your spool. what makes sense is to wait for the spool roro comes with. it will probably weigh something like 6.5 grams. and then you really have a different reel. look also at full ceramic bearings in size 3x7x3 that also changes the reel considerably. I have two and I am also anxiously waiting for the spool of roro

[@leen8939]

@@mona-vdB i saw the reel test do the magnet thing and it made a difference with the normal weight range lures but distance was less with the light stuff but that was with an alderbaran , I’ll give it a go next time I’m out . I think it was rawr fishing who said there were 2 other makers holding back with spools but I’ve not heard anything else about them since . It was one of hobie one kenobis vids with that made me think of the avail spool but if there’s a lighter roro spool coming I’ll wait for that . I only put 40-50 handle turns of braid on , not sure how much that is but it will be something like 40ish meters . I’ve been looking at hedgehogs site at bearings but keep hesitating because I want a new handle and knobs and can’t decide which ones to go for

[@mona-vdB]

@@leen8939 the reel test is really an american caster firstly it is fishing with 15 or 10 lb mono. and the average American doesn't want to operate the spool with their thumb. you also see in every movie that he keeps his thumb completely off the spool and lets the brake do all the work. so you lose in throwing distance. hobbi wan konobobibi in this case is a much better example thin lines both braid and mono. 4 to 6lb 0.16/0.20mm mono or copoly even better or 6lb braid which is around 0.04mm. and he thumbs his spool. zero spool tension only a little bit of side to side play. and with 6 magnets you can put the brake between 2.5 and 3.5 and it casts wonderfully. I had heard about that spooling that the materials were not there because of corona or something. it's about the chameleon spool and the roro. I would look for your bearings and handle on AliExpress. handle 80 or 85 mm is no longer very annoying for bfs. just look at all the other bfs baitcasters all short handles.

[@leen8939]

@@mona-vdB I often wonder why he uses such heavy line . Been watching a lot of hobie one kenobis videos recently and line wise he uses similar breaking strains to me although I use braid 99% of the time . I came to bfs from using big jerkbaits and swimbaits where I never use the brakes just my thumb and just carried on using my my thumb aswell as the brakes with bfs , it just feels more natural to me . I’ll have a look on aliexpress and get a couple and try doing one like bass n bonsais cut down handles , I like the look but I’d have to try it first . Any recommendations for which bearings or are they all the same on there

[@mona-vdB]

@@leen8939 I have the full ceramic. those are the white ones. It was a try, but I'm actually quite happy with it.

[@elwooddestiny11blues20]

Why did my comment get removed ?

[@AndrewsKnots]

You will have to ask this question YT.

[@ghislainligny]

Bonjour est il adapté pour une canne 7-21g? Si non avez vous un moulinet a me conseiller merci

[@AndrewsKnots]

I would use this reel for 4-15 g. weights/

[@antoneyrizzato5880]

Hi, if I want to put a braid 10 Lb how many meters can stay on it?

[@AndrewsKnots]

Stay on what?