I wanted some advice as I dont baitcast much but have decided on a Lami X96jc for my rod, what reel would you recommend under 250 bucks to match up with this rod...plan on throwing spoons quite a bit this winter btw...cheers.

If you're fishing for natives, I'd second the Curado, but recommend stepping up to the 300...the 200 only holds about 120 yards of 12# test.

My X96's have ABU 5600 C4's on 'em...

Fish on...

Todd

the primary focus is on natives, as big as the fish gods allow...is there a better rod/reel combo for under $500 out there? What about retrieve ratios? will throw spoons and worms mainly...

The Shimano Curado DS300 has a 6.3:1 retrieve, I believe, which is perfect...the ABU 5600 C4's are also 6.3:1...also perfect.

The Curado is about $225, the ABU is $85...you can find X96JC's for about $175...so you're we'll under $500 whichever way you go, but the ABU/Lami combo will get you out the door for less than $300.00...

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. Most all the big nates I catch come on the ABU/X96 combo, since I have three of 'em rigged at all times in the boat...spoons and PW's are 90% of my winter native fishing lures.

sweet, ordering up the ABU and 96jc right now, thats the right money/quality combo it appears...thanks...cheers

what mainline do you guys prefer for natives?...i usually run 15lb ultragreen on my float rod...

Curado 300 loaded with 15lb. Izor XXX.

i stand with todd on the ambassadeur setup. i ran a 5500C3, 5500C, 4600C4, and 2500C on the one i used to own and they all worked just fine.

i've moved over to 2500Cs and daiwas for summer run fishing where i'm throwing 1/8oz or less, but an ambassadeur will cast anything over 1/4oz just as well as any curado or daiwa, and you know you'll be able to get parts for it 20 years from now.

I am partial to the Diawa Luna 253... Approx $230.

Super smooth and tough drag. Best part of all is I can used it on another rod for Kings.. Solid performer!

the tierra ain't bad either, for the low profile guys. i've got one and it's treated me very well so far.

Has anyone ever heard whether or not Shimano will be making a Curado 301?

Terrapin

Curado.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE



Let'em eat it,It's there last meal.

Terrapin,

The 301's are done, don't know about the release date though.
Check on their site and Cabela's.

Good luck.

Nice! Thanks Joe...

Terrapin, if you want a 301 I think its gonna be a while. I have yet to see one anywhere, & Shimano keeps pushing the release date back like a Boeing 787.

I personally I think the Curado DHSV 200/201 is plenty of reel even bankfishing on kings & the 96 JC has plenty of backbone...

Last word on the 301....

http://www.tackletour.net/T3Forum/viewtopic.php?t=19738&highlight=301dsv

C/22

Thanks C/22,

I agree with you on the 201. I just want to get my hands on a 301 cause I'm a tackle whore and they aren't available. The 201 loaded with PP worked great on bank Kings this year and with PP had more then enough capacity.

Terrapin

I just got my first Curado 201. That is an awesome reel, it is my first foray into baitcasters beyond the $100 dollar range, and it was a b-day present. From a boat, using PP I have all the confidence in the world in it.

I have several curados and a couple of calcuttas..........I seem to use my rods with calcuttas more, I really like them and i havent found better reels than the higher end shimanos

i don't know about most of the guys here but once you've driect drive on the old shimano bantams you won't ever change.... lami x96jc-shimano bantam 251xsg

I bought a Daiwa Fuego last year and I like it more than the curado. The more I use it the more I enjoy fishing with it. The drag is like butter.