Curado 301k vs 301 hgk

[Steve Moore]

Can’t decide on what to buy.
Going to be used for replicants, spinnerbaits, jerks.
Steering towards the lower retrieve, any advice ?

[Steve Le maitre]

Steve firstly I'd look at line retrieve per handle turn, some of these so called fast reels are not all that.
Smaller spools compound the problem further.

[Steve Moore]

Line retrieve on the 301 is 25”
Line retrieve on 301 hg is 35”

Pretty sure the 301e I’m using at present is 28”, so in between the two K models.

[Steve Dennington]

Personal preference I think. I'd always go for a faster retrieve, because it's easier to slow down than to wind like a nutter to compensate for a ratio that's too slow.

[CraigG]

I would go with the HG model. The curado HG model even with a 35" line retrieve is actually modest for a HG model.

25" line retrieve is super slow with a 4.8:1 gear ratio. I would be concerned about trying to keep contact with jerkbaits etc with that low of a line retrieve

[Steve Le maitre]

I’ve got a Komodo KDX 463 at 33”per turn. The game changer was fitting a Gomexus handle, so much power and so smooth.
I’d personally go for the hg and fit a double paddle of at least 110mm, going that long really compliments such a reel.

[Steve Moore]

Thanks chaps.
Aren’t slower retrieve reels Better for high resistance baits, spinnerbaits, large cranks etc.
and kinder on the gears. ?

[Steve Le maitre]

Modern hg reels are designed to cope with the stresses. Backlashes are reel killers.

[Daniel]

I use a K purely for spinnerbaits and cranks, it's too slow for much else imo.

[Steve Moore]

Looks like it’s going to be the HG
Thanks.

[Tony McTaggart]

I prefer the slower retrieve for swimbaits personally.
Only downside is fishing from a boat anything over 1mph is a ballbuster trying to keep up with those baits

[Mark Phillips]

Can’t decide on what to buy.
Going to be used for replicants, spinnerbaits, jerks.
Steering towards the lower retrieve, any advice ?

I have both those reels Steve. I'd go for the higher geared model given your requirements.

[Steve Moore]

Can’t decide on what to buy.
Going to be used for replicants, spinnerbaits, jerks.
Steering towards the lower retrieve, any advice ?

I have both those reels Steve. I'd go for the higher geared model given your requirements.

Thanks Mate.

[Mark Phillips]

You probably know this Steve, but for the benefit of others - the Curado K spools are identical to the same size Tranx, colour accepted. Just makes getting spare spools a bit easier, given how up and down supply has been in recent years.

[Steve Moore]

Ordered the hg. Thanks all.

[Steve Moore]

Well got my new reel, very smooth.
But didn’t feel right, Felt a bit tight, Especially when retrieving spinnerbaits.
Thought perhaps it was due to the fact that I wasn’t used to the higher ratio gears.
Decided to have a quick look at the spool bearings tonight, And both of them hardly turned.
Gave them a clean and oil, And seem far better, Will try it out after work tomorrow.

[Tony McTaggart]

Spool bearings will have nothing to do with it feeling tight Steve, it will be the higher gear ratio working against the spinnerbait if that makes sense (like going up a hill in high gear)
As I mentioned above I'd have went with the slower retrieve for swimbaits/spinnerbaits etc.
Still a great reel for the price compared with the almost identical TranX.

[Steve Moore]

Thanks Tony
I have ordered the slower retrieve version.
Will compare the two, and decide what to do.
Will probably keep both.

[Tony McTaggart]

Thanks Tony
I have ordered the slower retrieve version.
Will compare the two, and decide what to do.
Will probably keep both.

Higher retrieve is really good for jerkbaits etc imo

[Steve Moore]

My new 301k arrived Wednesday so had a quick go last night after work.

Didn’t catch anything, but tried it with several different lures from large spinnerbaits, swim baits, surface lures, spinners.
It is far more suited to my style of fishing.
And was a joy to use.
Not sure what I’m going to do with the hg version yet.

[Tony McTaggart]

My new 301k arrived Wednesday so had a quick go last night after work.

Didn’t catch anything, but tried it with several different lures from large spinnerbaits, swim baits, surface lures, spinners.
It is far more suited to my style of fishing.
And was a joy to use.
Not sure what I’m going to do with the hg version yet.

HG version comes into it's own when out on a boat drifting buddy especially if the boat is drifting over 1mph

[Steve Moore]

My new 301k arrived Wednesday so had a quick go last night after work.

Didn’t catch anything, but tried it with several different lures from large spinnerbaits, swim baits, surface lures, spinners.
It is far more suited to my style of fishing.
And was a joy to use.
Not sure what I’m going to do with the hg version yet.

HG version comes into it's own when out on a boat drifting buddy especially if the boat is drifting over 1mph

Thanks Tony

[Mark Phillips]

Sorry to hear the HG wasn't your of tea Steve. I prefer it over the standard ratio and I use the HG a lot - especially with jerk baits and top waters. Also, as Tony rightly highlights, when retrieving lures from the boat it makes a difference. I wouldn't get shot of it, good to have both in your armoury.

[Steve Moore]

Yeah decided to keep both.
Might encourage me to do a bit more jerkbaiting.
I’ve never caught a 20 on a jerk.
There’s a good target.