Antares DC 2021, initial spool tension setup and detailed explanation of the external dial brake settings?

[Steve Goldy]

Hello all,

 

As above, I just picked up a 2021 Antares DC reel. Being a JDM product, the instruction manual is in Japanese, leaving me in a bit of a predicament.

I have scoured BR and other forums to see how others have overcome this issue…with some limited success (after reading dozens of topics and hundreds of posts). While many regular contributors have the reel, there does not seem to be a concise explanation of how the DC 4x8 system in the new Antares DC should be adjusted (either initially or while fishing)

I know about the internal dial settings (for 3 x different line types, in addition to the X mode), and the external dial with 8 braking levels. There is also a recessed spool tension knob that requires a special plastic tool to make any adjustments.

 

In relation to the above…..

 

1) Should the tension knob be adjusted..ever?

Overall, I have found 2 conflicting answers regarding this question.

One answer is that the knob is factory preset and will never require adjustments (hmmm..why provide a means to do so, then?)

Another answer (provided by Jun at Japan tackle) indicated that the knob should be “initially” set to eliminate side to side play (as seems to be the “standard” instruction with other dc4 and dc5 systems) and then left alone after that.

Which is the correct answer…or, what works for you?

 

2) Other than generally using higher brake settings on the external dial for lighter lures and lower settings for heavier lures…is there a more detailed/defined explanation of the 1-8 settings brake settings on the external dial?

For example, with the dc5 system in the latest Scorpion DC, there is a corresponding lure weight range to each of the external dial settings. No guessing as to what external setting is appropriate…all you need to know is the lure weight. I can’t find a similar “suggested weight range” per brake setting for the Antares. Is there one..or some other method to determine the ideal settings for each situation?

 

I was going to assume that the 8 external settings on the Antares are similar to the 4 on the Scorpion (in the sense that they mostly relate to the weight of the lure)…but with the Antares you now have a finer nuance of lure weights to choose from because of the 8 vs 4 external adjustments. My best “guesstimate”??‍♂️

 

Any takers? Any and all help will be appreciated…thanks!

[ATA]

2 hours ago, Steve Goldy said:

1) Should the tension knob be adjusted..ever?

No, Dont touch it at all. I have two of them and never touch the tension knob as they strongly recommend it from factory.

 

2 hours ago, Steve Goldy said:

some other method to determine the ideal settings for each situation?

k the 4 is type of line, as you can see I use Fluorocarbon on both, so they fix on F, Now ill close the cap and I am going to deal with 8, and it depends on your lure weight and type and wind and type of fishing. For example if I am throwing small 3/8 jerkbait/Crankbait against the wind or 1oz rattle trap same direction of wind. Ill adjust the 8 depends on that. 

***

    F: Fluoro

    P: Braid

    N: Mono

    X: stands for extreme distance

 

Thats your 4 to choose.

[Steve Goldy]

Thanks ATA, Ive read many of your posts about the reel and I am encouraged by your many positive comments. I appreciate your detailed answer here. 
 

The internal selection dial for the line type seemed straight forward, although I certainly won’t be using X mode until I become more comfortable with baitcasting?. I was mostly concerned about the tension knob and the nuances of the 8 external brake settings.
From your answer, it appears that the external dial 1-8 brake settings are the level of braking from lowest to highest, similar to the Scorpion DC (except you now have 8 gradients of braking force, instead of 4). That was my original assumption, so thanks for the confirmation.

 

As for the tension knob, I have a follow up question if you wouldn’t mind.
When you originally got the reel, did you happen to notice the amount of play in the spool tension? Was there any side to side motion when nudging the spool with your finger back and forth? 
 

Thanks again for your response!

[Dwight Hottle]

Good advice from @ATA. If your a tinkerer you can try changing the spool tension knob in small increments to suit your casting style after you establish a base of usage. Otherwise leave it alone if your happy with the performance.

[Maico1]

Sent you a PM.

 

 

[Steve Goldy]

On 5/30/2022 at 1:34 PM, Maico1 said:

Sent you a PM.

 

 

If you’re talking to me…..not received??‍♂️

[Tatulatard]

On 5/30/2022 at 1:15 AM, ATA said:

No, Dont touch it at all. I have two of them and never touch the tension knob as they strongly recommend it from factory.

 

k the 4 is type of line, as you can see I use Fluorocarbon on both, so they fix on F, Now ill close the cap and I am going to deal with 8, and it depends on your lure weight and type and wind and type of fishing. For example if I am throwing small 3/8 jerkbait/Crankbait against the wind or 1oz rattle trap same direction of wind. Ill adjust the 8 depends on that. 

***

    F: Fluoro

    P: Braid

    N: Mono

    X: stands for extreme distance

 

Thats your 4 to choose.

If I wanted to shoot for crazy distance on a deep diving crank would the X setting offer me anything over a long casting centrifugal reel? 

[Hytekrednek]

I just got one of these reels too. I love it, but it is different. I just thought I liked my reels loose, this dc is friction free for sure, much looser than I am used to. I am liking it more each time I use it and learn it more. I was curious about the tension setting also. Good post.

I will probably get another of these reels in a couple months. My biggest concern is longevity. Will they live as long as my original Calais reels? I am still using my 3 Calais, 2 of the 200-5 and 1 of the MG-5. They are almost as smooth as when new after all the years of use. I do maintain them every couple years, LOVE them.  If I could, I would buy 2 more NOS of those same MG-5 models. The Antares DC has big shoes to fill for sure.

[ATA]

On 5/30/2022 at 5:20 AM, Steve Goldy said:

When you originally got the reel, did you happen to notice the amount of play in the spool tension? Was there any side to side motion when nudging the spool with your finger back and forth? 

it was Minimum side to side and it is right now, since I never touch it.

[Tatulatard]

25 minutes ago, Hytekrednek said:

I just got one of these reels too. I love it, but it is different. I just thought I liked my reels loose, this dc is friction free for sure, much looser than I am used to. I am liking it more each time I use it and learn it more. I was curious about the tension setting also. Good post.

I will probably get another of these reels in a couple months. My biggest concern is longevity. Will they live as long as my original Calais reels? I am still using my 3 Calais, 2 of the 200-5 and 1 of the MG-5. They are almost as smooth as when new after all the years of use. I do maintain them every couple years, LOVE them.  If I could, I would buy 2 more NOS of those same MG-5 models. The Antares DC has big shoes to fill for sure.

You can find "calais" like new if you look for old antares dc.  The calais is just the name they chose for the us version of the antares.    

[Hytekrednek]

Im not talking about the dc calais, I'm referring to the first models, got mine around 2002 or so. The only thing stopping me from getting several more Antares DC reels is not knowing how long they may last

[Tatulatard]

11 minutes ago, Hytekrednek said:

Im not talking about the dc calais, I'm referring to the first models, got mine around 2002 or so. The only thing stopping me from getting several more Antares DC reels is not knowing how long they may last

You can find those too in like new condition with box and paperwork.  There are certain Japanese sites you have to lurk but they come up for sale.  Should be cheaper than trying to find the US version in similar condition I would think due to a weak yen.  

 

[Maico1]

15 hours ago, Hytekrednek said:

Im not talking about the dc calais, I'm referring to the first models, got mine around 2002 or so. The only thing stopping me from getting several more Antares DC reels is not knowing how long they may last

Been using DC reels since they first came out, 2003 for the Conquest DC and 2006 for the Antares /Calais DC  and never have had a problem with any of the DC Modules. Shimano has done a great job over the years improving each generation while making them easier to work on and requiring less maintenance of these two Flagship models.