Shimano Citica DC

[fissure_man]

Now that I have your attention ...

 

Why hasn’t Shimano come out with more USDM DC reels?  The originals are over a decade old; I thought we’d see this trickle down into some of their other lines by now.  The first models were flagship reels ($$$) but I don’t see why the tech couldn’t be made more affordable. 

 

I’m guessing the various Tatula models (including SV) are taking a big bite of the market that might otherwise look at Citicas and Curados.  A Citica or Curado DC would be a tantalizing option if they could keep the price competitive.

 

Thoughts?

[Master Bait'r]

hahahaha good one

[deep]

Don't know.

 

Scorpion dc reels exist though, just in case you're looking for one.

[kickerfish1]

I am guessing it would be around $200 to $250 if it was made using the Citica name. Also guessing there would be some plastic in there and it may not hold up as all long term. 

 

I am still baffled the Exscence went up so much. Pretty much doubled in price when they released the new model. I paid around $250 for both of mine new from Japan and now they are about $500.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing them try some the like a Citica of Casitas DC with a somewhat agressive DC system. 

[Master Bait'r]

Well that's just it- they made an inexpensive DC reel but it was so sought after is raised the price on itself.  I am all for DC reel technology trickling down but it would have to be in a big way or it will just exsence itself again.  

[Logan S]

They just didn't sell in the US if I had to guess.  I think the fact that JDM reels are now very easily ordered from Japan is also cutting into the US DC reel prospects...Shimano probably realizes that most of the guys that want a DC reel are just getting them from Japan right now and not waiting/wishing for a US model.  When the previous model Exsence DC was available for $250ish it was one of the best values out there...I still kick myself for not picking up a few more.  But the exchange rate helped with that big time so it wasn't really a 'fair' comparison to other US reels in that price point

 

I do agree that the Tatula line is cutting into Citica/Curado sales.  I'm a Shimano guy, but at the price point I'd pick Tatula over Curado....Daiwa hit a home run with that line of reels.  A Curado DC would be too expensive to go up against the Tatula though, it would be competing with the Zillion at that point...But the Chronarch series is already there and would actually be cheaper (most likely) than a Curado DC.  

 

Would be awesome if we did get a US DC reel series, but I doubt it will happen.  

[Master Bait'r]

All they'd have to do is import the Exsence, call it something freedomy, sell it for ~$250-275 and they could sell every unit they make.  It's already to the point where I only buy DC reels now unless it's a finesse package.  Why not?  A Steeze and an Antares DC are pretty similar in price but the braking on the shimano is next gen IMO.  

 

The only thing that scares me is the version of the DC system that they put in the Scorpion.  It's no 4x8.  

[fissure_man]

Good replies

 

I love my Shimanos, but to me their last several offerings in the Citica/Curado/Chronarch range left little to get excited about.  No doubt they are still high quality reels, but to me they lack any “cool” or “new” factor.  I have to search through the specs to even pick out what’s new/different from previous versions, and then translate the marketing mumbo-jumbo (example):

 

“HAGANE is a Shimano reel design concept created to withstand continual use and extreme abuse. HAGANE is an innovation of in-built toughness and durability, working alongside Shimano’s precision engineering. As you evolve, we evolve.”

 

I don’t care about this; I want a cool robot reel!  Weren’t the pre-HAGANE Shimanos durable and precise as well?

 

DC braking is ‘cool’ and unique, it would differentiate Shimano at whatever price point they can cram it into.  Even though it’s old tech now, it’s still arguably an improvement over anything else available, and remarkably, no one has knocked it off yet.

 

Daiwa is constantly making visible and well-marketed upgrades/variations to their USDM offerings in the $100-$300 range, while Shimano… bleh. 

 

My wish list from Shimano includes:

 

Citica DC for $199

Curado DC for $250

50 or 70 size Citica with shallow spool option for $150

 

Pleeeeeaaaaaaaseee

 

[Logan S]

3 hours ago, fissure_man said:

Citica DC for $199

Curado DC for $250

50 or 70 size Citica with shallow spool option for $150

The Curado DC exists already in Japan as the new Scorpion DC.  You can buy one right now for $250 plus shipping, should be $275ish or less to your door in 3 or 4 business days.  I don't think you'll see upgraded Citica's, but you can get a Castias MGL from Japan for $140ish.  It's not DC or 50/70 sized, but it might fit your 'budget w/performance-spool' need.  I know they aren't USDM models, but the buying process from Japan is so easy now that they might as well be.  USDM models would be more expensive over here anyway since the exchange rate is still in our favor....You can actually buy USDM model reels from Japan and even with shipping they're cheaper than the US retail price (just as an example, Chronarch MGL is $230 vs the $280 US retail).  

[fissure_man]

Thanks Logan S  -  Let’s be clear, these are not ‘needs’

 

I guess I’m more just curious why we haven’t seen this tech pushed in the US market reels, and I’d love to see it trickle into the sub-$200 range. 

 

$199 Citica DC vs $199 Tatula SV TWS would be a Shimano vs. Daiwa battle for the ages

 

I don’t think very North American anglers are buying JDM reels, and they’re not advertised here at all.  How many anglers who might spend $150 plus on a reel even know these other DC models exist?  If they put them on the shelves in Bass Pro and marketed a bit, using a beloved name like Citica/Curado/Chronarch, I think they’d sell tons.