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What's the cheapest reel that's better than a Curado 70? 2024


fishing user avatarOutdoors reply : 

I'm updating my tackle a bit. Other than my 70, all my other reels are nearly older than I am... I wanna try to purchase another baitcaster, that's better than the 70, for I'll have two up-to-date reels. I'm not saying the 70 is bad, ( probably my best baitcaster ever) but I figure why not go beyond that on my next buy?

 

Obviously this is just an opinion topic, since everyone will have a different view on the cheapest reel superior to a 70, but all opinions are appreciated.

 


fishing user avatarcorbano18 reply : 

I got the Lew's American hero and gotta say love it and doesn't break the budget but I am just starting to baitcasting 


fishing user avatarOutdoors reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 6:56 AM, corbano18 said:

I got the Lew's American hero and gotta say love it and doesn't break the budget but I am just starting to baitcasting 

Never owned that brand, but I've always heard positive things about them.


fishing user avatarcorbano18 reply : 

Was recommended from my local tackle shop but I also started with the wal-Mart special Penn special 

But I do notice a huge difference and cost only 60 


fishing user avatarCroakHunter reply : 

Daiwa tatula ct. 98 bucks with free shipping from ebay


fishing user avatarwet_dream reply : 

How about the new Curado K? It was just released at iCast so there isn't much info/feedback on them yet, but they definitely caught my eye.


fishing user avatarOutdoors reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 7:20 AM, wet_dream said:

How about the new Curado K? It was just released at iCast so there isn't much info/feedback on them yet, but they definitely caught my eye.

Just looked it up and you're right. Can't find much on it, and how it compares to the 70.


fishing user avatarnew2BC4bass reply : 

Couldn't say because I have never seen a Curado 70 much less used one.  I picked up a Tatula SV TWS from Japan Tackle that ran less than the Curado even with $20 shipping.  Think it took 4 days to arrive.  It might be one possible candidate.  The Lew's Tournament MB is a lot less and is a nice reel, but better.......?  The BB1 Pro is on sale for $180.

 

Pflueger casting reels don't get mentioned much, but the Patriarch (same price) or Supreme XT (less) are nice reels.  I liked my Patriarch XT enough to buy 2 more.

 

Love my Helios Air so I bought a Helios TCS.  Problem is I took it to Florida this year and it still sits there.  Only got out 3 times while there (first time it got used), but had 5 rods with me so it didn't see a whole lot of use.  It and the Helios LP are priced same as the Curado.  Better?  Shrug.

 

From what I have read the Curado 70 is a very good reel.  Bettering it for less may be a hard thing to do.  However, you can get very satisfactory performance for less.  You could start with a Tatula CT for about half the cost of a Curado 70 from ebay.


fishing user avatarOutdoors reply : 

Has anyone used the Daiwa Tatula 100 Type-R? Looks like some places has it for under 200.


fishing user avatarChance_Taker4 reply : 

My vote would be for the Abu Garcia Revo SX Gen 4. Just announced at ICast but if you want information on it, it is extremely similar to the Gen 3 Revo STX


fishing user avatarfishnkamp reply : 

The Tatula family goes like this. First they brought out the original sized Tatulas and Tatula Type Rs. The Type Rs have a few minor upgrades which included a spool that was a bit lighter, and one regular bearing was upgraded to a Corrosion resistant bearing, making the Type R have a total of 2 CCR bearings and the rest normal bearings. I have cast both and there is not much difference. I love all of my Daiwas so I am not insulting any of the reels, just calling it as it is.  I own 1 Exceler, 4 Type Rs and two CTs.

The Tatula CT is the newer body. It is a bit smaller and palms a bit nicer. The Tatula CT is available in the regular Type R and now the latest version is a Tatula SV TWS. This is a merge between the CT and the more expensive models with an SV spool. The advantage of the SV spool is to cast lighter baits.

 

My suggestion is to go with a Tatula CT or the Tatula SV TWS.  


fishing user avatarnew2BC4bass reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 8:27 AM, Outdoors said:

Has anyone used the Daiwa Tatula 100 Type-R? Looks like some places has it for under 200.

 

It can be had for $140 from ebay.  Got mine for about $131 not too long after they came out.  Personally I like the finish of the Type R better than the standard.  I also like the looks of the original Type R better than either of the CTs.  The CTs are a bit smaller if that matters to you.  The extra money was worth it to me for the finish and the 8.1:1 ratio which could only be had in the Type R model.  As just about everyone will agree, there isn't enough difference in casting between the Type R and standard for most of us to notice.  TT agreed.  I had both original models, but sold the standard (for about half its value) to a college kid wanting to get into baitcast reels.  I couldn't tell a difference in casting between the two, but then I am not the world's best caster either.


fishing user avatarOutdoors reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 8:59 AM, fishnkamp said:

The Tatula family goes like this. First they brought out the original sized Tatulas and Tatula Type Rs. The Type Rs have a few minor upgrades which included a spool that was a bit lighter, and one regular bearing was upgraded to a Corrosion resistant bearing, making the Type R have a total of 2 CCR bearings and the rest normal bearings. I have cast both and there is not much difference. I love all of my Daiwas so I am not insulting any of the reels, just calling it as it is.  I own 1 Exceler, 4 Type Rs and two CTs.

The Tatula CT is the newer body. It is a bit smaller and palms a bit nicer. The Tatula CT is available in the regular Type R and now the latest version is a Tatula SV TWS. This is a merge between the CT and the more expensive models with an SV spool. The advantage of the SV spool is to cast lighter baits.

 

My suggestion is to go with a Tatula CT or the Tatula SV TWS.  

Unfortunately I've never used one. Do you know how well it casts compared to the Curado 70?


fishing user avatarNHBull reply : 

Look at the ci4, great deals can be had and a step up from the 70


fishing user avatarlmbfisherman reply : 

The Curado 70 is well received and some think it performs as good as some higher end reels.  I honestly can't see how you are going to find any better than the reel "cheaper".  You might find a reel that is close in performance.  I guess that is where the subjective part is for everyone.  If I had to guess a reel that would be in the ballpark, it would be a Daiwa Tatula CT.  I've never used one but if I went outside Shimano, it would be Daiwa.  Shimano for me is what I prefer.


fishing user avatarTsmiddy21790 reply : 

I have 6 Tatulas, 3 cts, a ct type R, and 2 tatula 100s.... i have been more than pleased with them


fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

If I were to stray from Shimano it would be a Lew’s Mach Crush Speed Spool SLP Casting Reel ($160).

 

Some do not like the color, I kinda like it, & absolutely love Winn grips!

lews-mach-crush-speed-spool-slp-baitcast-reels.jpg


fishing user avatarearthworm77 reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 6:48 AM, Outdoors said:

I'm updating my tackle a bit. Other than my 70, all my other reels are nearly older than I am... I wanna try to purchase another baitcaster, that's better than the 70, for I'll have two up-to-date reels. I'm not saying the 70 is bad, ( probably my best baitcaster ever) but I figure why not go beyond that on my next buy?

 

Obviously this is just an opinion topic, since everyone will have a different view on the cheapest reel superior to a 70, but all opinions are appreciated.

 

If you are using the 70 as your bar, you likely won't find much that is cheaper and better. The E and I series Curados are excellent. The I's can be had for about 110.00 if you look around. Better is in the eye of the beholder, in my opinion nothing beat the E's unless it is one of my Aldabarans and they cost 2.5X as much.


fishing user avatarOutdoors reply : 

After checking on Ebay, it seems some sellers has the Shimano Chronarch MGL 20 or 30 dollars from the retail price of a Curado 70. Worth it though?


fishing user avatarwet_dream reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 11:07 AM, Outdoors said:

After checking on Ebay, it seems some sellers has the Shimano Chronarch MGL 20 or 30 dollars from the retail price of a Curado 70. Worth it though?

 

I scored mine on EBay for $170 during the Memorial Day sale. Awesome reel at that price, couldn't pass it up. It's so smooth and it has become my favorite reel in the short time I've had it. Don't have any experience with the 70 though, so I can't compare two.


fishing user avatarBass fishing is best reply : 

Chronarch MGL gets my vote also.  Since you are planning on having 2 bait casters I'd definitely suggest getting one with a bit more line capacity than the Curado 70.  It's my main complaint about that reel from a versatility point of view it's almost entirely geared towards light lures and finesse. I've never spooled my 70 but have hit mono backing casting with heavier lures and I don't like that.  The breaking system and weight in the MGL are the same as the 70, and the feeling in the hand is pretty similar as well.  If pitches, and flips like no other and throws weightless senkos just as well if not better than the 70.  The best comparison I can make after using both is it's a smoother much more refined 70 that I can also confidently throw a 1/2oz crank bait or plopper 90 as far I can.  I don't even bring the 70 fishing since I picked up 2 MGL's it is soon to be sold to a friend.

 

If you like the Curado 70 I think you will love the MGL.  I don't really see the new 200k to be enough of an upgrade from the 70 (if at all) to justify grabbing one until extensive primarily peer sourced reviews are out there.

 

I do want to grab a Daiwa at some point but I don't love how they feel in my hand nor the action.feeling of the thumb bar on the Tatulas.  If not I'd own one of them too.  You have a very good dilemma on your hands.


fishing user avatarOutdoors reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 1:18 PM, fatmaple said:

Chronarch MGL gets my vote also.  Since you are planning on having 2 bait casters I'd definitely suggest getting one with a bit more line capacity than the Curado 70.  It's my main complaint about that reel from a versatility point of view it's almost entirely geared towards light lures and finesse. I've never spooled my 70 but have hit mono backing casting with heavier lures and I don't like that.  The breaking system and weight in the MGL are the same as the 70, and the feeling in the hand is pretty similar as well.  If pitches, and flips like no other and throws weightless senkos just as well if not better than the 70.  The best comparison I can make after using both is it's a smoother much more refined 70 that I can also confidently throw a 1/2oz crank bait or plopper 90 as far I can.  I don't even bring the 70 fishing since I picked up 2 MGL's it is soon to be sold to a friend.

 

If you like the Curado 70 I think you will love the MGL.  I don't really see the new 200k to be enough of an upgrade from the 70 (if at all) to justify grabbing one until extensive primarily peer sourced reviews are out there.

 

I do want to grab a Daiwa at some point but I don't love how they feel in my hand nor the action.feeling of the thumb bar on the Tatulas.  If not I'd own one of them too.  You have a very good dilemma on your hands.

How much distance does the Shimano Chronarch give you on casting heavier lures (say 3/8 oz) compared to the 70?


fishing user avatarBass fishing is best reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 1:22 PM, Outdoors said:

How much distance does the Shimano Chronarch give you on casting heavier lures (say 3/8 oz) compared to the 70?

 

Possibly a few yards further, but the Chronarch holds about 20-30 yards more line.  I use 40- 50lb braid on my bait casters and a 1/2 oz lip less in deeper water I can just about spool the 70 to the mono and that makes me nervous enough to not throw craink baits on it.

 

The Curado 200 holds too much line IMO unless you plan on using it in saltwater.

 


fishing user avatarOutdoors reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 2:29 PM, fatmaple said:

 

Possibly a few yards further, but the Chronarch holds about 20-30 yards more line.  I use 40- 50lb braid on my bait casters and a 1/2 oz lip less in deeper water I can just about spool the 70 to the mono and that makes me nervous enough to not throw craink baits on it.

 

The Curado 200 holds too much line IMO unless you plan on using it in saltwater.

 

I'll probably go with the Chronarch MGL then. I did look at the Metanium MGL, which is currently out of my price range as we speak, ha ha ha. But does the Metanium MGL even give you much distance over the Chronarch MGL?


fishing user avatarlmbfisherman reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 11:07 AM, Outdoors said:

After checking on Ebay, it seems some sellers has the Shimano Chronarch MGL 20 or 30 dollars from the retail price of a Curado 70. Worth it though?

I have a XG in both flavors.  The Chronarch MGL wins in overall performance, if you thought the 70 is smooth.  That being said both reels I could use all day long.  The reason for edge is that the comfort, casting ability (effortless), retrieve,etc...just performs that extra mile. 


fishing user avatarlmbfisherman reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 2:52 PM, Outdoors said:

I'll probably go with the Chronarch MGL then. I did look at the Metanium MGL, which is currently out of my price range as we speak, ha ha ha. But does the Metanium MGL even give you much distance over the Chronarch MGL?

I use my Curado 70 XG for pitching or target short distance casts with jigs and worms.

 

I use the Chronarch MGL XG for jigs and worms too but I use it for longer distance or deeper water.  (extra line)

 

The Met MGL I have, use it for moving baits (spinnerbaits/bladed baits, crankbaits, swim jigs etc.)

 

I agree you get an extra few yards with the Chronarch MGL.  Met MGL vs Chronarch MGL - It's kind of complicated, I say the Met is just little bit more refined in my hands, but if you compare the USDM prices . The difference in price is not worth it.  Go with the Chronarch MGL.  If you are buying the JDM version of the Met vs the Chronarch MGL (USDM) price, it's far more reasonable.  I'd go with the MET JDM in that scenario.  I would've bought more Met JDMs but here in Canada they have been cracking down it seems on anything I buy now internationally.  So I opt to buy the Chronarch MGL from now on and not get dinged with the import tax.  Either one will put a smile on your face.  At least for me it does. 


fishing user avatarOutdoors reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 8:56 PM, lmbfisherman said:

I use my Curado 70 XG for pitching or target short distance casts with jigs and worms.

 

I use the Chronarch MGL XG for jigs and worms too but I use it for longer distance or deeper water.  (extra line)

 

The Met MGL I have, use it for moving baits (spinnerbaits/bladed baits, crankbaits, swim jigs etc.)

 

I agree you get an extra few yards with the Chronarch MGL.  Met MGL vs Chronarch MGL - It's kind of complicated, I say the Met is just little bit more refined in my hands, but if you compare the USDM prices . The difference in price is not worth it.  Go with the Chronarch MGL.  If you are buying the JDM version of the Met vs the Chronarch MGL (USDM) price, it's far more reasonable.  I'd go with the MET JDM in that scenario.  I would've bought more Met JDMs but here in Canada they have been cracking down it seems on anything I buy now internationally.  So I opt to buy the Chronarch MGL from now on and not get dinged with the import tax.  Either one will put a smile on your face.  At least for me it does. 

 

What would you say the cast different between a Chronarch MGL, Met JDM and Met MGL are?


fishing user avatarfishballer06 reply : 

Why not get another 70 if you like it so much? It's a solid reel at a solid price. 


fishing user avatarlmbfisherman reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 11:57 PM, Outdoors said:

 

What would you say the cast different between a Chronarch MGL, Met JDM and Met MGL are?

The Chronarch MGL and Met MGL (JDM) the casting distance was basically on par, just the overall feel the Met was better to me.  Both MGLs get better casting distance than a Curado 70.  If I had to guess it would be 5-10 yards better than the Curado 70.  This one place I fish I can basically reach the other bank (beyond) with the MGLs (river mouth), the 70 it just falls short of the bank.  However, the rod, reel, lure and line are part of equation.  They aren't the same, so it isn't scientific.


fishing user avatarclh121787 reply : 

 curado k. 


fishing user avatarthe reel ess reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 7:00 AM, Outdoors said:

Never owned that brand, but I've always heard positive things about them.

I'm not about to say it's better than a Curado because I've never owned a Curado, but I have two Lews LFS Tournament MB reels. I loved the first one so much that after a season I bought a second. And I'm seriously considering asking the wife for a third for my birthday. It's a helluva reel for the $120 range. I have to replace a worn out BPS Clunn reel for lipless carnks and topwaters.

 

For our birthdays, we usually just put what we want in the Amazon prime cart and wait until our birthday and act surprised. All that said, I've been considering the Curado too because of its reputation.


fishing user avatarChris at Tech reply : 
  On 7/20/2017 at 11:57 PM, Outdoors said:

 

What would you say the cast different between a Chronarch MGL, Met JDM and Met MGL are?

You're really overthinking this :)

 

i would say say that any casting distance difference that may exist between any of the reels suggested will be totally negligible, and not noticeable in practical fishing situations.


fishing user avatarOnthePotomac reply : 

I also have both in the XG speed.  Of course the MGL has the super light spool, which starts up real fast on the cast. Both reel are really fine reels, simply engineered with maximum performance. 


fishing user avatardavid in va reply : 

Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103XS 8.1:1  $i35.00 shipped on ebay

I have a pair of them smooth reels I also have 70 also a nice reel


fishing user avatarOutdoors reply : 
  On 7/23/2017 at 1:41 AM, david in va said:

Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103XS 8.1:1  $i35.00 shipped on ebay

I have a pair of them smooth reels I also have 70 also a nice reel

How does it compare to the 70?


fishing user avatardavid in va reply : 

My first Daiwa Tatula SV TW 6.3 I paid $165.00 for the Curado 70 was $149.00 Both are good reels I see very little difference in how far they cast. The Daiwa  may cast a yard or 2 farther. The Tatula holds much more line and almost backlash free. Both are smooth operating. I bought another Tatula SV TW in 8 .1 off ebay for $134.95 with free shipping. If the 70 had of been on sale I would have bought it. You will not be disappointed with either reel The 70 fits in your palm better

 American  had the Tatula CT 100XS for $79.99 but have sold out. I bought 2 of them. They are good reels and about the same size as the Curado 70 I think they can be had for $90 or so


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 

 


fishing user avatarprimetime reply : 

Just about all the Shimano baitcasters perform really well, Even the lower Priced model is a really good real and inexpensive. The Caenan/Casitas are nice reels.

 

Some sites have the 70 for 129.00 and for that price it is tough to beat, but you can find last years models of high end reels for great prices right now.

 

Catch the right auction and you can find reels like the Helios, Komodo, Lews Tournament series, Pflueger Supreme XT, Patriarch, and of course Daiwa reels. 

 

I think casting distance is mostly about the right lure, line, rod, technique etc. I can cast some of my cheapest reels which I paid $50 for just as far as the higher end stuff, but they are not as good when it comes to the other factors.

 

Some of the Ardent reels are priced much lower on Ebay and they have some nice reels. Shimano and Daiwa reels are kind of the only 2 brands that seem to have different style frames & designs for the most part. Most other reels all seem to be on the same frames, look similar, but every major brand makes reels that are as good as the curado imo, they may just cost more. I have yet to buy a baitcaster that retails for $150+ that I didn't like except Quantum reels. For some reason they just don't hold up for me but I am sure many people really like them. 

 

I have owned several shimano baitcasters and spinning reels, and I will say they all seem to outlast my other reels, stay smooth the longest, and for $130 only way to get a comparable reel is to find one that retails for $200 but on sale for $100 range. 

 

Most important factor is making sure you like the way they feel in your palm. I have picked up several high end expensive reels and just didn't like the weight/Size/Handle etc. 

 

Citica reels are good. I have had one for 2 years and it casts really well, requires very little attention and you can find them for $100.




3312

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