So many DC’s. So little money.

[Terran Elam]

 I’m fascinated by the Shimano DCs. At least the hype around them. Makes me wonder why they’re not everybody's main go to. Yet I see many with greater insight than mine having maybe one or two. I’m sure some of that comes with a knowledgeable thumb. I still view them as more convenient but at a cost.

  Trying to distinguish one DC from another is like playing a shell game. Maybe more like buying wine. Seems like Shimano can’t make up their mind from year to year. 
 To top it all off Shimano has DC1, DC4, and DC5 depending on the model. Hard to compare a Curado DC to a Metanium DC.

 

 So that’s my rant. What DC’s do you all have? Or don’t have? Why or why not? 
 

 To get a little more specific, I’m looking for a real to put on a 7’ Lew’s Pro Ti MHF.

Current rod is a Black Omen MF with a Lew’s Tournament Pro SS. (Casting)

 Then I have a 6’9” Pro Ti with a Diawa  Ballistic 2500 that I’ve only used so far in the yard.

 Kayak and shoreline.

 Fishing style. Retired. 
 

 Don’t let that stop you from talking over my head. I can hum along until I learn the words. I’m as curious about the technology as anything else.
 

 

 

[Backroad Angler]

I've heard such good things about the DC, from the curado and SLX, but I really just have no urge to get one. The technology seems all great and all, but I feel if you know how to use a non DC baitcasting reel, properly set tension, drag, breaks, etc, you're all good to go. I may be wrong when I say this, but the DC type reels I feel are more geared towards people learning to use bait casters as they are more user friendly. Although I get it, they can make your life a lot easier with not having to be as precise with your settings as a non-dc reel. I just don't see the huge benefit in them, but I do feel they are great for someone to learn how to use a baitcasting reel.

[TBAG]

I'm a huge Shimano fanboy but have yet to try a DC. I was going to go with a Curado DC to pair with a texas rig/jig rod back when they were on sale for Black Friday.

 

Well, after more thought I ended up going with a new Curado 70 MGL instead.

 

I'll eventually get a DC but my Chronarch MGL's, Curado K's and even SLX reels all perform so great then why get a DC?

[Randy Price]

I have the Curado DC 150XG.  On the back of the box it says i-DC4

[Fishes in trees]

I have a couple of the Curado DC reels in the 6.2 - 1 ratio.  I use them mostly to throw spinnerbaits.

There was a learning curve to using these reels.   I generally throw half ounce spinnerbaits and I'm finding that I can throw them significantly farther ( 20 feet or so ) , with the same amount of effort than I was previously getting.   For the record, previously I was using the 11 ball bearing Calcutta TEGT.

I bought these reels because the round Calcutta TEGT was feeling a little heavy and I was just hoping to get the same distance with a lighter weight reel.  I was pleasantly surprised that when I got it dialed in I got better distance with the same amount of effort.

On the down side, just like the TEGT, when you put extra effort into the cast and it isn't properly coordinated , the Curado DC will back lash just like any other reel.

 

 

[bulldog1935]

It's not really about effort, it's about jerk - the time derivative of acceleration (2nd time derivative of velocity).  Any jerk (engineering term) put into your cast is backlash.  

I wrote this to a salt-fishing buddy to explain how I could cast 20-lb braid on a Super Duty - he said he was limited to 17-lb fluoro on his Super Duty to prevent backlash:  

Quote

Took me 3 days and 3 tries to percolate it into lucidity - gave up the first 2:

I can use the SuperDuty with 20-lb braid because the new bearings reduce start-up inertia, where SuperDuty has its lowest backlash defense (no centrifugal brake).

 

I can use the shallow-spool SP with even lighter braid because the spool inertia is incredibly low, helping to defend against all 3 types of backlash (farther below), and it has a good centrifugal brake.

 

Casting is a ballistic shot - the fastest thing that happens is the lure at your rod tip, and the lure slows from there to landing.

 

Inertia of the spool is its resistance to change. It takes more force to start the spool spinning than it does to keep it spinning, and that causes instant spool overshoot. Inertia also causes the spool to want to keep spinning once it gets going. Lowering the mass of the spool + line lowers the spool inertia. Efficient bearings lower the spool start-up inertia.

 

The 3 types of backlash include start-up overshoot, described above.

The 2nd backlash point occurs as your ballistic shot is approaching its max elevation - mid cast - gravity is slowing down the lure, and you'll sometimes see this backlash self-correct as the lure crosses the hump with gravity speeding it back up a bit. This is also the point your backlash is most affected by wind. Mag brakes are your best defense here, and Super Duty shines for long casts with affecting wind.

The 3rd backlash is simple - the lure stops, the spool needs to, also.

 

We have four types of brakes - spindle end tension is a constant load, and can defend against all 3 backlashes, but also with the shortest-possible cast.

Thumb control is a load we modulate.
Centrifugal brakes are best for controlling start-up backlash, and this is important with light lures.
Mag brake is best for mid-cast backlash and wind backlash, and that's where SuperDuty shines, especially with long casts.

 

what can I say, I'm an engineer...

[newapti5]

I have a JDM scorpion DC, which uses the same DC brake as the Metanium DC.  It has a lot more settings and combos than Curado DC.  But to be honest, I won't be buying another DC reel, at least not now.  It surly is fun to hear the DC whirling sound and go thumb-free casting, but I found out that with a trained thumb, you can cast a regular reel to the same, or even further distance.  Maybe in the future as technology advances, DC brakes could achieve the most optimal and precise brake force that no human can achieve, but IMO not the current models. 

 

I also don't think it'll be good for beginners. It could make the learning curve longer, as the caster may depend on DC brakes, not a thumb in training. A Daiwa SV reel might be a better choice for beginners. Anyway, that's just my 2 cents. 

[GaryH]

I have 3 Curado dc's along with a lot of non dc reels. I've been using non dc's for 40 years so I'm not new to the game. Set up properly you'll love it for casting into heavy winds and for skipping under docks. Also I get as much distance from them as I do with my non dc reels. 

 

[A-Jay]

42 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

I have a JDM scorpion DC, which uses the same DC brake as the Metanium DC.  It has a lot more settings and combos than Curado DC.  But to be honest, I won't be buying another DC reel, at least not now.  It surly is fun to hear the DC whirling sound and go thumb-free casting, but I found out that with a trained thumb, you can cast a regular reel to the same, or even further distance.  Maybe in the future as technology advances, DC brakes could achieve the most optimal and precise brake force that no human can achieve, but IMO not the current models. 

 

I also don't think it'll be good for beginners. It could make the learning curve longer, as the caster may depend on DC brakes, not a thumb in training. A Daiwa SV reel might be a better choice for beginners. Anyway, that's just my 2 cents. 

I have the same reel.

And AGREE with most ALL of the above.

(I don't have that Diawa SV Casting reel so I can't comment on that)

A-Jay

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The SLX and Curado DC are great reels without question.  Having said that, they aren't the end all miracle reels that some people make them out to be.  The Daiwa SV spools are nearly as effective at preventing overruns then the DC systems.   

The only bad backlashes I've ever was from skipping a bait into something under a dock I didn't see or clipping a tree on an over head cast.  If you run the reel with a lot of tension you can cast without your thumb, but casting distance suffers.   

I think the best part about the DC is they can cast lighter baits into the wind without backlashing.  The DCs are versatile as well, you can change baits and get decent distance without dialing the reel in to weight of the new bait.

DC brakes do add a considerable amount of size to a reel.  If you compare the size of the SLX to the SLX DC you will see what I mean.  The DC spools have a little weight to them so they don't perform great with baits under 1/8 in total, but will throw them in a pinch.   

Your thumb is the most important brake on any reel.  I run my DCs loose like all of my other casting reels.  I always have my thumb just over the top of the spool so if it starts to get squirrely I can just feather it to correct itself. 

There are different types of DC systems that Shimano uses.  Ivw only used the I DC4 in the SLX and Curado, so i cant comment on the difference.   

[jbsoonerfan]

I have owned a number of DC reels (Scorpion, Curado, Antares) and they are great reels, no doubt about that. In my opinion, they really excel at those "oh no" moments where a bait catches wind, or helicopters, or even the occasional brain fart by the user. I don't think they are worth the extra money for the return you get on usage. I can fine tune my K to outcast my Curado DC and have it pitching just as well. I don't do a lot of skipping as most of the lakes I fish don't have docks so I can't speak to the validity of how well they perform in that area. They are fine reels and certainly can save your bacon at times, but I don't see them as a fix for a trained thumb.

[NYWayfarer]

After reading reviews on the various DC reels when I get one it will be the Scorpion DC. I am the first to admit I am purchasing it only for that casting sound.

[jbsoonerfan]

6 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

After reading reviews on the various DC reels when I get one it will be the Scorpion DC. I am the first to admit I am purchasing it only for that casting sound.

That would be the only one that I would re-purchase.

[new2BC4bass]

I have only tried an Exsence DC.  It has the i-DC+ braking system.  Not had an opportunity to use it much, but haven't had a backlash with it yet as long as I keep it on SP, BB, F or MAX.  If I go below MAX, then I can backlash it fairly easily....especially since the spool tension is quite loose.  I really like the reel and would have no problem owning more of them.

[FishTank]

I have the Curado DC and it has been a great reel.  I find it to do just whatever I need it to do. It does cast far but not the farthest, the DC system is easy to figure out and gets better the more you use it, the reel is smooth, and is overall a pleasure to fish, especially in adverse conditions.   

 

Why get this reel over a conventional reel?> Well, I also have the Curado K and also a great reel.   I think it depends on what you are intending to use it for.   I like the DC for spinner baits, topwater, jigs, crankbaits  and any condition that would increase my chances of a backlash but not so much for soft plastic (I have other reels I like better).  Also, if baitcasters are new to you, then this reel could help improve your casting but it will not make you better at learning how to use a baitcaster.   

[Dwight Hottle]

I have had two calais dc's, met dc, exsence dc and an antares dc my current favorite. They have all been fun to use & the accompanying whirl sound is infectious without a doubt. My advice to you is get one you can afford & try it out. I use my Bantams mostly day in & day out but utilize the calais dc frequently with jerkbaits. 

[Terran Elam]

 Bought a new in 2017,  2013 Essence DC on eBay for a reasonable price. Pictures looked good. Private seller had a good rating. Claimed excellent condition. No heavy use. No saltwater. Diligently maintained. Originally JDM.

 See if it suits me without putting out a lot of cash.

 Put off any major purchase until next year.

 

 I appreciate all of the insightful opinions. I feel like I’ve been schooled.

[GreenPig]

Picked up a Curado DC a couple weeks ago and it'll really send a jerkbait out there. 

[DanielG]

Curado....two seasons now. It's been great. I grab it whenever I can.