Why are you not using a digital reel?

[Tennessee Boy]

I have a Scorpion DC.  The breaking system is the second best I’ve used.  The best is still a thumb.

[mrpao]

To me, the DC is another thing to break down the road. Sooner or later it will go out. Since I maintain my own reels, that's one less thing I have to worry about.

That being said, I had an Escence DC in the past. It was a nice reel but just not what it was all cracked up to be. I still prefer my regular shimanos.

Nothing against the DC, just not for me. If you like it, then more reels for you.

The same with the daiwa SV spools. Not a fan of them either.  I find the spools to slow for my liking. But if you like them, then good for you.

Everyone likes something different. That's what helps drive the market with new innovations.

[NavyVet1204]

9 hours ago, Scott F said:

$250 to solve a problem I don’t have doesn’t seem like the right solution for me. When it’s time for a new reel, if they’ve come down in price, I’ll consider it.

This is where I am on this as well. I’ve contemplated buying a DC reel because I thought it would be very beneficial to my being new to baitcasters, but I decided to go with a non digital reel and I’m happy with it. As said above, if the right deal comes along I’ll jump on it more than likely just so I can say I tried it if nothing else.

[garroyo130]

This thread is the equivalent to "Why don't you drive a Tesla?"

 

1. Its expensive

2. I don't wanna

 

Not sure what else you were looking for from people but you seem to be looking for reasons to dislike your DC reel. Just fish it and enjoy it. Its not for everyone but it sounds like its for you and thats all that should matter.

[Fin S]

8 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

If you haven’t tried one... You really can’t comment on the positives and negatives as you haven’t endured the experience. At that point it’s just an opinion, I’m looking for facts. I encourage you guys to definitely try one. Reading a some of the posts are like reading “hey I won’t use google maps because I like using a traditional map” Yes they do the same thing, but clearly one does it more efficiently.  

Pretty low profile, no?

It’s good for distance or near

Sign up to get updates on AOL bro

You asked people why they don't use one. They told you. Then you take people to task for giving their reason/opinion and tell them they can't comment if they haven't tried one. Give me a break.

[MN Fisher]

The expense is the biggie for me. My most expensive rig (rod and reel) retails for less than the price of this reel alone - and I didn't pay near that much out of pocket.

 

Also, as others have said, it 'fixes' problems I don't have.

[Cgrinder]

DC has been around a long time; there's no reason to act like you've discovered some secret sauce here. I will have one at some point (I like the sound), but I'm not in a hurry. A Bantam DC would get my money right quick though. 

[JediAmoeba]

2 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

There are no batteries in the unit

Learn something new every day.  I was obviously making an assumption.  I figured it had one if those small watch batteries or something but after reading about it, that's relatively efficient.  Still though,  the reel weighs a whole ounce more than a daiwa sv - Thats a pretty big deal for a lot of people.

[MUSLENUTZ]

6 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

First of all, if DC reel is for you, I’m glad you got the reel you like and enjoy using it. You asked if why we don’t use DC reel and these are why. 

Secondly, I’ve never said DC reel is bad. I commented many time that DC should benefit for those fishing in windy situation or those who just started using baitcaster reel.

Third, I don’t own one, but I tried a few and changed a setup for a guy here @skekoamand he got about 40% in distance increase.

Now to answer your question, weightless senko is not finesse at all, I’m talking Finesse worm or at least trick worm weightless type thing where DC might not work as good compare to others say Daiwa SV or Curado 70.

 

Your DC reel only have 4 setting, the less is done by digitally to apply more brake when line start to fluffed. regulate shimano reel got 4 internal, 6 fine tune external , the less is depends on your educated thumb. I can adjust dial to my liking from no fluff at all to most fluff but still can control with my thumb tethering the line where as DC reel you are in the mercy of digital to kick in. I think (again just for me) I can switch from pitching to casting short to casting long distance easier and more accuracy.

PS there is no such thing as one reel for every situation.

Appreciate the feedback

1 hour ago, Fin S said:

You asked people why they don't use one. They told you. Then you take people to task for giving their reason/opinion and tell them they can't comment if they haven't tried one. Give me a break.

You clearly didn’t read the entire post. I also expected a lot of these responses. These are the same people you walk buy and ask them if they caught anything. They say yeah a bunch of hits today only knowing they’ve been skunked. 

2 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

This thread is the equivalent to "Why don't you drive a Tesla?"

 

1. Its expensive

2. I don't wanna

 

Not sure what else you were looking for from people but you seem to be looking for reasons to dislike your DC reel. Just fish it and enjoy it. Its not for everyone but it sounds like its for you and thats all that should matter.

I’m looking to buy another reel and looking for reasons not to buy one. I said to myself I’d never buy a self driving car and probably sound like many people in this post in regards to reels. Then I actually have that feature in the car now I bought to some extent. I literally drove from Boston to CT holding nothing but the steering wheel from a dead stop traffic to 90 mph the entire time. So don’t get me started on that debate too lol 

[Ogandrews]

6 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

PS there is no such thing as one reel for every situation.

If you read my original post my point is that a dc reel isn’t better for everything. In my use, and have heard others that have the same experience, a dc reel has more of a benefit the lighter the lure is. I honestly don’t get much of a benefit when throwing something like a bigger jig, a frog or a lipless. But when I’m throwing truely light stuff, like original floating rapalas, small balsa cranks, like you said weightless trick worms, or a 2.5” tube on a 1/16th oz jig than I do notice a difference. It became apparent to me when I was trout fishing this winter. I like to use casting gear just to make it more fun and I switched from a curado 70 to a curado dc, both had the same 20lbs powerpro maxcuatro. I throw a lot of tiny jerkbaits around 1/4 oz, like really small husky jerks or rapalas balsa bx minnow. That is where I noticed the biggest difference, better distance less fluff better control. It was a big enough difference that every rod I had a curado 70 on has been switched over to a dc. Any rod that is more power oriented gets a curado k, like I explained earlier. I also talked about how the dc does not outcast a tranx 300 in my fishing with the same bait. If I am doing multiple different presentations with the same reel like you were talking about than I would absolutely rather have a dc. On the 1 setting the dc barely does anything and it just acts like a K with loose breaks. If I want a little more breaking, 2 is enough for almost all my baits without sacrificing distance. 3 and 4 rarely get used outside of skipping light baits, but that is because I only fish braid to a leader. I really really wanted to hate DC’s, but after using them for awhile there is undoubtedly a real benefit to them in my fishing so I will continue to use them.

 

[garroyo130]

13 minutes ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

You clearly didn’t read the entire post. I also expected a lot of these responses. These are the same people you walk buy and ask them if they caught anything. They say yeah a bunch of hits today only knowing they’ve been skunked. 

hey hey hey! this is a fisherman's forum ... no one gets skunked ... ever!

[A-Jay]

2 minutes ago, Ogandrews said:

If you read my original post my point is that a dc reel isn’t better for everything. In my use, and have heard others that have the same experience, a dc reel has more of a benefit the lighter the lure is. I honestly don’t get much of a benefit when throwing something like a bigger jig, a frog or a lipless. But when I’m throwing truely light stuff, like original floating rapalas, small balsa cranks, like you said weightless trick worms, or a 2.5” tube on a 1/16th oz jig than I do notice a difference. It became apparent to me when I was trout fishing this winter. I like to use casting gear just to make it more fun and I switched from a curado 70 to a curado dc, both had the same 20lbs powerpro maxcuatro. I throw a lot of tiny jerkbaits around 1/4 oz, like really small husky jerks or rapalas balsa bx minnow. That is where I noticed the biggest difference, better distance less fluff better control. It was a big enough difference that every rod I had a curado 70 on has been switched over to a dc. Any rod that is more power oriented gets a curado k, like I explained earlier. I also talked about how the dc does not outcast a tranx 300 in my fishing with the same bait. If I am doing multiple different presentations with the same reel like you were talking about than I would absolutely rather have a dc. On the 1 setting the dc barely does anything and it just acts like a K with loose breaks. If I want a little more breaking, 2 is enough for almost all my baits without sacrificing distance. 3 and 4 rarely get used outside of skipping light baits, but that is because I only fish braid to a leader. I really really wanted to hate DC’s, but after using them for awhile there is undoubtedly a real benefit to them in my fishing so I will continue to use them.

If you read my original post my point is that a dc reel isn’t better for everything. In my use, and have heard others that have the same experience, a dc reel has more of a benefit the lighter the lure is. I honestly don’t get much of a benefit when throwing something like a bigger jig, a frog or a lipless. But when I’m throwing truely light stuff, like original floating rapalas, small balsa cranks, like you said weightless trick worms, or a 2.5” tube on a 1/16th oz jig than I do notice a difference. It became apparent to me when I was trout fishing this winter. I like to use casting gear just to make it more fun and I switched from a curado 70 to a curado dc, both had the same 20lbs powerpro maxcuatro. I throw a lot of tiny jerkbaits around 1/4 oz, like really small husky jerks or rapalas balsa bx minnow. That is where I noticed the biggest difference, better distance less fluff better control. It was a big enough difference that every rod I had a curado 70 on has been switched over to a dc. Any rod that is more power oriented gets a curado k, like I explained earlier. I also talked about how the dc does not outcast a tranx 300 in my fishing with the same bait. If I am doing multiple different presentations with the same reel like you were talking about than I would absolutely rather have a dc. On the 1 setting the dc barely does anything and it just acts like a K with loose breaks. If I want a little more breaking, 2 is enough for almost all my baits without sacrificing distance. 3 and 4 rarely get used outside of skipping light baits, but that is because I only fish braid to a leader. I really really wanted to hate DC’s, but after using them for awhile there is undoubtedly a real benefit to them in my fishing so I will continue to use them.

If you read my original post my point is that a dc reel isn’t better for everything. In my use, and have heard others that have the same experience, a dc reel has more of a benefit the lighter the lure is. I honestly don’t get much of a benefit when throwing something like a bigger jig, a frog or a lipless. But when I’m throwing truely light stuff, like original floating rapalas, small balsa cranks, like you said weightless trick worms, or a 2.5” tube on a 1/16th oz jig than I do notice a difference. It became apparent to me when I was trout fishing this winter. I like to use casting gear just to make it more fun and I switched from a curado 70 to a curado dc, both had the same 20lbs powerpro maxcuatro. I throw a lot of tiny jerkbaits around 1/4 oz, like really small husky jerks or rapalas balsa bx minnow. That is where I noticed the biggest difference, better distance less fluff better control. It was a big enough difference that every rod I had a curado 70 on has been switched over to a dc. Any rod that is more power oriented gets a curado k, like I explained earlier. I also talked about how the dc does not outcast a tranx 300 in my fishing with the same bait. If I am doing multiple different presentations with the same reel like you were talking about than I would absolutely rather have a dc. On the 1 setting the dc barely does anything and it just acts like a K with loose breaks. If I want a little more breaking, 2 is enough for almost all my baits without sacrificing distance. 3 and 4 rarely get used outside of skipping light baits, but that is because I only fish braid to a leader. I really really wanted to hate DC’s, but after using them for awhile there is undoubtedly a real benefit to them in my fishing so I will continue to use them.

If you read my original post my point is that a dc reel isn’t better for everything. In my use, and have heard others that have the same experience, a dc reel has more of a benefit the lighter the lure is. I honestly don’t get much of a benefit when throwing something like a bigger jig, a frog or a lipless. But when I’m throwing truely light stuff, like original floating rapalas, small balsa cranks, like you said weightless trick worms, or a 2.5” tube on a 1/16th oz jig than I do notice a difference. It became apparent to me when I was trout fishing this winter. I like to use casting gear just to make it more fun and I switched from a curado 70 to a curado dc, both had the same 20lbs powerpro maxcuatro. I throw a lot of tiny jerkbaits around 1/4 oz, like really small husky jerks or rapalas balsa bx minnow. That is where I noticed the biggest difference, better distance less fluff better control. It was a big enough difference that every rod I had a curado 70 on has been switched over to a dc. Any rod that is more power oriented gets a curado k, like I explained earlier. I also talked about how the dc does not outcast a tranx 300 in my fishing with the same bait. If I am doing multiple different presentations with the same reel like you were talking about than I would absolutely rather have a dc. On the 1 setting the dc barely does anything and it just acts like a K with loose breaks. If I want a little more breaking, 2 is enough for almost all my baits without sacrificing distance. 3 and 4 rarely get used outside of skipping light baits, but that is because I only fish braid to a leader. I really really wanted to hate DC’s, but after using them for awhile there is undoubtedly a real benefit to them in my fishing so I will continue to use them.

I believe you made your point.

A-Jay 

 

[MUSLENUTZ]

2 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

hey hey hey! this is a fisherman's forum ... no one gets skunked ... ever!

Lol

[Johnbt]

"You say bomb a cast how far can you cast accurately into the wind? "

 

Not very far. I'm old.   

 

But I have 9', 10' and 11' surf rods and with a chunk of cut mullet and a 5- to 8-ounce sinker I can get out there a long way. When largemouth fishing I use the trolling motor to cut down the casting distance to 50 yards or less. Usually a lot less. It's amazing the number of fish - including 8+ pounders - that have followed the lure to the boat and finally taken it when it was coming straight up.

 

[kayaking_kev]

I have a DC and a SV reel and both have their places. The DC is better in the wind than the SV, and I don't think it's near as close as some try to claim. And, the SV is a lot lighter. I have the DC on my Heavy rod and SV on my Medium rod, and wouldn't want the opposite on either.

[WRB]

Come to think of it I have been using digital reels over 6 decades. The main digit being my thumb followed by my index digit.

Tom

[NYWayfarer]

I have been thinking about getting one...eventually. If I did it would be the Scorpion DC for the full DC experience.

 

THEREELTEST did a good comparison of the SLX DC, Curado DC and the Scorpion DC it’s worth the watch on YouTube.

[JediAmoeba]

And, btw, I have tried a DC reel - casting a spinnerbait I am able to cast any of my reels just as far.  I cast into the wind a lot and never have an issue, the occasional gust of wind may cause a fluff but an educated thumb keeps anything truly bad from ever happening.  

[A-Jay]

Interesting Thread.

I'll admit that I 'waited' to respond, just because I was curious as to where this one would go.

No surprises. 

 

If a basshead is considering a DC reel, here's how it's gone for me.

Perhaps this can help decide one way or the other. 

Here's my two cents.

Like many of the esteemed BR forum members here, I've been using standard (non-DC) casting reels for a few decades. They've come a long way.

 The DC reels have always been intriguing to me.  

Back when they first were available here, a couple of guys I've fished with in Mexico used them.

Admittedly the DC reel whine took some getting used to. 

They seemed to like them quite a bit but I wasn't seeing much in the way of 'superior performance' either in distance or over-run deals.  Seemed the same as when they were using non-DC reels.

(btw- these guys all use high end gear - all next level to what I was using).

So I was content to just stick with what was working for me. 

 

Fast forward, early spring 2018 (still iced in), and with a full blown case of cabin fever, I caved to the hype.  Did some research and after some 'shopping' scored the SHIMANO 17 Scorpion DC 100 HG (Right Handle)  t-ssdc100hg from Japan Lure shop for a cool ¥28,100.00 ($252 USD).

 

 

 As that first season using it progressed, I used the reel in several different applications; including but perhaps not limited to, casting crankbaits,  spinnerbaits & topwater, skipping docks (not a pro here), and some light jig fishing duties.  All with both FC & braid and on a few different rods. This went on for two seasons.

 

  My impressions of the reel are: it's a quality reel, it does what it's advertised to do and in a fairly repeatable & dependable manner.  The DC 'whine' seems a bit subdued compared to those first versions my fishing partners were using, and I do like that.   

 In the end I have relegated the reel as one of my jerkbait rigs. (Perhaps even the Favorite)

It's mounted on a 6'10" M Alpha Angers stick and loaded with 10lb FC.

 Honestly, The Scorpion DC is one of my 'better' casting rigs, however I am NOT breaking distance records every time out; regardless of the wind direction.  

 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

A-Jay

[CFDoc]

7 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

or when skipping.  

One day, you're really gonna have to figure out that not everybody needs training wheels in order to skip baits...

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, CFDoc said:

One day, you're really gonna have to figure out that not everybody needs training wheels in order to skip baits...

I do.

A-Jay 

[MN Fisher]

7 minutes ago, CFDoc said:

One day, you're really gonna have to figure out that not everybody needs training wheels in order to skip baits...

 

5 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I do.

A-Jay 

I refuse to go to training wheels - especially at that price. I'll stick with my spinning rigs for skipping - it's worked fine so far.

[A-Jay]

42 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

 

I refuse to go to training wheels - especially at that price. I'll stick with my spinning rigs for skipping - it's worked fine so far.

He's a real pistol that one.

A-Jay

 

 

 

[LonnieP]

The better question would be “Why use a DC reel?”

[CFDoc]

11 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Aren't you the guy that complained about the new Metanium spools being too narrow to skip with because whatever exceeding difficult technique you use to skip with Shimano SVS doesn't work with a slightly more narrow spool?   While I can appreciate the dedication to use centrifugal reels to skip (I used to use Doyo dual brake to skip at one point)  it is not the best tool for the job.  With a heavy enough jig and enough spool tension or thumb any reel will skip including just about anything you grab off the shelf at the antique store.  It is when you try and skip things more difficult things like small jigs, Ned rigs, 4 inch Senkos and Flick Shakes that you will discover whether or not your baitcast reel's braking system is up to the task or if you have to to grab spinning gear.  The same reel that can skip a 4 inch Senko painlessly is going to make a 1/2 oz jig look like childs play.       

You’re more than welcomed to continue to drive as far past the point as you’d like; however, I’d recommend you just admit you missed it.