What do you think it's worth...

[USMCbassman]

Some time ago I expressed interest in learning to fish left handed to a fishing buddy of mine; by nature I'm left handed, however, I only eat and write left handed. He's a left handed fisherman and is looking to thin out his rods and reels. He wants to sell me the following set up:

Reel: Bantam Curado CU-201 (5 bearings and no idea what the ratio is)

Rod: Shimano Clarus 6' 10" (CSC-610MH)

The reel is a 9/10 cosmetically (some very light/minor boat rash) and 10/10 mechanically.

The rod is a split grip; however, he's removed the bottom cork on the split grip and the fore grip to "lighten" the rod. He used it as his flipping rod.

What do you all think it's worth? Better yet with it as I've described what would you pay for it?

If I purchase it I think I would strip the rod down and use it as my first victim to learn to wrap a rod on.

Anyways, I'd like to hear your input....Thanks

[Jrob78]

I probably wouldn't pay more than about $100 for the combo. If the reel is in good shape, it might be worth that. If the rod has cork that's been torn off and it's well used, it isn't worth much at all. The reel is probably 12-15yrs old and the rod is about 3 rungs down in Shimano's line up. Stripping down a rod and starting over is harder than starting from scratch. Getting old epoxy and reel seats off is a pain.

[USMCbassman]

That's what he was asking for it. I'd been watching other Bantams sell on eBay to get an idea of what they were going for and researching the rod even though the ones for sale have all the cork.

After I posted this I went and look at the rod further the first question that had popped into my mind was, "how in the world am I going to get that epoxy off of there and better yet how in the world am I going to get the reel seat off!" So I was already having second thoughts on that...LOL

[Jrob78]

There are some tricks to tearing a rod down to the blank and getting all the old stuff off. There are some guys that do it frequently with no problems, it's just always seemed like too much trouble to me when I've tried it in the past.

The Bantams are great reels but like I said, there have been 3 versions of the Curado since then. I'm certainly no reel appraiser either but if the reel is in almost perfect condition, it could still be a workhorse. I tried the left hand thing for awhile, it wasn't really for me. Casting wasn't the problem, it was the transition from casting to reeling that was tough, it was hard to find a comfortable, natural position to put my right hand. I bought a LH BPS PQ on sale for $80 when I tried to make the switch, great reels, especially for the money.

[Tavery5]

Not sure what the rod is worth in that condition,a Shimano Bantam Curado, is a good reel and in the condition you describe still sell for about 65 -70 dollars.

[USMCbassman]

Tavery- That's the problem I'm having buying this set up; One I feel that a 6' 10" rod may be a little short for flipping (which obviously I could use it for a different technique) and secondly since the previous owner has modified the rod for him I'm not as interested in the rod as I am the reel. I know he won't separate them so I go back and forth. I'll probably let it go....I need to use it again and get another feel for it before I make any decisions I guess.

[Tavery5]

Let him hang on to it for a while, it may not be as easy to move as he thinks it is going to be. Offer him what you feel like it is worth and leave the ball in his court.

[3dkicker]

I pretty much have the same combo and I use it to flip 3/8 oz jigs. How good of a job did he do removing the cork?? If it's well done then $100 is a good price but $80 is a little better.

[USMCbassman]

I need to get it back to him, I've fished it a few more times and I don't dig the left handed thing. I always want to reel it backwards and I just don't find it be comfortable for me.

To answer your question 3d- He did an alright job. Still a lot of glue on the handle. Plus I've found a new Curado E5 for 100 bucks so I think my money is better spent there.