So the Monkey has proposed another dilemma for me.....  The same guy that sold me a used 2012 Antares HG is selling a 16 Antares DC that has also had minimal use.  The guy paid about $650 for this thing and wants $425 shipped.  After doing some looking, I found a Japan tackle shop that has a new 19 Antares for $400 + shipping.  I am looking at the lower gear ratio versions (5.x) to use for a crankbait setup.  It will be paired with a G.Loomis 843 or 845 IMX Pro Crankbait rod.  The 2012 Antares is, after getting a few new parts, crazy smooth and will be used for jerkbaits and lighter soft plastic swimbaits. 

 

So which would you choose, if any?  This will be my last reel for awhile so I am trying to put the bait monkey to rest (at least till next year).

I have a 16 Antares DC, but never used a 19 Antares.

 

I say go for the 16 DC, as I don't think the 19 will be more forgiving for mistakes. Hitting a dock hard, getting caught on a branch, etc. I never recall having a backlash that I literally had to pick at.

3 hours ago, Outdoors said:

I have a 16 Antares DC, but never used a 19 Antares.

 

I say go for the 16 DC, as I don't think the 19 will be more forgiving for mistakes. Hitting a dock hard, getting caught on a branch, etc. I never recall having a backlash that I literally had to pick at.

Actually, i do have the 19' Antares and it's very forgiving. I rarely have any backlashes at all. And that's with only 1 brake on. 

43 minutes ago, FrankN209 said:

Actually, i do have the 19' Antares and it's very forgiving. I rarely have any backlashes at all. And that's with only 1 brake on. 

I don't think I can go wrong with either one. I do like the DC breaking system in my Curado and having that in this reel would be amazing.  The plus side with the 19 is it will be new and it has the newer spool.  

 

This is what's driving me nuts. 

1 hour ago, FrankN209 said:

Actually, i do have the 19' Antares and it's very forgiving. I rarely have any backlashes at all. And that's with only 1 brake on. 

I doubt it's forgiving as the DC 16, though. But both of them are good reels.

20 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I don't think I can go wrong with either one. I do like the DC breaking system in my Curado and having that in this reel would be amazing.  The plus side with the 19 is it will be new and it has the newer spool.  

 

This is what's driving me nuts. 

What's the weight of the baits you generally toss? I ask because the japantackle site says, "Spool width is also a bit narrowed down to 19mm, to make the spool more suitable for casting regular 7-28g 1/4-1oz rigs better."

 

I'm going to take a gamble and say the 19 will cast 1/4 oz lures better.

1 hour ago, Outdoors said:

What's the weight of the baits you generally toss? I ask because the japantackle site says, "Spool width is also a bit narrowed down to 19mm, to make the spool more suitable for casting regular 7-28g 1/4-1oz rigs better."

 

I'm going to take a gamble and say the 19 will cast 1/4 oz lures better.

I'm probably going to be between 3/8oz and 3/4oz, the usual crankbait range.  If I was going down to 1/4oz or less, the Aldebaran BSF would be on the radar.  It too is one slick reel. 

I love how compact the 19 Antares is.  Much less bulky than my (admittedly old) DC7 Antares was.  The 19 would be my choice without having fished with the 16 Antares before...

Any differences between 16 DC and 18 DC MD? 

9 hours ago, bunz559 said:

Any differences between 16 DC and 18 DC MD? 

MD is a bigger overall reel make for targeting larger species.