Shimano Unveils a Lighter More Refined Curado, the 150MGL

Introduction: Shimano seems to have a habit of releasing new Curado reels every ICAST and this year the company unveiled the sleek 150MGL which is designed to be the lightest Curado to date.

The new Shimano Curado 150MGL looks like it might be the most refined Curado to date

Curado 150 gets MGL: The new Curado MGL 150 looks sleeker and more menacing than other Curado reels and gone are the green highlights. This reel looks like a higher-end offering, and one that is closer positioned to the Bantam and Metanium. Like those reels this new reel gets the Magnumlite (MGL) spool treatment.

Where is the green? The new Curado 150MGL looks a lot more tactical, like the Metanium MGL

The combination of a 150-size spool paired with MagnumLite (MGL) Spool technology, Shimano engineered the new reel for anglers to fish different techniques with various lure types and sizes with greater casting distance and accuracy.

A look at the sleek rear lines

Like the other high-end baitcasters in the Shimano family the Curado 150MGL gets an aluminum HAGANE Body and durable Cross Carbon Drag. Precision gearing embedded within the heart of the reel.

The non-handle side sideplate also has clean lines

All the goodies are here including X-Ship, MicroModule Gearing and SilentTune. When I handled the reel at the show it felt more precise and tight than other Curado reels, and though it is light in hand it still feels very solid. The best way I can describe the reel versus other Curados is that it just feels more premium.

The reel feels lighter and more refined in almost every way

The black center frame elements give this Curado a little more character

Together the Curado MGL 150 and Curado BFS are looking like a nice one two punch for bass anglers, and in many ways offer much of what anglers like about the Bantam MGL and Metanium MGL, at a much lower price.

At $199, and with a MGL spool, this Curado should do well

The Curado 150MGL will start shipping this Fall and retail for $199.99 each and will no doubt be eagerly awaited by Shimano fans looking for a lighter and more refined workhorse reel. I can't comment just how well it stacks up to its higher-end MGL siblings until I have a chance to fish it but from what I've seen so far is definitely exciting.