Buzzbaits are wind catchy lures prone to fluff when you try to bomb it. I'm often relegated to the bank and need to cast as far as possible to reach any kind of structure or just get past the weeded.

I've never considered a DC reel until now. I'm thinking 21 Shimano Scorpion DC largely because it would offer the line control for random mid cast fluffs, but also because it looks to be bale to hold enough 40/50# braid or 15# hybrid.

I really don't need another reel, but I do want to maximize my buzzbait fishing. I had been throwing it on a zillion G I found for about half price and it throws very well, but I can almost spool it every time - and if I had to cut line off a couple times then I'm casting to the arbor.

What reels can handle non aerodynamic lures well without totally sacrificing distance?

Before purchasing any particular DC reel I would check the design settings.

When DC reels first came out I was working for a Shimano warranty repair facility and had the advantage of meeting with and talking directly to Shimano engineers who visited our shop every year just days ahead of ICAST in Orlando.

One of the interesting things those Shimano engineers told me was how they tweak the settings on DC reels to match differing fishing conditions and fishing methods in each of their sales distribution markets.

The engineers told me at the time the settings of the Curado DC reels were specifically designed to match up to how "Americans" fish and our tackle differences.

Point is I am not sure how this settings design factor is carried across their reel lines now.

Are the settings of the new JDM Scorpion DC reel comparable to the USA designed Curado DC settings?

I'd be curious to see the results of a side by side comparison because you may find that for what you are asking that one DC model may work better for you than another if the settings are designed differently.

You have one reel designed by engineers for use in USA, and the JDM Scorpion reel is designed for use in Japan based on our human fishing differences along with tackle differences.

I'm curious if for what you are asking if one might be better suited than another?

I can tell you that as a life long Shimano fan enjoying their higher standards, tighter tolerances, and higher quality of design and production than lesser brands I would not spend a penny on, that my Curado HG reels do what you ask without fail. I have never had a problem with them backlashing because of a lure "catching wind" and slowing down while spool keeps spinning at same rate leading to backlash. Never had any problems with this type of thing so my next point would be that maybe a DC reel is not necessary, but might help make it easier for you with less work on your part.

I have always wanted a DC reel, but never had need to purchase one, but if I did, I'd go with Shimano engineers design tweaks for USA rather than take a chance on the settings designed for Japan to suffice here. Who knows, the Japanese settings may be better than USA settings for what you ask, but without objective data to compare there is no way for any of us to really know.

For my part, I prefer centrifugal braking over magnets. They are far more responsive and effective. Magnetic braking reels don't really adjust well for changes in lure casting speed. Magnets are always on and cannot adjust unless the reel comes with some sort of centrifugal mechanism to provide some type of "help" in adjusting to your situation. Centrifugal brakes are self adjusting instantly. Makes all the difference in the world to me which is why I don't use any magnetic braking reels for anything other than flipping and pitching.

Just personal preferences is all. To each their own, but I'd taking a look at the differences in those DC settings designs between markets to see which one might better suit your needs.

Let us know...

do you mean the current SV TW G Zillion?

That's one of the two reels that I have fished buzzbaits on over the past 4 years. The other is a bantam. I've not had line capacity issues with either of them except when I had 17 elite on the zillion. That was with casting a big plopper though, not a buzzbait. And 17 elite is thick. With 40# braid you can get enough on that reel that you're not going to cast it all off.

The zillion isn't a distance casting champ (I'd give it to the bantam over the zillion) but it's no slouch. And if fluffing is your concern then I would stick with it and resolve the line capacity question.

You’re casting near the end of your spool with a zillion? Running heavy line? Like you said, buzz baits aren’t known for casting like rockets. I can’t imagine casting anywhere near the end of a spool

12 minutes ago, Swimbaitstud said:

You’re casting near the end of your spool with a zillion? Running heavy line? Like you said, buzz baits aren’t known for casting like rockets. I can’t imagine casting anywhere near the end of a spool

Yeah I agree with this. I can't cast a buzzbait very far regardless of the reel I'm using. I don't throw them all that much though.

I have a JDM Zillion SV TW on my spinnerbait rod and it's a great reel that hardly ever backlashes... but I'm pretty conservative with my settings on all my casting reels. I can cast a spinnerbait pretty far with 40 lb. braid. On my longest casts I've still got maybe 1/3 of line left on the spool.

I have a Curado DC with 30lb braid on my jerkbait rod and I really like it. Lots of the time I'm throwing a 5/8 oz jerkbait straight into the wind and I can really bomb it out there with no worries about backlash. So in these circumstances (throwing jerkbaits into the wind) I would say a DC reel is a definite advantage.

Reel doesn't matter, buzzbaits aren't long casting lures. Just grab what's comfy to palm, that's all that matters. I use the 24 Met DC and the 21 Zillion for buzzbaits a bunch, and both are perfect at the job.

On 2/12/2026 at 8:32 AM, casts_by_fly said:

give it to the bantam over the zillion) but it's no slouch.

On 2/12/2026 at 10:24 AM, Micro Module Police said:

Met DC and the 21 Zillion for buzzbaits a bunch, and both are perfect at the job

If the zillion is casting a buzzbait as far as any other reel then I have no need I suppose. And if like @Micro Module Police said if the DC isn't adding anything then there's definitely no point.

On 2/12/2026 at 9:30 AM, Carolina Pines said:

Curado DC... throwing a 5/8 oz jerkbait straight into the wind and I can really bomb it out there with no worries about backlash. So in these circumstances (throwing jerkbaits into the wind) I would say a DC reel is a definite advantage.

I mean, a buzzbait creates its own "into the wind" so maybe I should cop a DC.

Wish I could actually just try a DC reel and see if there's a difference and if it fits my need.

And to all the comments that "buzzbaits aren't far casting lures" I get what you're saying, but I'm not saying its want to cast a buzzbait farther than a lipless crankbait. I'm saying I want the farthest cast possible with this distance challenged lure.

And @Micro Module Police the reel definitely matters some, because there's things I can do with my Zillion I wouldn't even waste time trying on an Abu or Lews.

Can anybody add their experience with DC reels and compare chips/settings and what's what?

What type of buzz bait are you throwing ? If your throwing a lighter one with a skirt they can be tough into the wind.

If you haven't tried the Crock-o gator or Brazalo that use a toad you'll find them much easier to cast and they plane better. Or you can put a toad on the bait you have.

4 hours ago, Banned User said:

If the zillion is casting a buzzbait as far as any other reel then I have no need I suppose. And if like @Micro Module Police said if the DC isn't adding anything then there's definitely no point.

I mean, a buzzbait creates its own "into the wind" so maybe I should cop a DC.

Wish I could actually just try a DC reel and see if there's a difference and if it fits my need.

And to all the comments that "buzzbaits aren't far casting lures" I get what you're saying, but I'm not saying its want to cast a buzzbait farther than a lipless crankbait. I'm saying I want the farthest cast possible with this distance challenged lure.

And @Micro Module Police the reel definitely matters some, because there's things I can do with my Zillion I wouldn't even waste time trying on an Abu or Lews.

Can anybody add their experience with DC reels and compare chips/settings and what's what?

You gotta take into account that i don't use any SV or SV boost spools, though. The main spool i use on my Zil is the SLP WORKS1010, with multiple Type R and R+ spools, the RCS1016, etc. So the performance i get from it is never stock.

2 hours ago, Micro Module Police said:

stock

So maybe I should be looking into a scorpion DC to match that distance

5 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

with a skirt

Usually with a skirt, and a trailer, but maybe I can just ditch the skirt and see how that goes, thanks for reminding me to try that.

I I can't justify buying just a spool for my Zillion, I'm gonna have to either give the scorpion a go or try my hand at one of those 34mm spools in a used Daiwa.... but I'm totally new to the world of foreign auctions

I use the 21 Scorpion DC, Curado DC, Met DC 70 and a bunch of Steez and Zillion reels. I like all of them, but I will say the Scorpion is a more polished reel than the Curado. It has a more advanced braking system (iDC5 vs iDC4), more line capacity (120 yds of 14lb vs 90 yds), an extra bearing, and a more comfortable — to me — frame. I believe it’s also slightly lighter and has an MGL spool instead of the Curado’s older S3D spool.

I don’t have an Metanium MGL or Antares to compare them to, but in general I find my DC reels to be better long distance casters but NOT necessarily better at dealing with wind than, say my Steez SV TW. YMMV.

If you like the Zillion I wouldn’t say you necessarily NEED a Scorpion, but it does seem to check the boxes you mentioned. Mine lives on a cranking rod for many of the same reasons.

If you want to maximize casting distance with it, add a chunky trailer. I throw a spunk shad now (used to use split tails). A 3.5” spunk shad adds a solid quarter or 5/16 oz to the weight but doesn’t make it sink any faster really. And it gives something for the bass to suck in when they suck it down. I leave my skirts on (I don’t like them naked at all) and a 3/8 buzzbait with a 3.5” spunk shad on the back will cast a country mile.

You can also remove the skirt, and replace it by a creature bait with a slim profile or a swimbait. Will cut through air way easier, and cast further.

21 hours ago, Midwest Angler said:

better long distance casters but NOT necessarily better at dealing with wind

Man, is your nickname wrench?

Physics is generally undefeated in the long run - use a heavier buzz bait and a plastic trailer instead of a skirt, OR use a heavier bait with a smaller wing and smaller skirt and stop overthinking the reel.

Although collaborating with the Reel Monkey is part of the fun…