i don't know about that... i usually bass fish more than saltwater and I love my 7:1 ratio reels! The speed is always nice to have incase you see a fish hit and you need to hurry and reel in to recast or what not. I do have a few 6:3:1 that i use with my heavy cover rods such as jig fishing and throwing ribbits in all the grass. I've never had any trouble with hauling in a nice fish along with 10lbs of grass with any of my reels. Just pump and reel if it comes down to needing power. I think I'd stick with the faster reels instead of 5:1, to me thats just too darn slow. They might have more power but when do you REALLY need all that power whenever you have a good drag system on pretty much any reel?

Right handed vs Left

While bass fishing if you are pitching/flipping, a left handed reel is best.

While salt water i prefer right handed since i'm right handed, but you'll be fighting stronger fish, so go with whatever arm is best ;)



7:1/5:1


W i don't totally agree with your statement..
Depends on time of year, style of bait, activness of the fish..
come summer time, I burn my baits 90% of the time so i use a 7:1 for bass

winter time with bass, i slow work a jig, worm, etc. So i fish 5:1.




Thats how i see it...

Curado for me....no matter the price. :cool:

:rotfl::shaking::rotfl::shaking:

:spineyes:

i thought you were changin it up to the new cores??

In the process.

you gonna "pool" test it like the others??

:*****: :eek:

The 2010 Core will be the fastest of all Shimano baitcasters...7.1:1. With 8 ball bearings and only 5.5 ounces.....this is alot of dynamite in a small package.

Proper reel speed depends on the type of fishing you are doing. These days, most bass fisherman use the slower speeds for crankbaits and similar techniques. This forces them to slow down and run the lure at the speed that it was intended to. They use high speed reels so they can quickly take up slack and set the hook.

For inshore saltwater I love the higher speed reels. We make multiple long casts and having the ability to take up line quickly is of paramount importance. I don't even own a low speed reel nor would I unless I wanted to use it solely for crankbait fishing.

The curado is marketed as a bass reel because thats where the money is. The market is bigger so thats who they advertise to. Read the description of the curado on Shimano's website, it is rated for saltwater use.

I prefer a higher ratio as it allows you to cover a lot more water

At Bass proshops in Katy, the counter guy told me last night that he sells Curados almost 10 to 1 over other reels for saltwater trouts and reds. He says to oil in two- three spots after every use and it'll last forever - on the reel handles, under the brake nut, and in the bearing under the removable cover. He said his podner has had one for 15 years and dunks it in saltwater at least once or twice a year on accident but it keeps running. I'm sold: 200/201 E7 for me.
Fool - I hear you on the right hand/left hand, but I'm still undecided as I'm used to casting right, and reeling left with my spinners and i'm right handed.

In time I'd recommend both just so there's no question as to what one has that the other doesn't. Buy the quality type of reel of your choice.

Man I would like to see if CURADOS were made for Saltwater!!!:D
That is what I do with my 3 Curados....just not after every use!

I use right hand retrieve for all of my reels. In the salt I switch hands after I cast, but for bass I learned to pitch and flip with the rod in my left hand. Now I can hardly pitch or flip with my right hand!! I didn't want to buy right and left hand reels for each type of fishing. It is quite easy to learn, it just takes some time and practice.

7:1 on jigs, topwater
5:1 on suspending baits, crank baits