Project Citica E

[LgMouthGambler]

So I had one back in the day that was mint. For some odd reason I loved that reel. Lol. So I stumbled across someone selling a new in box one for a killer price, so of course, you know me... So people have this hype about the Curado200Es, but Im gonna teach you a little trick about these hidden gems. So you all know that I like to tune and customize reels, right? So Im gonna turn this reel into a killer frogging reel with a few mods, and simple mods at that. There are only a few minor differences between the Citica and the Curado. They always have been that way, so given those small differences, im gonna change them out anyways. First of them being the gear set. Citica comes in one gear ratio in the E series. So I ordered a CuradoE7 set from Tackle Trap and a set of Carbontex drags for it as well.



Stay tuned....

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[Lipripper]

Here we go again  Matt you going to keep this one around for awhile 

[loomisguy]

That's a great reel. The E series Curado/citica are among my favorites.  I still have a couple of each.
Always liked the look of the Citica over the Curado green

[LgMouthGambler]

Here we go again  Matt you going to keep this one around for awhile 

Money always talks. 

[Smallie_Stalker]

Ever notice you can tell who created certain threads just by the title. 

[cortman]

Following!

[Pro Reel]

I turned mine into cranking reels. I own a dozen E series reels and I had a mix of E5 and E7 curados. I was often frustrated when looking in a packed rod locker and couldn't tell which was which. I came across a few brand new Citica E reels at clearance and snatched them up for $60 each, I took the 6.4 gear out of the citicas and put them away for future repairs to customer reels. I took the 5.1 gears from my E5's and put in the silver citicas. Of course I added carbontex drags. I also replaced the smaller citica handle with a new curado handle. I then put 7.1 gears in the E5 reels and changed the side cover to an E7 side cover. I now have all green curado E7 reels and silver E5 reels. I kept the heavier citica spools in the E5 reels also which helps cast heavier cranks further.

[FloridaFishinFool]

I was often frustrated when looking in a packed rod locker and couldn't tell which was which.

I had this same problem- actually still do with all my new Curado i series reels. So what I did was give each reel speed a different color line.

I work part time at a rod and reel repair shop and one of the side benefits is tons of free line. One day a customer brought in some reels with brand new red braid line he did not like so I now have it on all my HG curados. Solved the speed identification problem.

[LgMouthGambler]

The project reel is here. And its brand spankin new.


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[LgMouthGambler]

Got home yesterday and started tearing into the reel. First steps of the build were installing the E7 gears, carbontex drag, and the JDM spool bearings.


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[Oldfart9999]

That is a very nice looking reel, now I see a bunch of parts, looking forward to the final results. Are you going to put a recurve handle on it?
Rodney

[LgMouthGambler]

That is a very nice looking reel, now I see a bunch of parts, looking forward to the final results. Are you going to put a recurve handle on it?
Rodney

I do have a handle coming for it. Yall will find out when it gets here.

[LgMouthGambler]

Took it with me to work today to play around with it. I think I made this reel a little too fast. Lol.


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[rockchalk06]

Took it with me to work today to play around with it. I think I made this reel a little too fast. Lol.


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Looks good. I love those Livetarget Hollow Bodied Shads. Still learning how to make it dive? Freggin Mercer can make that sucker dive 6-8" 

[West6550]

I am suprised you still have it.. lol

[LgMouthGambler]

I am suprised you still have it.. lol

Lol. Yeah. I juat realized today I forgot to do one of the mods inside. Another day I guess.

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[Lee Smith]

Send it to me for a weekend, I'll slow that sucker down     

[LgMouthGambler]

Send it to me for a weekend, I'll slow that sucker down     

Slow it down?! I wont even be able to tell what color it was! 

[LgMouthGambler]

So now im gonna show one of the most improving mods to the Citica. This is the replacement of the bushing the drive shaft spins on, to a bearing.

Remove the palm plate after removing the spool, and handle/star/drag springs.


Remove the drive gear.


Remove the drveshaft.


Take off the e clip and washer. Remove the bushing.


Bearing thats going in its place.


Put the bearing on, then washer and e clip.


Put the drive shaft back on.


Then the anti reverse ratchet.


Then the drive gear.


Screw the side plate back on.


Then the drag springs, drag nut, and star spring.


Then the star and handle.


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[j102]

Looks nice! Are you coming back to the Shimano side?

[LgMouthGambler]

Looks nice! Are you coming back to the Shimano side?

Just got the ones I got. Love my TD Zillions. Got those 3 for a good reason. And that PX68R, oh my.

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[LgMouthGambler]

Some of the parts for one of the upgrades came, and waiting on the main part from Canada. The upgraded handle came today. Will post up some pictures later.

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[Lipripper]

Matt you make it look easy 

[FloridaFishinFool]

Matt you make it look easy 

It is easy!   

[Oldfart9999]

Matt you make it look easy 

Just have to know where everything goes. That's why I love my parts lists!
Rodney