2015 Ottawa Boat and Sportsman's show.

[biggs]

Well, the wife and I attended Friday to this morning the Montreal "Salon" of fishing, hunting and camping. Lots of people.

Not sure if I liked it or not. When you already have lots of toys, you kind of say "Nah!" Got that - got something similar or close to that.

But I did talk to the Shomano boot guys and they educated me on one item I did not have. A Baitcaster (well not those new ones). I have the old close quarter reel with the hidden line by a cover and a release button.

Well I bit. Went to the Montreal Le Baron booth (0nly one booth that sold the Shimano), and got the Curado 200 HG.

Can't wait to go out and try it. Going to place 50 lb braid line on it.

When you say close quarter reel with the hidden line by a cover and a release button, do you mean like a Zebco 33?

Yes.

Good choice on a first baitcaster, always better to learn in something that isn't a cheap POS.

Glad you decided to take the next step. Again good choice on your first baitcaster.
Don't take this the wrong way but I didn't think anyone over the age of 8 used closed face reels. If I went fishing and one of my buddies pulled out a Zebco 33 and was serious, it would be on and probably one of the greatest days fishing ever!
......for me, not so much for him.

[LeGrand]

No offense taken. Now close to 60, the Zebco style (Spincasting) served me good over the years, some still in good shape. Good for wife and kids (although now in their 20).

I loved the fact that you could place a lure on a spot, and when I saw the new baitcasters and the risk of line backlash, I was afraid of using one.

Hope I learn how to properly set-up my new reel and control it properly.

[ShawnD]

No offense taken. Now close to 60, the Zebco style served me good over the years, some still in good shape. Good for wife and kids (although now in their 20).

I loved the fact that you could place a lure on a spot, and when I saw the new baitcasters and the risk of line backlash, I was afraid of using one.

Hope I learn how to properly set-up my new reel and control it properly.

If you ever need help let me know, I'm from the Gatineau Area (Hull) and I'm more than willing to talk tackle/gear with anyone.

[biggs]

If that's what you loved about the spincaster then you will like the Curado once you get comfortable with it and get it dialed in. You will be able to place a lure on a spot pitching then turn around and man-cast the (insert swear word) out of that same lure! After a while, you'll probably wonder what took so long to get one.

Not familiar with the SVS casting system but once your dialed in I hear they are pretty stress free. There are many good videos in youtube to help you out with setting up a baitcaster or take Shawn up on his offer, he will definitely help you out.

[lape0019]

No offense taken. Now close to 60, the Zebco style (Spincasting) served me good over the years, some still in good shape. Good for wife and kids (although now in their 20).

I loved the fact that you could place a lure on a spot, and when I saw the new baitcasters and the risk of line backlash, I was afraid of using one.

Hope I learn how to properly set-up my new reel and control it properly.

You picked a great reel to learn on but you may want to spool it with cheap line or braid to start with. When you do birdsnest, Mono and Flouro will kink and dig in. With a 30 - 40 pound braid, it doesn't dig in as much and it doesn't kink nearly as much.

Since you are new to this, I would recomend turning two of the internal brakes on and cranking the external brake to 6. This will choke your distance until you get comfortable using your thumb to slow the spool down. Once you are comfortable, reduce the external brake to 5 and so on.

Although I have used 1 brake and a 3 setting for the external brake, I typically run mine with 2 brakes and level 3 on the external setting. I get good distance and rarely get any backlashes.

Anyone who has complained about the Curado I, has not gotten used to the new brake system. Since I have three different reels with it on it, I got used to it real quick and enjoy being able to make minute adjustments without opening up the side
side plate.

You also have to adjust the cast control knob on the side so that your lure doesn't fall straight down when you disengage the reel. If it doesn't move at all, it is too tight. You want it to fall nice and smooth and have the spool almost stop spinning when the bait touches the ground. Again, once you get the hang of it, you can loosen the CC knob to the point where there is just a little side to side play in it and you will get more distance.

Once you get the hang of it (probably within a day), you will wonder why you didn't make the switch sooner. I know I sure did. And you should still be able to put your lure within that same spot.

Adam

[TheMaverick]

Hope I learn how to properly set-up my new reel and control it properly.

You'll have more than a few who would gladly help you in regards to setting up your new baitcast if you come by at Ed's on a weekend.

I can't count how many times we've setup milk crates in the back parking lot and just give it a go at casting.

To this day, I still get a good 5, or more, “professional overruns” in a day’s fishing. That’s part of using a baitcaster and nothing to be ashamed off.

[LeGrand]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated for all the guidance and the offer to help me out.

Pretty much the same advice given to me by the Shimano guys at the Montreal Show/Salon.

I'll start by reading very carefully. Yes, also saw lots of Youtube clips.

[StarTzar]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated for all the guidance and the offer to help me out.

Pretty much the same advice given to me by the Shimano guys at the Montreal Show/Salon.

I'll start by reading very carefully. Yes, also saw lots of Youtube clips.

I'm in Gatineau and would be happy to help you out.

[LeGrand]

So although I have a variety of rods, what would you recommend for this reel (e.g., length)?

[StarTzar]

So although I have a variety of rods, what would you recommend for this reel (e.g., length)?

Are the rods made for bait casting reels?
If so, you can pair the reel on just about any of the rods that you have.
What rods do you own now?

[LeGrand]

Don't remember the names. Rods in garage addict, so can't provide you brand names.

[StarTzar]

Don't remember the names. Rods in garage addict, so can't provide you brand names.

Not much that we can do until we find out what the rods are. When you get the rods out of the Garage, send me a PM and I can help you out.

OK. Quand tu auras les cannes a pêche, envoie moi un message personnel et je serai en mesure de te donner plus d'information et pourrai même t'aider a t'en servir. Je demeure a Gatineau secteur Touraine. Sa vas me faire plaisir de t'aider.

Frank

[lape0019]

Well,

I will take a crack at it. I typically buy the rod before I buy the reel just so I can get a sense of what gear ratio I want. Most of my reels are general purpose 6.x:1 ratios.

In your case, the Curado I HG has a 7.2:1 year ratio so I would be inclined to use it in situations where slack line happens quite often. Items like jigs, Frogs, Texas rigs or any bottom contact baits and some people like faster reels for jerkbaits.

Not knowing what you have or what you like to fish, I would be comfortable saying a 7' to 7'4 rod in a medium heavy to heavy range is what I would go with unless you plan on using it for something like weightless tubes or worms. The tip action (fast, xfast, moderate) depends on what you are doing but a fast would work well with a lot of techniques I have mentioned.

I have my Curado mounted on a Dobyns Champion 734c but my gear ratio is different and I use that rod for spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits mostly. If you don't mind spending upwards to $300 on a rod (they pop up on hear that once in a while for cheaper used), this would be my suggestion. It's is a good jig and worm rod as well and is what sold me on Dobyns.

If you want to keep the budget in mind, I would probably still go with what I mentioned above (definitely heavy if going for frogs) and you should be happy.

You could always bring the reel to Paddletales and give Ed a budget. He has a great selection of rods at a tonne of different price points and can point you in the right direction.

Whatever you end up doing, let us know what you end up with!

Adam

[lape0019]

And I will say it now, sorry for the novels.

[LeGrand]

Thanks guys.