LEW'S PRO TI ?

 

9 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

DC braking is effective but I imagine could get you in trouble if you have unrealistic expectations. You can backlash anything if you try hard enough and on the other side, I’ve not handled a reel that was so wild it was un-fishable. 

Good point! 

15 hours ago, FishTank said:

If you can swing it..... the Antares 70A (JDM version). I have both the Metanium MGL and the the Antares.  Both great reels but between the two the Antares wins out. It casts further, it's smoother and the drag is just something special that you have to experience with a fish on. 

14 hours ago, Frezzy said:

If you look around you can find a 2021 Antares DC on JDM sites for $550.  I own all those reels besides the Scorpion and the 21 Antares puts them to shame.  Not even in the same league.  

Sorry but no! It's weight completely makes it's price unreasonable. They use the same micromodule gears, MGL III spool and carbon drag so there's no difference in smoothness or drag feel.

I've owned it and the DC version and promptly got rid of both to keep the Mets. And as far as casting further, no again. I put them side by side and the Met MGL cast a 1/2oz plug further. Not by much but still. I've yet to test a reel that outcasts the Met MGL, especially a DC version. 

To say the Antares "puts them to shame" is reaching. 

I really surprised at some of the responses. I'm sure some are just a Ford vs Chevy thing.  I have had all the reels listed, but the scorpion dc. I sold them all 2 mgl and the dc. I am now the owner of 6 zillions. I do have a 18 bantam that I have on my punching rod that I love 

You will run out of money before you run out of great options.

 

At the top of my list in no particular order

 

100 conquest calcutta.  I look for an excuse to use it.

 

Anteres...grab for short to med cast with med weight...it just balances great on the my preferred rods.

 

Met MGL....Incredibley universal 

 

DC'S for wind and when my mind and hands fatigue.

 

Good luck

 

 

19 minutes ago, NHBull said:

100 conquest calcutta.  I look for an excuse to use it.

Probably my favorite, too.

 

4 hours ago, NHBull said:

You will run out of money before you run out of great options.

 

At the top of my list in no particular order

 

100 conquest calcutta.  I look for an excuse to use it.

 

Anteres...grab for short to med cast with med weight...it just balances great on the my preferred rods.

 

Met MGL....Incredibley universal 

 

DC'S for wind and when my mind and hands fatigue.

 

Good luck

 

 

This may be a dumb question, but why would you not want a dc? (Excluding the sound)  

5 hours ago, NHBull said:

You will run out of money before you run out of great options.

 

At the top of my list in no particular order

 

100 conquest calcutta.  I look for an excuse to use it.

 

Anteres...grab for short to med cast with med weight...it just balances great on the my preferred rods.

 

Met MGL....Incredibley universal 

 

DC'S for wind and when my mind and hands fatigue.

 

Good luck

 

 

 

42 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

This may be a dumb question, but why would you not want a dc? (Excluding the sound)  

I have a few DC' s and like them, but I am more accurate at shorter distances with a non DC.....personal preference 

3 hours ago, clemsondds said:

This may be a dumb question, but why would you not want a dc? (Excluding the sound)  

 

The question is why would I want one?

23 hours ago, clemsondds said:

I guess the issue I do have with this is that I have 13-15 rod/reel setups that I take out on my boat.  Since I only go once a month or so, I just won't use this reel very much...so I hate to put $550+ in a reel that I may use just a little bit each month.  I could understand if I only had two or three do everything rigs, but I hate changing out baits a ton while I'm on the water so that's why I have certain rigs for certain baits.   So because of this, I feel like middle to upper tier reels is where I should stay.  I do like to feel, when I pickup a rod/reel, that it's quality and smooth...but I just don't know if I will have the skill and touch to tell that extra cost.  Again, I have no doubt the antares or others are great reels...just not sure I'll get that ROI that I will with the rods I mentioned. Thank you again for everyone's thoughts. Enjoy hearing what everyone would pick tho

Kind of in the same boat...so to speak (fishing from shore)...but not in that price range.  I don't get out often.  Prefer to carry extra combos already set up than to be changing lures.

 

If you are looking for a reel that is very hard to backlash, then I have two suggestions based on my reels....an older Shimano Exsence DC or Daiwa T3 with the Magforce 3D braking system.  Nearly impossible to backlash either.

29 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

The question is why would I want one?

So helpful…could you maybe expound? There’s obviously big market for them. I have both dc and non dc.  Everyone gets backlash…everyone hates backlash…dc helps reduce backlash…so why wouldn’t you want one. I know there’s got to be reasons…I just would like to hear what yours are. 

 

3 hours ago, NHBull said:

 

I have a few DC' s and like them, but I am more accurate at shorter distances with a non DC.....personal preference 

This I interesting! I hadn’t thought of that! I’m going to take my dc/sv and similar non dc reels/rods to work (have a pond at my office)  with me this week and try to compare them with similar baits and on the same rod…. 
I just assumed it was a personal preference thing and that some people are just much better at thumb control than I am and vary rarely get backlash. I use all of mine for skipping as well…makes it much easier.  

On 3/12/2022 at 3:34 PM, DINK WHISPERER said:

Here are my top 3 options in this order 

1. 2020 Metanium MGL

2. 2020 Metanium MGL

3. 2020 Metanium MGL

 

I'm kinda partial to the new Metanium MGL ?

I have the DC version as well but don't like it nearly as much. Especially for anything 1/4oz or less. 

 

 

You mention you like the regular mgl over the dc metanium especially for 1/4oz and less…can you explain that? I would have thought dc would help more with those lighter lures. Thanks! 

39 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

So helpful…could you maybe expound? There’s obviously big market for them. I have both dc and non dc.  Everyone gets backlash…everyone hates backlash…dc helps reduce backlash…so why wouldn’t you want one. I know there’s got to be reasons…I just would like to hear what yours are. 

 

This I interesting! I hadn’t thought of that! I’m going to take my dc/sv and similar non dc reels/rods to work (have a pond at my office)  with me this week and try to compare them with similar baits and on the same rod…. 
I just assumed it was a personal preference thing and that some people are just much better at thumb control than I am and vary rarely get backlash. I use all of mine for skipping as well…makes it much easier.  

You mention you like the regular mgl over the dc metanium especially for 1/4oz and less…can you explain that? I would have thought dc would help more with those lighter lures. Thanks! 

I don't think the DC system was ever designed to cast lighter lures better. The MGL spool on the other hand was. MGL spools are considerably lighter than non MGL ones. This is to help with startup inertia. Lighter lures can get the spool spinning faster since there's not as much spool weight there.

DC spools because of the digital technology built in them are way heavier and take more energy to get going. None of my DC reels excel at anything really light. To me they really start to stretch their legs at 1/2oz and up.

The MGL III spool however does great even at around 1/8oz if you have the appropriate line diameter on. 

59 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Everyone gets backlash…everyone hates backlash…dc helps reduce backlash

 

So does my thumb ?

 

99.95% of the time when I backlash it's operator error. A lot of times I'm bank fishing under trees or on a trail though chest high or taller weeds & brush. So when I backlash it's from hitting something on the back cast or something off to the side.

Barring hitting with my lure I seldom backlash, I know how to setup a reel, I know the part the rod plays in casting, at 70 my dexterity is still fairly good.

 

If a DC reel gives you confidence ?

 

I'll use my ?take the leftover money put on the gas tanks & go fishing.

2 minutes ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

The MGL III spool however does great even at around 1/8oz if you have the appropriate line diameter on

I don’t know if that is the same spool as the Curado MGL but I found out this past break that the Curado MGL slings a baby brush hog on a light t rig like it’s nobody’s business. It’s ridiculous. 

4 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I don’t know if that is the same spool as the Curado MGL but I found out this past break that the Curado MGL slings a baby brush hog on a light t rig like it’s nobody’s business. It’s ridiculous. 

I'm pretty sure only the higher end stuff gets the MGL III spool. The Curado utilizes the original one. It doesn't make a huge difference to be honest. I tried the 150 MGL Curado on a weightless senko and 15lb fluorocarbon and was very impressed! Especially for the price that you can get one for currently. Best bang for the buck going right now IMO. 

Some eclectic high end reel options:

36 minutes ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

I don't think the DC system was ever designed to cast lighter lures better. The MGL spool on the other hand was. MGL spools are considerably lighter than non MGL ones. This is to help with startup inertia. Lighter lures can get the spool spinning faster since there's not as much spool weight there.

DC spools because of the digital technology built in them are way heavier and take more energy to get going. None of my DC reels excel at anything really light. To me they really start to stretch their legs at 1/2oz and up.

The MGL III spool however does great even at around 1/8oz if you have the appropriate line diameter on. 

Great explanation!  Thank you!  Can't believe you picked them up for $285 each!! If I could swing that...I'd get that and a zillion sv g lol!  

42 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Great explanation!  Thank you!  Can't believe you picked them up for $285 each!! If I could swing that...I'd get that and a zillion sv g lol!  

I have a very long record of buying high end stuff at certain dealers so I'm at the point where I get deep discounts. Especially when buying in bulk. I'm not especially happy with the current price increases across the board though. So I'll definitely be waiting on major sales or discounts before I buy anything else. 

Nobody mentioned the Daiwa Steez?  I don't have one, but i love my zillions!

11 minutes ago, MrSmitty said:

Nobody mentioned the Daiwa Steez?  I don't have one, but i love my zillions!

I have yet to hear anyone say it’s better than the zillion sv tw g. I’m sure it is in some way but I don’t think anyone has said  much about it. I am still testing mine. I got ahold of a metanium mgl and put same 1/2 oz football head on it and 5 others (zillion, tatula elite, tatula tw sv, scorpion dc and Bantam). So far the zillion has cast the farthest. The zillion, bantam and metanium feel more premium in all aspects.  I’m still messing around with brakes and all. All of the reels are very impressive! Going to try lighter baits next and maybe big bulky baits like a buzzbait. 

On 3/13/2022 at 9:12 PM, clemsondds said:

 

You mention you like the regular mgl over the dc metanium especially for 1/4oz and less…can you explain that? I would have thought dc would help more with those lighter lures. Thanks! 

I have the lower grade DCs, SLX/curado which may not be as refined as the Met DC system but I much prefer my Met mgl to the DCs for short distance and light baits.  The DC reels are bigger in order to incorporate the braking system, which makes the reels less palmable when compared to a little reel like the Met MGL.  

The Met MGL also has a really good feel to it.  Its light, but the design of the frame makes it feel really solid at the same time.

On 3/16/2022 at 9:01 PM, MrSmitty said:

Nobody mentioned the Daiwa Steez?  I don't have one, but i love my zillions!

I pictured one (see photo above) but didn't specifically mention it.  It's a brilliant reel and worth every penny.  The Stella FK isn't bad either.

Metanium DC If choose from your list, But if you really after high end, I recommend only Antares DC 21, Thats the best reel in all of my reels.

On 3/12/2022 at 2:34 PM, DINK WHISPERER said:

Here are my top 3 options in this order 

1. 2020 Metanium MGL

2. 2020 Metanium MGL

3. 2020 Metanium MGL

 

I'm kinda partial to the new Metanium MGL ?

I have the DC version as well but don't like it nearly as much. Especially for anything 1/4oz or less. 

 

 

With the dollar fetching over 118 yen, I'm getting ready to do some overseas stockpiling myself.  

8 hours ago, ATA said:

Metanium DC If choose from your list, But if you really after high end, I recommend only Antares DC 21, Thats the best reel in all of my reels.

Do you have any of the non-dc antares?  I am considering adding an antares this year, and was looking at the standard antares 70.  I wonder which one gets better distance bombing moving baits.

8 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

With the dollar fetching over 118 yen, I'm getting ready to do some overseas stockpiling myself.  

Do you have any of the non-dc antares?  I am considering adding an antares this year, and was looking at the standard antares 70.  I wonder which one gets better distance bombing moving baits.

I tried the JDM version of the Metanium MGL and won't do that again!