Curado vs. BB1 2024
Hogs4Dayz reply :
So I was gonna buy a new reel, and I made up my mind that I was gonna buy a Lews BB1. But then, like always, I second guessed my opinion. I started looking again and so many people recommended the Curado which is one of the top reels on the market (apparently). But then other recommended the BB1s and speed spools again. So I want you guys to battle it out in this thread and figure out which is better lews or shimano, and who makes the better reels. Ya I know its pretty much impossible to declare "The Best" but i want you guys to try defend your end of the argument and prove why one is better than the other, now lets see it
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
lews better than shimano
deep reply :
Jrob78 reply :
Evan K reply :
I have 1 Lews Speed Spool and 2 Tournament MBs. I absolutely love all of them, they've been terrific performers. Based on what I've seen with Shimano using bushings instead of bearings, I think I'd stick with Lews. But I doubt you'd be dissatisfied with a Shimano.
bassin73 reply :
You know, That's a matter of fact and opinion. I say if your dealing with facts, then lets compare. Reel weight Lew's 7.4 oz./ Curado 7.4 oz. that's the only tie between them both. Line recovery, Lews @ 6.4 to1 ratio 28", Curado @ 6.3 to 1 ratio 26" per turn. Ball bearings, Lews, 9+1 and Curado, 5+1. Max drag, Lews 14 lbs./ Curado 15 lbs., Price, Lews, $159.99/ Curado, $179.99.
Opinion: I have both the Lew's, and Shimano I love them both. I cannot choose one over the other as far as performance goes. They are two of the better reels on the market. There are more expensive, and less expensive reels out there. But as for me, these two reels are all that a bass fisherman need. I say they are about as close as it gets to a tie. You cannot go wrong with either, and won't regret buying either one, once you use one or the other. I say watch Tackle Warehouse, BPS, or Cabelas, till free shipping AND they go on sale. Then buy. Dig?
thebillsman reply :
Both great reels. I'm a lews guys.. performance is a wash, but the lews platform sits in my hand a lot nicer.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/22/2015 at 11:14 AM, thebillsman said:Both great reels. I'm a lews guys.. performance is a wash, but the lews platform sits in my hand a lot nicer.
I'm a Curado guy because it fits in my hands better and I like the handle better.
That's about what it comes down to once you get about the $150 range with reels, which feels better to you, sits nicest on the rod you're using, suits your needs the best, ect. You can't go wrong with either when it comes to performance though.
Rbm18 reply :
I am also a shimano guy. I love my curados They just fell better in my hand. I don't think there is a wrong choice. It just depends on the person.
BassinLou reply :
I enjoy my Curado's and I enjoy my Lews reels as well. 
Preytorien reply :
I had a Curado G, and was impressed. Then I bought a Curado I, and was blown away, it's the best I've had so far.
I've tried Lews at a few stores around here and while they're nice looking, they just don't feel as refined. They feel like my Bass Pro Carbonlite, which feels substantially "cheaper" in as that it's not as solid feeling.
I say go someplace that has both, pick them both up, palm them, spin the handles, simulate casting, and make your choice off of feel...not brand reputation. You're the guy who's going to make a million casts, it's got to feel "right" to you.
Raul reply :
On 12/22/2015 at 10:56 AM, Evan K said:I have 1 Lews Speed Spool and 2 Tournament MBs. I absolutely love all of them, they've been terrific performers. Based on what I've seen with Shimano using bushings instead of bearings, I think I'd stick with Lews. But I doubt you'd be dissatisfied with a Shimano.
How many Shimanos do you own ?
Jon G reply :
The Curados are fantastic. They palm fantastically, fantastic drag, extremely smooth, and cary Shimano's durability and longevity.
The one thing about Shimano's that we can not say yet about Lew's yet is how long they are going to last down the road. So many people own some sort of Shimano that they bought 10+ years ago and is still working great today.
Evan K reply :
On 12/22/2015 at 10:32 PM, Raul said:How many Shimanos do you own ?
Oh, none. I just like my Lews reels. Like I said, I doubt the OP would be unhappy with either brand, I think they're both great.
Senko lover reply :
I really want to get a Curado or the new Citica series, because I've heard so much about them. I love my Lew's Tournament Mg, it's been a great performer, but there are a couple things I don't like about it. One of them being the knobs.
NJSalt reply :
Have never fished the Lews, but am very happy with the 4 Curados I have. Heck, I'm happy with all my Shimano reels from my Sahara to my Metaniums and Aldebaran.
My advice would be go somewhere where you can handle both reels. They will both perform well and it may just come down to what feels better in your hand.
HoosierHawgs reply :
If I see another Lew's vs Shimano thread I will quit fishing and throw all of my gear off a cliff.
IBTL
k3bass reply :
If you decide to get the curado I see if you can find the citica I cheaper. The Curado is not worth the retail price difference over the citica. Buy whichever one you can find cheaper.
K_Mac reply :
On 12/22/2015 at 10:47 AM, Jrob78 said:
I think this just about sums it up.
Big Bait Fishing reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 12:23 AM, Senko lover said:I really want to get a Curado or the new Citica series, because I've heard so much about them. I love my Lew's Tournament Mg, it's been a great performer, but there are a couple things I don't like about it. One of them being the knobs.
knobs are easy to change out ! just about any Abu & diawa knobs will fit it, i have Revo EVA knobs on my Lew's reels ....
Big Bait Fishing reply :
just my two cents - the BB1 PRO is the better choice - lighter , excellent braking system , and superior customer service .........
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
The lews will stay the same.the curado will change 20 more times in 5 yrs with null product support vs the lews..if im buyin a shimano it would be a calcutta there low pros change as much as Obamas speeches weekly
5fishlimit reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 5:10 AM, Maxximus Redneckus said:The lews will stay the same.the curado will change 20 more times in 5 yrs with null product support vs the lews..if im buyin a shimano it would be a calcutta there low pros change as much as Obamas speeches weekly
How is Lew's a model of consistency? Please explain, because my experience is that they change and introduce so many new models that it's hard to keep up with them.
The two Lew's reels I bought 2 years ago are no longer even available! The basic $99 Speed Spool, and the $149 Tournament Speed Spool. I know they have "equivalents" available in their lineup, but I don't see how this is any different than what Shimano does!?!?
For the record, I am not a Shimano guy either. I ended up going down the road of Daiwa, but if presented with the option of having to pick between a Lew's and Shimano I would take the Shimano 100% of the time.
TorqueConverter reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 5:10 AM, Maxximus Redneckus said:The lews will stay the same.the curado will change 20 more times in 5 yrs with null product support vs the lews..if im buyin a shimano it would be a calcutta there low pros change as much as Obamas speeches weekly
The only Lews thing about a Lews reel is the name on the outside. Lews reels are re-branded OEM reels and as such are subject to OEM changes. These changed include things such discontinuing a platform (remember those great Bionic/Extreme/Rick Clunn BPS reels that vanished) or Lews could jump ship from Doyo to say Banax as BPS seems to have done and Lews reels could become a different Korean OEM animal entirely. What LEws does very well IMO is stick with the right Korean OEM, Doyo and order reels from them with good bearings resulting is a smooth reel.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Lews has only been on the market with the new.branded stuff 4 yrs or more shimano has had 20 plus yrs and had how many variations of the curado and many will say the best ones where the first 2,3,4 i think lews just improved there frame size and made them smaller .the curado seems to flucuate between small and mid sizes lews has all same size frames with diff spools,etc the lfs is here to stay and with great CS
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
When lews was with shimano back in the day that was a good run of reels.all jokes aside if i go to yard sale and see any curados or citicas from the 90s i will buy them they are nice reels.i love all things fishing im just partial too lews/shimanos made in japan same with older shimanos curados citicas calcuttas,and i collect swedish abus .with that being said if im on the market for a low profile its gonna be older curados ,citicas. Or new lews.i have used most and they feel the best IMO
Senko lover reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 12:51 AM, HoosierHawgs said:If I see another Lew's vs Shimano thread I will quit fishing and throw all of my gear off a cliff.
IBTL
Hey not so fast I'll even pay shipping if you send them to me instead of the cliff. And you better get packing because you know you'll see another one 
Master Bait'r reply :
I have both the BB1 Pro and the Curado I. Both are great reels for sure, I guess it would hinge on what you were using it for. I employ my BB1 Pro with 40# Smackdown for frogs, big jigs and swimbaits/glides with a FC leader because it has a higher drag and more spool capacity. The Curado is filled with 12# Tatsu and is mainly used for cranks, jerkbaits, swimbaits and spinners. Wouldn't change a thing about either (but I wouldn't be mad if the Curado turned into a Met DC overnight)
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 6:20 AM, TorqueConverter said:
The only Lews thing about a Lews reel is the name on the outside. Lews reels are re-branded OEM reels and as such are subject to OEM changes. These changed include things such discontinuing a platform (remember those great Bionic/Extreme/Rick Clunn BPS reels that vanished) or Lews could jump ship from Doyo to say Banax as BPS seems to have done and Lews reels could become a different Korean OEM animal entirely. What LEws does very well IMO is stick with the right Korean OEM, Doyo and order reels from them with good bearings resulting is a smooth reel.
This again... 
Hogs4Dayz reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 12:51 AM, HoosierHawgs said:If I see another Lew's vs Shimano thread I will quit fishing and throw all of my gear off a cliff
haha
shaggydog reply :
lews for sure. curado is over rated.
MONKEYMAN reply :
I infact have both of these reels and i put them on the same rid and threw the same jerkbait and the lews wayyyy out performed.
GetJigginWithIt reply :
On 12/22/2015 at 10:10 AM, Hogs4Dayz said:
So I was gonna buy a new reel, and I made up my mind that I was gonna buy a Lews BB1. But then, like always, I second guessed my opinion. I started looking again and so many people recommended the Curado which is one of the top reels on the market (apparently). But then other recommended the BB1s and speed spools again. So I want you guys to battle it out in this thread and figure out which is better lews or shimano, and who makes the better reels. Ya I know its pretty much impossible to declare "The Best" but i want you guys to try defend your end of the argument and prove why one is better than the other, now lets see it
Go to a store and check them out. Much better than asking everyone to start arguing about it on a forum.
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