Shimano
Shimano Curado MGL 150
Predator tackle · Baitcasting reels · Our take
Shimano Curado MGL 150
Curado MGL 150 — right-hand 150 or left-hand 151
Light, refined and properly versatile, the Shimano Curado MGL 150 brings serious casting manners and smooth gearing to lure fishing without turning the whole thing into a faff.
- 150-size baitcasting spool with right-hand 150 and left-hand 151 versions.
- Available in standard 6.2:1, HG 7.4:1 and XG 8.1:1 gear ratios.
- Weighs 185g and has a maximum drag of 13lb (6kg).
- MGL spool, SVS Infinity braking, X-SHIP and MicroModule Gearing sit at the heart of the reel.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Shimano Curado MGL 150 baitcasting reel, including the 150 right-hand and 151 left-hand versions. Gear ratio and retrieve figures vary by standard, HG and XG model.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A premium, versatile baitcaster that earns its keep for regular predator anglers.
- Product Quality9.7/10
- Performance9.6/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.9/10
- Ease of Use8.8/10
- Value for Money8.4/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Perch and zander lure anglers. The low weight, casting control and choice of retrieve speeds suit repeated chucking, hopping and working lures around features.
- Pike anglers wanting a versatile baitcaster. The strong body, useful spool capacity and 13lb drag give you a capable platform for sensible pike lure work.
Maybe skip if
- Ultra-light finesse specialists. A 150-size reel is more at home with light-to-medium lure work than tiny offerings and hair-thin lines.
- Anglers who only fish occasionally. You’re paying for refinement and technology, so a simpler reel may make more sense if it only sees the bank twice a year.
The lowdown
Introducing the Shimano Curado MGL 150
Light, refined and properly versatile, the Shimano Curado MGL 150 brings serious casting manners and smooth gearing to lure fishing without turning the whole thing into a faff.
- 150-size baitcasting spool with right-hand 150 and left-hand 151 versions.
- Available in standard 6.2:1, HG 7.4:1 and XG 8.1:1 gear ratios.
- Weighs 185g and has a maximum drag of 13lb (6kg).
- MGL spool, SVS Infinity braking, X-SHIP and MicroModule Gearing sit at the heart of the reel.
Quick verdict
Verdict
The Curado MGL 150 is a proper all-round baitcaster for predator anglers who want light lure control, clean casting and a reel that feels sorted from the off.
It’s not the cheapest option on the rack, but the MGL spool, strong aluminium body and excellent braking package make it a cracking choice for regular perch, zander and pike work.
A premium, versatile baitcaster that earns its keep for regular predator anglers.
- Product Quality
- 9.7/10
- Performance
- 9.6/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.8/10
- Value for Money
- 8.4/10
The aluminium body, refined gearing, carbon drag and established Shimano feature set give it a properly polished feel.
The MGL spool, SVS Infinity braking and smooth drive system make it a capable, controllable casting reel.
Reliable lure control, useful retrieve choices and a strong drag can help you present baits better and stay connected.
It offers good adjustment and control, although baitcasting still needs sensible setup and a bit of thumb practice.
It’s not a cheap reel, but the lightweight build and premium features justify the spend for regular lure anglers.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
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 MGL 150
Baitcasting reels can be a bit marmite. Get one that’s right and lure fishing feels dead direct, tidy and properly enjoyable. Get one that’s a bit naff and every cast turns into a thumb-and-tangle masterclass. The Shimano Curado MGL 150 sits firmly in the former camp, bringing a refined feel without making you work for every chuck.
This is a 150-size baitcaster aimed squarely at predator anglers who want a versatile reel for perch, zander and pike lure fishing. It’s compact enough for a full day of casting, but not so tiny that the spool runs out of puff when you step up in lure size or line strength. That middle-ground attitude is a big part of its appeal.
At 185g, it’s a light bit of kit. That matters when you’re walking stretches, hopping from swim to swim or firing lures at the margins all day. Paired with a balanced baitcasting rod, it should feel neat in the hand rather than making the outfit nose-heavy. Less weight means less arm ache when the rods are off and you’re searching for a bite-time fish.
The headline feature is the MGL spool. Shimano designed it to reduce start-up energy, so the spool needs less persuasion to get turning. In plain English, that can make lighter and medium-weight lures feel easier to cast, with less of that sudden spool hesitation that leaves your lure landing short. You’ll still need to set the reel properly, mind. No technology completely replaces a steady thumb.
Casting control comes from the SVS Infinity braking system, working alongside the MGL spool, S3D spool design and Super Free Spool system. That gives you plenty of room to tune the reel for different lure weights and conditions. Start with more brake when you’re learning or casting into a headwind, then back it off gradually once your thumb and timing are on the money.
Inside, the Curado brings Shimano’s X-SHIP and MicroModule Gearing. Those names sound a bit brochure-heavy, but the bank-level benefit is simple: the retrieve should feel smooth and connected, with less graunch when you’re working a lure slowly or keeping contact through a snaggy swim. SilentTune is there to help keep that refined feel in the spool and bearing system.
You also get a lightweight aluminium HAGANE Body, Cross Carbon Drag and shielded S A-RB bearings in a 6+1 arrangement. For predator work, that’s a reassuring combination. The body gives the reel a solid platform, while the drag has enough stated capacity for proper runs and close-range pressure. Still, sensible line, a reliable trace and a correctly set drag matter more than simply chasing the biggest number.
There are three retrieve speeds to choose from. The standard 6.2:1 model brings 24 inches of line per crank, the 7.4:1 HG brings 29 inches and the 8.1:1 XG brings 32 inches. Standard is lovely for controlled lure work, HG is the bob-on compromise for most anglers, and XG suits fast retrieves or quickly picking up slack after a lure lands.
Line capacity is useful rather than extreme. Mono options run from 10lb/120 yards through 12lb/110 yards to 14lb/90 yards, while PowerPro capacity ranges from 20lb/150 yards to 40lb/105 yards. That gives you plenty of flexibility for different predator jobs, although this reel is best viewed as a versatile lure tool rather than a specialist big-bait monster.
Overall, the Curado MGL 150 is a polished baitcaster with the bits that genuinely matter on the bank: low weight, a controllable spool, a good braking system, smooth gearing and enough drag for serious predator fishing. It isn’t bargain-bin tackle, mate, but if you’re ready to move beyond entry-level casting reels, it’s a proper step up.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Type
- Baitcasting reel
- Spool size
- 150-size MGL spool
- Versions
- Right-hand 150; left-hand 151
- Gear ratios
- 6.2:1 standard, 7.4:1 HG, 8.1:1 XG
- Weight and drag
- 185g; maximum drag 13lb (6kg)
- Bearings
- 6+1 shielded S A-RB bearing configuration
Specs checked with Shimano, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The angle
This is the reel for anglers who want a compact, refined baitcaster without dropping down to a fussy little finesse model.
Its 150-size spool gives you useful line capacity, while the MGL design helps lighter and medium lures get moving without quite so much thumb-work and faff.
What you’re buying
A light, clever reel built around casting control
The Curado MGL 150 combines a 150-size spool with a lightweight aluminium HAGANE Body, keeping the reel compact while retaining a reassuringly solid feel. The 185g weight is especially welcome when you’re casting all day for perch, zander or pike.
The MGL spool is designed to reduce start-up energy, while S3D and Super Free Spool features support a smooth spool launch. SVS Infinity braking then lets you tune the cast. That’s useful when swapping from a small crankbait to a heavier jig or moving from open water into a cheeky crosswind.
X-SHIP, MicroModule Gearing and SilentTune are aimed at keeping the retrieve smooth and composed. Add the Cross Carbon Drag and 6+1 shielded S A-RB bearing setup, and the reel has a suitably premium mechanical package.
Worth knowing. Choose the gear ratio around your fishing, not just the biggest retrieve number. The XG is rapid, but the standard model can feel more natural when you’re crawling a lure or maintaining steady contact.
On the bank
A strong fit for regular predator lure work
Perch anglers will appreciate the low weight and casting manners when covering lots of water. It’ll suit small-to-medium hardbaits, jigs and soft lures far better than a clunky old baitcaster, though truly tiny finesse presentations may still call for a smaller specialist reel.
For zander, the smooth gearing and retrieve options are useful when you’re keeping a lure in the zone, ticking bottom or picking up slack after a lift. The 150 spool also leaves room for sensible braid choices without making the outfit feel oversized.
Pike anglers get a capable platform for general lure fishing. Match it with suitable braid and a proper wire or hard trace, check your knots, and the 13lb maximum drag gives you useful control. Just don’t mistake it for a dedicated heavy-bait winch.
Quick answers
The bits anglers usually want to know
The right-hand 150 and left-hand 151 versions cover the main retrieve preferences. Pick the hand that feels most natural for your casting and lure control. There’s no prize for making yourself awkward on the bank.
For a general predator setup, the HG 7.4:1 version is the easiest recommendation. It gives you a brisk 29-inch retrieve without feeling overly frantic. Go standard if you favour slower presentations, or XG if fast lure work and rapid slack pickup are your priority.
Keep the spool sensibly filled, set the SVS Infinity brakes conservatively when changing lure weight, and use your thumb as the final bit of control. A few minutes of setup saves a lot of bird’s nests and keeps the session bob on.
Worth knowing. The stated capacity is 10lb/120yd, 12lb/110yd or 14lb/90yd in mono, and 20lb/150yd, 30lb/135yd or 40lb/105yd with PowerPro. Match the line to the target, cover and lure rather than filling it with the heaviest option by default.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Light 185g build that won’t make a day of chucking lures feel like hard graft.
- MGL spool and SVS Infinity braking offer a lovely balance of casting distance and control.
- Smooth, positive gearing with plenty of retrieve-speed choice.
- Useful line capacity for a broad spread of predator applications.
Worth knowing
- The feature-packed design comes at a price, so it’s a serious spend for occasional lure anglers.
- The 150 size isn’t aimed at ultra-light finesse work or truly brutal heavy-duty pike casting.
- Choosing between standard, HG and XG needs a bit of thought before you buy.
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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.
01Which Curado MGL 150 gear ratio should I choose?
Which Curado MGL 150 gear ratio should I choose?
The 6.2:1 standard model gives a steadier retrieve and suits general lure work. The 7.4:1 HG is the safer all-round fast option, while the 8.1:1 XG is handy when you need to pick up slack quickly or burn a lure back.
02Is the Shimano Curado MGL 150 suitable for pike?
Is the Shimano Curado MGL 150 suitable for pike?
Yes, for sensible lure fishing with appropriate trace, leader and line choices. Its 150 spool, aluminium HAGANE Body and 13lb maximum drag give it useful backbone, though it isn’t a dedicated big-bait winch.
03What line fits the Curado MGL 150?
What line fits the Curado MGL 150?
Mono capacity is listed as 10lb/120yd, 12lb/110yd or 14lb/90yd. PowerPro capacity is 20lb/150yd, 30lb/135yd or 40lb/105yd. Pick the line around the lure weight, snags and target fish rather than simply filling the spool.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: verdict. The strongest reasons to choose it are light 185g build that won’t make a day of chucking lures feel like hard graft. and mgl spool and svs infinity braking offer a lovely balance of casting distance and control.; the main trade-off is the feature-packed design comes at a price, so it’s a serious spend for occasional lure anglers..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Light 185g build that won’t make a day of chucking lures feel like hard graft.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Perch and zander lure anglers: The low weight, casting control and choice of retrieve speeds suit repeated chucking, hopping and working lures around features.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “The feature-packed design comes at a price, so it’s a serious spend for occasional lure anglers.”
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 MGL 150
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