Back To Indian Point Again. Another Success! 9/24

[Paola Cat]

Wow .... that's painful. I have used Curados and Citicas for years and have never had any issues like that. I'd be placing a call to Shimano .... sounds like a serious defect. I guess I better check mine out. PC

[rps]

Go to the Shimano web site and download their warranty and repair form. Fill it out and ship the reels to their center in California. I did this for a defective 200E7. I received a new reel in 11 or 12 days. My only cost was my shipping to them. Since yours were out of warranty, you may have to pay a modest repair fee per reel. Since both had the same flaw, you may get lucky. Either way, the cost will be way less than replacing the reels.

Hope this helps.

rps

[Catchabiggen]

I had a couple of the small Curado's before the change (100B's?) and had to have them rebuilt every year. I used them mainly for cranking, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits and they got a good workout. It was always the bearings though and Shimano doesn't warranty bearings. I'm done with them. Switched to another well known brand and had 2 reels with bad bearings right out of the box, and another one completely locked up fishing a jerkbait and when I opened it up a bunch of parts fell out. I bought those from Cabela's and was very satisfied with how they handled the situation. I'm Trying Daiwa now and only spending about $60 per reel which means I can afford a few backups. That's not much more than what it cost to rebuild a curado and these are working great so far.

[Wayne SW/MO]

The only thing I can think of is that if you are cupping the left side of reel with your left hand, then possibly you end up 'twisting' the housing as you set the hook? That would explain why that piece would break off. Certainly the reel should be able to withstand that, though!

I'm thinking its something in this area also. I've also fished 4 Curado's, 100B's, and never had a problem, nor have I heard of any before your post. Possibly you have changed your hook setting technique, without realizing it and you are putting to much twist on the side plates.

[Bill Babler]

I would be as mad as a wet hen. You send those reels back to Shimano reel repair @ One Holland dr. Irvine Ca. 92616 Tell them the problem and they will handle it. May cost you 29 bucks, I don't care about the warranty, and usually they don't either.

Sorry for your pain, but as you all know I fish them everyday, and have never had a problem. Only problem I have had is getting any of the reels soaking wet by either dropping it in the lake or in a heavy rain storm, lying on the deck of my boat. They tend to get a little grouchy on the spinning reel side, but once you spray it and let it dry its great again.

I don't give a flying flip, how you set the hook for gosh sakes, the reel should not break, unless the housing is loose and you are twisting it on the pull. Very strange.

[troutgnat]

Bill,

I agree with you a 100%. After much contemplating over the event there is no doubt in mind that it had something to do with the way I was palming the reel and the amount of torque at the time of the hookset. However, low-profiles reels are meant to be palmed and who out there doesn't palm a baitcaster?! And that is exactly what I told Shimano in my letter to them. I also mentioned that although I am not a 1000 lb. gorilla I set the hook for one reason and that is to make sure I land what bit the end of my line. Further mentioning what you said and that is, that no reel under NORMAL fishing conditions should break on a hook-set. I let them know that I am a devout Shimano fan with about 8 $79+ reels to my credit and asked that they cover my repair and I would pay the shipping charge. I was kind spoken in my letter though expressed my grief.

The reels are boxed up and headed to the P.O. in the morning!

Thanks to all for the advice. I will inform you of the outcome!