Curado, what's with all the play? 2025

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Yesterday, I was delivering to my favorite mom n pop shop. The owner Bill said he had some leftover stuff in left hand retrieve that he would let me have for cost if interested. He handed me a Curado, dsv? 201?

Anyway, this thing had a ton of back play and felt really terrible. Is this common?

Redlinerobert reply :

Yup. Unfortunately that is simply a charachteristic of Shimano. Even their high end Core shows some back play. THey need to improve that part of their reel!

Jimzee reply :

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Is this common?

Not in one brand. : Seriously though, they all have their little querks. Daiwas are known to be a little on the noisy side.

roadwarrior reply :

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Yup. Unfortunately that is simply a charachteristic of Shimano. Even their high end Core shows some back play. They need to improve that part of their reel!

Cheverolet power steering is (was) tight, Ford much more "responsive". This is a characteristic of the company and built that way by design. By the same token, Shimano "designs" a slight play in the handle to protect the reel.

Infidel. reply :

Honestly, I don't see the big deal about backplay. I remember using baitcasters before they all had one way bearings and they worked just fine. The backplay never caused a single problem with how I was able to fish.

LakeAnnaBasser reply :

The little bit of backplay just got in my head. Because I thought that since I spent 200 dollars I should deserve better. But it also felt funny on hooksets because a little bit of extra line would come out than normal.

Alpster reply :

I have 4 Chronarch 50 Mgs, a Calcutta TE200DC, Calcutta 400 and a Chronarch 100BSV, used to have two green Curados, two Chronarch 200s and two Calais 200s. If you are talking about how far the handle will move backward if you change handle directions, you are mighty particular if you ask me. On all my reels, I have never noticed it. I also have 3 ABUs and a Quantum and have fished with Diawas and Pflugers so I have a lot to compare it to. JMHE

Ronnie

d.hark reply :

What exactly is "backplay"

.RM. reply :

L-B-H,

I have serviced boxes full of Citica' and Curado's so far this fall LH and RH, PV' and SV's. I didn't see a hole lot of back play in any of those reels. That makes me want to ask, did you ask him if any of the "leftover stuff" were returns, it could have been a return and you just happened onto one..

Just my .02¢

guest reply :

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What exactly is "backplay"

I AM SORRY THE MODS HAVE POINTED OUT MORE THAN ONE THAT THIS IS A FAMILY ORIENTED SITE< SO I HAVE TO REFRAIN FROM ANSWERING THIS

.RM. reply :

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What exactly is "backplay"

being able to crank the reel backwards (reverse)

The back play we are talking about is on a baitcasting reel that shouldn't have any back play, in the 1 way bearing.

Micro reply :

My Curado 200 DHSVs don't have a lot of back play. But they have a lot more than my Revos. It hasn't hurt performance any.

bocabasser reply :

i noticed a little bit of back play on all of my shimanos. does this hurt the reel? my quantums and diawas had zero back play. i still love my shimanos though.

The_Natural reply :

I honestly don't think it affects performance...the Shimano's have proven durability over time. We just become discriminating critics of every noise or movement the reel makes. That said...I noticed it on the Core now that I have been a 'daiwa only' user for a full season. I was considering the Core...it had a little backplay...but overall didn't feel any different than the 50mg if I closed my eyes. The reel looks badass I must say.

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Great stuff guys. I was just asking because I'm really not that familiar with newer generation b/c's. I got to use a bunch of nice ones at Redlines but this one was on the shelf for $169 and I just got the instant impression that a reel retailing in that range should be tight.

Now, Does it matter? That's a personal opinion I guess.

Natural points out that the lapse never cost him fish but the longevity of the reel is superior. To me and my "Low Budget" way of thinking, this is very important.

I'm not buying the reel, just for the record, just trying to understand a side of the industry that I am weak in.

For my next purchase, all I really want is LIGHT. I'm having Fletchero make me a super light split grip that will get an MG or something comparable, weight wise. I'm going to be spending good money on the blank to help achieve this.

The set ups of Redlineroberts that piqued me most were the ones that felt like they would float out of your hand. I felt the intense, magnification of the fish through the rods sensitivity and even small 1-2 lb fish became interesting to feel. I mean, really feel. So,...that's my goal with this next rod.

I was inquiring about the curado with Bill because I know if he has it and I want it, I won't get a better price anywhere. Unfortunately, his reel case doesn't come close to Redlineroberts,lol. I'm slowly building my perfect set of rods (4, maybe 5 when it's all said and done) that I plan to use and protect for a long,long time to come.

Any suggestions for reels? I don't mind spending good money but outrageous money is out of the question. I like SEXY looking stuff too Right now, I would be looking for that crazy good deal on a lefty mg unless anyone can change my mind.

Thanks again for all the educational and interesting replies so far.

Jimzee reply :

LBH, I assume you are talking about light baitcasters that serve well in lighter tackle. I have a few suggestions for you that are plenty sexy looking.

Daiwa Presso

Daiwa Pixy

Daiwa Alphas

All three excel in throwing light baits and finesse style fishing. The Presso is actually a trout reel but can serve double duty with a drag upgrade. If it's a Shimano you want, then I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Shimano Mg 51 or a Metanium Mg L. Plenty sexy too.

Fishing Doug reply :

LBH,

This year, I was in the same position-upgrade the rigs that I use and keep them around for while. I ended up upgrading all of my baitcasters to TD-Z's. Absolutely love these reels. I actually got rid of a Chronarch 50mg as well-I know there is another thread on this so I will keep it short-IMO, the 50 mg had a lot of backplay, the TD-Z's-none. Another plus for the TD-Z's is that you can find them on ebay for right around 200 bucks, maybe less. True, the Steez is an upgrade from the Z's, but that is a LOT of reel for approx $200.....a "Low Budget" way of thinking.

.dsaavedra. reply :

i noticed that my citica has a very minute amount of back play. nothin to bother me about...i catch fish on it just fine.

now i have an old abu garcia ambassaduer 5500C and that thing has nearly 1/4 rotation of backplay!

guest reply :

Hey LBH check out the new Pflueger Patriarch, I don't know if it is a good thing to buy a reel the first year out. I don't think you can find a reel as lite as a Steez, Geno has one you can't believe how lite they are, but they are very pricy!!!!!

PS I do not know the model but Danny just got a Revo that weighs a bit over 6 ounces.

Raul reply :

Currently I own:

2 Shimano Curados 200

1 Shimano Scorpion 1000

2 Shimano Scorpion 1000 Mg

1 Shimano Chronarch 50 Mg

2 Shimano Metanium XT

1 Shimano Chronarch SF

1 Shimano Core

Owned

1 Shimano Curado 200 SF

1 Calais 100A

All of them had a very slight handle backplay including the Calais which was the top of the line Shimano reel. My oldest Shimano reel is one of the Curados, it 's well over a decade old and I have beat the living crap out of that reel, how many problems have I experienced with it ? ZERO problems, so on the longevity issue you are safe; does the backplay bother me ? dude, I don 't even remember all of them have a slight handle backplay 99.9999% of the time.

I too have my fair ammount of Daiwas:

3 TDZ 105H ( 1 is still NIB )

2 TDZ 103H ( 1 is still NIB )

1 Alphas Ito

1 Alphas Type F

3 Daiwa Pixy ( 1 is still NIB )

None of them has even the slightest handle backplay.

In case you wonder ..... I do also have Abus.

guest reply :

Raul You Da Man, now that is input with experience!

The_Natural reply :

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LBH,
This year, I was in the same position-upgrade the rigs that I use and keep them around for while. I ended up upgrading all of my baitcasters to TD-Z's. Absolutely love these reels. I actually got rid of a Chronarch 50mg as well-I know there is another thread on this so I will keep it short-IMO, the 50 mg had a lot of backplay, the TD-Z's-none. Another plus for the TD-Z's is that you can find them on ebay for right around 200 bucks, maybe less. True, the Steez is an upgrade from the Z's, but that is a LOT of reel for approx $200.....a "Low Budget" way of thinking.

FD

That is what happened to me. It wasn't that I decided to ditch my Shimano's, but I scored 6 TD-Z's from Cabelas, and I needed to ditch some reels. I have purchased a couple of reels since then that happened to be Daiwas though...just like the look and feel. LBH...if I had to buy 8 or 10 reels that It wouldn't bother me to toss around and abuse, that perform well, and aren't expensive...I've got to go with the new HSTA. It's been out for a few years now...it just got some improvements. It has a micro-click drag, 90mm swept hangle (these are sweet), and has a red anodized spool for some bling.

Here is the HSTA...

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwaadvantage153hsta.html

Raul reply :

I ain 't ditchin 'nuthin from now on, ditched the Curado SF, ditched the Calais ( to get me a TDZ ) well, no more ditchin, no more testin ', straightforward thinkin ' , only dilemma is ....... not which one X vs Y, but which one will be first X or Y ?

Tokyo Tony reply :

I don't think backplay really affects the effectiveness of a reel, but personally, and especially with spinning reels, I don't like the feel of it at all. I have a Diawa Capricorn that is not super high-end, but it has zero backplay. Even the Revo STX has some backplay, although I noticed there is none in the Revo Premier (at Cabela's). It all comes down to preference. Casting reels, I much prefer zero backplay, spinning reels, any backplay makes me want to vomit.

fish-fighting-illini reply :

Interesting,

I bet if asked in another thread whether instant anti reverse was important people would be going ape over must have it. Yet have some play in a Shimano and no big deal.

That being said I have a Citica and notice zero play and just love how "quality feel " of this reel.

I own a Symetre spinning and was surprised at the amount of backplay compared to all of my other spinning reels.

5bass reply :

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Interesting,
I bet if asked in another thread whether instant anti reverse was important people would be going ape over must have it. Yet have some play in a Shimano and no big deal.

I was thinking the same thing.

roadwarrior reply :

As stated earlier, a small amount of give protects the reel. This might be why Shimano reels have a reputation for longevity. With proper maintenance, they may last a lifetime. In use, I don't notice any affect on performance...None whats-so-ever.

Micro reply :

I agree with RW that it makes no difference whatsoever. I have a couple of Curado 200 DHSVs. There is very little back play. It really isn't even noticable. I haven't used one yet and lamented the back play. It's simply a non-issue to me. My Curados, in the short time I've had them and limited number of times I've used them (actually have only used one of them) has performed flawlessly.

The Curado D is the quintessential low-profile reel with mechanical brake. I firmly believe you can spend more, but you can't get better. (And that's from a die hard Abu man.) It's truly a fantastic reel.

Redlinerobert reply :

Backplay will not harm the reel at all or performance. I know that it's all in my head about how it feels only because I like the fact that Daiwas have no backplay whatsoever. Totally down to personal preferance.

Micro reply :

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Backplay will not harm the reel at all or performance. I know that it's all in my head about how it feels only because I like the fact that Daiwas have no backplay whatsoever. Totally down to personal preferance.

Not only no backplay, but with all that bling they go well with a purple zoot-suit, white furry hat, and long gold coat.

-Drums- reply :

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That being said I have a Citica and notice zero play and just love how "quality feel " of this reel.

The new Citica is an unbelievably "quality feeling" reel for the money. Really hard bargain to beat in my opinion.

I own 4 Shimano BC's:

1 Curado 200B
1 Curado 100B (bought from RedlineRobert)
1 Curado 200BSF (bought from RedlineRobert)
1 Citica 100DSV

I also hate backplay, and I honestly haven't noticed it at all with any of those 4 reels. If it's there, it's so trivial that I can't even feel it.

shimanogloomis man reply :

iv owned shimano since iv ever started fishing as of now my only reel that has slight backplay which dosnt bother me is my chronarch 100b

These reels have no back play at all that i own as of now

mg 50

curado bsf

calais 200a

stradic last years model 4000

citica bsf style not sure of the model dont feel like looking in my room

revo stx yea i bought an abu to see what this hype is all about just waiting for spring :'(

MickD reply :

RW, what does the Shimano backplay protect the reel from?

I have many reels with one way bearings/clutches, Shimano, Quantum, 2 different BPS, Ambassador, and I don't detect any backplay on any of them, if backplay means spool rotation before the one way clutch engages. I'm either easy on this issue or I lucked out on all my reels.

4011

Curado, what's with all the play? 2025

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