Shimano Curado DC 150 Baitcaster Review

Reel Review

A Signature Whine: Shimano’s Curado 150 DC Feels Both New and Familiar, all at the Same Time (continued)

Price & Applications: I had high expectations when I heard about the Curado DC, and my initial fears of a watered down DC system were quickly alleviated once I understood how anglers can utilize and access the benefits that the four distinct modes offer. The Curado DC is the real deal, a baitcaster that finally brings the DC feature and casting benefits to the mainstream.

The Curado DC offers plenty of fun factor and while it is easy to dismiss the reel as a DC baitcaster for beginners it can also help proficient anglers improve their game too

My favorite sub $350 baitcaster in the current Shimano baitcasting lineup is currently still the Bantam MGL because of the unique form factor and just how solid it reels on retrieve, but the reel that I end up recommending the most to anglers is the Curado DC based on the best balance of performance, price, and the unique casting experience that the new I-DC4 system offers anglers.

Retailing at $249 dollars the Curado DC isn’t cheap, but it is a lot of reel for the money. While the ergonomics, capacity, and price point of the Curado 200K are all better if you are looking for the better casting, and more exciting reel to fish, it is absolutely worth the additional 70 dollar premium. Anglers looking for a complete set of workhorse reels can easily load up on a few Curado 200K reels in the various gear ratios and pick up one Curado DC for applications like power fishing with braid, or maximum distance casting of deep cranks and big baits.

Are you a fan of the Curado DC's gunmetal finish? While I like it I personally find the Curado K's black finish more striking

Though there will likely be some cannibalization of Shimano’s own Curado 200K reels the new Curado DC is such a good reel that it will also eat into Chronarch MGL territory, with anglers that prioritize casting distance and the DC feature over ergonomics, and why not? Yes, the Curado DC is that good.

It is interesting how the new Curado DC feels both new and familiar all at the same time. After month's of use I definitely have a appreciation for how the new I-DC4 system is designed to be both intuitive and easy to use for anglers of all baitcasting skill levels

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 150 DC Reel Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	Exhibits the same solid build quality of the Curado K-Series. Good use of aluminum frame and CI-4 carbon composite in the sideplate	8.8
Performance	The DC (I-DC4) casting system on the new reel is simpler and easier to use than previous systems and yet delivers strong performance with little tweaking necessary. Just make sure to dial in the spoon tension knob properly to allow the system to function as intended and it makes casting baits of all types easy and straightforward, even in wind. Once you get to the retrieve the immediately feels familiar	9.2
Price	Though more expensive than the Curado K series this reel offers a whole lot more technology and S-ARB bearings. This is another 70 dollars well spent if you are looking to jump into DC tech	8.0
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 but the real star is the I-DC4 casting system	8.5
Design (Ergonomics)	The Curado DC gains a little weight and the bulges in the non handle sideplate make it a little less sleek than the K-Series. I like the position of the casting system on the top of the reel, just not the additional width of the profile	7
Application	The Curado K was already a very good mainstream reel and the new Curado DC further ups the ante in most areas. The only thing that anglers need sacrifice is a little bit of line capacity	9.7
Total Score		8.53
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
+ Still built like a tank (Though the Bantam is the new benchmark of solid baitcaster construction)	- Not the lightest reel, and still gaining weight. Also not as sleek as Curado K
+ The I-DC4 system is the real deal, this simpler DC system makes it easy to cast all baits on various lines (and it still has tat signature DC whine)	- Grey/Gunmetal finish is not as striking as the matte black finish on the standard Curado K Series
+ Smooth and familiar on retrieve	- Reduced line capacity compared to Curado K Series
+ Externally adjustable DC cast control	- The cross carbon drag is smooth but doesn't have the top end max pressure available in many competing reels
+ Every bit the workhorse reel you can count on, just with better casting
+ Finally DC technology available to the mainstream. The Curado was the perfect platform for this debut

Conclusion: My apprehensions surrounding the Curado DC’s new cast control system being a cost-down or de-featured DC couldn’t have been more wrong. The ability to make those adjustments to the I-DC4 system on the fly without having to really think makes this the easiest DC system utilize and extract the most performance from yet. Shimano has struck the right balance with this new reel, making DC technology intuitive and accessible to everyday anglers, and yet the reel still feels familiar and every much what we like about the current generation Curado K Series. Save for a few ergonomic bulges on the non-handle side and an extra .2 ounces, the new reel is yet another major leap for Shimano’s most popular baitcasting series.

The Curado DC is an exceptional reel, and while the current Curado K Series reels are already every workhorses in their own right, the Curado DC takes the series to a whole new level when considering the advanced casting technology, ease of use, and overall value.

The original Curado K Series is already a great workhorse mainstream reel but the new Curado DC takes things to another level

While the new easy to use Shimano I-DC4 sealed cast control system is innovative in itself, what is equally as impressive is how Shimano was able to make the technology more accessible to a whole new price point, and thus make the DC feature mainstream for the first time. The biggest problem with the new Curado reel is trying to get your hands on one, and demand has been so high that many e-tailers and retailers are sold out. If you can find one, grab it, this workhorse reel will not disappoint! Making performance improving technology that was once reserved in much more expensive reels accessible in a proven Curado platform is reason enough to make the Curado DC an Editor’s Choice Award winner, and don’t think because the new system is so simple that it is just for beginners, it can help make even proficient baitcast anglers even better at certain techniques and applications. I’m just glad the Curado DC’s I-CD4 system still has that signature whine, and rest assured that this is every bit a true DC reel.

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