Shimano Curado I Series Combo'ed With Ugly Stick Gx2, Should I Consider A Better Rod To Go With This 2025
Roadblock reply :
I just picked up my first baitcaster and I'm new to these. Oddly enough I have a Shakespeare Ugly Stick GX2 6'6" casting rod I've never used. I kept meaning to pick up a cheap baitcaster to use with it but just hadn't then I ended up going with a semi-decent Curado I.
For a real like this, should I have a better rod? I keep hearing the rod is almost the most important part of the setup. I was about to drop $100 bucks on a carbon fiber crank and cork knobs but then I got to thinking maybe the money could be better spent on a semi-decent rod.
Then, what kinda rod should I look for? Honestly, I've ran Ugly Sticks for years without issue on my spinning reels but I have a hard time telling when I have hits so maybe the rod is the issue? Well not issue, but you know what I mean.
If I could stay around $100~125+- I would be happy, probably prefer to buy locally rather than to have a rod shipped.
Maybe I'm way off base here and I should just stick with the GX2 until I learn baitcasters a little better?
bootytrain reply :
I would pick up a medium to medium heavy because the Curado I has a huge casting range.
*Hootie reply :
I noticed that you referred to the Curado I as a "semi-decent" reel. It's much better than that. My opinion, there is no better reel in its price range. Concerning the rod, like someone has suggested, if you don't want to spend a lot of money right now, the Berkley lightning rod would be a good choice.
Hootie
Raul reply :
Shimano "old" Crucial rods are been clearanced everywhere, you can find a killer deal, excellent rods for little money.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Curado I = semi- decent ? Humm, haven't heard that yet, are you having issues ? Or? You are certainly entitled to you're own opinion , I would be curious to know why you feel that way...
*** is a great rod.... I use a 7' 1" heavy.. It's very decent for the money!
lmbfisherman reply :
x2 on the clearance Crucial, you can find one at your price range. Also a Veritas is a decent rod, you can find the older version for 80 bucks and under.
Roadblock reply :
I simply listed the Curado I as semi-decent because of the price range. Some of the guys I know have $300~600.00 dollar reels. The thing got rave reviews for the price. Sounds like you get more than $180 dollars worth of reel. I actually paid $130'ish for this one with some coupons I had!
Yeah I saw the Shinano Crucal rods, sort of a green color at a couple local shops yesterday for about $140.00, I just looked online and it looks like the MSRP is roughly $130 depending model?
The places around here never clearance anything! 
Anyway I'll do some research on the poles you guys listed. Thanks!
Alonerankin2 reply :
I know DSG has had those crucial s on clearance, I have seen them for 80$ just 5 days ago....
Good luck with you're new rod and reel!
Roadblock reply :
So is the Crucial line discontinued or is there just "older" rods? Maybe I was looking at newer rods? I was actually looking at those before evening starting this thread.
Alonerankin2 reply :
The new crucials, will be hitting shelves relatively soon enough, not discontinued per se, but improved I assume! That said, anytime newer changes occur, old stock gets slashed prior to new models release, it's a great time to buy, especially in this economy! Nothing wrong with that rod choice....
Roadblock reply :
I just went and checked a couple local shops and there older Crucial's are still normal prices. I actually asked one of the guys about clearancing them and he commented to the fact the new ones are NOT here yet so there is no need.
Anyway I picked up a Berkley Lightening Rod Shock. Mostly because I liked the feel of the Shock better than the standard Lightening Rod.
Hope this was an OK choice. Tell you what though, it's LIGHT compared to the Ugly Stick GX2 also the craftsmanship is way better. The GX2, the guides were not straight but this Shock is DEAD on.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Well, enjoy! Those shops just won't discount like other places, but anyway have fun!
Roadblock reply :
On 7/26/2014 at 1:21 PM, bootytrain said:I would pick up a medium to medium heavy because the Curado I has a huge casting range.
I have a question about your recommendation.
So I ended up getting a 6'6" Berkley Lightening Shock in medium as a starting point. They also had a medium~heavy in the same length.
I noticed that they list right on them what pound line you should use and up to what weight baits. For baits the medium said 1/4 ~ 3/4 but the medium~heavy said 1/4 baits.
I would have thought the heavier rod would have been for heavier baits or heavier line but apparently I don't understand how poles work..?
Comments?
OnthePotomac reply :
Medium rods are normally used for crank baits and MH for plastics. I put my new Curado on a BPS 7' MH Carbonlite bait caster ($99 on sale) and it is an unbelievable comfortable combo with to fish plastics all day. It just depends on how you will use the rod.
Catch and Grease reply :
Its like having a cheap car with expensive tires and rims lol.... Just kidding, if you like the rod then why get rid of it? I know plenty of people that use ugly sticks, no need to rush for a new rod....
K_Mac reply :
A Medium power, Fast or Extra Fast action rod is fine place to start IMO in that particular rod. Your rod is rated in the range that most of your fishing will be done with. That rating is comparable to MH in most other line-ups. I would use it with confidence. With good technique you can fish all but the very heaviest stuff or bigger baits where you have to drive home a heavy hook. When you get there you will want to add another rod anyway! Enjoy!
Roadblock reply :
On 7/27/2014 at 2:26 AM, G3Boats said:Medium rods are normally used for crank baits and MH for plastics. I put my new Curado on a BPS 7' MH Carbonlite bait caster ($99 on sale) and it is an unbelievable comfortable combo with to fish plastics all day. It just depends on how you will use the rod.
OK I picked the right rod then. I normally fish with what you would call crank baits and not plastic worms although I did just get some whacky rigs but that is not my norm.
jignfule reply :
yes
dam0007 reply :
If you're going from a ugly stick to a brand name bass rod I'd try to handle a few first. Check out a local bass pro or a cabelas. I say this because I've recommended 13 Omens to people in that price range and they didn't like the reel seat, which I like. What I will recommend to you is something around 7' in medium or medium heavy action with a fast taper.
Roadblock reply :
Just thought I would given an update. I took the Shimano Curado I Series and the Berkley Lightening Shock Rod out and fished with them for about 3 hours on Tuesday. They worked OK together.
That said I have a couple complaints about the rod. It's somewhat cheaply built. Had a few sharp edges and the cork was VERY soft. By the end of the day I had gouged out a chunk by accident.
Again for the price, not bad at all really. I'm going to pickup the spinning rod version for my 1985 Shimano TX-110Q that I use religiously. Would make a good bang for the buck upgrade. I would like something a little longer and heavier for this reel and I don't want to spend hundreds on a rod for a real that was $50 or so new in 1985! 
So back to the Shimano Curado, I decide that I wanted a little higher end of a rod. I went to Cabela's and a local place called Al and Bobs and checked out a bunch of rods. Everything from Shimano, G Loomis, St. Croix etc. Again, I wanted to keep my price to around $100~125 as I said.
I REALLY REALLY wanted the St. Croix Tournament Bass Rod. OMG that thing is sexy. The blue color would be awesome with this reel. However I did not want to spend $250.00 dollars on a rod!
More in my price range was the St. Croix Mojo Bass.
I ended up getting a 7'0' Medium-Heavy Mojo. Little higher end of a rod than I've ever owned, more of a mid level rod compared to other St. Croix rods but WAY better than anything I've ever owned like I said.
The feel is much nicer than the Berkley was. The fit and finish it GREAT. The cork is hard and going to hold up much better I'm sure.
Going to take this combo out this weekend and give it a spin. I was able to return the Berkley Lightening Shock rod and get my money back so I'm not out the $40 or so on that.
I got the Mojo Bass for $89.99 with a $20.00 off coupon at Cabela's. Plus, I had a $67 dollar gift card anyway so really by the time I returned the Berkley, It didn't cost me anything.
Worked out OK I think.
Recap, I'm now running a 2014 Shimano Curado 200 I Series right hand model on a 7'0" Medium-Heavy St. Croix Mojo Bass Rod with Aqua Green colored Power Pro 20lbs line.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
For jigs, plastics etc. invest in the highest quality rod you can afford. For moving baits like swimbaits, cranks, spinners... a nice smooth reel makes fishing them more enjoyable and a better built reel will last longer against all the chuck & winding.
DaveT63 reply :
Someone has a 7'MF St Croix Avid for sale in the Flea Market here for $125. That's a tough deal to beat.
WiscoFishingOG`s reply :
***! Should balance almost perfect and its the best rod for the price!
WiscoFishingOG`s reply :
I find the mojo series to be tip heavy and not as sensitive as the ***. To each his own! But go to your local gander/bps/whatever and feel around. You will be amazed how nice it is to have a balanced,lite,sensitive and strong rod.
Roadblock reply :
So like I said I picked up the Mojo and I had it out yesterday and I had a huge bass on my spinner and couldn't tell. I thought I hit some weeds, I had a bass running with it. It's felt like I was stuck but then I saw my line start running threw the water and I was like OH CRAP A FISH!
I got the Medium-Heavy Crankbait Mojo rod, I'm reconsidering it.
I just did a bunch of reading on the *** and it sounds like an amazing rod for the price.
Which model should I get looking at? I like roughly 7 foot, medium-heavy'ish. My reel is the Shimano Curado 200I and I run 20 pound Power Pro line. I mostly fish with either 1/4 or 3/8 baits. I use cranks, spinners, chatterbaits, but sometimes Whacky Rigs using Senko's..
Alonerankin2 reply :
I use a 7'1" heavy/ fast ***, I like it... You might find it in a medium/ fast for you're listed wieghts. They have pretty good balance and great feel, much better than any mojo.
Jaynoob reply :
I really can't suggest actions and stuff for the fact that I'm new to bass fishing but I have a ton of rods for saltwater. Shimano has the new Cumara rods out and there technique specific also and was considering it for a inshore rod in the 6# range. I know there a little out of your range but some times you can find them online for sale at under $200 ( I was thinking about one of these rods for my core 50 also ). As far as the mojo's I have a few of the mojo inshore for salt and there nice but I would real try to bend them first. There a stiffer graphite then most rods in there weight class but this might also be a option for me for my Abu mgx.
WIGuide reply :
On 8/2/2014 at 10:13 AM, Roadblock said:So like I said I picked up the Mojo and I had it out yesterday and I had a huge bass on my spinner and couldn't tell. I thought I hit some weeds, I had a bass running with it. It's felt like I was stuck but then I saw my line start running threw the water and I was like OH CRAP A FISH!
I got the Medium-Heavy Crankbait Mojo rod, I'm reconsidering it.
I just did a bunch of reading on the *** and it sounds like an amazing rod for the price.
Which model should I get looking at? I like roughly 7 foot, medium-heavy'ish. My reel is the Shimano Curado 200I and I run 20 pound Power Pro line. I mostly fish with either 1/4 or 3/8 baits. I use cranks, spinners, chatterbaits, but sometimes Whacky Rigs using Senko's..
Did you get the graphite crankbait rod or the S-glass one?
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