"Reel" Difficult Decision

[Moose Eyes]

I have some Cabela's bucks I need to spend and I have narrowed my purchase down to a new low-profile baitcasting reel.  I have two in mind that I like very much but can only afford one at this time.  The reels are the new Shimano Curado CU200DHSV (http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish/products/group_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302036641&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181270&bmUID=1167172041814) and the Quantum Energy PT E770PT (http://www.quantumfishing.com/fwreels/energyPT_baitcast_features.html). 

Both have similar features including the new 7.0:1 gear ratio I like.  The Quantum is $20 less.

I am pretty sure I will love either one.  But if anyone has experience with one or both of these new reels I would love some feedback.  I own both brands of reels now and like both.

Thanks!

[chrome/22]

I don't know anything about the Quantum, but that new Curado D is simply the best baitcaster I have EVER fished!! I love the 2 I have & have fished them almost non-stop. Chrome bright springers.. nates...coho..chum...they take everything I throw at them & keep coming for more. Very easy to cast with light weights & small #3 spinners, a great drag too. I plan on trying to wear these 2 out.....& am keeping them come he!! or high water!

C/22...........

[Terrapin]

Ron,

I have used my new Curado 201 pretty heavily since I picked it up.  I love this reel.  It's hard to birdsnest it and it casts better then any other baitcaster I have used.  I looked at the Quantum to but never tried it out.  The Curados have a pretty solid drag as well.  Good luck with the purchase.

Terrapin

[SciGuy]

...what the other guys said.

The Curado is the best reels I've used.  It casts a fairly light float/jig set up and heavier drift gears rigs equally well.

[hstubble]

I have the Curado. It is a excellent reel. You will not be dissappointed. I think they just came out with a 300 model that holds much more line.

[chrome/22]

True, the Curado 300 is a slightly bigger reel that holds more line due to a deeper spool.
If you want to see the 300 in action you can go to the Shimano Homepage...click on the video links & watch Larry Dahlberg pull on some Golden Dorado the clip is marked " The Curado Master". He will tell you about how tough this new reel is....

C/22   

[Timber]

Personally I dont like the 7.0:1 ratio on the DHSV I like the 6.2:1 That my older carados  have. I have heard lots of good about the DHSV but the higher gear ratio would keep me from buying one.

[rvrfshr]

Timber,

           You'll be happy to hear as I was when I bought mine, that the 300 has the old 6.2:1 ratio. (I don't care for the 7.0:1 of the 200's either). Prediction: the 300 will be the reel of salmon and steelhead anglers in short order. The old 6.2:1 retrieve along with the increased drag #, line capacity and oversize power handle made it a no brainer for me.

 Good luck on your purchase Moose !

[chrome/22]

I can see the 300 for big bad-a$$ salmon, that 200 is THE steelheaders reel.
Anything under 25 lbs is toast...

C/22.....

[BigCohoTom]

For what it's worth.  I have had two Quantums in the past and they have both failed me.  I don't think I will ever buy another.

[queets guy]

i just ordered the new curado a couple days ago, my dad has the old curado and he has been using it for 8 years and never has had a problem with it.

[Todd]

I have the Curado 200DSHV, and it does the job for me...I like using it for spinners in the summer, and I like the fast retrieve, especially when fishing big spinners by the ol' "cast 'em up and crank 'em down" technique.

It casts well, and the drag is very nice...haven't used the Quantum, so I can't tell you about that, though a friend of mine has a Cabo, and it's a pretty sweet reel.

Fish on...

Todd

[BobberDown]

I haven't used one of the new curado's because the one I have had for almost 5 years still works fantastic with a silky smooth drag.  I have owned Quantum baitcasters in the past and have never had a good expierence with them.  You'll be hard pressed to find many negative comments about the Curado.  Good Luck.

[MJParnel]

For what it's worth.  I have had two Quantums in the past and they have both failed me.  I don't think I will ever buy another.

As the Quantum sales rep in Western Washington, I'm interrested in hearing more about which reel/s have failed you and how they failed.  The entire Quantum reel line-up has been completely re-engineered over the past couple of years.  The new (post Brunswick) owners have invested many 100's of 1000's of dollars into a state-of-the-art R&D department, and we now sell some VERY quality product.  I am sorry to hear you've had trouble, and I don't doubt that you did, but I hope you don't write Quantum off completely.  You can now get a reel that is every-bit as-good as more expensive reels and save yourself some coin for fuel or more gear.

Moose, you know my vote.  You can't go wrong with either choice.

In a couple of my best dealers, sales of the Tour Edition reel have eclipsed sales of the Curado.  If you visit a dealer and compare the reels side x side, the choice becomes easier.  I've sold 100's of the Tour reel, and I've seen fewer than 10 with problems.  Our new reels don't even compare to reels of even 5 years ago.

[BigCohoTom]

Greetings Matt:

No hard feelings, I hope.  I was merely expressing my opinion.  Concerning the two reels:  The first was a Light Spinning Hypercast HC2 [circa 1996] spinning reel.  Twice I had a nylon gear [part #48, L/W Gear] "melt down" on me.  After the second time, I gave up on the reel.  I still have it [in pieces in a zip-lock bag] and the box it came in.  The second was a Quantum Magnum Gears 1311MG Baitcasting Reel [circa 2001].  I have always had trouble with the drag on this reel.  I would set it to where I liked it and it would always go "loose" on me.  I would continue to tighten it a little more about every 20 to 30 minutes, as it would continue to "slip".  After awhile it was completely tight with no drag at all, or completely loose with no drag at all [nothing in between].  I also still have this reel [in one piece] in the original box it came in.

I would be interested in "trading in" these two reels for your latest comparitive models and do a "test run" on them and give you my opinion.

tight lines & screaming reels,
BigCohoTom