I recently purchased two Curado 200i's NIB and two Smokes NIB. Should I clean and service these BEFORE using them or are they ready to go right out of the box?
You opinions are appreciated.

being good name brand reels I wouldn't worry about servicing them until they need it. Just waisting your time IMO. Now if you were doing bearing upgrades or something like that then it would be a different story. If it were me I'd be putting them on a rod like they are and using them straight out of the box!

Thanks Bull. They all seem to be VERY free and smooth right outta the box. Cant wait to use them on Amistad at the end of the month.

It took me a minute to figure out what NIB meant...between fishing, guitar players, guitar builders, cigar smokers, bike riders and etc., forums, I get lots of the abbreviations wrong.
I'd fish straight out, and clean after several good sessions.

L(augh)O(ut)L(oud)...it means New In Box...but I know what you mean. JUST deciphered SHM!!

I have bought 2 new Curado 200i reels in the last 6 months. Neither one would cast well. I opened them up and and found a lot of oil on the spool shafts and spool bearings. I cleaned the oil out of the bearings (with acetone), and wiped the oil off the spool shaft. I put a tiny drop of Shimano oil on the bearings and used a qtip to put a tiny bit on the shafts. They cast really well now.

Bottom line-if your new reel doesn't cast as well as it should, this might be worth checking.

Good point...a few minutes of casting, at any time, let's the man know if some cleaning is needed!

What do you use for cleaning the oil and grease out? Acetone? Alcohol? Brake cleaner (J/K)?

I use naptha. It works great as a solvent and its cheap.If someone buys a new reel I would suggest cleaning and oiling the spool bearings only.Sometimes from the factory the bearings are packed with grease.Take the spool out of the reel and check if it has a bearing on the shaft.If it does then clean it and the two bearings on the spool shaft ends with lighter fluid or naptha ,then let air dry before re-assembly.Put one drop of light weight bearing oil in each bearing and you are now better than new.Nothing else on a brand new reel needs taking apart.This is the one thing I would do though.

Ok David, thanks.

I clean with acetone. For oil I use shimano oil or Yellow Rocket Fuel.

I always find that new reels have way too much grease and oil. If you clean and re lube. They will be much better.

This, I have several of the new Curado I series, I have broken all of them down and cleaned, and reoiled, they perform much better.

If they are brand new - don`t, but if used - yes clean.