Super User A-Jay Posted March 23, 2015 Super User Posted March 23, 2015 I've had my Met DC on the water numerous times now, in winds up to 20mph. Had it in the boat today. I can't make mine backlash. I'm still tossing a 1/2oz RES which does cast well into wind. I use the #2 setting most of the time, but if the wind is still or I have the wind at my back I can use setting #1 and get more distance. The reel has "loosened" up some since the first report and I'm getting about all the distance I can use and still get a good hookset with the 12lb mono that's on the reel right now. The casts are effortless, I don't have to worry about backlash, and I can use any casting stroke from a light toss to just wailing on the rod on the cast. Great reel. BUT, I still have to catch a bass with it before I can give it my highest approval rating. I did catch an 8" bluegill with it the other day but since this isn't the "Bluegill Resource" board...I didn't bother to post a photo... Hey Pal, Picture or it didn't happen . . . . . A-Jay Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 23, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 23, 2015 Hey Pal, Picture or it didn't happen . . . . . A-Jay As soon as I put that brim back in the water, I realized that I should have got a photo........! 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 23, 2015 Super User Posted March 23, 2015 As soon as I put that brim back in the water, I realized that I should have got a photo........! Nah ~ You're got a Respected Solid Rep - you're good. A-Jay Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 25, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 25, 2015 Nah ~ You're got a Respected Solid Rep - you're good. A-Jay Up until today, the Met DC had only managed to reel in an 8" bluegill - thanks A-Jay for giving me credit for that monster on the "honor system" I've had this reel on the water quite a bit, both from the bank and in the boat. Today, while out in the boat, I finally cut off the lipless crank and tied on a snap so I could start tossing various crankbaits. I normally don't use a reel with this IPT for cranking but by golly I wanted to catch some bass with it. Lipless cranks are very easy to toss; crankbaits can be a bit tougher. Also, the wind today was 10mph steady with gusts to 20mph so the reel got a bit better test for casting ability in wind. On setting 2, in moderate wind, I had no real issues tossing crankbaits from 3/8oz to 5/8oz. If I was tossing directly into those 20mph gusts, I selected setting 3 with good results. If the wind was still or at my back, setting 1 gave max range. I did finally have my first backlash today. I was making a quick cast with a Wiggle Wart and sorta short-stroked the cast, the rod didn't load, and the bait just sort of fluttered downrange with no real velocity...JUST as one of the strong wind gusts popped up. Backlash, but easily cleared. The reel continues to be an all-around performer and a delight to use. Too bad they don't offer it in a lower gear ratio more suitable for cranking. I still haven't tossed any spinnerbaits with it which, in the wind, would be a pretty good test of the reels wind-bucking abilities. Oh, the Met DC reeled in three bass today so I can FINALLY give the reel my ultimate approval rating - SEEMS TO WORK, REELS IN FISH... 5 Quote
bootytrain Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Up until today, the Met DC had only managed to reel in an 8" bluegill - thanks A-Jay for giving me credit for that monster on the "honor system" I've had this reel on the water quite a bit, both from the bank and in the boat. Today, while out in the boat, I finally cut off the lipless crank and tied on a snap so I could start tossing various crankbaits. I normally don't use a reel with this IPT for cranking but by golly I wanted to catch some bass with it. Lipless cranks are very easy to toss; crankbaits can be a bit tougher. Also, the wind today was 10mph steady with gusts to 20mph so the reel got a bit better test for casting ability in wind. On setting 2, in moderate wind, I had no real issues tossing crankbaits from 3/8oz to 5/8oz. If I was tossing directly into those 20mph gusts, I selected setting 3 with good results. If the wind was still or at my back, setting 1 gave max range. I did finally have my first backlash today. I was making a quick cast with a Wiggle Wart and sorta short-stroked the cast, the rod didn't load, and the bait just sort of fluttered downrange with no real velocity...JUST as one of the strong wind gusts popped up. Backlash, but easily cleared. The reel continues to be an all-around performer and a delight to use. Too bad they don't offer it in a lower gear ratio more suitable for cranking. I still haven't tossed any spinnerbaits with it which, in the wind, would be a pretty good test of the reels wind-bucking abilities. Oh, the Met DC reeled in three bass today so I can FINALLY give the reel my ultimate approval rating - SEEMS TO WORK, REELS IN FISH... Sweet bass! Was this caught on the resort lakes? Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted March 25, 2015 Super User Posted March 25, 2015 Nice bass Goose. I'm still trying to figure out how all your bass have such green backs & perfect white bellies. Really beautiful fish & never a mark on them except for your tag. I guess you never ever catch any ugly ones. 1 Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 25, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 25, 2015 Sweet bass! Was this caught on the resort lakes? From one of my neighborhood lakes - yes. (When you live here, it's just a neighborhood...we don't think of it as a resort... ) Nice bass Goose. I'm still trying to figure out how all your bass have such green backs & perfect white bellies. Really beautiful fish & never a mark on them except for your tag. I guess you never ever catch any ugly ones. Thanks Dwight. Most of the bass here in my lakes have that classic LMB color scheme. I've never caught a bass here in TN that has that very dark green/black color like what I used to catch when I lived in Florida. We DO have ugly bass here - stunted, black marks, malformed, etc....but those usually don't warrant posting on the board unless the thread deals with "skinniest or ugliest bass" and I've posted some of those. This PARTICULAR bass REALLY was just a beautiful fish. I didn't realize until I got home that the photo was being shot from the belly of the fish towards the top. I should have stood directly over the bass to get a better profile shot. This lake is one where I'm tagging and by the time I get length, weight, and then tag it, I'm running out of time for good photos. Anyway, it just had to be one of the nicest, healthiest looking fish that I've caught since last summer. 1 Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted March 26, 2015 Super User Posted March 26, 2015 Great follow up on this product Goose! If I had my way you would be the offiical review source for all new products. After reading said review I always feel like I have a much better grasp on the product being reviewed. And to top things off the ultimate approval rating just seals the deal! Please continue posting such reviews as time, money, health, and weather allow... Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 26, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 26, 2015 Great follow up on this product Goose! If I had my way you would be the offiical review source for all new products. After reading said review I always feel like I have a much better grasp on the product being reviewed. And to top things off the ultimate approval rating just seals the deal! Please continue posting such reviews as time, money, health, and weather allow... Thanks for the kind words. I'm able to fish (nearly) every day so I have the opportunity to put some time-on-water on the new gear. I'm not planning on getting much else this year (except perhaps the high-speed Conquest due in May) so there shouldn't be any more reviews for a while. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 27, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 27, 2015 I still haven't tossed any spinnerbaits with it (the Met DC) which, in the wind, would be a pretty good test of the reels wind-bucking abilities. OK, it was a nice windy day today so I pulled the Met DC off of the MH-Mod rod and put it on a 6'10" MH-XF rod - the ubiquitous "spinnerbait" rod. Tied on a 1/4oz Booyah spinnerbait (actual weight about 5/8oz) and headed for a lake. The wind was running directly towards the bank - at least 15mph steady - some gusts well over 20mph. Had the reel on brake setting #2 and cast directly into the steady wind - good distance considering the headwind, and just a little line fluff on the spool. Kept casting into the steady wind and worked down the bank. Got a bit cocky and heaved the spinnerbait out there in the middle of one of the gusts. Backlash - but not bad. Humbled, I selected brake setting #3. NO worries then, cast directly into the gusts and minimal to no line fluff on the spool. Not much distance between the headwind and the braking profile, but still totally usable distance for most spinnerbait purposes from a boat. Kept working down the bank, hoping to get a fish for a photo op. Then on one cast, the thump-thump-thump feedback was gone. Reeled in and found the top willowleaf blade on the spinnerbait missing so that ended the spinnerbait test but gave me a chance for a photo showing the bait and the wind condition on the water. I think I've given this reel a pretty good shakedown now. Nice reel, great performance, reels in fish. Works for me... 3 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 27, 2015 Super User Posted March 27, 2015 OK, it was a nice windy day today so I pulled the Met DC off of the MH-Mod rod and put it on a 6'10" MH-XF rod - the ubiquitous "spinnerbait" rod. Tied on a 1/4oz Booyah spinnerbait (actual weight about 5/8oz) and headed for a lake. The wind was running directly towards the bank - at least 15mph steady - some gusts well over 20mph. Had the reel on brake setting #2 and cast directly into the steady wind - good distance considering the headwind, and just a little line fluff on the spool. Kept casting into the steady wind and worked down the bank. Got a bit cocky and heaved the spinnerbait out there in the middle of one of the gusts. Backlash - but not bad. Humbled, I selected brake setting #3. NO worries then, cast directly into the gusts and minimal to no line fluff on the spool. Not much distance between the headwind and the braking profile, but still totally usable distance for most spinnerbait purposes from a boat. Kept working down the bank, hoping to get a fish for a photo op. Then on one cast, the thump-thump-thump feedback was gone. Reeled in and found the top willowleaf blade on the spinnerbait missing so that ended the spinnerbait test but gave me a chance for a photo showing the bait and the wind condition on the water. I think I've given this reel a pretty good shakedown now. Nice reel, great performance, reels in fish. Works for me... Excellent Goose ~ Wrap it up, I'll take it. A-Jay 1 Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 27, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 27, 2015 Excellent Goose ~ Wrap it up, I'll take it. A-Jay Andy - I'm starting to loose track...but I think this would be the 4th entry in my will for you, after the Morrum, Conquest 100, and Calcutta TE-100GT 3 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted March 28, 2015 Super User Posted March 28, 2015 Andy - I'm starting to loose track...but I think this would be the 4th entry in my will for you, after the Morrum, Conquest 100, and Calcutta TE-100GT . Goose your intruding into my space. I had him down for a Calais DC , Conquest 100 & Conquest 50. 3 Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 28, 2015 . Goose your intruding into my space. I had him down for a Calais DC , Conquest 100 & Conquest 50. Sounds like Andy is trying to double dip............... ..............................................................................smart man ! 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 28, 2015 Super User Posted March 28, 2015 Andy - I'm starting to loose track...but I think this would be the 4th entry in my will for you, after the Morrum, Conquest 100, and Calcutta TE-100GT . Goose your intruding into my space. I had him down for a Calais DC , Conquest 100 & Conquest 50. LOL ~ You guys are The Best - And Just for the record - your book keeping is Perfect ! A-Jay 3 Quote
Super User Hooligan Posted March 29, 2015 Super User Posted March 29, 2015 Goose, you're killing me. I've wanted one for as long as I've seen it. Now I'm going to have to spend the money... Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 29, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 29, 2015 Goose, you're killing me. I've wanted one for as long as I've seen it. Now I'm going to have to spend the money... It's a nice reel... Where the heck have you been? 1 Quote
Super User Hooligan Posted March 29, 2015 Super User Posted March 29, 2015 Just extraordinarily busy. I read a lot of the posts, yet, just don't always have the time to post. Quote
hoosierbass07 Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 Do I understand this right - those reels have a computer chip inside of them? Are they powered with a battery or something? And, can you get them wet or a little wet like normal reels? Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 29, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 29, 2015 Do I understand this right - those reels have a computer chip inside of them? Are they powered with a battery or something? And, can you get them wet or a little wet like normal reels? Yes - DC stands for digital control. There is a sensor that monitors spool speed (said to be at 1/1000 sec. intervals) and when the chip determines that braking is necessary it will apply an appropriate amount of braking. The system allows a higher spool rpm than other braking systems and often you can watch the spool on the cast and see a single coil of loose line on the spool...but no more - the braking applied is that precise. The power comes from energy generated during the cast (and stored in a capacitor I would guess). The DC module is sealed and is not affected by the usual moisture that migrates under the sideplate and you can fish with them in the rain. However, I wouldn't recommend routinely dunking a DC reel in the lake... I'll have to admit that I'm winging it here on the method of operation as I haven't read a detailed essay of exactly how the system works. Bantam1, the Shimano Rep over on TT, has reported a number of times that the DC modules are very robust and rarely fail or require service (other than making sure that the sensor is clean and not covered with dust/grime/etc.). It's just another kind of braking system. Depending on which iteration of the DC system you're looking at, they can give increased distance, less casting effort, more wind-bucking capability, and finer braking adjustments than some other braking systems. The Shimano Exsence DC even has a mode, intended for fishing at night, that senses spool deceleration and will auto-stop the spool when the bait hits the water (no thumb required). DC braking is nifty stuff, with proven capabilities, but can be a bit spendy... 2 Quote
hoosierbass07 Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 How come all baitcasters aren't digital controlled now? The micro technology is there. I'm surprised only the high end reels offer this and not all the other reels. Is there a downside to digital controlled baitcasters? Quote
Super User Hooligan Posted March 30, 2015 Super User Posted March 30, 2015 I have several first gen Calcutta DCs from eons ago. The DC unit itself has never failed. I've had bearings go bad and other parts lose their luster, but never the DC units. 2 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted March 30, 2015 Super User Posted March 30, 2015 Yes - DC stands for digital control. There is a sensor that monitors spool speed (said to be at 1/1000 sec. intervals) and when the chip determines that braking is necessary it will apply an appropriate amount of braking. The system allows a higher spool rpm than other braking systems and often you can watch the spool on the cast and see a single coil of loose line on the spool...but no more - the braking applied is that precise. The power comes from energy generated during the cast (and stored in a capacitor I would guess). The DC module is sealed and is not affected by the usual moisture that migrates under the sideplate and you can fish with them in the rain. However, I wouldn't recommend routinely dunking a DC reel in the lake... I'll have to admit that I'm winging it here on the method of operation as I haven't read a detailed essay of exactly how the system works. Bantam1, the Shimano Rep over on TT, has reported a number of times that the DC modules are very robust and rarely fail or require service (other than making sure that the sensor is clean and not covered with dust/grime/etc.). It's just another kind of braking system. Depending on which iteration of the DC system you're looking at, they can give increased distance, less casting effort, more wind-bucking capability, and finer braking adjustments than some other braking systems. The Shimano Exsence DC even has a mode, intended for fishing at night, that senses spool deceleration and will auto-stop the spool when the bait hits the water (no thumb required). DC braking is nifty stuff, with proven capabilities, but can be a bit spendy... Goose you took the words right out of my mouth. Good job on the explanation. 3 Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 30, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 30, 2015 How come all baitcasters aren't digital controlled now? The micro technology is there. I'm surprised only the high end reels offer this and not all the other reels. Is there a downside to digital controlled baitcasters?I think the only downside is cost - both in initial purchase price and, possibly, repair cost in the event the DC module ever did fail.As to why all BC reels don't have this technology, I would think that , no matter the economy of scale, you can't build a DC system as cheap as centrifugal or magnetic braking systems. There could also be Shimano patents protecting the technology as well. 1 Quote
Dylan Aiken Posted December 27, 2015 Posted December 27, 2015 Thank you so much! This review helped me so much to set up my Met DC. Also the only instructions I could find in English haha. Quote
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