16% of 358 verified Shimano Curado DCowners don't recommend it, and 6 describe specific problems — based on real owner comments from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.
For balance: 75% recommend it. This page collects the complaints so you know what you're signing up for — read the full owner report for both sides. How we score
“I get a backlash like that almost all the time”— @bigndlittlefirearms8395 on YouTube
“Tensioner knob is a little too loose.”— @KamerenB on YouTube
“the scorpion dc is better than the curado in just about every stat like the MGL spook and the idc5 brakes”— @zakijan456 on YouTube
“I had issues with the curado DC where a loop of line will get caught in behind the side of the thumb bar, during a cast and it's near impossible to get it out without cutting it. It's a show stopper when it happens”— @lynnmoss1183 on YouTube
“every time I cast it just explodes line. So, I stick with the spinner reels.”— @JoeySpoons on YouTube
“I threw mine out. I'll never buy another one again.”— @D1NKERR on YouTube
“Even got myself a nice shimano Curado DC that I just cant seem to get the hang of.”— hmart316 on Reddit
“i love that sound but i hate that backlash”— @ariawe2307 on YouTube
“I've been using a Shimano Curado DC with 30lb PowerPro Original braid and a 14lb Trilene XL leader, but I'm not happy with the reel. I can see why others may like it, and the fit and finish is excellent, but I regret not getting another Daiwa Tatula.”— AmateurMasterAngler on Reddit
“Bro plsssss fix the settings on that reel😭”— @maxherron4183 on YouTube
“I now have 4 others, including a shimano curado dc, and the piscifun is still my favorite.”— onetradeeveryday on Reddit
“I also picked up a Shimano Curado DC, but it doesn't work any better than some of the other baitcasters costing 1/10th as much, a bit smoother reeling perhaps, but not enough to make a difference.”— comqter on Reddit
Not complaints — practical notes from owners that didn't affect the score.
“I now have a $260 Shimano Curado DC that I’ve stepped up to.”— reel_country_fishing on Reddit
“I have the Curado DC and 3 reels with the MGL spool. For casting into the wind the DC wins out but under normal conditions I can get almost as much distance out of the MGLs as I can the DC, sometimes more.”— FishTank on Bass Resource
“I still use my thumb on my Curado dc. The thumb is needed a lot less but the DC isn’t completely fool-proof especially when using fluorocarbon.”— Finessegenics on Bass Resource
“Mines been dunked in saltwater a few times. Freshwater rinse, let it dry then some reel oil and back together.”— Davidsel47 on 2 Cool Fishing Forum
“I have 5 DC's. 1 gave me a heck of a time to get it dialed in. Even called Shimano CS and sent it in. Nothing wrong with it at all. Had some very small diameter line on it and light crankbait. Turns out these reels need a little 'meat' on the bone. I put a heavier line and slightly overadjusted the tension knob and all is well.”— Rangerdeepv on BBCBoards