Curado K vs other Curados 2025

BassFisher22 reply :

I have been looking at a new reel for all applications. I have been looking at a Shimano Curado. I know the Curado K is a very nice reel. How does it compare to the other curados. Are the older ones better?

Dtrombly reply :

Tackletour.com has an awesome review of that reel.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

It depends on how you define "better", many variables and personal preferences. My favorite are the E series 50's. Performance, size and simplicity. However parts are already getting discontinued.

BassFisher22 reply :

I am thinking of casting distance, accuracy, user friendly, brakes and etc.

bunz559 reply :

Love my 201 and 51 curados. They just don't build them like the used to I always say. But I also have 2 K's and they are great! Only time will tell how long they'll last but they do cast, reel, and feel like quality. If I had to say, they're definitely the better since the E series.

burrows reply :

I’m still using the I series and I still like em

Hulkster reply :

I have the 200i and love it.

Boomstick reply :

When compared to the 70, the K is a little heavier and larger but holds more line. I would say if you ever use anything larger in diameter than 40lb braid and plan to cast with the reel not just flip and pitch, the K is probably the way to go.

My biggest problem with the Curado is once you take the side plate off, it's a pain to get back on. You have to kind of hold it shut very tightly while reeling to get it to lock. Fortunately, there's only 4 brake pins, so you won't adjust those too often (most people will have 2 on, 2 off and use the external adjustment control). Once it's locked though, it doesn't pop off.

I got one for my oldest son and it's a great reel, I would not hesitate to recommend it.

craww reply :

I really like everything about the K except for the casting and the finish. Its rock solid and has a ton of torque. The X Ship/placement of that specific bearing really solidifies its feel. But the brakes were an answer to a problem many, many, many people didnt have. VBS just worked. Many say other reels with the infinity sytem arent quite like the K. I can push my E series reels with one brake and bearing flush to the point of just about spooling them with a sammy 130, 7' rod and 12lb hybrid- while also throwing true 1/4 baits a long way. The K cant touch the E and D on lighter weights IMO. The new brakes just arent as accomodating. Besides taking too much time on occasion to dial in, and despite all the "adjustabilty" they just dont like being pushed to edge of the brink.

Its by no means a dog, Ive settled into more conservative settings and stopped trying to get it to run so "free" (which is my personal prefernce typically). But its not QUITE a good all around reel IMO- which a Curado should be... I have alot of other reels that handle under 3/8 so much better, and are better with wind grabbing baits- including the D and E. The K is a great spinnerbait reel for example. I do seem to cast medium range very accurately with it. As for the finish, the matte paint scratches easier than the glossier finishes used in the past.

Yumeya reply :

I have a 301e for swimbaits that works excellent, I have a 201 I that I use for crankbaits.

No complaints here.

BassFisher22 reply :

Is the Curado the best in the price range?

burrows reply :

On 5/8/2018 at 8:27 PM, BassFisher22 said:

Is the Curado the best in the price range?

Yes

Boomstick reply :

On 5/8/2018 at 8:27 PM, BassFisher22 said:

Is the Curado the best in the price range?

That's completely objective. The Tatula SV wins with lighter baits. I actually like my son's Pflueger Supreme XT a little more than the Curado K and I got mine for a bit cheaper -- it's as light as the 70, holds line of the K plus it reels even smoother and the line spools on straighter and I think I cast further on it as well.

But the Curado is certainly among the best options in the price range, no question. It's not like you're going to go buy one and later regret it because XYZ is so much better.

fishballer06 reply :

The K series?

Best. Curado. Yet.

blckshirt98 reply :

The E has a certain je ne sais quoi about it as it was the last Curado model that carried the "Made In Japan" stamp. The 301E is a tank of a swimbait reel, and my brother has been using a 201E for years.

BassFisher22 reply :

Thanks for all the replies if I do decide to invest in a Curado it sounds like the K is a good option.

J._Bricker reply :

Thanks @BassFisher22 for your original post and everyone’s comments. I googled “Curado K vs I” and ended up here where I should have started in the first place! I have a few of the “I” models and was trying to acquire a couple more. I think of them as being the best rendition of the Curado since the “E” model.

After scouring the globe in my quest to find two (2) more. I thought I had procured them a couple times, but my efforts met with negative results. This morning I received an email from the vendor of my latest attempt with good/bad news. The vendor apologized saying the “I” model was out of stock, but would offer me the same “K” at the same price. I did accept and after reading this thread am looking forward to trying out my new reels.

Good fishing all, JB

The Maestro reply :

Anyone test the K for any length of time with punching on a heavy rod with heavy braid? Can it hold up to that type of abuse as well as the E?

BassThumb reply :

I think it's the best Curado yet.

johnD. reply :

On 5/8/2018 at 9:15 AM, Boomstick said:

When compared to the 70, the K is a little heavier and larger but holds more line. I would say if you ever use anything larger in diameter than 40lb braid and plan to cast with the reel not just flip and pitch, the K is probably the way to go.

My biggest problem with the Curado is once you take the side plate off, it's a pain to get back on. You have to kind of hold it shut very tightly while reeling to get it to lock. Fortunately, there's only 4 brake pins, so you won't adjust those too often (most people will have 2 on, 2 off and use the external adjustment control). Once it's locked though, it doesn't pop off.

I got one for my oldest son and it's a great reel, I would not hesitate to recommend it.

Loosen up your cast control knob to alleviate that problem.

iceintheveins reply :

The E series was amazing and better than the I. I do like the infinite braking system though. Sadly the K doesn't come with a crankbait model. Not a fan of the high speed craze, cranks to me require a 5 ratio reel (deep mostly). However when I get two more high speed reels, they will both be Ks.

Boomstick reply :

On 5/9/2019 at 11:46 AM, johnD. said:

Loosen up your cast control knob to alleviate that problem.

Thanks! What I've found that works is just reeling slowly until it goes where it wants. It's not really even that much of a real problem either, I was just trying to point out the only thing we don't like about it and that's about the worst I could say.

RB 77 reply :

On 5/9/2018 at 1:22 AM, blckshirt98 said:

The E has a certain je ne sais quoi about it as it was the last Curado model that carried the "Made In Japan" stamp. The 301E is a tank of a swimbait reel, and my brother has been using a 201E for years.

The K series is a very fine reel and the best one they have made in quite some time. In regards to the E series I like to say it just has that certain "mojo" to it that makes the finest one I have ever used. I have been low key hoarding them over the years.

jbsoonerfan reply :

I have both the DC and K and I would choose the DC over the K.

Speaking of. On a certain site if you search curado reel and change the options to newly listed and buy it now, you can grab one for $179 + shipping. I would be all over it if I needed it.

FishTank reply :

On 5/10/2019 at 5:48 AM, jbsoonerfan said:

I have both the DC and K and I would choose the DC over the K.

Speaking of. On a certain site if you search curado reel and change the options to newly listed and buy it now, you can grab one for $179 + shipping. I would be all over it if I needed it.

Agreed. I like the DC over the K. It's weird how it is somehow slightly smoother.

The E was great but the BSF was the one that lit the fire for me on the Curados. With that said, I also have the G and it has been a great reel. I know people dog it but I have never had an issue and it cast great.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

On 5/10/2019 at 9:25 AM, FishTank said:

Agreed. I like the DC over the K. It's weird how it is somehow slightly smoother.

The E was great but the BSF was the one that lit the fire for me on the Curados. With that said, I also have the G and it has been a great reel. I know people dog it but I have never had an issue and it cast great.

The D and E generations moved away from the workhorse tank that the Curado started as and we got spoiled. The G was an attempt to return to that but people weren’t have’in it. It’s a fine reel though.

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Curado K vs other Curados 2025

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