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[G-Ratt]

Looking to get a new low-profile baitcaster for Steelhead season. I'm torn between two Shimanos, and I was wondering if any of you are currently using the Chronarch or the Curado, and which you would suggest?

I'm using a 10'6 Medium-Light Shimano Technium Rod

Thanks FWR forum! And Happy Holidays!

[Spawn Sack]

I have the Currado 301E7 and L-O-V-E it. I fish it on a 10"6 Convergence (12-20LB line rating I think) and it balances the rod very well. However on the same rod in the beefier version (12-25 line rating I think) it feels a little too light for the rod. On my 11"6 Technium 12-25 line rating the rod feels way tip heavy and sucks to fish with. With these two heavier rods I'll throw on my Cardiff 401 or 7001 Abu and the combo is much nicer to fish.

The Currado G series is junk stay away from them. Guy who services my reels says lots of problems with them. I don't know much about the Chronarch. I couldn't get the specs page to load on Shimano's website I would say if it has similar specs (10.5oz, 15lb drag, 6.2:1 gears, etc) it will likely fish well on your rod.

I'm not sure why but I've never seen anyone with the Chronarch on the river. I'm not sure if it has less line capacity or what. But I have talked to several guys with a 200 or 300 series CurradoE and all loved them. I'm sure you could get away with the 200 series, but I find the 300 series a good match for my rod.

If anyone tries to tell you the CurradoE's don't have enough line capacity, not enough drag, etc for salmon/steelehad ignore them. I landed serveral pig white springs and tons chum on it with no issues. The only minus is on a bigger/heavier rod it's just too light.

If $ is a factor, and the Chronarch is more than the Currado, I would get the Currado as it is more than sufficent.

[typhoon]

Only the Curado E comes in the 300 series. I use a Curado 200E7 and really enjoy it. I run 30lb slick8 braid and haven't seen the back half of my line, even on big chum.
The Chronarch has comparable guts to the Curado 200E series. I second staying away from the G series.

[Spawn Sack]

Impressive that wee 200E7 can handle the big dogs! They will put the drag to the test on any reel that's for sure! I run 17lb Pline Cxx-Xtra strong mono for mainline on my 301E7 and typically 8-12lb leader. LOVE the reel the fav of my small collection by far, just too bad it doesn't balance on the bigger rods. I tried a butt kit where a weighted cap goes on the rod butt and you can add/subtract lead discs until it balances. It worked, but I still prefer just having a bigger+heavier reel on the bigger rods.

I haven't fished the G series Currado but I played around with on on the rack at a fishing store and you could just tell by the way it engaged/disengaged and felt overall that is was a piece of junk compared to the E series. The G wasn't cheap either about $150 bucks. For that price I would get an Abu Record with the high capacity spool my g/f has one and it rocks landed tons of fish on the river with no issues and we even took it out on the ocean and it hauled in several big salmon no prob. IMO the CurradoE reels are nicer to fish, smoother, more refined. However they are almost double the price of the Record.

[charles]

A chronarch E is the same reel as a Curado E.  The curado G is also a step down of the Currado E.  If you take a look at the Chronarch D and Curado E, if I am not mistaken, the curado E is made in Japan.  The newer verison of the curado (the G series) are made in Malaysia.  Most people consider a Curado G is just a step up of the Caenan model but a step down of the Curado E model.

If you were buying a curado, try look for the E series. 
If you were buying a Chronarch, try look for the D series.
If you were buying a Chronarch E series, you are just paying a bit more for a newer Curado E series with a different name.

I use a chronarch D5 for everything from Pink, Coho, Chum, and spring till last year.  I am mostly centerpin and flyfishing now.

[Spawn Sack]

Good info Charles! And yes the Currado E series is made in Japan. If the Chronarch and Currado E reels are the "same" then I would get whichever one is a better price (sounds like that would be the Currado). However, I would double check all specs as it's possible one is a bit lighter, holds a bit more/less line, etc. The Currado E series is rock solid I can promise you. The green color of the Currado E is a bit ulgy IMO, but the reel is so sweet it more than makes up for it

[typhoon]

Good info Charles! And yes the Currado E series is made in Japan. If the Chronarch and Currado E reels are the "same" then I would get whichever one is a better price (sounds like that would be the Currado). However, I would double check all specs as it's possible one is a bit lighter, holds a bit more/less line, etc. The Currado E series is rock solid I can promise you. The green color of the Currado E is a bit ulgy IMO, but the reel is so sweet it more than makes up for it

CuradoE is only available in the 300 size (14lb/190yd). The smaller version was replaced by the G series several years ago. You will have a hard time finding a Curado 200E.
CuradoG is only available in the 200 size (14lb/110yd)
Chronarch is only available in the 200 size (14lb/110yd)
Thus you cannot compare a CuradoE with a Chronarch.

[Spawn Sack]

Interesting. I hate when reel makers do this! I would get the 300E Currado for steelhead then. A 200 Chronarch would probably be fine too, I'd just bring the rod with you that you plan to fish the reel on and make sure the setup balances to your liking. The Currado 300E is already pretty light and JUST balances the rod I fish it on. That being said it is a Convergence, which I'm sure is not the lightest or best balanced float rod around Down the road I'd like to get myself a higher end float rod like a Lamilglass, Gloomis, or Sage etc. But right now I'm happy with the Shimanos, and the price is hard to beat.

[charles]

You can still find some curado e5 or e7 if you look hard enough.  The curado g only came out for a couple years ago.

Try compare the curado e to the newer chronarch e.   They are almost the same reel even sharing the same body frame.

I agree though, the chronarch d is a better reel than the curado e.

[Spawn Sack]

If you go on Shimano's website and do a side by side comparison of the Currado E reels and Chronarch E reels you will see that they're NOT the same or even that similar other than their appearance. Most notably the Currado has more drag (15lbs vs 11lbs), more line capacity, and retails for about $70 more.

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/low_profile_baitcasting/chronarch.html

The Currado E looks comparable in quality to the Chronarch Ci4 series, but the Currado still has more drag and line capacity.

I am not a reel expert so perhaps I am missing something? I am just going by the numbers comparing apples to apples.

I looked long and hard before buying a low profile baitcaster and the Currado E was one of the few with decent line capacity for 12-15lb mainline mono (what I normally run), excellent reviews, and a strong drag. The Abu Revo looked pretty good too but after reading many reviews and talking to the guy who services my reels (he highly reccomended the Currado E over all others) the choice was easy.

Between the misses and I we have 7 different level wind reels and the Currado 301E is hands down my fav. The only down side is it is just no big/heavy enough to balance on my longer/thicker rods.

[fish fishburn]

Like said earlier, you cant compare the Curado 300 series to the Chronarch. I have 5 or 6 Chronarchs, dating back to the original bantam I believe, and still use it regularly. They are a more refined reel than any of the Curados. But I also have probably 10 Curados all 200 series (no G's) which are junk. I have 2 301E Curado's which I use for Northern Pike and Musky fishing here in Ontario. There a bit light for chucking the heavy Musky baits but they do work for the smaller baits. I used the 301E on the Vedder  and had no issues with anything I caught there. It performed beautifully with 20# braid and Covergence rod. Hold off if your thinking about buying a 200 series Curado the word is Shimano is coming out with a new one to replace the crappy G series this spring. There still being tight lipped about it but my local shop told me he will have them soon. Shimano lost a lot of business from the bass guys with the Curado G and wants them back so I'm thinking the new Curado will be a sweet reel to make up for their huge blunder with the G . I even tried my Stradic 4000 series while on the Vedder and it worked ok but spinning reels are not the way to go if you ask me. I had to try it because I brought it with me. Cant wait to get back out there and get into some more Reds. The 200's would be fine for the sockeye's I caught but might be a bit light for the Reds.

[drh]

Jeez I feel old,cause I'm happy fishing with my Bantam 50 upgraded with berrings and smooth as silk!