Curado 200K XG (thoughts and pictures)

[ccr425]

So I was in my local tackle shop yesterday and was surprised to find this brand new reel in stock. They only had one left and I quickly purchased it. I'm using it for horny toads and small swimbaits buzzed on the surface and dragged across Lilly pads, etc..

My first impression of the reel is that it continues with Shimano's aggressive looks. Personally, I like the aggressive look that Shimano has been using for the last few years and I'm also a fan of their simple paint schemes. This reel has a nice matte finish that I would call a very dark grey with a few black accents. The cast control cap is dark green along with the spool. Continuing with the SVS Infinity brake system, the external brake dial is tucked down on the bottom of the reel on the palm side and has a very stiff operation. This should eliminate any accidental wheel movement. The 95mm handle,on the XG model only, is a great addition and feels natural to turn. The grips are typical Shimano large grips and offer great ergonomics and feel. I really like the overall size of the reel and how it palms, especially with the rod it will sit on for the rest of its life(Dobyns Champion 735c).

I was able to fish with the K yesterday and was impressed with the performance and feel of the reel. I use it for buzzing horny toads and swimbaits across the surface for some amazing strikes. I played with the brake settings some and settled on 2 blocks/2 blocks off for the internal brakes and 5.5 on the external wheel. I was maxing out my casts somewhere around 30 yards and using the 8.4:1 ratio to get the toads on surface quickly. I'm really digging the XG for this application! This reel is smooth when reeling and feels like the '13 Metanium reels I use as well, imo. I did manage to land 3 fish with the biggest weighing 4lbs 2oz and the reel handled it with ease, just I would expect. I didn't notice any flexing from the frame, but I wasn't keyed in on that as most of the fish were in the pads and required most of my attention.   Everything worked great throughout the evening and there were no surprises. I really enjoyed this reel and think that I will continue to enjoy it for years. Now for some pics:






















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[FloridaFishinFool]

Great write up! Nice photos. I enjoyed it. Shimano engineers do their homework.

I am going to purchase one soon myself.

About the only upgrade from what I can tell is the improved SVS brakes on this reel versus the i series- which I have grow to love as is, so I will be curious to see if the improved version warrants changing all of my reels over to the new K model.

Another concern I am wondering about it the line guide height off the rod. Is it the same as the i model?

[LgMouthGambler]

Need more pics of that Type-R. 

[ccr425]

Need more pics of that Type-R. 

Lol. 

[ccr425]

Great write up! Nice photos. I enjoyed it. Shimano engineers do their homework.

I am going to purchase one soon myself.

About the only upgrade from what I can tell is the improved SVS brakes on this reel versus the i series- which I have grow to love as is, so I will be curious to see if the improved version warrants changing all of my reels over to the new K model.

Thank you and I agree. Honestly, it's just a fishing reel. Nothing revolutionary to make me sell my I's right away. I really wanted the XG in the 200 size, so it was perfect for me! However, I do see at least a few more K's in my future.

[LgMouthGambler]

Honestly, it's just a fishing reel. Nothing revolutionary to make me sell my I's right away. I really wanted the XG in the 200 size, so it was perfect for me! However, I do see at least a few more K's in my future.

Wait...no big impressions of the MM gears? 

[ccr425]

Wait...no big impressions of the MM gears? 

They're smooth, but I've been using them for a few years. I'm sure most people that buy this reel will be impressed!

[FloridaFishinFool]

How do you compare the brakes between the i and k model?

What are your settings on each? Any trouble or issues going back and forth or getting use to one or the other?

Do you have a preference for either the i or k brakes yet?

This issue is my only real concern between the two and makes the difference to me whether or not I make the leap into the new reel and let go of all my i models.

[rockchalk06]

Thanks for this. I was wondering about the color of the 96mm XG handle if it would be black or silver.

I'm anxiously waiting for the Trap to get theirs in stock and ship.

[ccr425]

How do you compare the brakes between the i and k model?

What are your settings on each? Any trouble or issues going back and forth or getting use to one or the other?

Do you have a preference for either the i or k brakes yet?

This issue is my only real concern between the two and makes the difference to me whether or not I make the leap into the new reel and let go of all my i models.

I switch between E's, I's, Metaniums, and now this K. I can grab any of them at any time and go to work immediately with no learning curve.

I like the K brakes better. They're easier to operate and much more quiet. I'll have to look at my I's when I get home for the settings. I know that they usually have one block on internally, but not sure on the external dial.

[ccr425]

Thanks for this. I was wondering about the color of the 96mm XG handle if it would be black or silver.

I'm anxiously waiting for the Trap to get theirs in stock and ship.

It looks gunmetal to me.

[Capt. BassinLou]

CCR, the new outfit looks great. I didn't know the XG had a longer handle. Enjoy!!

[rockchalk06]

It looks gunmetal to me.

Thanks. I may still put a CHMGL 96mm Black one on it and black it all out.

[j102]

Nice review! Thank you for sharing the pictures.

[LgMouthGambler]

Looks like the 10% size difference was from removing the bulbus sideplate brake adjuster to the bottom.

[rockchalk06]

Looks like the 10% size difference was from removing the bulbus sideplate brake adjuster to the bottom.

? Are you talking about the SVS dial?

[SFL BassHunter]

Nice! Congrats CCR. Looks like you've got a great combo there.

Question has Shimano finally figured out how to make their reels sit lower on the reel seat or do they still sit high.
That is my only gripe with Shimano other than their small handles, which looks like they may be doing something about.
The fact that they sit so high makes my carpel tunnel act up way more than on other reels.

[LgMouthGambler]

? Are you talking about the SVS dial?

Yes

[rockchalk06]

Yes

Both the I and K have it in the same spot. They shaved the side plate down on both sides near the rear and shaved some off the ass end. Redesigned the thumb release and somehow widened the spool area like they did with the D.

[LgMouthGambler]

Both the I and K have it in the same spot. They shaved the side plate down on both sides near the rear and shaved some off the ass end. Redesigned the thumb release and somehow widened the spool area like they did with the D.

Then what in the hell is that bulge on the I? Looks like something black right by it.

[rockchalk06]

Nice! Congrats CCR. Looks like you've got a great combo there.

Question has Shimano finally figured out how to make their reels sit lower on the reel seat or do they still sit high.
That is my only gripe with Shimano other than their small handles, which looks like they may be doing something about.
The fact that they sit so high makes my carpel tunnel act up way more than on other reels.

Rick,

What Shimano reels sit too high for you?

[rockchalk06]

Then what in the hell is that bulge on the I? Looks like something black right by it.

That's a 70. The picture before it is an I.

[LgMouthGambler]

That's a 70. The picture before it is an I.

Somebeach. 

[ccr425]

Nice! Congrats CCR. Looks like you've got a great combo there.

Question has Shimano finally figured out how to make their reels sit lower on the reel seat or do they still sit high.
That is my only gripe with Shimano other than their small handles, which looks like they may be doing something about.
The fact that they sit so high makes my carpel tunnel act up way more than on other reels.

Thanks Rick. I can't help you on the high reel seats. All of my reels feel great to me. You sure the rod didn't make the Shimano feel taller?

[SFL BassHunter]

Rick,

What Shimano reels sit too high for you?

The DC and I think the other one I held was the Curado, which was about the same as the DC7.