i have both the curado and the c3. it depends what your using the reel for. the curado is a any excellent bait casting reel. it took 4 years of hard fishing to finally wear out the drag. i use the c3 (6500) for back bouncing and plug fishing. the c3 is really good for back bouncing becuase of the lack of the thumb bar. you can set the hook even if the your in free spool. i have allways not liked the thumb bar on any reel. more than once i have set the hook while boondogging with the reel in one hand and an oar in the other and hit the spool release. luckily i had my thumb on the spool as well. i have modified my curado by removing the plastic thumb bar and using a hack saw to cut it to the length of the metal piece its screwed too. i then take a dremmel tool and round of the square edge, and screw it back in place. there then is enough room to fit my thumb on to the spool between the thumb bar and the side of the spool.