SHIMANO CURADO DC REVIEW & SETUP - Casting Distance Test - LINE? GEAR RATIO? |

[@russdennis7026]

Just set mine up today and I love it. Well so far. I went with a my first left hand retrieve and I will tell you it feels weird with a bait caster. I'm using 50lb braid to a 10ft 17lb fluorocarbon leader and on setting 2 it casts a mile with not one backlash. Working great so far. Im hitting the water on Wednesday and cant wait to rip some lip with this beast.

[@Bowhunt]

It's awesome, I went ahead and got an SLX DC as well. It's definitely smaller, but I like it just as much. You can't go wrong with putting braid on it either, hope you got on them!

[@russdennis7026]

@@Bowhunt Oh man did I ever. Caught 4 on a 3/8 ounce Chatterbait with a bandito bug trailer. 3 of the 4 were well over 3lbs. The reel was like butter. So smooth and with the high gear ratio just cranked them right up quickly. I'm still having a hard time adjusting to the left hand retrieve but it's getting easier. So far so good!

[@likeableroach589]

Back ground: I've had the Curado DC for almost a year now. I'm a guy who likes to cast with the lightest settings possible without bird nesting because I want to get some distance (which could be my main problem). I own a Daiwa Tatula CT, where I manually adjust the reel to the lure. Lastly, I'm a guy who likes to throw hard. Review / Experience: The first cast I've done on my Curado DC, using a P-Line fluro 12 pound, I bird nest badly to the point I had to take out all the line in the spool. I realized that I had to change the setting and stuck with 2 until watching this video. I've been bird nesting to this day, about like half the times I cast. Also, for a few months, about like 6 or 7 months of using it, the sound of the casting has been different, but still able to cast. I've used on rods such as a medium, heavy, and now a medium/light. I cast well with top water such as a super spook, but I bird nest here and there. I've noticed that the reel likes top water lures more than jerkbaits, crankbaits, or any lure that doesn't float because it wouldn't bird nest as much and getting good casting distance. Earlier I took it to my local pond with winds blowing 10 MPH (inconsistently), switched to a Super Fluke Jr. and already had a bird nest on my first cast. I admit, I did check the spool adjustment, and it seemed as if the spool was loose for my fluke, but didn't expect it to be too loose than what I expected. As usual, I bird nest, but the line that's been pulled out have turned into a knot, forcing me to use my Daiwa. Comparing the Daiwa Tatula CT to the Shimano Curado DC, the Daiwa reel is a great price for the reel. My Shimano on the other hand, can cast farther than my Daiwa, but bird nests much more than my Daiwa. Maybe its because I didn't set it up right? I need answers, how do I get my Shimano Curado to: Get it's original casting sound, 2. Adjust the reel to smaller lures, 3: Which line is best for the Curado DC for it to stop bird nesting too often. Thanks, sorry for the long comment.

[@Bowhunt]

Hey Andrew! Sorry for the late reply, so I just got a Daiwa Tatula SV TW and I can honestly say it throws lighter lures or rigs, a lot better than the Shimano Curado DC. That's just my personal opinion. I have tried throwing jerkbaits on it as well, and I was not a big fan because I was birds-nesting a lot. I use it on my Dobyns Sierra 734C and I throw 3/8 - 1/2 oz Chatterbaits on it, or a 1/4 Owner Underspin with a 4.8 Keitech. It throws those fairly well, but like I mentioned before, when it comes to light stuff, I don't like it. If you want to throw light lures, you have to go to setting 4, which you will loose casting distance. In regards to the sound, I am assuming it has to be with getting water in there. In regards to line, I still use my FC Sniper, and it hasn't let me down much. Let me know what other questions you have!

[@MrEde77]

Thanks for the in depth review. Love how you actually measured the casting distances. Science!

[@Bowhunt]

I appreciate that. Science never fails!

[@TheRookieRancher]

Best cuts do dc explaining video yet! Thank you so much

[@Bowhunt]

No problem! Appreciate it bud.

[@fazerider3092]

On the tension i normally just set it up to where the bait creeps down almost freefall but its a little slower

[@tommyhorne1039]

Like your honest distance with different weights and settings! Was thinking something was wrong with my reel and or setup! Everyone else said they were getting close or up to a 100 yards! If they are they must bed casting a 5lb lure or weight!😂

[@FishingLover2]

Very good video with much info! You say that it can be damagade by water… what do you mean with that? Do you mean that you cant fish with it when it rains?

[@cheezyridr]

i've had my curado dc about a week. it's a nice reel. i paired it with a curodo 7' med hvy/moderate action rod and 12 lb mono. one thing no one talks about with these reels that i think should be noted. some baits just fly farther than others, and it's not the reel. if i throw a crankbait, it goes for about a mile and a half. but when i throw a large spinnerbait with a nice fluffy skirt, and 2 giant willow blades, it's only going so far, no matter what the setting. the lure catches alot of air as it flies. i dont use this reel for casting lite lures too much. for that i have a daiwa jdm sv ltd lite. it casts tiny lite lures alot farther than the curado dc, it's smoother, and alot lighter. it's also $100 more. i started out using a garcia round reel back in the 80's. i can cast a baitcaster well without using mag brakes at all. i bought the dc for skipping, and wind. under normal conditions, my lew's mach 2 casts just as well as the curado.

[@Bowhunt]

Correct, some baits do fly further than others and you made some really good points. Like you mentioned, I use a Daiwa Tatula SV for my light lures and it kicks ass! It's also lighter and a smaller profile. In my opinion, the Curado DC is real nice and the noise it makes is very satisfying. But, if you want to use it for skipping, it's alright. I don't like putting it on setting 4 just to skip. I think from here on forward I will be sticking with Daiwa's, specifically the Tatula SV TW103.

[@GM-rs1rj]

I was planning to buy this reel for throwing crankbaits up to 20gr. Is the daiwa tw sv 103 a better choice? I am doubting between those two.

[@Bowhunt]

G M For crankbaits that size either or will work. I like throwing crankbaits on my shimano curado cd, especially in the 1/2 oz or 3/4 oz. The daiwa for lighter lures kicks ass!

[@GM-rs1rj]

@@Bowhunt alright that's what I thought but until you can test them you'll never know for sure. Maybe I'll buy them both someday 🙃😉 Thanks for the reply 👍

[@markrigg6623]

Very poor reel. Spool is 50% heavier than a curado k. So the more advanced model is greatly restricted in its casting ability. Nice.😂

[@ponyboy2195]

Should I get the 6:2 ratio that is all I can find want to get it today

[@gumbannavong412]

Just got the curado dc reeland the ducket silver pole,can’t wait to go use it

[@luxr3148]

Get the 8.5 gear ration reel as it does everything. You can always reel slower. Try throwing a vibe on a 6.2 and it will blow your forearms out.

[@Bowhunt]

That's a good call. The only thing is, you just have to be conscious about your reeling, if you don't mind doing that.. then it's not a problem at all. I agree with you that after a while, you can get easily get fatigued from a slower gear ratio!

[@luxr3148]

@@Bowhunt you are definitely correct about being conscious about your reel speed especially if your using soft plastics which benefit from a thumping tail or in fact any lure which at certain speeds lose their enticing action. Ironically I fish for Barramundi in Australia so the reel speed needs to be super slow. After a 30+ metre cast on my Curado DC I don't see my lure for at least 2 minutes.

[@sky1army423]

But did you know that with the lower gear ratio reels you have more torque? Torque really helps with big fishes, I usually prefer lower gear ratios cuz I practice pike fishing. And if you still don't believe me that low gear ratios are for bigger fish, look up what's is the gear ratio for tuna fishing you will be surprised :D

[@luxr3148]

@@sky1army423 I'm somewhat stuck with a high gear ratio fishing in 2 feet of water otherwise I'm in snag heaven, I now have a tranx low gear reel on a short rod which has its benefits in snaggy areas to drag out harder fighting fish. I got smoked on the old 6.2 ratio by a monster fish as the curado only has 5Kg of drag. It would be nice if I were able to switch gear ratios. Design challenge for Shimano 😂

[@4492573]

Hi , I wanted to ask you. If you were to buy the exact reel again. Would you get the XG 8.5 -1 vrs HG 7.4-1 Thank you.

[@Bass-jn9zj]

On my Curado dc I have owned mine over a year couple of times I going to wet by accident and it works like brand new there is no problem if water gets into it

[@Bowhunt]

Bass1982 Does it still work perfectly? I heard it makes less noise when casting.

[@Bass-jn9zj]

For me it sounds the same

[@jedifredjacob]

I want to know on the scorpion DC reel if I set the adjustment to W or A and I don't put my thumb on the spool it is impossible to have a blacslash Thank You

[@Guyver_Master]

Shimano zodias rod feels great with the dc.

[@reidchauvin5812]

what exact rod are you using id like to get a good rod to pair with it

[@Bowhunt]

TD Green I switched to all Dobyn’s Rods. They are honestly sweet rods. I have the Sierra 734 model, it’s their most versatile rod.

[@caydenrobson]

He is using abu Garcia varisitas or some spelling like that. 7’ medium heavy fast action is the most versatile setup for any brand rod

[@popaki9484]

What do you mean you get tired a little bit quicker with the 7.4?

[@Bowhunt]

A lower gear ratio means the reel is more powerful, easier to turn under a heavy load. So for big baits that have a lot of resistance in the water, like big crankbaits... I like a ratio in the 5.x. So a big, deep, crankbait would be quite a bit easier to retrieve with the 5.x than with the 8.x.

[@davidruiz5383]

Why are the setting numbers on shimano curado dc difficult to see. Thanks

[@jasher1201]

can we get this man a home and razor.. good review !

[@Bowhunt]

Josh Damhauser Who needs a home when you have a kayak?

[@michaelfignoni9035]

Just got my curado dc 7:4:1 can I use it with 20lb fluorocarbon or 15 fluorocarbon line that's all I have

[@siade2361]

Hi guys, does the side cover and gear cover of the Shimano Curado DC use plastic or aluminum?

[@jedifredjacob]

With the Currado and de Slv Dc we have 4 ajustement (1-2-3-4) With the Scorpions DC we have 5 (1-2-3-4-W ) What is W and when we use it ? Thank You

[@AverageAngler512]

What brake number is for mono?

[@preston_slayz565]

What’s that intro song ? It’s really nice

[@ponyboy2195]

What gear ratio did you buy

[@Bowhunt]

Depends what you want to use it for. What did you go with?

[@ponyboy2195]

@@Bowhunt 6:2:1 that's all that was left man this thing is sweet

[@เลขดีเด่นหวยเด็ด]

Super video

[@Bowhunt]

Thank you!

[@asmrehab4174]

What song was on the intro

[@Juggerninja834]

I had a question about the Curado DC. I had recently bought it and today was my first time using it, and I spooled it with 30LB braid, and I was throwing it on the number 2 breaking system. I set the tension knob to where there is no side to side movement, as stated in the user manual. But when I switched the breaking system to number 1, I backlashed pretty bad every time I tried to cast on that setting. I was just trying it out because I noticed the paper it came with said #1 was used for maximum distance in calm conditions. Does anybody know if I have to loosen the tension knob when throwing on the number 1 setting? There was no wind at all when I was trying to cast on the number 1 setting.

[@jimvalim1567]

The user manual stating that the spool tension knob is supposed to be set where there's no side to side movement and then left there is bull shit. I just got this reel and set it up the way the manual says and it back lashed on all settings thumbing the spool except, setting number 4. You have to adjust the spool tension knob for every lure weight if you're going to be using settings 1,2 and 3. I have mine spooled with 14 lbs fluorocarbon. It casts decently far on setting 4. I guess I'm going to have to play around with it to get it dialed in. I'm just not seeing the distance that everyone is talking about.

[@Juggerninja834]

@@jimvalim1567 Yeah honestly I'm not seeing the distance either, man. I'm not sure if it's user error by me or what.

[@Bowhunt]

Hey Jero. It does take a little bit of adjustment here and there. For me specifically, I heard that this reel strives with Fluoro compared to braid. Not sure how true that is, because I never tried braid on it. However, it also depends on the type of lure/weight you are throwing. I noticed that this reel doesn't really like light weight lures, unless you are setting 4, at which point you loose a lot of distance. If I'm throwing 1/2oz chatterbaits, I have no problem on setting 3 with fluoro. However, if I go to 3/8oz chatterbait, I do have to adjust a little bit. Have you figured it out yet or are you still having issues?

[@bobjalockowitz1568]

I'm new to the curado dc, but I've heard that the spool should not have any play so all the systems can fully engage and function properly. Try tightening it down until you can hold up your rod, press the button, and your bait should slowly fall to the ground.. Best of luck.

[@cramos6638]

I want to replace the bearings but I can't find any information on them. Do you know of any replacement that will fit this reel? Thanks

[@Bowhunt]

carlos ramos Carlos this is a late response, but I tried looking as well and didn’t see anything. Did you figure it out?

[@cramos6638]

In Full Chase no . Actually I took the reel apart & cleaned it very well & now cast a mile now.Thanks for your response though 👍🏽

[@TooFatToHuntOutdoors]

Great review!!..these reels are sick!!👊

[@Bowhunt]

Too Fat To Hunt Outdoors You got one? I’m in love with it.

[@brockellery6008]

Just got mine, like bc you are also lefty retrieve!!

[@4492573]

Do you still have the rod ? You still liking it ? What length and action and power ?

[@SxoneCSGO]

7FT FAST MEDIUM-HEAVY

[@jasonmiller5716]

What is the drag system like on this reel??

[@Bowhunt]

Works awesome and it's smooth. It has an 11lb drag and honestly, except in extreme fishing conditions, you typically only need 4-8lbs. If you are fishing thick cover, just thumb down on the spool when you're ripping them out if you need more drag.

[@jasonmiller5716]

In Full Chase good to know. I’m in the southern parts of Texas where it’s mainly. Redfish. Flounder and trout.

[@AndysonBujang]

👍👍👍

[@warrenlouisiana2277]

I got 3 8.5’s I can work any bait ,,,,

[@Richard0122]

Excellent video man. I've seen a lot of Curado DC videos, and this is the first I've seen where they walked off the casting distance. Also, I feel like I owe you a spool of line. Hit me up on Reddit and I'll send you a box of Seaguar.

[@Bowhunt]

Thanks bud! I wanted to fling a 1oz lure and see how far that would go, but never made to tossing it.

[@zharifcz]

are you going to say "Keep turning your shit" 1:53

[@ponyboy2195]

All they have left is the 6:2 gear ratio left by me

[@ctdmowing]

Cabelas, Bass Pro, and Dicks got 7 ratio in stock. I'd check for 7 gear ratio.

[@ponyboy2195]

@@ctdmowing 6:2 isn't bad man I was launching this thing today very impressed might get another 1 or the metanium dc low profile

[@ctdmowing]

@@ponyboy2195 I'm sorry man, my dumbass self thought u meant u could only find a 6:2 and were wondering if you should order it, so I suggested Cabelas and Bass Pro. Sorry man, I'm glad to hear you like it

[@ponyboy2195]

@@ctdmowing ill probably get the highest gear ratio curado next this caster is worth the money 💰

[@JK-pv4ge]

I just got a curado dc and all the thing did was backlash

[@Bowhunt]

What did you end up doing? Did you figure it out? I still have mine and no issues yet.

[@JK-pv4ge]

In Full Chase, I ended up returning it, the reel also came with scratches on it, I think their was something wrong with it

[@Bowhunt]

James Killian Good, most likely. Did you get the same one or something different ? Daiwa makes some great reels as well.

[@JK-pv4ge]

In Full Chase , I haven’t ordered a new one yet, I’m still trying to decide which one I want