I know I'm getting a new 9' Loomis from my wife for X-mas, so of course I'm going to need a new reel.

I already have two Curados, one regular and one super-free, but am wondering if I should switch it up.

Thanks for suggestions.

I have both those reels that you mentioned and I use them on my Loomis rods and they work great. You just can't go wrong with a Curado. JMHO---TW

Forgot....for steelies mainly, and perhaps salmon occassionally (but I'd probably use another setup).

I just tried my new Curado FS today for the first time, and caught my first steelhead of the year. What a sweet reel! I don't know what more you could ask for in a reel - why "move up"?

You may want to consider a Calcutta 250 or 251. I like the curado for steelies, and for salmon I feel like its a stretch, especially if you may hook a nook. The calcutta fishes 10 lb test great, and also 15 and or 17lb test.

I just feel the calcutta is a little more "wide ranging" in terms of being able to go after steelies and or salmon.

In either case, both reels are awesome, have fun shopping!

Chronarch!

TTT

Rola76

Curado---I'd check EBAY, they are sold there "lot's". If you want new I'd go to BassPro or Cabela's...about $119.00 plus shipping.

Works great for both salmon and steelhead!!

"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"

ambassadeur morrum 5600

Curado is a great Steelhead reel and will work just fine for Salmon. I use mine year around with 12lb for everything in the river.

Although I have had a couple big Kings and a couple mean arse Chum spool me.

i use an abu. works great for salmon. i havent used it for steel.

I am going to vote for the Shimano Chronarch 100 w/ upgrade bearings.. the smoothest reel on the market!

I fish a G Loomis IMX 1084C and have it matched with a Shimano Calcutta 200

Great rod but the reel could be a bit faster.

I fish Lami G-1306-T's with Calcutta 250's. This is absolutely a great setup for the money. fish 8-12 lb test depending on the river, conditions and style, drifting in boat vs bank. Can cast 3/4 the way across the Skagit with little effort.

For those of you fishing the Calcuttas, are you using the ones with 2bb+1rb or the 6bb+1rb? I'm sure there's a difference, but is it huge?

On my Curado's, the super-free is nice, but my regular one casts just about as well.

I would vote for the Calcutta Conquest as being the cat's meow of baitcasting reels. Check one out, you will probably say the same.
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My vote is on the expensive side but it is the best reel I have ever felt. Calcuta TE in what ever size you like. I use the 401 because I could only afford one of these reels and it does double duty, salmon and steelies. ROLA76; yes the extra bearings make a huge difference. Having used both, the TE cast farther with less weight and is as smooth as glass.

MJ

Calcutta GT200TE!!! The raised reel seat sits higher in the frame, for you low profile guys, and is has the wiffle spool like the super frees. But.... It only comes right hand drive.

I own both Curados and a Calais. Came upon an interesting find this fall. Consider a Ambassaduer 5600C4. Great reel..6.3:1 retreive and a thumbar. Used it once on a Loomis 1025C for tossing spinners for silvers and never went back. A steal @ $70.00+/-. I had it spooled with 30lb powerpro. Casted #3s and #4 Vibrax very well. Infact I was outcasting the Curado BSF by several feet.

Rola,

My calcutta 251 is a model with the 2 plus 1 setup and I think its extremely smooth. I have had it for about 4 years now and just had its first tune up this last fall. I have not played with any calcuttas with more bb's.

For a few more dollars than a curado, the calcutta is sweet, and I like the all aluminum frame, it can take more of a beating.

Ebay is a great place to find all these reels.

The Calcutta Conquest is a soup-up Japan version of the Calcutta TE-GT reels and assumes the highest line of Shimano bait casting reels. The Conquest has a smoother and better built handle. Comes with drilled body and drilled side plates. They have lots of bearings. Conquest 50, 51=11+1, 100,101, 200,201=10+1, 300, 400=8+1 bearings. Hope that this helps. If you plain to spend a lot of money on a Shimano baitcaster you might as well get the best they make. My second choice would be the Scorpion 1000. The Scorpion is Shimano's soup-up Curado. I would definitly consider it before a Curado. There are plenty of reels that go round and round but if you are looking for something more consider the above. My .02