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Reel Review


The Lean Green Cranking Machine, meet Shimano’s Curado E5
 

Date: 5/11/09
Tackle Type: Reels
Manufacturer: Shimano
Reviewer: Zander






Total Score: 8.5 + EDITORS CHOICE!

Introduction: The Curado rests in the middle of Shimano’s baitcaster lineup and has long been a favorite among anglers looking for a quality reel at a reasonable price. The redesign of the series was a major undertaking for the company and we now take a closer look at the Curado E5 in part one of our low speed cranking reel shootout.

 

 

To view the video in high definition click on the "HD" button, a high bandwidth connection is necessary for optimal viewing in HD

 

Shimano Curado 200E5 Specifications

Line Capacity (lb/yds) 8/180, 10/155, 14/110
Gear Ratio 5.0:1
Line retrieve per crank 21 inches
Weight 7.6oz.
Bearings 6BB, 1RB
Additional Features Aluminum Lo-Mass spool, HEG gearing, Super Free, super stopper, 1/8 turn easy access sideplate, Septon power handle grips, dartanium drag, clicking drag adjustment, Super Stopper II, cold forged aluminum drag star
Origin Japan
MSRP $179.99


Mouse over the TackleTour 3DVR window to view the product in three dimensional view


Smaller, lighter, and greener than the D version, the Curado 200 E could be what fans of the series have been waiting for

Impressions: The Curado E5 is the first baitcaster in our shootout of low speed cranking reels, the other contenders are the Abu Garcia Revo Winch, the Daiwa Zillion Crazy Cranker, and the Quantum Energy PT VI Cast 100 "Power" reel. We will review each of these reels individually with all of our standard tests and when all of the individual reviews are completed we will finish with a shootout article that compares the contenders head to head across the complete spectrum of metrics. We are also doing the same with a high speed baitcaster shootout. As this is the “Year of the Crank” here at TackleTour we kick it off with a look at low speed cranking reels with the Shimano Curado E5.


The Curado E5 has a very low profile and a recessed reel foot

Some products manufacturers try and get right, and some products are so important that companies HAVE to get it right, and the Curado is one such a series. Every company has a flagship product, but the volume mover is always of the greatest importance. The Curado series has long been the benchmark for low profile baitcasters but in the years previous there is no doubt that offerings from Daiwa and especially the Revo series from Abu have eaten away some of the marketshare once dominated by the Curado. Shimano needed to hit this one out of the park, and to do so they went into the Curado redesign with a completely open mind.


Unlike the Citica E the Curado features a cold forged drag star and double anodized handle

The team at Shimano had a tough task, they needed to preserve everything that anglers loved about the existing Curado series including the power, smooth drag performance, and reasonable price while addressing the need for reduced weight, even more gearing refinement, and improved ergonomics. When they introduced the Curado series they also rolled out the updated Citica which makes use of the same tooling as the Curado, but has a few less features and a lower grade of refinement.


The Curado 300E (top) dwarfs the smaller Curado 200E (bottom)

Next Section: How will the Curado E5 perform?

 

   

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