Product Review: Shimano Curado 300E & 300EJ Reel

Shimano Curado 300E/300 EJ Review By Joseph Alfe Retail Price as tested: 300E: $249.00 300EJ: $259.00 Category: Mid range ($200-$300) Specifications: Mono Line Capacity (# Test/yd): 12/240, 14/190, 20/120 50/205,65/120,80/105 Braid Line Capacity (# Test/yd): 12\240,14\190,20\120 50\205,65\120,80\105 Max Drag (lb): 15#'s S A-RB Ball Bearings: 1 S SUS Bearings: 5 A-RB Roller Clutch Bearings: 1 Gear Ratio: CU300E 6.2:1/CU300EJ 6.9:1 Weight (oz): CU300E: 10.5 CU300EJ: 11.5 ¢ Aluminum Frame ¢ Lightweight Graphite Sideplates ¢ High Efficiency Gearing (HEG) ¢ Super Free Bearing Supported Pinion Gear System (SF) ¢ A7075 Aluminum Magnumlite Spool ¢ Dartainium Drag ¢ Variable Brake System (VBS) with Reduced Mass Hub ¢ Super Stopper ¢ Assist Stopper ¢ Quickfire II Clutch Bar Applications: All Freshwater/Light Saltwater Observations: As a big fan of the previous large size, low profile offering from Shimano, the DSV series, I was excited yet a bit skeptical when Shimano released the 300E series replacement. I guess I am of the "If it aint broke, don't fix it crowd, and so with slight intrepidation I gave the 300E series a shot. First look revealed a beautiful, color shift green paintjob that is quite distinctive and attractive. As usual, Shimano fit and finish is excellent and the reel felt substantial and smooth in hand. The contours are perfect for a large low-profile offering, and for it's size, weight is a respectable 10.5 Oz. This won't win any finesse contests, but what this reel lacks in weight reduction, it more than makes up with comfort and power. Performance: For Bass, I Mounted the Curado's on the Airrus KW Nano Fusion, and the Okuma Helios, and for Musky, the Okuma Guide Select rods saw duty and the Curado's were spooled with a variety of lines such as 17# P-Line Co-Polymer, 15# Sunline Shooter Fluorocarbon, and 65# & 80# Sufix 832, and 50# Sunline FX2. Don't let its low-profile fool you, line capacity is more than adequate for any sort of freshwater and light saltwater applications, even with 80# line. Casting performance is truly pleasurable. I started out casting Musky baits in the 2-5 Oz. range and this reel bombed casts out there like a cannon. My partner was using a Revo Toro and I routinely outcast him by as much as 15-20%. Even with my small hands, the reel felt secure and comfortable and I could easily palm it, unlike my traditional round reels. The 300E is only available in a 6.2:1 ratio, which is a disappointment since the DSV model was available in the 7.1:1 Speed, although the 300EJ is rated at 6.9:1. Still, you'd think that more than one speed would be offered. Superline Performance: Using the heavy 65#-80# superlines was a breeze and I had few issues. When Musky fishing, I back off my cast control to zero and I had no backlash or tangle issues except with the Sufix 832 and even those were minor. (More on this in another review) The Sunline FX2 was truly a smooth casting experience and handled pitching and flipping with great ease and accuracy. Brakes are easily adjusted via a convenient side plate, although I am a "set them and forget them kind of guy with brakes. Drag performance was more than adequate to subdue any Musky that was hooked, and performed smoothly and flawlessly with no line digging into the spool, even with the sudden, boat-side surges common to Musky and Pike. Fluoro/Co-Polymer Line Performance: Fluorocarbon line is for me a love/hate relationship. I love how it performs when it's in the water, but hate how it performs on most reels. The Curado handles the Sunline very well and I had little line casting or management difficulties. Pitches and flips were executed competently, and I had confidence in the reels performance throughout the season. The 17# P-Line was used for all my crankbait, jerkbait, and spinnerbait applications and the reel handled this line easily and without any issues. I should note that the lines was treated with KVD Line Conditioner before and after each outing. 300EJ: This variant comes equipped with a 6.9:1 ratio, beefed up gearing, and a large power handle. I was looking for something to compete with the Abu Garcia Revo Toro that is currently at the top of the sales heap in the Musky world, and this reel proved to be its superior in virtually every category. This reel saw heavy duty for high-torque applications such as burning large double bladed bucktails, big glide and rubber baits, as well as big crank/twitchbaits. The EJ is a refined beast. It has all of the attention to detail and size and comfort advantages that the regular 300 has, yet its increased power and torque makes this a truly formidable Musky/Striper and other assorted powerfish reel. At 32 inches of line per crank and a wide, high capacity spool, the EJ had no trouble blasting in the big, double 10# bucktails that are so effective for Musky. The speed and ease that this reel produced in this capacity, almost, very nearly, but not quite matched the Revo Toro. Where this reel pulled past the big Abu was price and reliability. These Shimano's have proven almost bulletproof, and other than normal cleaning and maintenance, no mechanical issues or rebuilding was necessary over the three seasons that our Pro Staff have used this reel. This emphatically cannot be said for the Revo, where a full rebuild is often necessary halfway through the first season with heavy use. Conclusion: Over the past three seasons that the anglerzconnection.com Pro Staff has used the Curado 300E/EJ reels, it has been very apparent that these reels are not only smooth, precise, and a joy to cast and fight fish with, but are well made, rock solid, and very durable. No matter what your application needs are in the high line capacity, low-profile reel category, the Shimano 300E/EJ's are an excellent value and a pleasure to fish with. Shimano Curado 300E & 300EJ Scores: 0-10 Looks: 9.0 Balance: 9.0 Feel: 9.0 Weight: 8.0 Power: 10 Performance: 10 Price: 10 Average: 9.3 Deductions: Only one speed -.25 (300E) Total Score: 9.0