Reel specs 101 . . .Please Explain?

[hattori hanzo]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a Low profile BC to suit a 6-10kg Strudwick Harbaitz I was given. I'm going to run 15 - 20lb braid generally and I've been looking at Curados, Chronarch, Trion 3, and Daiwa viento and getting a little confused with sizes (eg. curado 50E or 200E) and gear ratios etc.

Can any one please explain to me what different gear ratios do etc? Is more ball bearings better? Is there a difference between saltwater and freshwater models? Basically I'm after a run down on what I should be looking for in a reel and are the ones I'm looking at going to do the job.

Thanks in advance

Cam

[mangler]

Hey mate, I'm sure there are others more knowledgable on the subject, but I'll give I't a go!

In regards to the sizing example Curado 50e vs 200e. Firstly the "e" is the series of the reel, the "e" series were made in Japan and gave recently been replaced with the "g" series, which are made in Thailand. The numbered part is in regards to the size. ie a 50 sized Shimano is a very small, narrow & light reel, whereas a 200 size seems to have the wider spool and is more your "standard" size for want of a better word.

In regards to gear ratios. I'm going to use the term "standard" here again and say that the "standard" ratio is usually around 6.2:1-6.5:1 depending on manufacturer. This is a good "all-rounder" ratio. Some manufacturers have introduced slower or faster ratios into certain models in there range. For example the Curado 200e5 has a ratio of 5.5:1, from memory, meaning you are retrieving less line for every turn of the handle, this is perfect for situations like slow rolling spinnerbaits. Compare this with a Curado 200e7 where you have a ratio of, I think, 7.3:1, this means for every turn of the handle the spool will turn 7.3 times, thus giving you a faster retrieve with more line retrieved for each turn of the handle. Think of it like a pushbike: the 5.5:1 is like the gear you select for going up hills, then you change into the 6.3:1 for the general ride with the odd bump and finally when you are on the straight and flat you change into the 7.3:1 fir that speed.

If a model says freshwater specific, then it is usually because a material used in the construction has an increased likelihood of corrosion and thus should not be taken into the salt. Numbers of bearings is important in the smoothness, but from the Shimano reels you have mentioned they are both fairly similar in this regard, with the Chronarch just that little bit more refined. I don't know much about Daiwa baitcasters so can't comment, but I personally have a Curado 50e and a Chronarch 200e5, I'm very happy with both of these reels.

Hope that was of some use to you.

Cheers,

Matt

[fishingnut]

Thats some awesome info there mangler! well done mate

[hattori hanzo]

Thanks Mangler that was one of the best explanations I have been given.

If anyone would like to add or had first hand experience with the models I'm looking at please do

Thanks

Cam

[Hfisho77]

^^^ i think everyone is scared to comment after that explanation very helpul indeed

[RyanG45]

i have a curado 200dhsv and its a really nice reel good gear ratio nice and light and a very smooth reel i have also played with a chronarch 100 also a very nice light and comfortable reel to fish with for a long period of time, and also i think Howie has a chronarch 200e for sale on the sight might wanna check that out as well, good luck in finding a reel

cheers ryan