Looking for a new low pro baitcaster for larger spinners (4s & 5s), and spoons,( I use a spinning set up for small spinners, perfer a baitcaster for the larger spinners). Would also like to use the same set up for spoons. Not sure what gear ratio would be best for this multi purpose reel. Would like to keep it at or below a couple bills. Thanks.....

the curado with the 7 to 1 ratio is the shiat!

I like the Curado for spinners, but use an Ambassadeur Record for spoons, that or a 5600 C4...I don't like the 7:1 retrieve for spoons, but it's great for pitching spinners up and bringing 'em back down in the summer.

Fish on...

Todd

if you're willing to spend the $200 on a curado 200, take a look at the daiwa advantage-HST. better drag, don't have to crack it open to adjust the spool brakes, and 50 bucks less.

i may be a little outside the norm, but i like a slower reel for fishing hardware. less fatigue on my fingers after a full day of pitchin' metal.

I'm with Chum Man and Todd on the slower retrieve ratio... Of course not on brands though ! I prefer Curado 3's for hardware damblin'. With the current $50 rebate it takes it down to $200.

Good luck on your selection.

Depends on what rivers your tossing spoons on. If your tossing for trophy fish I would go bigger then the Curado. If you have a true shot at a 20+ fish go with a 6500 loaded up with 17lb or higher.

Hell what do I know ask Sol he tosses off an awful lot....of metal that is

Look for the 7 to 1 Curado 200 DHSV on sale, & then slap that Shimano $50 rebate on. Your golden...........

Great for spinners, float & drift fishing, ok for spoons

C/22

Thanks for all the suggestions. Not sure why the 7:1.1 gear ratio. A 5:1.1 gear ratio was suggested by a spinner shop. I did find a Luna 203 that I had purchased last year. Reel weight is a little more then I would like @10.9oz. Gear ratio is 5:1.1 with a line capacity of 10/205. May give this a try.

I am going to buy the 7:1.1 Curado and put it on my float rod and switch my 5:1.1 Curado from the float rod to my spoon rod.

the weight of the luna took me a little getting used to, but it's worth it for the performance of that reel, and knowing that it'll probably last forever with a little maintenance.

my luna count is up to 2 now, both 253s...would have got a 203 but i scored a good deal on a 253...

Good move, Mike...you'll be very happy with it that way.

Fish on...

Todd

I like the Curado for everything. It cast perfectly right on down through the 1/16 oz stuff. Ok, maybe that is light but it does go through the 1/8 oz and everything else awesomely. I dont think that you can beat it.

Wouldn't a person just reel a little slower?

You could, but it's just easier to reel slowly and smoothly with a slower gear ratio,

fb

You swing spoons in the current. You don't retrieve spoons. If you're spoon ain't swinging, you casted wrong in the wrong place....or are fishing in a back eddy.

I'm with Garcia on this one. Just reel a little s....l....o.....w....e.....r with a 7:1. Not like it's night-and-day kinda different. This ain't rocket science. Smooth? What?

The benefits of the 7:1 outweigh everything else.

Good luck catching up to a hot fish coming back at you on a slower retrieve reel.

You can get the spoon back in and out in the water fishing faster with the 7:1

The big disadvantage of this reel is the weight. It's not a light reel.

Past that, it's my favorite reel for spinners and spoons.

Parker
I think you said you own most of the Shimanos

Which is your favorite all time bait caster

If I could pick just one?

Chronarch.

If all you do is toss your spoon out and let it swing, then you are only fishing about 30% of the time that you have a spoon out there...

Fish on...

Todd

Please elaborate on this...

Cool. I seem to be holding my own with a spoon 30% of the time.

(Todd is correct, but I wasn't going to put that in such exact words, as this thread wasn't about *how* to spoon fish. It was about what reel to use.) You *have* to reel when spoon fishing. I was just indirectly saying it was very doable with the 7:1 and didn't find the reel to limit that ability.

Yeah, what Stam said.....although the stock drags in the BSF's suck.

He's only saying that 'cuz he put them fancy-schmancy carbontex drag washers in his BSF's. Finally.

You had a chance to test them out yet, Stamicus?