My take on DC technology

Shimano’s new Curado 150 DC won the Best of Show Casting Reel award at ICAST, and both during the show and ever since then it seems like the vast majority of questions I’ve received from fellow fishermen have been about this reel. Some people think that they’re either too advanced or not advanced enough to need it, but after six months of testing I honestly believe that this is anything but a gimmick – it’s the first reel in a while that is truly functionally different than any other.

Yes, I am sponsored by Shimano, so you might take this with a grain of salt, but I believe that it’s the first reel I’ve seen that can truly improve anyone’s game, whether it’s your first baitcasting reel or you’re a multiple-time Bassmaster Classic winner. The thing that makes this reel different is that “DC” stands for “digitally controlled.” It has an internal microcomputer that adjusts your brakes as necessary every 1/1000 of a second to customize your casting.

The technology has been around for a while, but the cost has come down substantially. The list price is right at $250. I know that’s not inexpensive, but it’s not that much more than other reels from a variety of manufacturers with similar components and without the DC technology. Previously, a reel like this might’ve cost $400 to $600, but the folks at Shimano have found a way to bring the price down without sacrificing a thing.

Set properly, you can cast a light bait into the wind and not suffer the consequences. That’s what sold me on it. The first day I fished with it the wind was blowing 35 mph and with the cast controls set properly I could cast right into the teeth of it and not suffer any consequences. I’m far more accurate with baitcasting gear than I am with spinning tackle, but in years past I would’ve had to use spinning tackle with light lures in heavy winds. That’s no longer the case.

It’s also a cost-effective way to try out new, risky techniques. Now, if you attempt to skip a jig under a dock and it hits the water like a cannonball, your reel won’t be out of commission like it would’ve been in the past. Because the DC continuously monitors your spool speed, you can concentrate more on your fishing and less on being risk-averse. That means more casts, and more casts in previously unreachable spots, which should translate into better success. You’ll take more chances and catch more fish because you’re not fearful and not wasting time picking out bird’s nests.

When I got one (and only one) to test about six months ago, I thought this was going to be a niche product. It has a 150-sized spool, which has a smaller capacity than a standard Curado. I figured I’d use it with light baits like wacky worms and leave it in the rod locker the rest of the time. What I’ve learned, though, is that it can make me a more efficient angler with about 90 percent of the techniques that I use on tour. So instead of buying one reel with limited abilities, you’re buying something that you can use under a wide array of conditions across the country. That makes it even more of a bargain, unlike a rod specifically for dropshotting or 10XDs that you probably just use in one way.

I’m not going to say that this will completely eliminate backlashes. Even the pros can still get them if you set the brakes wide open. What I’m trying to tell you is that this reel will allow you to fish more freely and effectively. If you’re a beginner, you can ratchet it all the way down and instantly be a decent and trouble-free caster. If you’re further up the skill ladder, you can progressively open up the controls and extend your range. Either way, by eliminating distractions and mechanical gremlins, you’ll be surprised at how your catch rate climbs. The cast you wouldn’t or couldn’t have made before will now become your greatest weapon.