How good is the Curado 200B5?

[canalbrian1]

My question is how good is the Shimano Bantam Curado 200B5? I bought one unused for $125.00, it is about 19 years old. I am just wondering how good this reel. I have Curado E5s and Curado 200IPGs. Just wondering about the Curados of the past.

[MaxZmus]

Poop, compared to today's reels.

[MaxZmus]

Poop, compared to today's reels.

[metanium]

I wouldn't call it poop. It's built to last, that's why you see so many of the old greenies around today. How many other series of reels get the kind of love today that the old B series gets. It won't be as free spoiling as today's reels, but the B5 makes a fantastic cranking reel. Brass gears and low gear ratio, to boot!

[Kurt L]

They are very durable! do a few modern upgrades to it and it will hold it's own for many years to come. I still have one I will never part with.

Kurt

[Dink Dawg]

I also have a 200B5. The green Curados are, for their time, one of the best cranking reels out there. They still perform very well in comparison to the new stuff. Go enjoy it. Side note: Bassmaster magazine, years ago, used to recap tournaments and feature the top five finishers and the equipment and tackle they used. I noted a common theme with anglers who did not have reel or line sponsorships. They fished Curados and spooled them with Berkely Big Game line.

[oops]

I have no experience with that specific reel, but as far as older reels go...I fished my Curado 200E7 this week a few times. I've had the reel for a few years and hardly used it since I fished my Calais 100As and Calais DCs most of the time. It's a nice real without a doubt, but to be honest, I prefer my 15+ year old Chronarch 100As and 100SFs to the modern Curado 200E7. The only thing the Curado is a clear winner at is how comfortably it palms and how smooth the stock handle feels. For castability and smoothness (aside from the handle), I prefer the older reels. Although I've never used a Curado 200B5, I'd bet it's a cranking beast and I'm sure you'll be very pleased. If you like the reel, I'd probably invest in a handle that can accommodate 2-4 bearings.

[canalbrian1]

Thanks for you guys input. Its hard to find reviews on this reel. I do plan to trick this reel out as much as I can. I want to put ceramic bearings by Boca Bearings and Carbontex carbon fiber drag system. I love my crankbait fishing. I have noticed a lot of pros use green curados when I watch bassmasters or flw. Keith Combs, David Walker, and Russ Lane to name a few.

[SteveSchmelzle]

The Bantam Curado SF is "as good" as any of the modern Curdao's.

Especially after E Bass Fisher gets his hands on it.

[lifeofRiley]

It's a better reel than the majority of them sold today. More durable than any other reel I've used. I've put carbon drag washers in some of mine but for treble hook baits the stock washers provide plenty of power.