|
|
|
The Lean Green
Cranking Machine, meet Shimano’s Curado E5
(continued)
  Impressions
cont'd: The
first time I actually held the Curado E5 in my hand I noted the return to a more
deep green color in the series and a radically different design than the more
rounded and larger D version. The Curado E5 is considerably smaller than the 100
sized Curado D yet has the capacity of the previous 200D size reel. In
comparison the Curado E series is also more angular in design than previous
versions and is very low slung with a recessed reel foot and an enlarged gearbox
hanging over the handle-side.
The Curado is now more angular in
design
Shimano manages to shave off a great percentage of weight by using a aluminum
frame with graphite sideplates on both sides. I know what you’re thinking, and
we had the exact same thought. Would graphite sideplates be able to be rigid
enough to keep the reel in tight tolerances with torque pressure on the gears?
It’s time to find out.
Resting quite low on a traditional
Fuji reel seat
Real World Test:
To test the Curado E5 we fished the reel for an entire season targeting
largemouth bass on a number of local lakes, the California Delta, Lake Pardee,
and Clear Lake. To really test the Curado’s permanence we also decided to try
something different and headed to Pyramid Lake to pit the reel against some hard
fighting Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.
Shimano manages to squeeze in the
HEG gearing with a extended handle-side sideplate
Casting: The
Curado E5 makes use of Shimano’s A7075 aluminum Magnumlite spool which is
mounted with a SF bearing supported pinion gear. The spool starts up quickly
making this reel good for both flipping and pitching, and when it comes to long
distance casts the Curado E does not disappoint. Cast controls are courtesy of
the standard VBS system on the company’s reduced mass hub. While not as able to
be as quickly adjusted as Daiwa’s external Magforce systems, the 1/8th turn
rotating switch provides reasonably swift access to the system, but requires two
hands to operate.
The magnumlite spool, improved
bearings, and Super Free system help the Curado E5 outcast both the Citica E and
other competitors at the same price point
When
fishing for largemouth bass in both Clear Lake and the Delta I found the Curado
E5 to be a very capable caster, and above all very consistent. Once you dial in
the proper cast control systems I found that I rarely had to adjust the external
spool tension knob. I threw everything from un-weighted plastics to 6” swimbaits
with the Curado E5 and found the reel to be a capable caster at all ranges in
the weight spectrum.
Under the 1/8th turn easy access
sideplate is the VBS cast control system on a reduced mass hub
Next Section: A little trout fishing anyone?
|
|
|
