I'm planning on getting me a curado tomorrow but I have been really looking at those citica's here lately. I'm wondering if the citica's are almost just as good as the curado's. What do you guys think?

stick with the curado

I personally like my citicas more than the curado.

citica doesnt crank very well under heavy loads compared to the curado. curado also has a lighter spool and bigger septon handles

Same Exact Frame and sideplate material, Same exact clutch system, same exact main gear shaft (Crank Shaft) same exact AR Roller Bearing and inner tube, same exact nut on the handle, same exact idle gears, same exact material (HEG)for gears just different ratio, the only difference is the bearing at the base of the main shaft. One is a bushing and one is a bearing. I actually cannot tell the difference in function of these, In fact the only difference in the cranking of the reel is the handles. As far as difference on the reel the Spool material and design is a little different and that is about it besides the handle set up. The rest of the part numbers are IDENTICAL and interchangeable. The Cu300E has aluminum side-plates on the handle side but that size is not even available in a Citica. They are BOTH fine reels and will last a lifetime with proper maintenance.

Bird flippin, although what Coast Tackle posted is correct, I've noticed the same thing. The citica is much noiser on a strained retrieve than the curado.

IMO the citica is a great reel for plastics, but mediocre for things like cranks and spinners due to the retrieve noise. I found it annoying anyway.

Hmmm. Interesting. I own 6 of them as it is my overall reel of choice and have not noticed any noise in the reels. They are silky smooth. Now I have to admit I Have put a bearing in mine at the base of the main crank and dropped the stock bearings for ABEC7's and have changed the drags to Carbontex but that is all. I don't use those reels for deep cranking with big Cranks. I Use an E5 for that and an Old 200B5 modified.

I will pop a set of 5.0:1 gears in one today and try it tomorrow on the water and see if I can notice any difference between it and the Curado.

I gotta admit, in my business I am pretty sensitive to noise in a reel. If it knocks, squeels or grinds in the least I will know it.

could have been the citica I got too...

It was kind of like a golf club with a noise though...it felt fine if you plugged your ears.

I throw cranks and spinners more than anything, so I'm VERY sensitive to the retrieve smoothness/noises as well.

The D's and B's made a lot less noise than the E's on retrieves.

IMO the D's are the best and most well made of the Curado/Citica lineup...they were just too dang big.

I have 4 citica 200es and one curado e7 and the curado simply casts and feels a lot better than the citicas do. I can't really pitch light weights with the citicas either. I know that's prob 'cause they still have the factory grease in the bearings, but so does the curado and the diff between both types of reels seems to be quite noticeable, especially with the lighter weights.

That is where the Curado comes in. On lighter weights. That low mass spool does an excellent (superior to most) on lighter weights. Now I think you will find the Citica will tend to cast heavier stuff farther than the Curado because of the slightly heavier spool.

If you are hearing or feeling a grind in those reels it cannot be the gears unless they are worn or dirty. You simply may be feeling the difference in the bushing at the base of the Crankshaft instead of the bearing that the Curado has. I have not noticed it in mine but again, it has an Orange Seal ABEC 7 bearing there too.

The DHSV in the Curado is a beast for weight but it is one heck of a pitching reel and tough as nails.

Coast Tackle- when you get ready to upgrade I wanna buy your oldies!!!!

Thanks guys for the input. I went out and bought a curado today and I'm very happy with it! Time for the lewisville tourney this weekend.

Snicker, They never get updated that way. I just rebuild them and upgrade the guts