|
Shimano’s Curado K
Baitcaster : More than Black and White
| Date: |
1/1/18 |
| Tackle Type: |
Reels |
| Manufacturer: |
Shimano |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.46
- EDITOR'S
CHOICE
Introduction:
The Curado Series
is a critical reel, arguably the most important cornerstone of Shimano’s entire
low profile baitcasting lineup. While there are more affordable and more refined
and feature rich reels in the company’s stable the Curado is the one that caters
to the mainstream, the broadest segment of anglers that are looking for an
everyday workhorse reel. Delivering a reel that lives up to the Curado name is
no simple task. Simply put, this is the one that Shimano had to get right.
|
Shimano
Curado 200K
Specifications |
| Line
Capacity (lb/yds) |
8/180, 10/155,
14/110 |
| Gear
Ratio |
6.2:1 (7.4:1 and 8.5:1 also available) |
| Line
retrieve per crank |
26-36
inches |
|
Weight |
7.6oz.
- 7.8oz. |
|
Bearings |
6BB,
1RB |
|
Additional Features |
Micro module gearing,
X-Ship, Hagane Body, SVS Infinity, CI4 sideplate, Super Free Spool, HEG,
Super Stopper, ARB, Cross Carbon Drag |
|
Origin |
Malaysia |
| MSRP |
$179.99 |
Time to see what the latest Curado
Series is all about
Impressions:
With the K-Series Shimano has once again sought to make improvements to the
Curado line, adding new features from their higher end reels, and attempting to
improve both build quality and ergonomics in the popular baitcaster. In general
each iteration of the series has offered incremental improvements over the
previous generation, and for the most part the company has gotten it right, save
the ill-executed Curado G Series which most anglers, even die-hard Shimano fans,
often try and forget even existed.
The new Curado features a more
angular design
The last
Curado, the I-Series,
was a very good reel delivering strong casting and retrieve performance, coupled
with a decent drag. While the 200I Series was very popular when it was first
introduced it was also quickly overshadowed by the Curado 70 which delivered
much of what anglers liked about the 200I, but in a lighter and more compact
form factor, making it more enjoyable reel to fish if you were willing to
sacrifice a bit of power and capacity.
In a departure from recent
generations the new reel has a black finish
Overall
the Curado 200I set the bar pretty high and also took the durability of the
Curado Series up a few notches, and with X-Ship anglers finally had a low
profile reel that could continue to deliver both power and smooth retrieve
during fierce battles where there was a lot of pressure on the line. In addition
to X-Ship the new Curado K throws just about everything in the company’s low
profile technology and features arsenal into the new package including micro
module gearing, Hagane body, CI4+ sideplates, S3D stable spool design, and a
cross carbon drag.
A long handle is designed to
provide more winding leverage
Visually
the K Series is a huge departure from the last decade of Curado reels with a
profile with a more angular design, black finish, and longer handle. The new
reel looks quite different than what you probably imagine a Curado should look
like, and rumors are that Shimano Japan played a much greater role in the reel’s
design than the last few generations.
|
Shimano
Curado K Series Baitcasting Reel
Lineup
Specifications |
|
Model |
Gear ratio
|
Mono Line Capacity
|
Ball Bearings
|
Weight (oz)
|
MSRP
|
| CU200K |
6.2:1 |
8/180,
10/155, 14/110 |
6+1 |
7.6 |
$179.99 |
|
CU201K |
6.2:1 |
8/180,
10/155, 14/110 |
6+1 |
7.6 |
$179.99 |
|
CU200HGK |
7.4:1 |
8/180,
10/155, 14/110 |
6+1 |
7.6 |
$179.99 |
|
CU201HGK |
7.4:1 |
8/180,
10/155, 14/110 |
6+1 |
7.8 |
$179.99 |
|
CU200XGK |
8.5:1 |
8/180,
10/155, 14/110 |
6+1 |
7.8 |
$179.99 |
|
CU201XGK |
8.5:1 |
8/180,
10/155, 14/110 |
6+1 |
7.8 |
$179.99 |
The more we evaluated the Curado
the more we found that this reel really is more than just black and white specs
Next Section: Does this new Curado live up to the name?  |
