Photos: Shimano · supplied retailer imagery
Predator reels · Baitcasters · Our take
Shimano Curado 201HG Baitcasting Reel
Left-hand retrieve · High-speed baitcaster
A cracking high-speed baitcaster with a tough aluminium frame, tidy braking and enough drag for serious lure fishing. Not the cheapest Curado, but it’s a very capable bit of kit.
- Left-hand retrieve with a 7.2:1 gear ratio and 77cm line recovery per turn.
- Diecast aluminium body and 3D diecast aluminium spool for a solid, workmanlike build.
- SVS Infinity variable braking gives you useful control over spool speed and casting behaviour.
- Maximum drag is 5.5kg, with nylon line capacity up to 165m depending on line diameter.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Shimano Curado 201HG: the left-hand retrieve model with a 7.2:1 gear ratio and 77cm line recovery per handle turn.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A capable, well-equipped predator baitcaster with a useful speed advantage and solid construction.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9.4/10
- Performance9.2/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.9/10
- Ease of Use8.5/10
- Value for Money8.8/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Pike lure anglers covering plenty of water. The quick retrieve helps you pick up slack, keep contact and get a lure back out smartly.
- Anglers wanting a dependable all-round baitcaster. The aluminium construction, variable braking and useful line capacity make it versatile across regular predator sessions.
Maybe skip if
- Finesse lure anglers chasing the lightest possible setup. At 210g, it’s not the most featherweight option for tiny lures and endless casting.
- Anglers who mainly fish very slow presentations. The 7.2:1 gearing is built for speed, so a slower reel may feel more natural for crawling lures back.
The lowdown
Introducing the Shimano Curado 201HG Baitcasting Reel
A cracking high-speed baitcaster with a tough aluminium frame, tidy braking and enough drag for serious lure fishing. Not the cheapest Curado, but it’s a very capable bit of kit.
- Left-hand retrieve with a 7.2:1 gear ratio and 77cm line recovery per turn.
- Diecast aluminium body and 3D diecast aluminium spool for a solid, workmanlike build.
- SVS Infinity variable braking gives you useful control over spool speed and casting behaviour.
- Maximum drag is 5.5kg, with nylon line capacity up to 165m depending on line diameter.
Quick verdict
A cracking all-round predator reel
The Curado 201HG is a proper bit of kit for lure anglers who want a fast, solid baitcaster without wandering into silly-money territory. Its aluminium body, X-Ship gearing and SVS Infinity brakes give it the foundations for regular pike and zander work.
It’s not the tiniest or lightest reel around, and the high-speed gearing won’t suit every lure style. Get your line, rod and braking dialled in, though, and this is a bob-on choice for covering water, working lures quickly and staying in control when a proper lump piles on.
A capable, well-equipped predator baitcaster with a useful speed advantage and solid construction.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9.4/10
- Performance
- 9.2/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.5/10
- Value for Money
- 8.8/10
The aluminium body and spool, X-Ship gearing and supplied maintenance bits point to a properly built reel.
Fast 77cm line recovery, variable braking and a 5.5kg drag give it a strong spread of predator-fishing ability.
Quick slack pick-up and direct baitcaster control can make lure presentation and reacting to takes more efficient.
SVS Infinity helps with setup, but baitcasters still demand sensible adjustment and thumb control.
It offers serious construction and useful features without being aimed solely at the very top end of baitcaster pricing.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Shimano
Shimano Curado 201HG Baitcasting Reel (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Shimano Curado 201HG Baitcasting Reel
There’s a lot to like about a proper baitcaster when you’re lure fishing for pike or zander. The spool sits close to the rod, the handle is right there when a take comes, and the whole setup feels direct. The Shimano Curado 201HG is aimed squarely at that sort of angler. It’s a left-hand retrieve reel with a fast gear set and a nicely serious bit of hardware under the bonnet.
The headline figure is the 7.2:1 gear ratio. That gives you 77cm of line recovery every time the handle goes round. Sounds like a dry number, but on the bank it means less faffing when a lure lands, less slack after a sweep of the rod and quicker repositioning when you’re fishing a big area. Chuck, work, wind in, repeat. Bob on for active lure fishing.
That speed is particularly useful when a pike follows a lure right to the edge and you need to keep everything moving. It also helps when a fish turns towards you. Pick up the slack quickly, keep the line connected and you’re in a much better place to react to a screaming take. Around weedbeds, drop-offs and the margins, that extra recovery can be dead handy too.
The Curado’s body is made from diecast aluminium, while the spool uses 3D diecast aluminium construction. That gives the reel a solid, workmanlike feel rather than a flimsy, plasticky one. At 210g, it’s not a brick, but it’s also not chasing the absolute lightest baitcaster crown. For a predator setup with a decent lure rod, that balance should make plenty of sense.
Inside, Shimano’s X-Ship gearing is designed to keep the drive train supported and working smoothly. There are five S A-RB bearings plus one roller bearing, and the double handle gives you a firm, predictable wind. That matters when you’re throwing bigger or more resistant lures and want the retrieve to feel controlled rather than vague.
Braking is handled by Shimano’s SVS Infinity system. It gives you variable control over spool speed, which is exactly what you want while getting a baitcaster dialled in. Start sensibly, don’t go straight for maximum freedom, and adjust as your thumb and casting stroke settle. A baitcaster rewards a bit of patience; rush it and the spool will happily turn a tidy cast into a bird’s nest.
The level-wind line management is another small but useful touch. It keeps the line laying sensibly as you wind, so there’s less need to babysit the line with your thumb while retrieving. That won’t replace good loading or sensible tension, but it makes normal lure work feel more straightforward.
There’s up to 165m of nylon capacity with 12lb line, dropping to 100m with 20lb. That gives you plenty of room to set up for different waters and lure jobs. You’ll still want to think about your actual main line, leader and backing rather than filling the spool blindly. Too much line can make a baitcaster lively; too little can rob you of casting distance.
The maximum drag is 5.5kg, which is ample territory for regular freshwater predator fishing when the rest of the setup is matched properly. It gives you useful stopping power near snags, but don’t treat a strong drag as permission to bully every fish. Rod angle, hook choice and a sensible leader still do a lot of the heavy lifting.
In the box, Shimano includes the instruction manual, an exploded parts diagram, oil and spare brake shoes. That’s a nice nod to keeping the reel running sweetly. Give the moving parts a bit of care, keep grit and crud away from the spool area, and the Curado 201HG looks like a cracking partner for regular lure sessions rather than a reel you’ll baby in a display cabinet.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Retrieve
- Left-hand
- Gear ratio
- 7.2:1
- Line retrieve
- 77cm per handle turn
- Bearings
- 5 S A-RB plus 1 roller bearing
- Maximum drag
- 5.5kg
- Weight
- 210g
Specs checked with Shimano, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Why this Curado makes sense for predator fishing
The big story here is control. A 7.2:1 ratio brings back 77cm of line per turn, so you can pick up slack quickly after a cast, keep contact with a moving lure and get ready for another chuck without loads of frantic winding.
That speed is especially handy when you’re covering a big water, fishing a lure above weed or needing to get a pike away from snags. It’s less of a natural fit for slow, deliberate presentations where a slower retrieve helps you keep the lure crawling.
Closer look
A fast, solid platform for lure work
The Curado 201HG is built around a diecast aluminium body and a 3D diecast aluminium spool. That’s the sort of construction you want when a reel is going to see regular casting, lure resistance and the odd proper pike making a bid for the snags. The double handle and level wind keep the retrieve familiar and controlled.
Its 7.2:1 gearing brings back 77cm per handle turn. That makes it a quick tool for covering water, picking up slack and getting a lure moving again after a short pause. X-Ship gearing supports the drive train, while five S A-RB bearings and a roller bearing keep the mechanism properly equipped.
SVS Infinity provides the casting control. You can tune the braking to suit the lure and your casting stroke, then back it off as your confidence grows. It’s not magic, mind: spool tension, line loading and thumb control still matter, especially with lighter lures.
Worth knowing. The box includes oil and spare brake shoes, along with the manual and exploded parts diagram. Keep those bits safe. A tiny bit of sensible maintenance is much nicer than a reel that starts feeling rough halfway through a bite-time.
Who it suits
Best when you’re active on the bank
This is a strong match for pike anglers who like to move, search and vary the retrieve. Fishing a reservoir, canal or broad river stretch? The fast line recovery helps you cover ground without spending half the session winding in. It’s also handy when a fish follows right in and you need to keep everything connected.
The left-hand retrieve works nicely for right-handed casters who want to cast, thumb the spool and then wind with the left. That saves swapping hands after every chuck. If you already fish a baitcaster this way, the Curado should feel immediately familiar; if you’re new to one, give yourself a little time to get the brakes and spool tension spot on.
It’s less suited to anglers who spend most of the day with tiny lures or ultra-slow presentations. The 210g weight is perfectly reasonable for a sturdy predator reel, but a lighter finesse-focused model may feel more comfortable for constant small-lure work. Likewise, a slower gear ratio can feel calmer when you’re trying to crawl a lure over a snaggy bottom.
Worth knowing. Use the reel’s speed rather than fighting it. If a lure needs a slow retrieve, turn the handle steadily and let the rod do the work. The 7.2:1 ratio gives you extra recovery when needed; it doesn’t mean every lure has to come back like it’s late for the pub.
FAQs in full
The bits anglers usually want to know
Is the Curado 201HG suitable for pike? Yes, it has the line capacity, drag and solid build for regular freshwater predator use. The rest of the setup still matters, so pair it with a suitable lure rod, reliable main line and proper bite protection.
Does the high-speed gearing make it hard to fish slowly? Not necessarily. You can slow your handle speed down, but the reel will feel most natural when you’re using that quick line recovery to stay in touch with a lure, pick up slack or reposition fast.
How much line can it hold? With nylon, the listed capacities are 12lb/165m, 14lb/145m, 16lb/120m and 20lb/100m. Don’t overfill the spool, and leave enough room for neat line lay and trouble-free casting.
Worth knowing. A baitcaster setup is only as good as its dial-in. Start with more braking, use a controlled casting stroke and adjust in small steps. That approach saves a lot of faff and keeps your attention on the water, not on untangling a spool.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Solid aluminium body and spool construction
- Fast 77cm retrieve suits active lure fishing
- SVS Infinity braking offers useful casting control
- X-Ship gearing and 5.5kg maximum drag
- Supplied with oil and spare brake shoes
Worth knowing
- High-speed gearing isn’t ideal for every slow lure presentation
- At 210g, it isn’t the lightest reel for all-day finesse work
- A baitcaster still needs proper spool-tension and brake setup to avoid a bird’s nest
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01Is the Shimano Curado 201HG left-hand retrieve?
Is the Shimano Curado 201HG left-hand retrieve?
Yes. The 201HG is the left-hand retrieve version, so it suits anglers who prefer to cast with the right hand and wind with the left.
02What is the Curado 201HG gear ratio?
What is the Curado 201HG gear ratio?
It has a 7.2:1 gear ratio and retrieves 77cm of line for each turn of the handle.
03What line capacity does it have?
What line capacity does it have?
The stated nylon capacities are 12lb/165m, 14lb/145m, 16lb/120m and 20lb/100m. For predator work, match your main line and backing to the lure, water and snag situation.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a cracking all-round predator reel. The strongest reasons to choose it are solid aluminium body and spool construction and fast 77cm retrieve suits active lure fishing; the main trade-off is high-speed gearing isn’t ideal for every slow lure presentation.
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Solid aluminium body and spool construction”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Pike lure anglers covering plenty of water: The quick retrieve helps you pick up slack, keep contact and get a lure back out smartly.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “High-speed gearing isn’t ideal for every slow lure presentation”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Shimano Curado 201HG Baitcasting Reel
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Owner reports
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