We are sharing our two favorite work horse reels with you today. Spinning – Symetre 2500FL or Casting – Curado 201HG, we have you covered.

If you are an experienced BASS angler or new to the sport, these are the two models that are must haves!

Shimano was the first brand I used as a kid with the QuickFire II spinning reels. When I was finally ready for casting reels I struggled to find a quality Left Hand Retrieve casting reel until I was introduced to the Curado. I have been using them for years and they have never let me down. I have actually continued to add them to my collection and to date have only retired one reel which with a little tlc could be back in spec. and on the water.

I am here to tell you the new Curado I is the best of them all. You want to talk about smooth! I am going to list all the Gadgets below that are included in this reel, all I can tell you is get one and you will not be disappointed.

Super Stopper uses a one-way, stainless steel roller bearing that eliminates backplay. This provides the angler with instant hooksetting power.

Escape Hatch: By flipping a switch, the sideplate swivels downward, giving the angler quick access to adjust the VBS weights. The switch is located in a position that is easy to use, yet remains out of the way to prevent accidental opening. The sideplate is smooth for comfort when palming the reel.

The Super Free bearing-supported pinion gear system (SF) was designed to eliminate friction on the spool shaft during the cast. In standard baitcasting reels, when the clutch bar is pressed down, the pinion gear is freed and can actually drag on the spool shaft, creating friction and limiting the length of the cast. With SF, the pinion gear is supported by a ball bearing, and when the clutch is disengaged the pinion gear and spool shaft are kept in precise alignment. The result is zero friction on the spool shaft for increased freespool.

Check out the new SVS Brake System! Really lets you fine tune to each bait.

Shimano’s newest innovation in brake system technology, SVS Infinity provides easy-to-manage, consistent spool control and brake force. With brake weights that use inner friction against the raceway during the cast, SVS Infinity controls spool speed for precision casting especially when using lighter lures. The external adjustment knob provides for quick, precise adjustments for either the conditions or when you switch baits.

A-RB bearings are stainless steel ball bearings that have been through the A-RB treatment process which makes them at least 10 times more corrosion resistant than standard stainless steel ball bearings.

• A-RB (Anti-Rust Bearings) are made of Stainless Steel that has been through the A-RB process.
• At least 10 times more corrosion resistant than standard Stainless Steel ball bearings.
• Easy Maintenance-no shield design allows for easy flushing of debris and easy lubrication.
• Increased Bearing Speed-no shield design and lighter viscosity lubrication reduce friction and allow the bearing to spin faster and longer.

X-Ship provides improved gear durability. By supporting the pinion gear on both ends with bearings, the pinion gear maintains precise alignment with the drive gear. This means the gears will stay in the same position under the heaviest loads. The added benefit is that friction between the spool shaft and gear are eliminated. This will enhance the casting performance of the reel with lighter lures, and allow for longer casts.

As far as spinning reels, for the money the Symeter 2500FL is hard to beat. These have been my go to spinning reels for drop shot presentations for the last five years. They are still as reliable as when I put them on the rods. The new model does feel smoother and looks much sharper. The features packed into this reel are listed below. For under $99.99 this reel is money well spent. The reel will last years longer than other makes and models saving you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

The SR-Concept combines the new concept of Reliance with all aspects of the S-Concept: Smooth, Silent and Strong. The Reliance Concept, or R-Concept, means that dreams in reel design are now evolving into reality. The result of the use of the new S-R Concept in design is the development of many exciting new features.

The most obvious component of the Propulsion Line Management System is the new Propulsion spool lip design. Through tens of thousands of casting tests and computer simulations it has been determined that this new spool lip design provides longer casting distances than a standard spool lip design while preventing backlashes and wind knots from forming. It also allows the line to flow off of the spool in smaller loops during the cast which means less slap on the stripper guide. This means longer casts with less friction. The Propulsion spool also utilizes a long stroke design to further enhance the casting distance. Furthermore, there is less bouncing of the line on the spool lip like on a standard spinning spool. Because of the unique shape of the Propulsion spool, the line flows consistently off of the spool. So, with a standard spool, friction alternates from heavy to light as the line slaps the spool lip. This causes backlash and inconsistent line speeds. The Propulsion spool lip provides consistently light friction to overcome these situations.

Building upon the successes of Fluidrive, which provides extremely tight tolerances and control in the cutting process, Fluidrive II polishes the gear surface to maximize tooth contact. This increases the efficiency of the retrieve for more power with less effort.

This feature eliminates wobble during the retrieve by counter balancing the rotor to enhance sensitivity and smoothness. By using computer balancing, an approach similar to car tire balancing, we are able to redistribute the rotor weight to create smooth rotation and eliminate vibrations caused by the reel.

S-Concept represents Shimano’s initial philosophy on which many of our spinning reel have been designed. The three basic ideas that are inherent in the S-Concept are Smooth, Silent and Strong.

• Smooth rotation and comfortable retrieve, coupled with excellent drag performance and longer casting distance, leads to our smooth, flawless operation.
• Silent operation of parts within the reel’s construction represents the attention to tight tolerances, reducing excessive noise and resulting in the silent operation of our reels.
• Strong, solid and functional construction leads to powerful torque and durable drivetrains. This gives anglers the strength and confidence they need to battle elusive gamefish.
• The new sizing of our S-Concept reels offers anglers a bigger spool and smaller body, resulting in a lighter, more comfortable fishing experience without sacrificing line capacity.

The end result are reels offering anglers smooth, silent and strong reels that are designed for years of fishing use. The knowledge of fishing and the minds of Shimano’s engineers have given today’s angler state-of-the-art reels that are ready for any challenge.

X-Ship provides improved gear durability. By supporting the pinion gear on both ends with bearings, the pinion gear maintains precise alignment with the drive gear. This means the gears will stay in the same position under the heaviest loads. The added benefit is that friction between the spool shaft and gear are eliminated. This will enhance the casting performance of the reel with lighter lures, and allow for longer casts.

Super Stopper II anti-reverse uses a one-way bearing that eliminates backplay.This provides the angler with instant hooksetting power. In some reels, the Super Stopper II can be turned off to allow backreeling for special techniques and situations.

Cold Forged Aluminum: These spools provide increased strength and durability over diecast aluminum or graphite spools.