SLX DC casting distance

[bulldog1935]

On 5/11/2023 at 5:46 AM, Joseph Baggs said:

I tried what you suggested.    I loosen the tension knob To where spool would move side to side, then I tightened it just to the point where spool would stop the side to side movement. When I did this, I notice the fall rate of my bait is super fast. If I was to let it fall to the ground, the line would definitely overrun and come loose, but I didn't allow that.

The free fall spool-tension set that you remember doesn't apply to modern reels.  Modern reels with good brakes should be "zero" set.  

Free fall stop was the way you set the tension on Ambassadeur et.al. in the '70s (Lew's through the 90s, etc.)  

 

You want the spool as fast as possible if you want distance - you also want the minimum amount of brake that will get you there without backlash.  In general, more centrifugal brake prevents start-up backlash with heavy lures, more mag brake prevents mid-cast backlash with light lures. 

@WRB and @FishTank have both described DC pretty well.  DC applies brakes 1000/s which costs distance, and the real purpose of DC is preventing end-of-cast over-run for people who haven't mastered thumb ranging a spool.  People who have found a DC perfect niche are usually casting lighter lures into the wind.  

I gave my buddy Lou the dual-brake Lew's on the right above to tinker and practice, and stopping the spool when the lure hits the water is still his biggest challenge.  

 

As far as the standard anti-distance comments, while we most always fish inside 100', being able to get to 100' is a reasonable target for any rod, reel and lure combo.  Your fishing casts will then be low effort with increased accuracy and reliability.  

[Joseph Baggs]

14 hours ago, FishTank said:

I have the Curado DC and I have had no real issues with it. It's a great caster.  Is it greatest long distance casting reel? Not really but it excels at casting into the wind. I would say I could get 120' easily with 10lb mono, 1/2 oz crankbait, and a 7'4'' moderate-fast rod.

 What sort of crankbaits are you using on that setup? Mid depth divers? I see the SLX/Curado DC comparisons where users say they both are  identical in regards to casting/braking.

19 hours ago, Aaron_H said:

 

I have never had this happen with mine. I'm not that sold on DC truthfully, if I had to replace the reel I'd probably get a Curado 150 MGL, but I'm glad I tried it out; I definitely don't feel disadvantaged casting versus my other reels and I do like it on windier days.

I love my MGL 70. I prefer it over the DC, but yeah, I was casting the DC with some wind last night and it does seem helpful there.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On 5/11/2023 at 6:49 AM, Catt said:

 

It amuses me when casting distance is discussed with no mention of the rod being used. 

 

Rods cast...reels hold line

 

A rod that is to stiff or to soft will greatly effect both distance & accuracy.

Thank you

[FishTank]

57 minutes ago, Joseph Baggs said:

 What sort of crankbaits are you using on that setup? Mid depth divers? I see the SLX/Curado DC comparisons where users say they both are  identical in regards to casting/braking.

I have used a variety of crankbaits but this year I have switched the DC over to a general purpose set up that I throw spinnerbaits and some topwater frogs on. Last year though,  I was throwing Megabass DeepX 100's, Spro Rock Crawlers, Deps Evoke 1.8 and 2.0, Lucky Craft LC 2.0 and various deep divers as well. The rods I used for this reel were a G loomis  IMX Pro CBR 7'6'' M Moderate Fast and a St. Croix Legend Glass Med Moderate.