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Shimano’s Curado K Baitcaster :
More than Black and White (continued)
Ergonomics:
The best way that I can describe the new Curado K in terms of ergonomics is that
it feels extremely solid in hand. The new reel may have a more modern and
angular profile but it still palms nicely yet always lets you know that it is
there, unlike some of Shimano’s smaller and lighter reels that seem to
completely disappear in hand.
The Curado K feels like a tank and seems as if it
was built to do battle. The sculpted aluminum frame and long fighting handle
pair up well with the soft grip knobs, which are just the right size, to provide
a comfortable grip and plenty of leverage during retrieves.
The Curado K 6.2:1
and 7.4:1 gear ration reels weigh in at 7.6oz. which is just slightly heavier
than the 200I by .2 ounces, which is attributed to the new handle and upped
bearing count. The larger geared XGK model with the faster 8.5:1 gear ratio is
noticeably heavier at 7.8oz. but still feels manageable during fishing all day.
Being a mainstream reel Shimano made sure to offer every single retrieve in both
a right and left hand version to address the personal preferences of all
anglers.
Get low, low, low...
The reworked
symmetrical clutch button can be a little polarizing but does seem to guide your
thumb to the center where it clicks assuredly as it is engaged. The only thing
that could have made this even better is a little tighter tolerance on the
slides on the connection points and the addition of a rubberized grip in the
center for that extra bit of comfort and grip. Overall the Shimano Curado K gets
almost everything right in the ergonomics department, and save the tiny cast
control knob, delivers a solid and comfortable platform.
Ergonomically the new reel sits
very low on most rods and is comfortable to fish normally or palmed
Price &
Applications:
While the 200I was a solid performer it never really looked like a Curado family
reel, mostly due to the two tone design and color choices. The 200K remedies
that, and though black may not be the first color anglers think about when they
think modern day Curado’s the use of the black throughout the main frame and
sideplates with the green and gold anodized highlights on the spool and spool
tension knob pays homage to the Curado Series history.
The only color on the reel are the
spool and spool tension knob which feature anodized green and gold highlights
that pay homage to the previous generation reels, a very subtle yet nice touch
Some anglers may
not like the solid and black finish on the new reel but I personally like the
understated matte look versus a polished or shiny black finish that can often
look cheap if not done right. Shimano could have easily gone overboard by
applying green and gold colors to the drag star and handle, but they decided to
go in a more understated motif, and we are glad they did because the subtle
design works and makes it easy to match the new Curado up cosmetically with a
wider range of rods.
The new Curado K is great for
everything from finesse fishing with fluorocarbon to tossing big baits and
punching with braid
The Curado K
retails for $179 dollars, the exact same price as the previous generation, which
suddenly looks and feels dated in comparison. The competition at this price
point is fierce, and where the Curado Series was once the easy choice there are
many other reels that anglers can consider within this price range, including
the excellent Tatula SV TWS or the new Abu Garcia REVO STX Gen 4, both of which
are within striking distance at just 20 dollars more.
Ratings:
(We've
re-calibrated our
ratings standard for
2008 and have
included a key at
the bottom of the
following matrix as
a guide):
Shimano
Curado
K
Casting
Reel
Ratings
(?/10)
|
Construction/Quality |
We used
to think
the
previous
version
was
built
like a
tank but
the new
K series
takes
things
to the
next
level.
This is
the most
solidly
build
Curado
yet |
8.8 |
Performance |
Significantly
smoother
than the
last
generation
and no
need to
oil the
brakes
to
eliminate
unwanted
squeaks.
The new
reel is
designed
with
durability
in mind
and yet
doesn't
give up
refinement
and
still
manages
to
handle
like a
reel
that you
actually
want to
fish
|
9 |
Price |
The same
price as
the last
version,
this
reel is
becoming
a better
deal
than
before
with the
additional
features
and
performance
but
there
are
plenty
of
competing
reels in
this
category
so
anglers
have
plenty
of
choices |
7.8 |
Features |
Plenty
of
quality
features
including
the SVS
Infinity
Braking
System,
the S3D
spool
design,
X-Ship,
refined
cross carbon
drag,
Hagane
body,
use of
CI4+ in
the
sideplate,
and
micro
module
gearing |
8 |
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Though
gaining
a little
weight
the reel
feels
very
solid
and
manageable
for
daily
use. The
more
angular
design
looks
more
modern
and yet
is still
comfortable
to palm |
7.5 |
Application |
Finally
a
version
of each
retrieve
for both
right
and left
hand
retrieve.
The new
Curado K
is
designed
to be
more
durable
than
previous
versions
and our
test
reels
have
held up
very
well |
9.7 |
Total
Score
|
8.46 |
Ratings
Key:
1 =
terrible
: 2 =
poor : 3
=
lacking
: 4 =
sub par
: 5 =
mediocre
: 6 =
fair : 7
= good :
8 =
great :
9 =
excellent
: 10 =
unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus
Minus
|
+
Excellent
build
and
quality
components,
the new
K Series
is built
like a
tank |
- Not
the
lightest
reel, in
fact it
has
gained
some
weight
from the
previous
generation |
+
Consistent
casting performance
that
delivers
on both
ends of
the
spectrum |
- While
the drag
has
become
more
refined
over
time the
max drag
pressure
has
dropped |
+
Smoother
more
powerful
retrieve,
almost
as
smooth
as much
more
expensive
Shimano
baitcasters |
- No
power
cranking 5.5:1
retrieve
ratio
available |
+
Externally
adjustable
cast
control
|
-
Externally
adjustable
cast
control
is a bit
tight |
+
More durable
than
previous
generations,
which is
exactly
what you
want in
a
"workhorse"
reel |
|
+
A reel
that is
not only worthy
of the "Curado"
name but
also
successfully
recaptures
much of
what
anglers
love in
the
series.
This
workhorse
reel may
be built
tough
but it
is also
surprisingly
refined
and
something
you
really
look
forward
to
fishing |
|
Conclusion:
The new matte black Curado K baitcaster looks more sinister, more substantial,
but does it really look like a Curado? Does it need to? In a departure from
Curado reel’s over the last decade Shimano wanted to make sure that anglers knew
that this new version wasn’t just another evolution of the series, but rather a
re-introduction of everything that anglers loved about previous Curado reels in
a new more durable and feature rich package.
It is rare that a reel series gets
more durable and solid feeling and doesn't sacrifice handling and refinement. In
this area the Curado K succeeds
The more we fished
the new Curado the more it seemed that things were not just black and white when
we evaluated the reel as a whole. There are areas like the drag and overall
weight where the previous generation edges out the K Series spec-for-spec, but
when you look at the sum of all the parts the new reel feels more solid,
delivers a far superior retrieve, and looks much higher end.
The K Series is likely the strongest most durable
Curado yet with a combination of quality aluminum and CI4+ materials in the
frame and sideplates, and a more refined and hard wearing gear design. What is
most impressive about this generation is that while the new reel is built like a
tank it somehow manages to handle like a sports car with a surprisingly smooth
retrieve that puts the last version to shame.
Add it all up and this latest
iteration of the Curado Series recaptures so much of what anglers love about
this mainstream workhorse series, and when it comes to a smooth retrieve the new
K Series really delivers
Is this the best
Curado yet? We think so, and even existing fans of the series will likely find
it hard to fish some of their previous generation Curados, except maybe the E
Series which is still one of the most balanced reels the company has ever made,
but even the reliability and nostalgia of the E Series must yield to the
comprehensive feel and performance of this latest iteration. No other Curado has
been built quite
as “tank-like” as the K Series, and whether you plan
on using the reel
just for bass or for saltwater fishing, there is no doubt
that this
baitcaster is capable of rising up to the
challenge. Shimano took some
chances with the Curado K Series and while the new reel is not perfect it is one
of the very best workhorse reels available on the market today for $179 dollars,
taking home yet another Editor’s Choice Award and building on the Curado legacy
as a proven go-to mainstream workhorse reel.
Looking for the
Curado K?
Try
Tackle Warehouse
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