Outdoors

I too own an Antares DC 16. I'm guessing I had it for about a year now, and it was purchased new in the box. I don't know about the longevity of them though, unfortunately... However, some people still have their shimano calais dc it seems.

Thanks for the information. We have a few of those around.

Myself and some of the family thought about hitting the mountains for some trout fishing here in NC, but I've never been. Any help would be grateful.

Well... I've never caught anything on a buzz plug, and any form of bass jig..

I brought one last year; used it a few times, but not a hit. Anyone had luck with them?

Guys, I've rambled around and discovered this gem on the 4x8 system; I'm a little confused by it, though. It says settings below X-4 cannot be used under 'normal conditions', but then says these settings are for expert casters and 'strong tail' wind conditions, and then goes to say X-2 and X-3 are only for 'perfect conditions'. X Mode: Extreme Distance The X mode is designed for casting extreme distances in perfect environmental situations. This profile uses a braking curve designed for casting low-profile metal lures like jigs and spoons. It's ideal for surf casting or competition distance casting, but typically not used for normal fishing situations. The brake setting raises the spool's RPMs by making use of casting energy immediately as the lure is released and adding almost dzero brake force during the middle stage of the cast. It manages an extremely high "muzzle velocity" that's difficult for a fisherman to control. The X Mode is designed to be used with an 8- to 9-foot rod and an aggressive two-handed casting motion. Settings X-8 and X-7 are ideal for casting heavy vibration plugs or spoons with a two-handed cast and a tail wind or for casting metal plugs with two-hand cast in a side wind. An 8- to 9-foot rod should be used. Brake settings lower than X-4 cannot be used under normal conditions. These settings are for expert casters and strong tail wind conditions. The X-2 and X-1 settings utilize extremely low brake forces and work only in absolutely perfect conditions.

How do you like it overall?

Antares DC. I was able to get all way down to min with a 1/4 oz crank bait without needing to thumb during the cast. I just wondering, do you have a preferred setting on the dial for 3/8 oz, 1/2 oz, and 5/8 oz lures? By that I mean without having to thumb the spool through the cast.

I believe he actually was in one of my earlier topics. Great guy. I gotta hit him up.

If you don't mind my asking, what's your preferred dial setting for 3/8 oz, 1/2 oz, and 5/8 oz lures on non-windy days? I just went outside after posting this topic for some testing; managed to get all way down to the very min setting with a 1/4 oz lure without having to thumb it.

I've managed to engage in some more testing with a 3/8 oz Hula Popper. No complains about the reel at all, but I'm curious on your guys method of casting any DC reel. Do you thumb the spool through the cast, or just let it fly? I haven't been brave enough to let it fly; but man, many people in the videos I've seen doesn't thumb the spool at all.

I hear ya. I haven't been able to catch bass on frogs, other than in ponds with glassy banks. Nothing at lakes, though.

What's your view on them? They have some interesting colors and patterns, but multi people on the BPS website said the paint came off, leaving them with a white frog.

Shimano and Daiwa. Probably Shimano the most because of their DC reels.

Alright, thanks for the information. The cleaning seems simple enough.

Hey, thanks for the reply. Just the reel then? No need to oil the actual chip?

Oh trust me, I did. The Antares is all Japanese, and unfortunately I couldn't find any cleaning videos for it. But it looks like I may have to remove 4 screws, and maybe place the oil on the chip.

Hey guys! The reel actually arrived today; estimated arrival date was between Jan 2 to Jan 5, lol. Have any of you cleaned your DC reels yet? I was wondering where exactly does the oil go on them at?

I believe the most heaviest lures I have are 3/8 oz and 5/8 oz; spinnerbaits and crankbaits. I'm thinking those weights probably wouldn't be very compatible on X mode?

Thanks for the advise. It could have improved, but I think it would still be somewhat around the Calais' level.

Just waiting for its arrival from Amazon now. Yup... pricey, but I broke down and got one. Before it arrives and I take it out for some serious fishing, I have a few questions for my fellow Antares DC owners. Tackletour seems to suggests the X on it is for extreme distance. How many of you actually use it though? Is it risky? Say, setting it on X, with the outside dial placed at a low breaking? Is it still fairly backlash proof?

That's what it looks like. I have a positive experience with them in both falls lake and lake rogers here in NC. Bass seem to love them!

The first set of lures; the 2nd one from left to right. Is that a bleeding shad? 'Cause around here I found bleeding shad cranks to be a killer for lakes, even fishing from the bank.

I agree from what I've read. Amazon also has the older 12 version of the Exsence DC, but I'm predicting there's surely going to be a noticeable difference in casting distance. I can't imagine a real with that much age on it equaling the Antares.

Thanks for the assistance. Next step is to buy some more 3/8 lures, lol.