SLX DC Problems Galore

[Anthony Weaver]

First Post here so thanks in advance. I just purchased a SLX DC at BP and I don’t know what I am doing wrong. I have used bait casters for many years so I baffled by this whole DC “advancement” Maybe I am not doing something right but after reading the instructions and adjusting the spool and trying the different settings, I am at a loss. This thing will bird nest quicker then ANY other reel I have. Seriously! I must be missing something as people are crazy for these DC reels. I know they are not backlash proof but this reel is anything but. I can get it to stop by applying more tension on the spool with the knob but that completely kills any casting promise. I thought I would ask you pros before it goes back tomorrow.

 

I am using the following:

 

8 pound Fireline braid(spooled by basspro)

Yamamoto Senko(with wacky rig)

7 ft BP Carbon Rod

[A-Jay]

Hello Anthony and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

Take it back.

No sense frustrating yourself.

Must be jacked up some how.

There's no secret - if you can cast standard revolving spool gear effectively - DC's are not that different, just a bit more complicated.

But with minimal input from the caster, they are designed to perform. 

Get a new one and see if you're not casting fine with one that's operating properly in no time.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

btw - if you do chose to place this one - ensure the next one is presented to you in a Factory Sealed box - and not a demo job or someone else's returned item.

 

[jimmyjoe]

   Before you take it back, put a line on it that has a diameter of at least .011 inches, or 11 mil.  Literally any line at all, braid or mono or fluorocarbon. Then try it again. See whether there's a difference.   jj

[JustJames]

First of, Welcome to BR.

Secondly, you said you use Baitcasters for many years, have you ever use this 8lb Fireline braid with any other reel?

The #8 Fireline is about .007” diameter ~ #15 PowerPro braid which is pretty small for full size baitcaster. Add to that with wacky senko, the lure stop even faster than the line coming off spool, result in professional overrun (backlash). 

You should try other line to try before heading of to BPS.

 

[Efishin]

IMO the braid is the issue. I don't recommend braid on casting reels unless 30 lb+. Braid of that small of diameter likes to dig into itself. Also ensure you have adjusted the DC module as well as the spool tensioner

[Anthony Weaver]

Wow..Thanks for quick tips..I was wondering about that. I am spooling it up with some hybrid 10# right now. Will test tomorrow.

 

@minnow I was trying to set the spool tension right where the instructions said to (Right as the side to side motion stopped) Then, I tried every setting on the on the dial. I’m guessing that’s what your calling the DC module even though my old carado has this dial. 

[Hammer 4]

I agree, 8lb braid is pretty small for a baitcaster, spool up some thicker line as was suggested and see if that doesn't cure the problem..

[FishTank]

You should be good with the 10lb Hybrid.  I would set the DC break at 3 and the set the cast control like you would any other baitcaster and start there.   I have the Curado DC and pretty much set it at 1 or 2 with a weightless senko.  

 

Also, I too had issues with braid but I would definitely not use 8lb.  Whoever spooled this reel and/or suggested this line at BPS might need to rethink things.  

[Dens228]

25 minutes ago, Anthony Weaver said:

Wow..Thanks for quick tips..I was wondering about that. I am spooling it up with some hybrid 10# right now. Will test tomorrow.

 

@minnow I was trying to set the spool tension right where the instructions said to (Right as the side to side motion stopped) Then, I tried every setting on the on the dial. I’m guessing that’s what your calling the DC module even though my old carado has this dial. 

I didn't like mine at first.  But I did a little different than your plan, I set the spool tension to just where the side to side started.  I also think the ultra thin braid is the main culprit. 

[Bandersnatch]

I agree, no way on the 8lb fireline. Personally I struggle with anything under 40lb smackdown on high end shimano reels. 

[Anthony Weaver]

Thanks and I agree. I think that line is the issue. So, In my kit, I had 20# Yo-Zuri hybrid F Carbon(.17) and Silver Thread Co-Poly. (.11). I decided to spool it up up with the Yo-Zuri and see what happens. If I have trouble with that, I will load up the ST .11 and try that. I live on the lake so I will report back tomorrow for sure. Thanks again. 
 

 

[Anthony Weaver]

2 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

First of, Welcome to BR.

Secondly, you said you use Baitcasters for many years, have you ever use this 8lb Fireline braid with any other reel?

The #8 Fireline is about .007” diameter ~ #15 PowerPro braid which is pretty small for full size baitcaster. Add to that with wacky senko, the lure stop even faster than the line coming off spool, result in professional overrun (backlash). 

You should try other line to try before heading of to BPS.

 

The quick answer is no. Regular line on BC is 15# Yo-Zuri. I bought this yesterday and asked them to spool it up with some good line. Went shopping and came back to pick it up. This is what the guy put on it. I never really use braid so I had no idea..

[GReb]

Unfortunately there are a lot of folks working the fishing dept that don’t know much. I bought a Daiwa reel from the fishing dept manager at Academy a few months back and the guy didn’t know anything. He couldn’t even figure out which box to grab. He started pulling them out one at a time for me until I told him which it was. 

[new2BC4bass]

First to the forum.  Read this thread yet?  Check the post by DanielG.

I have no experience with the SLX DC or Curdo DC.  My only DC is an older Exsence DC.  Was already set up when I bought it.  Dang near backlash proof unless you set it less than MAX.   MAX and the other 3 settings require no thumb.

 

Got to agree with everyone else.  The guy who spooled your reel is clueless.  I wouldn't use 20# Hybrid to learn to cast with.  Heavier line is going to cause more memory problems.  I'd start with 12#-15# with 12# being my personal preference.  I use a lot of 12# AN40 and Sufix Siege.  Sufix Elite is another excellent choice to learn with.  Don't learn with a line like CXX or Platinum.  They have more memory than most lines.

 

Some guys on here fish with 15# braid on a baitcaster, but is isn't their first time out of the gate.  I bought a used reel that came with 30# braid.  First 15-20 minutes was spent getting tight spots out.  I've had no problem with it since then, and I've been snagged on lily pads several times with the reel.

 

EDIT:  Well...the reel didn't snag the lily pads, but I think you know what I mean. 

[Derek1]

Definitely change the line. With my currado dc the spool tension wants to be just a touch tighter then you think it should be. First day was a little rough figuring it out. You’ll get it, then it will be fun. 

[NHBull]

That reel should be able to cast that line.  If it doesn't, take it back.

 

[JustJames]

Not always, yes I have 10lb braid on some of my reels but those are for specific type lure and weight. I can cast let say lipless or blade bait all day with any type of line on any of my reels but once change lure to something not so aerodynamic or too heavy then thin braid almost always a cumbersome. I can crank up cast control to no line running and no backlash but that yield to not a very good distance either. 

[OnthePotomac]

Wow, I was just thinking 8lb braid on a bait caster has to be like throwing heavy sewing thread.

[Shimano_1]

That braid is mlm most likely the problem.  Always baffles me how people try to run incredibly thin braid on a casting reel. Anything smaller than 40 for me and its constantly digging into itself and acting goofy.  I'd try that yozuri and if it still acts up take it back. I'm betting it acts fine with that line

[NHBull]

If you can't through 10 braid on a bait caster it is more of a rod and technique problem

[WRB]

You should look at all the components starting with the rod because that what cast the lure. Too still a rod for the lure weight and line diameter results in the the spool starting to spin too fast resulting in a backlash. Any line between .011 dia to .014 dia with a MH mod/fast rod should be able to cast 6" 3/16 oz Senko unweighted. 

Tom

[Anthony Weaver]

Well, I don’t think that I have ever received such well thought out advice, from so many people, on any forum so thanks for that. I considered it all. It continued to give me issues with even the heavier line so I took both the Rod and Reel back. I exchanged it for a Corado D/C and M/H 7’2 St. Croix Cast with 12 pound Seager FC Redbox. I have been whipping lines out at a feverish pace since that time, without issue. Could have been the Rod but I think it was more the Reel combines with the wrong line was causing the issue.
 

Before and After Pics below.(oh, and the lake because we all like lakes right?)
 

 

[DanielG]

I purchased the Curado DC early on and it was my first foray into bait casting having owned only spinning rigs. I've made a couple of posts to tell how I ELIMINATED nesting.

 

The setup instructions that came with the reel don't work much. I have 30 lb braid on mine.

 

1. Set the brake to the number indicated for the line. Braid is 2

2. Put your lure on

3. Adjust the tension knob so that when you shake the pole a little it drops some as you shake it but stops when you don't. You've got to readjust for each different weight lure you put on.

 

After I did this I cast hundreds (Thousands?) of times last summer and never, not once, had to pick out a nest. I have trained myself to not use my thumb. It wasn't easy. Cast into the wind and try to keep your thumb off the spool. It will be hard to make yourself do it but even then, no nest. The most I ever get is a few loose loops on the spool.

 

You can set the brake lighter and release the tension knob if you want and use it like a thumbed reel but I've not done that much at all. Not necessary.

 

I use a lot of crankbaits, but some spinners, skirted stuff, swimbaits... no nesting. Honest, I kid you not. That being said, I haven't put mono or fluoro on the spool so I can't speak for that.

[new2BC4bass]

Beautiful place to fish!!!!  That backlash is nowhere near professional grade.  I should have taken a few pictures of mine. 

 

That line looks like it would do a better job tying the boat to a dock. 

 

I use 12# on the vast majority of my MH rods.

[galyonj]

On 12/29/2019 at 12:00 AM, Anthony Weaver said:

I bought this yesterday and asked them to spool it up with some good line. Went shopping and came back to pick it up. This is what the guy put on it. I never really use braid so I had no idea..

Stuff like this is why nobody else gets to spool my gear anymore.