🤔 SHIMANO CURADO BFS worth it???

Hey guys!

In this video I’ll be unboxing and sharing my impressions of the Shimano Curado BFS reel. I’ll also point out upgrades you can perform on the reel and share some interesting findings and opinions of the reel. Please keep in mind that this video won’t be a spec dump but more of what I think and find about this reel. This video won’t show any on the water impressions as well as there are tons of good videos of people using the reel out there in YouTube land.

If you’d like to purchase the reel you can find non-affiliate or affiliate links below. PS If you decide on using the non affiliate links please make sure you are selecting the right configuration of the reel you want.

Cheers and thank you, as always, for watching!

Non-affiliate link:
SHIMANO Curado BFS 8.2:1 Low Profile Baitcast 7BB +1BB

Affiliate links are below. If you use them I will receive a small commission with your purchase and am extremely grateful to you if you do.

SHIMANO CURADO BFS

SHIMANO SLX BFS

#shimano #fishing #curadobfs #slxbfs #scorpionbfs #bfsfishing #baitfinessesystem #kastking #soloking #tsurinoya #bassfishing #troutfishing #bass #trout #fishinggear

[Prime_Nexus]

For the brake dial, I removed the magnetic brake assembly (3 screws behind the ftb assembly), and backed out the screw slightly (and added a hint of blue loctite to keep it from loosening up later). Just like adjusting the pivot on a folding knife.
I got the roro spool and hedgehog bearings for it, and it casts 1/32 oz jigs with 1" grub trailers really nicely for panfishing, and the higher weight just helps balance it on the fiberglass rod I built for it. The bearings were mainly just for noise, if you flush grease/oil out of the stock bearings you get similar performance, just they are LOUD.

[repekolmonen]

My Curado was horrible out of the box. I had to open it up and clean it. Now it performs really smooth, but it has some gear noise. I have sinked it many times, dropped it on sand and rocks. It’s a tough case.

Can’t wait to see the bearing upgrade video.

[csmith]

I have two of these. Love them for BFS bass fishing but wanted to throw small crappie and trout lures with one. Rather than buying an Aldebaran, I upgraded the spool to the new Roro spool/bearing as well as the Roro side plate bearing, and it made a dramatic difference. Paired with an OLD 18 UL rod using 6-pound Verivas PE I can throw .75-gram lures with decent accuracy and a very acceptable distance.

[darthjar]

My first BFS reel was a KastKing Zephyr. I loved it so much that I thought a more expensive reel would be even better so I bought this Shimano. I actually like the KastKing better.

[Baitfinessefishing]

Great video man, I had a slx bfs for a while. It was nice, ddnt cast as light as other reels. Prob about down to 2.5 grams. I put bearings in the knobs and spool bearings to and gave it to a friend!

[BigDaddy_ChuckNorris]

Just curious where you bought your reel? All Shimano bait casters I’ve bought always came with one bottle of batam oil and other YouTubers unboxing videos show they come with Batam and bfs oil. Great review thanks!

[tphvictims]

I saw a video about the RORO spool. 👍🏻
It’s a shame that for the money I spent they didn’t throw in a set of ceramic bearings.
And yes it is much heavier than my Kast King Kestrel elite. Much heavier.

[tphvictims]

Just unboxed mine.
I’m pretty disappointed with the mag adjustment knob. I need a pipe wrench to turn it. The grease seems to be a bit thick.
I have a 150 DC HG that’s as nice as can be.

[adolfoayala]

What is the size of the spool ball bearings? I would like to put some Roro BFS ceramic ones. And how do you replace the ball bearing?
TIA.

[hookalounge]

I got the roro cb26 spool for mine and it behaves close to 90% the same as my Aldebaran. It really changed the reel into a lighter casting setup.

[MichaelRomero]

I'll stick with my Daiwa BFS reels but good to see what else is out there.

[pescadordosertao]

Saw it bein used by a friend of mine. Very honest reel.

[leen]

They are not a bad reel for the money, I’ve used one for a while now and other than putting ceramic bearings in its stock . Not sure the ceramics make that much of a difference because shimano’s bearings are not too bad but they don’t hurt . I have got a roro spool on order so I’ll see if it gets close to my gekkabijin for ease of casting lighter lures

[The_Multi-species_Angler]

Looking forward to the teardown socks about that water damage. Slowing stuff down!!

[zankyou]

The Curado is a nice reel. Tweak and mod it all you want. But from the reviews I've read, the Daiwa millionaire ct sv 70 you just got is a reel you would want to keep and fish. Waiting for your impression video on the millionaire ct sv 70.

[bubblebreeze]

I've heard other places commenting its like a work horse reel for BFS so would this work more in the power finesse range? I've been planning to get a light ML or M power crank bait rod to cast 1/4 ounce crank baits. I know I can get regular casting reels for 1/4 ounce but I was wanting something inbetween so I can use on a BFS rod one trip, then switch to the crank bait rod on a different reel.

[Koszarek]

With the sheer number of reels on the market now, what do you think about this at 135$ price point? (current AliExpress price)

I love the value proposition of some of the CDM offerings, but serviceability and parts availability a few years down the road is important too, and at 135 i'm damn tempted.

[willtraveltofish]

I never quite understood what the big deal is about reel handle bearings? Meaning what effect do they have on hook sets, fighting the fish and casting accuracy or distance? I just don’t see any tangible benefit.

[jamespaskert]

I don't know which planet you're on but I have three Curado BFS reels and they are incredible right out of the box. At this price point - $140 on Ali Express, comparing it to the Aldebaran is Shimano apples to oranges. I believe your review is overly critical of probably the best sweet spot BFS reel on the planet. You haven't helped your target audience by discouraging purchasing this reel. Not everyone can afford a Metanium or Aldebaran, or perhaps have reels comped to them. none of the lower end reels from KastKing or Tsurinoya or others have near the workmanship of the Curado and I've tried most. I suspect you have achieved your goal of impressing us with your "expertise", where somehow you equate number of BB's with quality and experience. Very disappointing review and reminds us all to be wary of the unbridled internet of opinions.

[tmzzlo]

Talking about roro spool its is made of duraluminium just the Centre Shaft material: Titanium Alloy. Its a marketing mate ... :D