Do DC reels make that big of a difference?

[Ellis Carrauthers]

So I have been fishing all my life but only in the past year have I become serious about it. I've had two baitcasting reels one being a $40 kastking and an SLX DC. My Kastking worked fine for maybe 4 months I got pretty good with it and wouldn't backlash much at all until I got a backlash every cast so I decided I'd make a jump to the SLX DC thinking it could be the quality. Now trying to build my collection of rods I've realized buying a minimum $200 reel is pretty expensive and want to know if a normal baitcaster can be just as good as my DC even if its a little less expensive. Obviously there could've been user error since i'm pretty new to baitcasters it just doesn't make sense how I could cast fine for 4 months then not really at all.

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

 I'm not new to casting gear and Long before the DC reel came out I've been able to catch a few fish here and there.

Last year, I broke down and purchased one (SHIMANO 17 Scorpion DC 100 HG) just to check it out for myself.

Nice reel - and I'll admit, I'm not expert on DC reels - but I can cast standard revolving spool reels quite well

and have been doing so for 1/2 a century.  

They've changed a lot during that time - all for the better.

I can not say for sure what works for you - but IMO - not necessary at all.

#hype 

 I may even re-home the one I have. 

Perhaps purchase a quality non DC reel, fish it and see what you think.

Good Luck

A-Jay

[WRB]

I am rethinking my position on DC reels for today's generation of bass anglers.

I don't need a reel to perform on it's own as I am a skilled caster with every type of reel. I trained my hand eye coordination a very long time ago to apply the needed thumb pressure to cast bait casting reels under every condition, cold temperatures and into the wind with wind resistant lures without any issues. 

Can a DC reel overcome unskilled casting techniques, I don't think so. Can a new angler learned to cast a bait casting reel with DC technology faster...,I think they can.

Just because I learned to drive a clutch manual transmission car doesn't mean today's drivers should use obsolete equipment.

 

Tom

[matbellon3]

After owning a few DC reels I found that for me they are not the best option because I felt I could get better performance out of a normal breaking system such as SVS or Magforce. Though for beginners who want a casting reel and don't want large learning curve I think it is a great option, and with today's fishing market becoming younger anglers who like tech then it is a neat feature for them.

 

IMO the DC function is not necessary but it is useful and/or neat for some. 

[skekoam]

I have a dc as my first baitcaster.  It can still backlash with the best of them.  Ive gotten pretty good with it now so cant say for sure it makes a lot of difference.  Its not dummy proof.  I’ve also tried my son’s abu garcia and can cast it just as good now.

[Fishes in trees]

My Christmas present to myself last year was a Curado 150 DC.  Due to circumstances not worth mentioning here, I didn't get to fish with it this past season as much as I would have liked to.   I bought it to throw half ounce spinner baits.   Previous reels that I've used to throw spinner baits would include a regular Calcutta, a Calcutta 250 TEGT, Curado 200 E, the wider spool Curado D and a Calais.   I've got to say that I get significantly better distance with the Curado DC.  Not the 30 to 40 feet that some reviews hype, but a solid 15 to 20 feet further, with no extra "oomph" on my part.  Not sure if I'll get another one soon or not, but that reel has helped out my spinner bait game.

As a frame of reference, I've owned bait casters since the mid 80's, in the late 90's I settled on Shimano, mostly.

[DanielG]

I've had the Curado DC for a year now. I cast a lot of cranks and some spinners. I really like it. I can let it loose and use my thumb if I want or not.

After learning to adjust it correctly, and there is only one way to do it properly and it's not the directions that came with it from Shimano, I have yet to get a backlash while not using my thumb (actual fact).  And I'm mostly a haul out and throw it as far as I can sort of caster. Into the wind, with the wind, across the wind.

While using the correct adjustments, and dare I say several hundreds of casts, I've had no backlashes. I have a glass 7.3 rod and use 30 lb braid. I went an entire summer without picking at the threads once. I'm sold on it.

[fishballer06]

Every angler and their experience is different, so that means every reel will perform differently for each angler. With that, here's my stance on DC reels. 

 

I've been fishing a baitcaster for 20+ years. I started using one at 8 years old. I fish weekly, including tournaments, as well as 1-2 week long trips to various destinations a year. That being said, I have a lot of experience with baitcasters and how to use them, and my hands are very trained on how to use them. About 4 years ago, I bought a DC reel, the JDM model Excense DC (which to this day is still superior to the modern SLX DC and Curado DC). I found it to be a neat little reel that was very well built, and I got some good casting distance with it. It blew my mind that I didn't have to touch the spool at all, and the DC whine is something that dreams are made of. 

 

That being said, I can think of two situations where a DC reel is necessary (or rather, nice to have):

1. Beginner with casting reels. It eliminates so much of the learning curve and all the wasted line while learning. 

2. Days where it's so windy that you can hardly cast at all. 

 

Outside of that, I can do anything with my hands/thumb that a DC reel can do. In fact, certain situations I feel that a traditional casting reel is more beneficial. Pitching and short casting situations come to mind.

 

I still have my Excense DC and I use it for one application, frogging. It's a tank of a reel, it's all aluminum, holds a good bit of line, and I can bomb a frog out there. My advice for you, is keep using your DC reel until you feel very proficient with it. Then once you get there, buy a more traditional casting reel like a Curado and see how you do with it. You'll probably find that each reel you buy can find a spot in your arsenal, it's just a matter of learning how to use all the tools at your disposal. 

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

I think a Tatula 100 was the perfect step up after my Kastking experience.

 

As in night and day.

 

There are some screaming deals right now, https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/daiwa-tatula-100-casting-reels.html

[Craig P]

I’ve always been a spin rod angler so one day I bought a cheap combo from Dicks to see what bait casting was all about.  I liked it but it was cheap and gave me headaches. I was still a little apprehensive but I went ahead and bought the Curado DC and a nice rod. Absolutely loved it and it got me over my learning curve. I’ve seen bought an SLX on another rod setup (not DC) and I do very well with that reel as well. In short, it helped me over the learning curve. I’ll never buy one again, there just isn’t a reason at this point IMO. 

[dodgeguy]

IMHO Lews 6 pin 27 position externally adjustable centrifugal brakes cannot be beat.

[swhit140]

7 hours ago, Hewhospeaksmuchbull said:

I think a Tatula 100 was the perfect step up after my Kastking experience.

 

As in night and day.

 

There are some screaming deals right now, https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/daiwa-tatula-100-casting-reels.html

That is a good deal, I already bought 4 reels this season. Don't make me buy one more?

[MickD]

Daiwas for from less than $100 to $200 seem to me about as good as it can get for casting ease.  No, I don't have experience with DC, but if DC's are better than the Daiwas, I doubt if they are much better.

[Shimano_1]

I can't comment on the dc reels as I have none. Sometimes things just dont seem like a good idea in "my" mind and that concept is one of them. I'm sure they work and apparently some people think they're worth buying.  I agree with the above post that reels like the daiwa tatula 100 for that money simply can't be beat. Daiwas breaking system just plain works and in my opinion is superior to most. I like simplicity so some newer technologies have no appeal to me and I will admit I think they sell the hype a lot of time ie 13 concept z with no bearings.  Could I cast a dc reel further?  Quite possibly...will I ever care....likely not. If "you" feel like the dc reels are worth the coin then you should buy em.

[FishTank]

Having fished the Curado K and the Curado DC off and on for a year now, I do really like the DC breaking system.  I would think if you are a beginner it would be great to get you use to using a baitcaster.  I don't think the SLX DC, however, at $200 is a good value (I picked up the Curado DC for same price).  It is a nice reel though.

 

The system on the DC is pretty much the easiest system to use.  I pretty much set it at 2 and forget it.  Is it fool proof (aka backlash proof)> No but it is better than a system that needs constant adjustment.  I still the think the best braking system includes an educated thumb.  

 

As far as casting distance goes, there are a lot variables in that thought.  I found the rod, line and even cold temperature make a huge difference with this reel when it comes to casting.  So far I like using it on a crankbait rod with FC line.  In cold temps, like other reels, I doesn't cast as far as I would like it but the difference is minimal.  

[Logan S]

Not necessary...and that's coming from someone that owns and enjoys several DC models.  In general, they aren't giving you abilities you don't have without DC. 

 

I can notice slight improvements when skipping - seems like I can get an extra skip or two of distance since I can back off the thumb a bit.  I also like it on my chatterbait rods because I can go from long bomb casts, to skips, to short pitches, to left hand casts, back to bomb casts in the space of a couple minutes...The DC helps me keep all that in check a bit better (especially those left handed ones ).  You have to be able to make these casts without DC, the DC just makes it a little cleaner.  

 

Also keep in mind that almost every DC reel model utilizes a different version of DC...With different settings and attributes.  FWIW I've never considered the purpose/intention of DC to be preventing backlashes.  IMO it's purpose is 'cleaning up' the small flaws in my cast due to my errors or the conditions, which can result in slightly better performance.  Could be wrong, but that's my application of it anyway.  

[RichF]

They sound really cool;)

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I don’t see how using a DC reel as a beginner does anything for the learning curve if you don’t thumb the spool or do so sparingly. I think you’re better off with the growing pains learning on a centrifugal reel then move on to a DC to maximize performance. 

15 minutes ago, RichF said:

They sound really cool;)

I hear this a lot along with complaints of ceramic bearings being too loud. Curious if any of them are the same people.  

[PhishLI]

There are a few kids at a local spot I fish that use baitcasters, mostly 13s and ABUs. A few weeks ago I was wading and one of them stopped to ask how I was doing. I happened to be fishing with a Curado K and could see he had one on his rod. I asked him how he liked it and he told me it was actually a Curado DC and that he loved it. It was mounted on a Mojo Bass 7'1" Medium and had a 1/4oz willow blade spinner bait tied on with 12lb flouro. He asked if I'd like to take a few throws, so I did. I took one cast to get the feel of it, then laid into it on the second. I'm pretty sure I've never sent a bait like that so far out there. Took a third swing and the same thing. I didn't run out and order a DC reel on BF. I'm fine with what I have. But it's legit in my mind. However, from the reports I've seen it's not foolproof. The real issue here may be that if one's mechanics are not developed around normally braked baitcasters, then a DC, like an SV, is not a panacea.

[kayaking_kev]

I just got my DC reel a few days ago so I haven't been able to use it yet, but I'm usually a fan of a good $100 reel and put them on my Dobyns Xtasy. I don't really get why people get expensive reels and put them on cheap rods, but that's another story.

 

There are some really good deals to be had some really good non DC reels. I recently got a Daiwa Fuego for $50, 13 Orgin FB for $50, 13 Concept Z for $70, Lew's Tournament MB for $80, Shimano SLX for $65, Shimano SLX XT for $95. I paid $150 for the Shimano SLX DC and at that price, I should be happy with it when I eventually get to use it, but if it were the regular price, I would consider getting two maybe even 3 good non DC reels for cheaper.

 

I've never used a $400-$500 reel and maybe it's a good thing because I'm happy with the cheaper reels. I would love to try a Metanium MGL though and if I get another DC reel, it will be the Scorpion DC.

 

Tackle Warehouse does have a reel demo program. For $20 you can demo 4 reels for a week.

[Jermination]

The only difference ive ever noticed with mine is skipping forgiveness. If you let it go a little high and drill the dock 10 feet from your boat theres a pretty solid chance you'll get a healthy birds nest--dc seems to forgive that. I would recommend just getting reels with centrifugal or magnetics and playing in the yard with them. Loosen your spool tension to where it falls freely, and adjust magnet based on what happens to your spool after it hits ground. Crank it up until the line stops when you hit the ground without backlashing. sling and adjust. Get it dialed in then change up your outfits and restart LOL

[new2BC4bass]

14 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I don’t see how using a DC reel as a beginner does anything for the learning curve if you don’t thumb the spool or do so sparingly. I think you’re better off with the growing pains learning on a centrifugal reel then move on to a DC to maximize performance. 

I hear this a lot along with complaints of ceramic bearings being too loud. Curious if any of them are the same people.  

Both good points.  A DC reel will get a person fishing right off the bat with a baitcast reel, but they aren't going to educate their thumb.  I have an older Exsence I picked up used.  If I leave it at Max (where the brakes are adjustable) or any of the other settings, no thumb is needed at all.

 

I too have read how some love the sound of the DC whine.  The ceramic bearings you put in my Curado 51E were purchased for less than half their original cost because the seller didn't like the noise they made.

 

Personally I don't mind the sound of either.  I feel the sound gives me a good sense of spool speed.  Which on occasion has helped my thumbing the spool.

[Glaucus]

For an unskilled thumb they can't hurt, but I see no reason someone with a skilled thumb would want them. I wouldn't even recommend them to a new(er) angler because, while it helps short-term, it won't advance them.

[Hammer 4]

21 hours ago, Shimano_1 said:

I can't comment on the dc reels as I have none. Sometimes things just dont seem like a good idea in "my" mind and that concept is one of them. I'm sure they work and apparently some people think they're worth buying.  I agree with the above post that reels like the daiwa tatula 100 for that money simply can't be beat. Daiwas breaking system just plain works and in my opinion is superior to most. I like simplicity so some newer technologies have no appeal to me and I will admit I think they sell the hype a lot of time ie 13 concept z with no bearings.  Could I cast a dc reel further?  Quite possibly...will I ever care....likely not. If "you" feel like the dc reels are worth the coin then you should buy em.

I'm thinking along the same lines. IMHO, the DC kind of limits the learning curve on getting skilled at using a bait casting reel, oth..I think if a person has a disability, or just can't get the hang of using a old fashion reel, then the DC is probably a good thing. I would never consider buying one.