Should I dive into DC reels?

Dark3 · January 31, 2023, 06:45:13 PM

Sorry if this has been beat up in the forum, some of you that know me know I got out of fishing for a couple years. I am about to do ALOT of restock, first is going to be a base of about 5 rod/reel setups. Im usually very vanilla, dobyns/Shimano but I want to try some different things. With a quick online cart build Ive got a expride b 7'2 MH, a champion 703 and 704, a cashion core 7'6 MH cranking rod (not sure about this one but I like the colors) and I still need to look for a frog/punch rod. The only reels Im good on is a Met for the expride. The curado DCs look nice but I guess my concern is long term reliability and maintenance. Im good with a BC reel, should I be looking at these or go conventional? The price really isnt the concern. Any recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

-Alan

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BassmanRudy · January 31, 2023, 09:23:51 PM

I've always heard good things about the DCs. Cork would know the internals and how long lasting they'd be.

Dark3 · January 31, 2023, 09:27:30 PM

I would also be curious about how bearing upgrades effect these reels. I plan to send to him for annual maintenance. Gonna pull the trigger on 7 combos tmrw.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BassmanRudy · January 31, 2023, 09:52:18 PM

Upgrading reel bearings can make a Huge difference!! Like a better trigger in a great gun turns it into a tack driver.

Mike Cork · February 01, 2023, 03:23:26 PM

DC's are a great option. What the blogs, forums, and video's say about them is absolutely true. They will improve your casting. If you have a great thumb, a DC reel will help you get a little more distance and prevent the annoying mini loops that occur over time, those things that build up and make you heave a clearing cast a couple times a trip. If you have a lot of trouble casting, a DC reel will really help with your backlashes.

The actual Digital Control is all one piece, there is no taking it apart or having to deal with strange parts when cleaning the reel. Just pull the side plate off, clean around the giant electro magnet with a q-tip. To get to the side plate bearing is a little different but not difficult. Look for a YouTube video on your specific reel and you'll see it's no trouble.

Digital Control reels are a little heavier, not sure it's enough to change one's mind but they are by nature of the build.

As far as bearing replacement. I'm not really a fan of it on late model reels. All major brands are putting good quality bearings in their reels now. If they didn't, one brand would outpace the next, plus in the tight competitive high speed information flow world we live in today, if one company started slacking it would be blasted to every bass fisherman in minutes.

Example of manufacturers stepping up. 25 years ago (think Shimano Greenie), Bass Pro Shops reels were $49-$99 pieces of junk. They were good ($49) or better ($99) when bought but wore out in a year. However, an angler could afford to chunk a $49 reel (or pass it to a kid) and go buy another one.

Enter the Shimano Curado 200 (Greenie), soon after that the Daiwa Tatula series, and Quantum Smokes - BPS quickly realized they were loosing sales to a better quality reel that would last. It was a marketing game to BPS at first, they sold a billion reels at those prices and probably only made a couple bucks per reel but at the quantity it was making money. Once the better reels starting taking a big piece of the market, BPS had to up their game. 15 years ago BPS invested (foreignly) and has a very good product now. It cost more and they don't sell as many but they make more per reel. This is great for the consumer? or is it? we spend more but definitely have better products... depends on how you look at it.

That was a lot I know, but all reel manufactures are now using at least an ABEC 5 bearing. You can upgrade to an ABEC 7 for not a lot of money, but on a pitch you're going to get inches and on a cast maybe 5 feet unless you're casting swimsuits. I believe that many anglers think that upgraded bearings are so great is because their old bearings were full of dirt, grease, or even rust. Cleaning or replacing with stock bearings would make the angler think the reel was better than new.

The last I got... Ceramics. Ceramic bearings do free spin very well and can increase casting of things like crankbaits, but will get you into trouble with things like spinnerbait or an old school jerkbait that can flutter on a cast. The DC will prevent issues but the stalling also prevents any additional distance you get from using a ceramic. I personally hate a reel with ceramic bearings, the bearings are meant to run dry and are very noisy.

That's a lot for one post. As far as the original question, Digital Control reels are worth it if you don't mind the extra weight.

Dark3 · February 02, 2023, 04:52:05 PM

That was a very well written reply, thank you. You addressed the relationship between ceramics and the DC system which answered my question. The old school in me caused me to cancel an order with TW that had 4 DC reels in it. After watching some videos, the sound of them seems annoying and I feel like its an easy button that isn't necessary so Ive shifted back to conventional brakes for this restock order. Ive also decided to go back to dobyns for all the rods. I want to see if Incan talk to gary if available at some point to help me organize my most used techniques into 5 rods across the line up from extreme to kaden (only kaden being a mid/deep cranking rod, if even in that line) Then 2 additional fury rods for inexperienced family, probably spinning.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mike Cork · February 03, 2023, 08:21:34 AM

Gary has been very busy lately, and then his father passed away recently. I think he's getting back to normal. But if you call the shop and he's not there, leave a message. He loves talking rods and fishing more than any person I know.

Dark3 · February 04, 2023, 06:58:27 AM

I ended up talking to another gentleman there, one of the rod techs. Ended up with a base of

744 extreme
704 extreme
702 champ
735 champ
735cb Kaden

And for family, 2x 663 Spinning in Fury

The 7 reels are

1 Bantam A 150
2 Chronarch MGL 150
1 Curado MGL 70
1 Curado MGL 150
2 NASCI Shimano Spinning reels in a 2500 size for the all purpose family rods.

Also ordered a scale, a net, all line I plan to use for now which is braid and mono only, storage boxes, rod/reel covers etc. Just a base of gear. Boat should be here soon.

Mike Cork · February 07, 2023, 07:45:38 AM

Those will be some amazing combinations

Eric-Maine · February 07, 2023, 06:27:37 PM

Quote from: Mike Cork on February 03, 2023, 08:21:34 AM
Gary has been very busy lately, and then his father passed away recently. I think he's getting back to normal. But if you call the shop and he's not there, leave a message. He loves talking rods and fishing more than any person I know.

I saw Gary on the Facebook the other day. Josh Jones fishing page. Lots of big bass in Texas this winter

Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk

Mike Cork · February 08, 2023, 09:10:35 AM

Josh Jones is a freak of a fisherman

I'd love to get in the boat with him, but I don't own a rod company LOL

Good to see Gary with a big smile again... I wonder how many donuts he had on the way to the lake $:-\$

Hobious · April 24, 2023, 02:56:56 PM

i just got back from OK with a SLX DC as my primary reel. i took it because it had the freshest braid in 50lb. only reason.

i was casting against a stiff wind, but my lure was 3/4oz. it flew so far. i could see the spool empty halfway down. the DC thing really worked to add distance. and i have it set on 4!! full training wheel setup.

the reel seemed to flex a tiny bit under a big fish load, but it was workable. i may buy the Curado DC as a replacemnt and give the SLX to my cheap brother. that DC thing is legit. it is my only DC reel, so i can cast most caster reels, but that added insurance lets you cast with wild abandon sometimes.

alvaro1 · May 19, 2023, 04:39:11 PM

Quote from: Dark3 on January 31, 2023, 06:45:13 PM
Sorry if this has been beat up in the forum, some of you that know me know I got out of fishing for a couple years. I am about to do ALOT of restock, first is going to be a base of about 5 rod/reel setups. Im usually very vanilla, dobyns/Shimano but I want to try some different things. With a quick online cart build Ive got a expride b 7'2 MH, a champion 703 and 704, a cashion core 7'6 MH cranking rod (not sure about this one but I like the colors) and I still need to look for a frog/punch rod. The only reels Im good on is a Met for the expride. The curado DCs look nice but I guess my concern is long term reliability and maintenance. Im good with a BC reel, should I be looking at these or go conventional? The price really isnt the concern. Any recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

Can't go wrong with Dobyns/Shimano but it's also fun to mix it up. That Cashion Core 7'6 MH is a solid choice but if you're unsure, consider Fenwick's Elite Tech Bass for its reliability and performance. For a frog/punch rod, consider the Lew's Custom Speed Stick – it's heavy duty, good for froggin' and punchin'. And about the Curado DC, it's a great reel, but its longevity depends on how well you maintain it. That said, if maintenance worries you, look at something like Daiwa's Tatula Series, they're built tough and last a long time with minimal upkeep. Lastly, BC reels are fantastic but don't shy away from trying spinning setups too - they can be versatile and fun to use! All the best in your journey.