New Cranking Rig... Scorpion DC?

[AmmoGuy]

So I need another dedicated crankbait rig for this year. DT4, 6, 10, Frittside 7s, OG's... 

Pretty much all of my reels are Daiwas, but a fishing buddy has gotten onto the DC wagon, and now I need to try one, *sigh*. 

 

His are all SLX DC's, which seem fine... But for about $40-50 more, I'm intrigued by the Scorpion DC and it's I-DC5. I've also never had a JDM reel, so that intrigues me too.  Anything I need to know about the Scorpion? Any reason to just go for the SLX DC or Curado DC instead? Are the Scorpions generally smooth/quiet on the retrieve? 

 

My next option would be to go for a 21 Zillion SV TW, but I feel like it's time to get a Shimano (and DC) a shot. 

[WRB]

Try your friends 1st!

Tom

[AmmoGuy]

12 minutes ago, WRB said:

Try your friends 1st!

Tom

 

I've tried them quite a bit. That's why I'm considering adding one to my arsenal. 

Does it seem like magic? Nah. But it does seem to work quite well. 

 

I'm more concerned with which DC reel would be the "best buy".  

[Tennessee Boy]

I have several Scorpion DCs.  I like them.  I like JDM because you get a slightly better reel for the price and because the JDM vendors can ship a reel from Japan faster than I can get one from Tackle Warehouse.   There is the concern about the warrantee.  In 45+ years of fishing I've never need to get a reel serviced under warrantee so I'm willing to take that risk.   As far as I-DC5,  I personally don't see any advantage to it but I prefer to use my thumb for breaking most of the time.  I like the Scorpion because I like the way it cast with the breaks turned off.

[PhishLI]

18 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

My next option would be to go for a 21 Zillion SV TW, but I feel like it's time to get a Shimano (and DC) a shot. 

I say go for it. DC reels do well with lighter flatsides and wind catching billed baits. I'll add that the 21 Zillion SV isn't as SV as say a '17 Tatula SV if this is something you're expecting. It definitely requires a fair bit more user input than the typical SV reel.

[AmmoGuy]

15 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

I say go for it. DC reels do well with lighter flatsides and wind catching billed baits. I'll add that the 21 Zillion SV isn't as SV as say a '17 Tatula SV if this is something you're expecting. It definitely requires a fair bit more user input than the typical SV reel.

 

Yea, I have several different SV reels. They all have their own "characteristics". 

23 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I have several Scorpion DCs.  I like them.  I like JDM because you get a slightly better reel for the price and because the JDM vendors can ship a reel from Japan faster than I can get one from Tackle Warehouse.   There is the concern about the warrantee.  In 45+ years of fishing I've never need to get a reel serviced under warrantee so I'm willing to take that risk.   As far as I-DC5,  I personally don't see any advantage to it but I prefer to use my thumb for breaking most of the time.  I like the Scorpion because I like the way it cast with the breaks turned off.

 

Noted. Thanks. 

 

I'm not super concerned with Warranty. It's nice being able to walk into BP and exchange a rod if a guide falls out, but past that it's not much of a factor for me. 

[PhishLI]

48 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

Yea, I have several different SV reels. They all have their own "characteristics". 

In this case it makes sense though. the Zillion's SV Boost induct rotor is shallower, thinner, and has a stiffer spring. I wouldn't discourage you otherwise. It's very nice, and if you dig on otherworldly super smooth cranking you'll be thrilled, but not if you're hoping for the expected safety net of typical SV in the wind.

[AmmoGuy]

12 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

 It very nice, and if you dig on otherworldly super smooth cranking you'll be thrilled, but not if you're hoping for the expected safety net of typical SV in the wind.

 

Well. This is actually why I'm shopping. 

I have a Coastal SV TW that doesn't have a home right now. I'd just strap it onto a cranking rod and get after it, but that particular reel is annoyingly geary. Not something I enjoy when slow cranking. 

 

Honestly, I've found all the Tatula reels are pretty hit or miss as far as smoothness. Hence I may venture into the world of Shimano. 

[WRB]

If you want a new reel buy it! Sounds to me you want the Scorpion DC. If you want your reel smooth quite try sending to DVL to tune and lubricate. 

The lures you have listed are not typically long casting crankbaits, more target lures. Deep divers are another cat all together where distance requires line capacity to maintain controlled IPT.

Personally not a DC fan preferring my educated thumb to control the spool. Quite and smooth is important cranking for hours.

Tom

[PhishLI]

43 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

Honestly, I've found all the Tatula reels are pretty hit or miss as far as smoothness. 

Once you jump up to the free floating spool Daiwa variants, even the '16 Zillion SV TW, gear train issues, which sometimes show up in Tatula types, pretty much disappear.

43 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

Hence I may venture into the world of Shimano.

You'll get a safety net with Shimano DC, but be aware that SVS Infinity provides none of that. You'll hear nobody claim that it's a forgiving system. It's touchy. If you're OK with far more user input than even Daiwa's standard Mag Z, then you'll be fine. In this regard, and this is a bit simplified, the '21 Zillion's SV boost falls in between Tatula-esque standard Mag Z and SVS Infinity as far as necessary user input is concerned, IMO. However, it's possible that Shimano has addressed this touchiness issue somewhat with SVS Infinity on some newer models by going to 6 brake blocks instead of 4. It felt that anyway when I tried out a friend's Curado 150 MGL.

 

'21 Zillion and '17 Tatula SV size comparison:

 

 

 

[A-Jay]

I use this SHIMANO 17 Scorpion DC 100 HG for jerkbaits.

It's JDM and only costs me ¥28,100.00

It's very decent

A-Jay

[DINK WHISPERER]

Look through my posts where I put the 2021 Scorpion DC against the SLX DC. The Scorpion got destroyed! To me the new one is uncomfortable to palm and feels huge in hand.

I use a couple of modified 2017 Scorpions that are yet to get outcasted! The only one that even came close was my Metanium DC and my son's Curado DC. I think the addition of the MGL spool made them over brake the new 21 DC system, greatly limiting casting distance. 

IMHO, the 17 is still king of the Scorpions. 

Mine have 95mm handles, one has power grip knobs, both have micromodule gears from a 70 Curado MGL and worm gear bearings added. 

[AmmoGuy]

1 hour ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

Look through my posts where I put the 2021 Scorpion DC against the SLX DC. The Scorpion got destroyed! To me the new one is uncomfortable to palm and feels huge in hand.

I use a couple of modified 2017 Scorpions that are yet to get outcasted! The only one that even came close was my Metanium DC and my son's Curado DC. I think the addition of the MGL spool made them over brake the new 21 DC system, greatly limiting casting distance. 

IMHO, the 17 is still king of the Scorpions. 

Mine have 95mm handles, one has power grip knobs, both have micromodule gears from a 70 Curado MGL and worm gear bearings added. 

Well that’s interesting. 
I will say that smoooth retrieve is something I’m looking for (but not at the cost of meaningful casting distance). I’d assume the scorpion is smoother than the SLX? 
 

The 17 Scorpion is intriguing, but can’t find one anywhere. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

1 minute ago, AmmoGuy said:

Well that’s interesting. 
I will say that smoooth retrieve is something I’m looking for (but not at the cost of meaningful casting distance). I’d assume the scorpion is smoother than the SLX? 
 

The 17 Scorpion is intriguing, but can’t find one anywhere. 

Yes sir, the 21 DC is WAAY smoother than the SLX. It feels like the handle isn't even attached to anything. I purchased both of my 17s from Amazon. There's still some in stock right now. Good luck

[newapti5]

To me, DC reels are a novelty thing. Once the excitement passed, it's not much different than other reels. Now I mostly just use my Scorpion DC for windy conditions. 

 

But if you do want to get on the DC wagon, I'd suggest the new 21 Scorpion DC. It has the same IDC-5 system, a MGL spool, and some other upgrades. It's not much more expensive than the 17 one.

[AmmoGuy]

12 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

To me, DC reels are a novelty thing. Once the excitement passed, it's not much different than other reels. Now I mostly just use my Scorpion DC for windy conditions. 

 

But if you do want to get on the DC wagon, I'd suggest the new 21 Scorpion DC. It has the same IDC-5 system, a MGL spool, and some other upgrades. It's not much more expensive than the 17 one.

It’s actually less expensive than the 17. The 17 seems to be going for $300+?
 

My only hold up on the 21 is that reviews seem to show that casting distance suffered with the new updates. That it seems more choked than the Curado or 17 Scorp. 

[newapti5]

59 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

It’s actually less expensive than the 17. The 17 seems to be going for $300+?
 

My only hold up on the 21 is that reviews seem to show that casting distance suffered with the new updates. That it seems more choked than the Curado or 17 Scorp. 

 

I think I saw the 17 on Amazon Japan for ~$190? But that was a couple months ago. The prices on that site fluctuate greatly. 

 

Regarding the casting performance, it's interesting to know some feel it getting worse, because it should get better on paper. I only have the 17 version, but a YouTuber, Reeltest, did his own casting comparison between these two, and found no noticeable distance difference.

[AmmoGuy]

10 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

 

I think I saw the 17 on Amazon Japan for ~$190? But that was a couple months ago. The prices on that site fluctuate greatly. 

 

Regarding the casting performance, it's interesting to know some feel it getting worse, because it should get better on paper. I only have the 17 version, but a YouTuber, Reeltest, did his own casting comparison between these two, and found no noticeable distance difference.

I’ve never used Amazon Japan. I just use eBay and the usual JDM retailers. If you can check on Amazon, I’d appreciate it. 
 

I saw the reeltest vids. I was thinking he found that the 17 outcasted the 21? Maybe not. The Curado definitely threw further. 
 

Does the 17 have the micro gears? I’m definitely looking for butter smooth retrieve. 

[newapti5]

36 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

I’ve never used Amazon Japan. I just use eBay and the usual JDM retailers. If you can check on Amazon, I’d appreciate it. 
 

I saw the reeltest vids. I was thinking he found that the 17 outcasted the 21? Maybe not. The Curado definitely threw further. 
 

Does the 17 have the micro gears? I’m definitely looking for butter smooth retrieve. 

 

Yeah, the 17 price bounced back up to ~$250. The 17 doesn't have micro gears, but it's still quite smooth. 

 

Regarding casting distance, Curado DC, 17 Scorpion, 21 Scorpion... I don't think they have much difference. Maybe a little, but not gonna have much realistic impact.  DC reels are not about casting further, but having a more stable casting experience. 

 

For that much money, if you don't want the Scorpion, there's also this saltwater version Curado DC to consider: 

 

[T2DM]

54 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

 

Does the 17 have the micro gears? I’m definitely looking for butter smooth retrieve. 

Sadly, it does not have the MM gears, it has the HEG gearing like the SLX series. it's smooth but not as smooth compared to reels equipped with MM gears, but the new SLX 70 DC XT comes with MM gears, i really like the 17 scorpion DC/Curado 200i platform so might get the SLX DC XT when it comes out.

 

I did however converted one of my 17 scorpion DC down to 6.3 gears from 7.2. it now feels smoother and better as a cranking reel.

Edited March 2, 2022 by T2DM

[AmmoGuy]

17 minutes ago, T2DM said:

Sadly, it does not have the MM gears, it has the HEG gearing like the SLX series. it's smooth but not as smooth compared to reels equipped with MM gears, but the new SLX 70 DC XT comes with MM gears, i really like the 17 scorpion DC/Curado 200i platform so might get the SLX DC XT when it comes out.

 

I did however converted one of my 17 scorpion DC down to 6.3 gears from 7.2. it now feels smoother and better as a cranking reel.

The SLX 70 DC looks pretty sweet. I just need something sooner than it will be available.   
 

Even though I wanted to give DC a whirl, I’m starting to think maybe a Curado MGL 150 might suit my needs best. 

[AmmoGuy]

Well. 
With a little internet voodoo, I ended up picking up a Curado MGL 150 6:2 for $163 to my door from BP. Can’t really beat that. 
 

I guess I’ll try a DC next time. ??‍♂️

[bigspirit]

Not a bad grab! 
 

not that it adds much to this thread but I wanted a DC so bad and thought it was such cool technology so I bought the SLX DC to start. 
 

I think I sold it after 8 or 10 months? The reel was totally fine. I just grew to hate the sound of them which is funny because I thought it sounded cool before I bought one and for the first few months. Eventually just thought it was annoying to listen to when using it all day. Can’t complain about the reel itself though, did everything I wanted and expected it to do. 

[AmmoGuy]

Well. BP just canceled my MGL 150 order out of the blue. Said they didn't have stock to fulfill it. Awesome. 

 

So the hunt is back on. Might just go with a Curado DC. 

[MN Fisher]

20 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

Well. BP just canceled my MGL 150 order out of the blue. Said they didn't have stock to fulfill it. Awesome. 

 

So the hunt is back on. Might just go with a Curado DC. 

Omnia has all three gear-ratios in right hand and the 6.2:1 lefty in stock...same price as BPS and free shipping.

https://www.omniafishing.com/p/shimano-curado-mgl-150/