I’m looking for a new jerkbait and light crankbait reel and have been thinking about trialing a DC reel.

 

Has anyone trialed all three of the above and can attest to the differences / quality between the Curado, metanium and Antares DC reels?

 

 

Are the differences incremental? Or is there a huge jump between each of them?

 

For reference, I am currently running a non-DC Curado 70, which I like but am just hoping to really cut down on the number of spool runs in windy conditions with light baits.

I've got two of those, the Curado DC  and the Antares (in fact a Calais DC) and the main difference is in the adjustability.  The higher price reel has eight settings and you can get a more precise adjustment.  I use the Curado for jerkbaits and the Calais for buzzbaits.  The Calais is a high price reel with 11 bearings.  I've had it for more than 15 years.  It works like the day I got it.  The Curado is a couple of years old.  It works well in the wind for jerkbaits but it's not on the same level as the Calais that was almost three times the price.  If your having trouble with spool runs in windy weather, a DC reel will help.  

I have the SLX DC. Great reel. SO, I thought I’d get a Curado DC as well. Got one, and retuned it for a Curado MGL. To me, I didn’t see enough difference between my SLX and the Curado (dc versions) to justify an extra $70. 

I use an slx dc xt for jerkbaits and it works excellent and a fraction of the cost of the metanium and antares and much better than the curado dc.   It’s jdm only but worth looking into it.

2 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

I use an slx dc xt for jerkbaits and it works excellent and a fraction of the cost of the metanium and antares and much better than the curado dc.   It’s jdm only but worth looking into it.

 

He's right you know!

I have a few curado DC's and find them best throwing heavier baits and prefer other reels for jerkbaits.  I would take it off your list if it were me.

 

scott

For jerkbaits, the lighter the better, so the met dc wins here. But from Shimano, my personal fav baitcaster for jerkbaits is the Alde MGL 30.

Get the slx DC xt is has the dc5 breaking system and is around 175 from Japan 

I have a Curado DC and an SLX DC. I have yet to find anything a DC reel excels at

 

I use an SLX 70 MGL for jerkbaits.

On 1/11/2025 at 7:58 AM, Dirtyeggroll said:

I’m looking for a new jerkbait and light crankbait reel and have been thinking about trialing a DC reel.

 

Has anyone trialed all three of the above and can attest to the differences / quality between the Curado, metanium and Antares DC reels?

 

 

Are the differences incremental? Or is there a huge jump between each of them?

 

For reference, I am currently running a non-DC Curado 70, which I like but am just hoping to really cut down on the number of spool runs in windy conditions with light baits.

Since you're mentioning Antares, if money isn't an issue, the 21 Antares DC is noticeably superior to the others into the wind with jerkbaits. The 22 slx jdm with idc5 brakes is ok, the new Met manages line and cast farther than the slx, but the 21 Antares DC with 4X8 brakes is better........noticeably in my personal experience. I personally used to have a mental hangup with the weight and would use a Steez 100 SV to get 2 plus ounces lighter. Rod balance/comfort with the same rod didn't seem to make a difference to me after experiencing both reels on the same rod. After switching, don't find an issue, but I'm not warm water jerkbaiting all day, so I guess my preference and utility might be different than your goals.  If money, weight, form factor aren't issues, 21 Antares DC imo.

4 hours ago, Fat Ika said:

Since you're mentioning Antares, if money isn't an issue, the 21 Antares DC is noticeably superior to the others into the wind with jerkbaits. The 22 slx jdm with idc5 brakes is ok, the new Met manages line and cast farther than the slx, but the 21 Antares DC with 4X8 brakes is better........noticeably in my personal experience. I personally used to have a mental hangup with the weight and would use a Steez 100 SV to get 2 plus ounces lighter. Rod balance/comfort with the same rod didn't seem to make a difference to me after experiencing both reels on the same rod. After switching, don't find an issue, but I'm not warm water jerkbaiting all day, so I guess my preference and utility might be different than your goals.  If money, weight, form factor aren't issues, 21 Antares DC imo.

basically this is what I’m trying to figure out. If this is true, sounds like Antares is the way to go. I don’t mind spending if it means an improvement.