Who has tried the Shimano Citica reels...

[Heffer11]

I am going to sell my 6500 Abu Garcia reels in order to get the lower profile reels. AJ doesn't like my big honky reels that I have. He laughed at me when we were at Rough last year. So I became self conscious and am selling them.

I love the older version of this reel but have not had the pleasure of using the new Citica. I can't afford to buy the Curado's so the Citica is my only choice because of the price range.

What do you guys think?

[hardestyeric]

My suggestion is switch to the 4600 series Abu's. That is all I use except for one 5500 that I c-rig with. They aren't as bulky and are a lot cheaper than the Shimano's.
Eric H.

[A.J.]

I didn't mean to give you a complex

I have a new Citca, I like it. Its pretty much the same as the old Curado super free. You can't beat it for the money in my opinion. If you buy one you'll be vary happy with it.





Modified by A.J. at 11:57 PM 3/29/2006

[Ky 520c]

I second what AJ said I have the new Curado and the new Citca, for the money the Citca is hard to beat

[Heffer11]

Thanks for the comments. AJ...you really made me feel bad.

[1kickerfish]

There is an unofficial recall on the citica. Look at Citical tutorial on bottom of link. http://fish.shimano.com/publis....html It binds up when you are fighting a fish. You may want to look for a more reliable $120 reel.

[Mike Daleo]

AJ let me use his Citica at the rally last year and I thought it was a great reel. I will eventually replace my old curados with them.

[Passion 4 Bassin]

I have been a Shimano guy for a while and I have several of the old Curado's and 1 new Curado and 3 of the new Citica's. Like someone else said, the new Citica's are essentially an improved version of the Old Curado Super Free which I always thought was a Great reel!

The new Curado is sweet looking and I really like it....but I am not sure I can tell a difference between it and the Citicas. When it comes to money, you can buy 3 Citicas and have enough money left over to buy a couple of Lucky Craft Baits on what you would spend on just two Curado's. Bottom Line, I will be buying the Citica's as I replace my older reels because for the dollar, I think it is really hard to beat.

[Passion 4 Bassin]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kicker-fish &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There is an unofficial recall on the citica. Look at Citical tutorial on bottom of link. http://fish.shimano.com/publis....html It binds up when you are fighting a fish. You may want to look for a more reliable $120 reel. </TD></TR></TABLE>

It's probably just me, but I didn't find anything about the recall. Is it on the first page when you hit the link or do you have to search for it? Thanks!

[bassRN]

Try this link John http://fish.shimano.com/publis...f.pdf

[Joe Skeeter]

Hey Bob your boat is ugly and slow I know someone that will buy it.

[simoniz]

I've got 6 of the new Citca's and have not had a single problem with them. If I was to you can't beat Shimano's customer service. I've got new Curado's, a couple Chronarch 50MG's, Chronarch 100's. You can't beat the Citca for the money and durability IMO.

[fishingmarlin]

Don't you have to fish to use reels??



I have some left handed curado's I might be willing to part with, the old style. Since Shimano pretty much took a great thing and ruined it I took my business to Daiwa. I can also get 3 reels that are almost identical and get 3 different gear ratio's.

[arjone01]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kicker-fish &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There is an unofficial recall on the citica. Look at Citical tutorial on bottom of link. http://fish.shimano.com/publis....html It binds up when you are fighting a fish. You may want to look for a more reliable $120 reel. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I figured I would find out what's up and post it for us all.

Called Shimano, there is only a slight percentage of people that this recall affects. Anyone who has a Curado, Citica, Cruxis reel manufactured (200 D series) in August 2005. (the first batch).

The deal is that the stabilizer bar for the level-wind free floats in the reel housing or frame, the problem is that when dirt or buildup occurs on that level-wind stabilizer bar and that it has a little play then there is opportunity for it to bind and catch and fall out of alignment while the bar passes through the level-wind. I'm guessing it would take a lot of gunk and abuse to do this anyway even then any good reel should fowl.

It has been fixed because every model after August 2005 has a C clip at the end to "fix" the stabilizer bar into place (NO PLAY) so that there is no play as well the level-wind (that little eye piece that goes side to side) also has a bigger hole for in which the bar can travel through.

I have one reel that this affects but have never had any of these problems but I figured I would call just to make sure.

With that said the customer service rep gets the award of the day because he very cool and is sending me a replacement kit. He said they will still stand behind their product and either have the reel shipped for them to trade out the parts or (like I did) send you a replacement kit. It's is very easy to change out. Pics are on the web. He was real cool and that is a class act for Shimano to do. Didn't have to verify the reel with any no.s just a simple, "you have one that was made in that time frain? Then I'll ship you the parts so you never have a problem. What's your address?" Awsome! A+ for the day and actually made my day.

With that said everyone doesn't need to go out and turn them in, get recall parts (unless you have a reel built in August 2005 that is binding up) OR BASH THEM!!!.

I have 1 new Curado D (7.1) and three new Citica's and love them all. As said above it did replace the old green curado's and the new curado's are like an upscale to that just under an MG. Can't beat it for $120 but actually found that you can get new Citica's from one of the board sponsors for $99. Sorry but I can't remember who.

I actually have a new Viento that has A LOT of play that I'm not happy about and that was a $200 purchase . I'm more concerned about this reel that has no recall and "such a good rep" than my trusty new citica's and curado as well, the one Citica that fits into this recall.

To close, recall doesn't affect everybody and if it does they'll send you a new stabilizer bar with C clip to hold into place as well as a new level-wind.

As well, Great reels!!! Smooth, reliable and you can't beat the price. I will eventually buy more and probably replace that new Viento with a new Citica.



Modified by arjone01 at 11:10 AM 2/1/2007

[20_lb_sack]

Back in the late eighties Shimano released a Citicia reels that the thumb bar only went half way across the reel frame. The thing would bind up or release the spool, I don't remember which, (too many beers maybe ).
When I sent it in for repair, it was several years old because I was overseas and didn't use it. They sent me a letter appologizing for the problem, explaining the design change to a full bar, and a new reel. They will make anything there fault right as far as I can tell.

[A.J.]

I've used the hell out of my Citica with no problems. I have to say I've always been a Shimano guy, but I got a Daiwa Fuego, and Sol this year and love them.

[Passion 4 Bassin]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bassRN &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Try this link John http://fish.shimano.com/publis...f.pdf</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks Jeff and also Aaron for your post!

[arjone01]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A.J. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> but I got a Daiwa Fuego, and Sol this year and love them. </TD></TR></TABLE>

What do you think of your Fuego after a year? Holding up well? Reason I ask is because I just bought a used Fuego, it has a little slop in the handle not with the anti-reverse but in and out. Or side to side. Still a nice reel. Just wndering if I need to be selling it after next season because I'm a budget fisherman who needs things to work for years to come.

Although I did just get a dud Viento that their going to replace. Bought it at Bass Pro and ran smooth but halfway through spooling it it went rye. . The verdict is still out for me on these reels. Not wanting to start a bash (like how they fit in the hand) just getting opinions. Thanks.

[200xp]

This website has great deals on Shimano reels, can save you a few bucks, especially on the curados and chronarchs.

http://reelfishingdeals.com/sh...3933d

[A.J.]

I haven't had any issues with my Fuego, its on my flippng rod so I'd say it gets more use then most my other reels.