Shimano’s Sleek
Curado 70 Baitcaster - Smaller, Faster, and Better
(continued)
 Features: The top feature of the Curado 70 is the small form factor and that
Shimano was able to pack in all the features of the larger reel into a compact
baitcaster that feels just as, or even more, refined. Though the Curado 70 only
has 5+1 bearings it delivers a very smooth connected feel, even more so than the
200I.

The Curado 70's main gearing is
constructed out of brass for durability
The only thing that probably could have made the reel feel even smoother is if
they loaded the knobs with high quality support bearings. The reel’s drag pumps
out more pressure than the company’s own ratings and the X-Ship is probably the
key feature that helps the reel feel powerful enough, for the Curado 70’s
compact size and gear ratio.

No bearing supported knobs here
Features Ratings for Shimano Curado 70 Reel |
External Brake Adjust (1-2) |
Levelwind
Bearing(1-2) |
Knob Bearings(1-3) |
Micro
Clicks
(1-3) |
Reel Cover
(1-2) |
Oil (1-2) |
Total |
Possible |
Rating (=Tot/Pos* 10) |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
11 |
14 |
7.8 |

The Curado 70's smaller profile
feels extremely comfortable when palming
Design/Ergonomics: The Curado 70 ergonomics are outstanding, and probably
the best aspect of this reel. The second you palm this reel it not only feels
comfortable in hand but also natural, and when you go back to the full sized
Curado 200I it actually feels bulky in comparison. The new reel feels solid and
compact and even though it has a smaller footprint it doesn’t seem like any of
the knobs or dials are positioned unnaturally.

Though smaller in width the Curado
70 still offers plenty of access to the spool
In fact, the cast control setting on the Curado 70 is also positioned much
better than the standard Curado near the top of the sideplate, so it doesn’t
affect palming, and is also easier to see and reach when making adjustments on
the fly.
Design &
Ergonomics Ratings for
Curado 70 Reel |
Handle Length
(1-5)
|
Knobs (1-5)
|
Palming (1-5)
|
Overall Weight (1-5)
|
Ease of Breakdown (1-5)
|
Total
|
Possible
|
Rating
(= Tot/Pos * 10)
|
4
|
|
|
|
4
|
21
|
25
|
|
Application: The Curado 70 doesn’t offer the same level of refinement as
the Aldebaran but it does offer a similar form factor at less than half the
price. This tiny powerhouse of a reel is great for power fishing plastics and
jigs, even punch work, or on the opposite end of the spectrum spooling up with
light fluorocarbon lines and finesse fishing. The only application in which we
found the reel didn’t excel was when it came to cranking, where the reel was
sometimes too fast and even underpowered for comfortably working certain diving
cranks that put a lot of resistance on the line during retrieves.

The high speed retrieve made the
Curado 70 a good option for fishing ripbaits for Stripers
At 199 dollars the Curado is priced 20 dollars more than the larger Curado 200I,
which follows historical Shimano pricing of putting a slight premium on the
smaller reels. The Curado 70 reels feel more refined than the standard Curado,
and are in reality much more like a completely different series all things
considered.
Application Ratings for Shimano Curado 70 Reel |
Horizontal (1-5) |
Vertical(1-5) |
Finesse(1-5) |
Big Baits (1-5)
|
Topwater (1-5) |
Total |
Possible |
Rating (=Tot/Pos *10) |
5 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
21 |
25 |
8.4 |
The competition at
the 200 dollar price
point is fierce, and
for the same
investment anglers
can also consider
the Daiwa Tatula 100
Type-R ($199), Abu
Garcia Revo STX
($199), Lew’s
Tournament Lite G
Speed Spool ($179),
13 Fishing Concept A
($175), and Okuma
Helios baitcasters
($199). While all of
these competitors
offer their own
unique take on a
mainstream reel, if
anglers are looking
for a high speed
reel with a very
small form factor
the Curado 70 is
probably going to be
the frontrunner, as
anglers will be
attracted to either
the robust range of
features, or simply
the well-recognized
Shimano brand name.

On the other end of
the spectrum the
Curado 70 handles
light fluorocarbon
lines for finesse
fishing for Smallies
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
70
Casting
Reel
Ratings
(?/10)
|
Construction/Quality |
Good
overall
construction
using
quality
materials.
The
Curado
70 feels
solid
and
exhibits
very
good
tolerances |
8.5 |
Performance |
Strong
casting
and drag
performance
and
great
for
power
and
finesse
fishing.
The only
area
where
the reel
didn't
feel
totally
at home
was
extended
cranking,
especially
when
fishing
deep
divers.
In these
situations
a lower,
more
powerful,
gear
ration
is
preferable |
8.8 |
Price |
A good
price
for a
reel of
this
quality.
Would be
a
"great"
rating
if
priced
the same
as the
200I
Series |
7.5 |
Features |
Top
features
include
the
compact
form
factor,
Hagane
body,
SVS cast
system
and
X-Ship |
7.8 |
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Great
ergonomics
throughout.
The
Curado
70 is
only
1oz.
lighter
than the
200I but
the reel
has a
considerably
smaller
form
factor
that is
much
more
comfortable
to palm |
8.4 |
Application |
Not as
multi-talented
when it
comes to
applications
as the
larger
200I
reels
but more
refined
and more
comfortable
to fish
if you
put a
premium
on
lightweight
overall
rig
weight |
8.4 |
Total
Score
|
8.23 |
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
|
+
Good
build
quality |
- Not
available
in lower
gear
ratios |
+
Very
refined
for the
price |
- Best
for
power
and
finesse
fishing,
not
ideal
for
power
cranking |
+
Flexible
caster |
|
+
Quality
drag |
|
+
Available
in both
right
and left
hand
retrieve |
|
+
Excellent
ergonomics |
|
Conclusion: The new more compact 70
reel holds the torch well in the ever growing Curado pedigree. Retrieve ratio
and line capacity aside I personally like the new reel better than the standard
Curado 200I Series in just about every way. The Curado 70 reel looks better,
offers better ergonomics, and even feels more refined during pinpoint casts. If
these new reels were offered in the complete spectrum of retrieve ratios there
is no doubt that they would eat into standard Curado 200I sales. The way that
the Curado 70 resides in the current lineup they are a worthy complement to the
existing series, which now offers anglers reel options optimized for power or
speed.

Smaller, Faster, Better. The new
Curado 70 does not disappoint
If you don’t need, or want, the lower gear ratios or the higher capacity
afforded by the Curado 200I versions then I would recommend going straight to
the Curado 70 Series. The new compact reels not only look the part when it comes
to a high-end baitcaster, but they offer a level of refinement that you can
easily expect from much higher series reels. These reels simply fish great and
have a high level of desirability. I “like” the Curado 200I Series, but I find
myself “wanting” to fish the sleeker, and sexier, Curado 70 Series.

The Shimano Curado 70 satisfies
the need for speed with a highly ergonomic new footprint
Smaller, faster, better, all describe the new Curado 70 reels, and they are
arguably the best Curado low-profile baitcasters to date. While the new Curado
70 reels are certainly not a do it all mainstream reel, everything that they are
designed to do is accomplished exceedingly well, making this yet another Curado
to win our Editor’s Choice Award, and likely the best seller within the compact
baitcaster market at this price point.
Looking for the
Curado 70?
Try
Tackle Warehouse
|