Hey Chrome,

I've got a 965, I bought it at the Sportman's show four, maybe five years ago, it was the first year they were available, and I got one of the first ones out, cost me $160 then, at the show.
I use ONLY this reel on the rivers. It casts like a dream. It's got adjustable counterweights and the whole shebang, it's got a super smooth drag, and it's damn durable. The only thing I've worn out in five years is the pawl, cost me $1.20 to replace it at R&R Marine in Port Angeles.

I've also used this reel on my boat in the saltwater, mostly for mootching and jigging, but I've used it in a pinch for trolling, too. Spool it up with 30lb PowerPro, and you've got one hell of a great mootching reel... instant response.

I don't have much experience with the Abus and Shimanos, I've only used them on guided trips and such, and I'd pick my Penn over them every time. The Abus and some of the others I've used seem very clunky and rough, and not as ergonomic as the Penn... but then again, it's apples and oranges, a $75 Abu vs. a $175 Penn. I like the width of the spool on my 965, and like I said, it casts just fine, I don't understand why you'd want a narrower spool.

My only complaint would be the weight of the 965, sometimes it seems heavy, but it sounds like the Curados are just about as heavy.

If you want a reel you'll have for a lifetime, buy American, buy a Penn.

-N.