Goose52

A number of folks on the board have DC reels. I have 3: Calais DC, Calcutta TE-100DC, and Metanium DC. Like Blue said, the DC "whine" is addictive. The digital control is just another kind of braking system. It generally has an advantage in windy conditions compared to other braking systems. DC reels might, or might not, cast farther than other braking systems, depending on the iteration of the digital control system that you're looking at and what conventional braking system reel you are comparing it to. Most of the DC reels are indeed fairly pricey...but one, the Exsence DC, was very affordable (at least it was in the recent past when the dollar/yen rate was more favorable for us). At present, if you want a new DC reel, you are indeed looking at JDM sources. The only two DC reels that were USDM (the aforementioned Calais DC and Calcutta TE-100DC) have both been dropped from the U.S, line-up since those models were discontinued in Japan. It remains to be seen whether Shimano USA will bring in any of the newer generation DC reels from Japan. Here's another thread to add to your reading list:

My email traffic with Edge regarding my rod exchange was with Collins Illich (President, Edge Rods). He told me, and told at least one other person on TT that had the same situation as me, that: "Gary [Loomis] doesn't like using HM for that application [the 705-1]." So, I don't know if IM is used ONLY on the 705-1 (7' MH-XF) and HM on all other Black Widow-series rods or what the situation is. For me, I've "been there and done that" with Edge rods and won't be getting any more. Regarding this Edge rod vs. NRX, I will say this - the Edge 705-1 Black Widow has that very versatile Mag Bass taper that Loomis made famous. Essentially the same taper as the (Shimano) Loomis MBRs. After I got the Edge 705-1, my NRX MBR843C all of a sudden started spending a lot of time gathering dust in the rod rack - instead of being in the boat. OTOH, the 705-1 is in the boat every time I go out. The Edge is a very nice, versatile, uber-sensitive rod...

Tackle Tour reviewed the Edge 705-1 Black Widow. Based on that review, I ordered the 705-1 from Tackle Warehouse in May 2015. When the rod arrived, I discovered that the current production rod did NOT match the configuration of the rod tested by TT. Edge had discontinued the spiral wrap guides at some point after the TT review, and had also changed the blank material on the 705-1 from their best quality HM material to IM material. I contacted Edge and, to their credit, they offered to make it right. I returned the rod directly to them and they built me a spiral wrap rod on an HM blank - all it cost me was shipping to them. Just be aware that the Edge web site, and the TT web site, may not correctly describe the current features on the rods. For instance, both TT, and the Edge main page, STILL specify that the Black Widow rods are made on the HM blank...BUT, when you go to the specific web page for the 705-1, they DO specify IM blanks on that page. Edge Rods still seems to be somewhat of a cottage operation with changes made on the fly with no updating of marketing material. NOW, once I received the rod, it performs just as the TT article described it. The balance is excellent and every time I pick it up, the tip ends up pointed up in the air - it actually feels tip-light. You get that from the heavier handle design but I don't mind the extra weight back there. On sensitivity (always a subjective thing) I believe it's NRX-class, or perhaps a bit better - perhaps attributed to the balance. So, an excellent rod as finally built for me from Edge....but as many will point out, you could have a very nice rod custom built for you on that same HM blank for less $$$ and know what you are getting. You would NOT get the nifty "Weibe-type" carbon-fiber reel seat/handle however. FWIW

I searched the board and the first time that boat was discussed was in 2006 - someone quoted a $5400 price at that time (and I don't know if that was WITH, or WITHOUT, the 9.9 outboard). The thread that I remembered was from 2010 and no one knew FOR SURE what the price was then. But probably it was a LOT... Back in 2006 - the weight of the boat (I'm sure without the outboard and TM) was quoted as 84 pounds !

Those guys over there certainly put together "diminutive" bass boats with class and style ! Does anyone remember the Megabass carbon-fiber hull boat that we were chatting about a few years ago ?

FWIW, I now have over 6 hours of recording on my ZLC and the total file size is still under 1 meg. It would seem likely that my Helix 10 will be obsolete and replaced by something new and improved long before I fill this ZL card...

The sharpness setting on SI is indeed personal preference. The higher you set it, the more "grainy" (as the OP put it) the image becomes and the more, you might say "clutter" (a term from my radar days), becomes visible. It CAN help you see fish better if you want to spend time studying the image. OTOH, it can be distracting for other folks that may be primarily using SI to locate cover or other bottom features instead of individual fish. To the OP, I have my SI sharpness on "low", I can't remember offhand my sensitivity and contrast settings but they are most likely still on the factory defaults. I've only got about 32 hours now on my Helix 10. However, I had over 1,700 hours on my 798 and never fiddled with the SI settings much other than the SI range settings that I changed all the time.

It is indeed.

I can't really answer your question - I don't use a medium-light rod for heavier baits or working in any substantial cover. I have other tools for that... I use 8lb test on this rod, typically toss baits that are 3/8 oz and under, and usually in open water.

I have no experience with the Kistlers...but I do have a number of St. Croix rods, including the ML LTB rod you listed. It's a nice rod, sensitive, good workmanship, looks good, catches fish. It DOES have a somewhat short rear handle however...

The "best" long distance casters of Shimano's DC reels would be those having the 4x8 digital control systems. That would mean: The recently discontinued JDM Antares DC (produced in 5.8:1 and 7.0:1 ratios) and the USDM equivalent, the Calais DC (only sold in 7.0:1). You might check eBay to see what's available new or used for these. OR, as kickerfish1 already mentioned, the new JDM (for now) 2016 Antares DC which has the latest iteration of the 4x8 system. As far as reading up on these reels, Jun Sonoda at Japan Tackle does a great job of describing the reels on his website: 2006 Antares DC 2016 Antares DC

Pretty good prices indeed. I got mine on-line from Walmart ship-to-store but about $1.50 more. Had it in 3 days.

Just today I started playing with the Autochart Live function with the Zero-Lines card in my Helix 10. I spent about 30 minutes mapping and the resulting files were only something like 50 or 60 kb in size. Using that file size as a baseline, it looks like I could constantly map for about 15 years until I filled that 16 gig of free space. I'm not sure if you can actually calculate the amount of recording time in this type of linear fashion but from all accounts that I've read, a Zero-Lines card will record for a LONG time before filling up. Next time on the lake, I plan to just turn Autochart Live on when I start fishing and let it run non-stop for about 5 hours and see what file size I end up with ! There are other Autochart Live users on the board that may be along shortly with more/better info...

Hi - welcome to Bass Resource. I believe our resident sonar expert (Wayne P.) has that HDSI transducer mounted on the bottom of his trolling motor. I'm not sure WHICH model TM he has but he should be along shortly to chime in.... I just went out and measured my HDSI 'ducer and it's about 6" long so that's how much space you need on the bottom of the TM. Do you already have the Edge TM?

Tom - some great memories for you and some classic gear ! While I now own Antares, Calais, Conquest, Shimano DC, PX Type R, etc., reels and NRX, Legend Extreme, etc. rods....my 9.54 LMB PB was caught on a St. Croix Premier 7' mf rod, a BPS Pro Qualifier reel, and an Academy H20 lipless crank tied to 10lb Yo-Zuri UltraSoft line - all "value" equipment...

DC reels are something that you want, not really something you need. They do have some advantages in wind and in other conditions and are lots of fun to use. Just don't be thinking that they are magic and will cast "twice as far" and "catch twice as many fish". If you are curious about them however, you should try at least one. I have three DC reels (Calais DC, Calcutta TE-100DC, and a Met DC) and the one I use the most is the Met DC. One of the advantages of the Met DC at the time I bought it was that it was available in three gear ratios, unlike the previous DC models that were typically only available in a single gear ratio (like the USDM Calais DC only in 7.0:1, or the Exsence - only in 8.0:1, etc.). So, you can select a ratio that best satisfies your intended applications. For me, I got the 6.2:1 as being the most versatile for my needs; it is on a rod that is always in the boat and gets used each time I'm on the water (I reeled in 7 bass with the Met DC just this morning ). I didn't toss any baits under 3/8oz like Tackle Tour recently did, but here's a review of the Met DC I posted back when they first came out: Met DC Review Good luck deciding !

I quoted 9 pounds because that is a spectacular fish for my waters, a weight that I've actually caught several times, and a weight that I have a reasonable expectation of catching again. The point being that we have these "best" threads a zillion times a month, and my thoughts are always the same: Whether I'm using a BPS Pro-Qualifier, or a Calais DC, the "best" reel to me is the one with the big honkin' bass on the end....

You don't live in Tennessee...

Simple answer for me. Of the three reels above - I prefer the one that has a nine pound bass on the other end of the line...

Don't know about the CQ14 being the GREATEST reel - but it's a pretty dang good one... Actually - a lot of those gold-colored reels are pretty fair fishing machines...

Well, you certainly have some effective equipment to accomplish the task ! I don't know which casting NRX you have in the photo but this 894C with a Met on it accounted for my biggest jig fish so far this year - 6.7 lbs - so I know your combo should work...

Which is EXACTLY why my little boat will very soon have that Helix 10 on the dashboard...

Thanks for the info. The basic sonar functions are essentially the same between the 798 and the Helix 10 so I'm really upgrading for the bigger screen (and my eyes are somewhat "older" than yours ) and for the Autochart Live feature. My little lakes only show as silhouettes on the Navionics charts and have no depth readings or contour lines. The Autochart is ideal for smaller waters like I fish. AND, you don't have to upload anything like the Navionics chart-making system. Sometime between now and the beginning of next season I'm thinking there will be a big honkin' sonar unit on the dashboard of my little boat to replace my 798...

A-Jay - That Helix 10 looks huge ! How are you liking those units (I know you have one on the bow as well) ? I've been thinking of getting a newer sonar to replace my HB 798 and have been looking at the Helix 10 as a candidate...