|
Shimano’s Sleek
Curado 70 Baitcaster - Smaller, Faster, and Better
| Date: |
10/13/16 |
| Tackle type: |
Reel |
| Manufacturer: |
Shimano |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.23 -
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Introduction: For over two decades the Curado has been the
baitcaster series that has defined Shimano’s baitcaster lineup. There may be
more refined and more expensive low profile Shimano reels, and many more
affordably priced options within the company’s lineup, but there are none that
have found their way into the hands of so many anglers. Though very popular the
transition of one Curado iteration to the next has not always been a seamless
one, and yet the latest Curado 200I Series are among the best yet when it comes
to performance. This season Shimano introduced their latest addition to the
family, the new more compact Curado 70 Series, which are designed for pitching,
flipping, and finesse fishing with lighter lures.
|
Shimano Curado 70HG and 70XG
Baitcaster
Specifications |
|
Construction |
Aluminum
frame |
|
Line
Capacity - Rated |
10/105,
12/85 |
|
Retrieve
Ratio |
7.2:1
(HG), 8.2:1 (XG)
|
|
Inches Per
Turn
(IPT) |
28" (HG),
32" (XG)
|
|
Weight |
6.5 oz |
|
Bearings |
3 S A-RB +
2BB + 1RB |
|
Drag Type |
Carbon and
Steel Multi-Washer |
|
Origin |
Made in
Malaysia |
|
MSRP |
$199.99 |
Shimano's latest Curado is the
more compact 70
Quality/Construction: There was a time when mainstream reels were exactly
that “mainstream” when it came to features and styling that were always somewhat
safe and middling. These reels were built above all to be functional, not
necessarily refined, but rather constructed for the rigors of fishing day in and
out.
Compared to the Curado 200I Series
the Curado 70 (right) is smaller from just about every angle
These are the first reels that anglers stepped up to when they considered
themselves serious about the sport, and most likely the reels that could be
found on the outfits of most professional anglers, who required reels that were
reliable yet affordable. To this end the Curado Series was ideal, blending
together the performance and reliability that anglers had grown to expect, all
at an acceptable price point that made them attainable to the masses.
Time to see what the Curado 70 can
do on the water
This latest iteration is clearly within the same vein as the Curado I Series but
so much more than just a miniaturized version, but rather a completely different
reel when it comes to design and form factor. In terms of construction the
Curado 70 feels quite solid thanks to the use of aluminum in the frame. A
construction that Shimano calls their Hagane Body, which essentially translates
to a reel with greater stiffness to eliminate body flexing and overall better
transfer of power. The bottom line is that the new Curado 70 reels feel solid
even though they are quite compact, and the build quality is exactly what you
would expect at the near two hundred dollar price point.
The Curado 70 is a full ounce
lighter than the 200I and balances out well with many split grip rods
|
Quality Ratings for Shimano
Curado 70
Reel |
|
Finish(1-5) |
Construction Tolerances
(1-5) |
Handle Tolerance(1-5) |
Knob Tolerance(1-5) |
Total |
Possible |
Rating(=Tot/Pos * 10) |
|
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
17 |
20 |
8.5 |
The new reel features a similar
color scheme than the Curado 200I but looks sleeker with the single color motif
Next Section: A mainstream reel that can do it all? 
|
