Event Article:
2006 ICAST Reel Coverage |
ICAST Coverage Day 1 (Reels) - Paradise for Reel Enthusiasts in Las Vegas

Date: |
7/19/06 |
Location: |
Las Vegas,
NV |
Admission: |
Buyers &
Press only |
Reviewer: |
Team
TackleTour |
Introduction:
Fishing reels have come a long way, and are much more than just mechanical
multipliers of days past. Today’s reels make use of the latest technology, and
some would even dare to say are functional works of art. Precision engineering,
innovative designs, and improved ergonomics are all characteristics of the reels
we have observed here in
Las Vegas at day one of ICAST 2006. It
quickly became evident to us that this year the reel offerings are a reel
enthusiast's dream come true.
ICAST is the highlight of the year for both
manufacturers and tackle junkies. It is here in "Sin City" that tackle
manufacturers are finally able to showcase there wares for the industry media
and buyers. We were all eager to see firsthand what will soon be shipping to the
major catalog and retail stores.

|
Jeremy
Sweet, Shimano Product Manager unveils the Calais DC 4x8 at ICAST |
Shimano:
We already knew Shimano was bringing out the big guns months
ago, when we first got wind from Japan that the Antares DC had been officially
hatched. Jeremy Sweet, Reel Product Manager for Shimano greeted us at the
Shimano booth where Jimmy Houston was already answering questions about the new
Calais DC 4x8. The Calais DC is the reel many of us have been waiting for
since the initial introduction of the Calcutta TE DC. The original DC system had
one pre-programmed braking curve on the PCB inside the reel. Then there were
eight settings on the reel to increase and decrease the amount of braking. This
was a great curve, and suitable for most bass fishing however the system was not
as good for slow spool speed applications like short flips and pitches.

|
Jimmy
Houston walks through the advantages over the previous TE DC cast system |
The new Calais DC 4x8 has not one but four different mode profiles, and eight
settings for a total of 32 different variations of braking. These profiles are
X, L, A, and W.
X Mode: Extreme
Distance mode is designed for casting extreme distances in ideal environmental
situations. This curve is designed for casting low-profile metal lures like jigs
and spoons.
L Mode:
Long Distance mode controls backlashes immediately upon releasing the bait and
analyzes spool rotation during the middle portion of the cast. This is the mode
most anglers will use for the majority of their applications, and is ideal for
low air resistance baits like jerkbaits, lipless cranks, and plugs.
 |
The Calais
DC is stunning |
A Mode:
Accuracy Mode addresses the biggest limitation with the original TE DC, the
challenge of controlling low rotation speeds. This mode now generates enough
force to deal with low speeds and brakes during all portions of the cast. This
is the mode for those that enjoy flipping, pitching, and skipping.
W
Mode: Wind mode is designed to do exactly what it sounds like...deal with
wind gusts. To prevent backlashes in headwinds by adding or subtracting brake
force immediately after the lure is released. By constantly updating the amount
of force anglers can actually cast further without fear of a backlash.
Remember,
all of these modes can be fine tuned with one of 8 settings accessible with the
switch outside of the reel.
 |
Zander and
Cal examine the new reel |
Ergonomically
the Calais DC is an absolute beauty. The reel's lines are ergonomically sculpted
and will appeal to anglers that love the original. Other upgrades from the
original Calais include a power handle and enlarged Septon grips. The drag star
is cold forged and drilled and looks extremely aggressive in appearance. The
spool is a black version of the ultra thin walled Magnumlite spool first
introduced on the Curado.
 |
Head on
view, notice the power handles on this burner version |
The
Calais DC will be available in both right and left hand retrieve, and comes
loaded with a total of 11 bearings. The reel is only available in a ultra fast
7.0:1 gear ratio and weighs in at 9.5oz. Retail price for the Calais DC will be
649.99.
 |
The side
view |
In addition to the Calais DC Shimano also follows
up the success of their Curado series with a 300DSV. "The new Curado 300DSV
will change the way you think about low profile baitcasting reels. Now you can
expect large reel performance in a sleek, comfortable design that offers all of
these benefits: High Speed and Power, Excellent casting performance, comfort and
maneuverability, and high line capacity" said Jeremy
Sweet.
 |
The reel
features a asymmetrical spool opening and a Magnumlite spool |
Though
the Curado 300DSV boasts a massive 240yd capacity with 12lb test it doesn't
really look all that much bigger than the 200. It features a ultra deep spool
that makes use of Magnumlite design. This reel was designed with power in mind
and is the new workhorse reel in Shimano's baitcasting lineup. In fact, Jeremy
fully encourages anglers to use this reel for saltwater applications.

The
quick takedown plate reviews both sets of controls
To test the durability of this reel the CU300DSV was field tested in Argentina
by Jeremy and the legendary Larry Dahlberg. Hundreds of Golden Dorado up to 60
pounds were caught and released over four days of intense action.

|
The new
Curado 300DSV, is a low profile baitcaster with serious round reel
capabilities |
The lures were
utterly destroyed by these hard hitting fish, that would charge the marlin
chuggers at full retrieve speed. No other reel was up to the techniques used,
and no line survived through the tests...but the Curado 3000DSV walked away
without a scratch.

|
The spool is
extra deep for saltwater applications but still casts great due to
Magnumlite design which features ultra thin spool walls |
Though not as highlighted as the Calais DC and the
Curado DSV, mainstream anglers will be very interested to learn that the Citica
will now be available in a 100 size. The DSV comes with a standard deep spool,
not the Lo-Mass drilled spool. This actually bumps up reel capacity for a reel
of this size. A Curado DSV model 100 is also on the way.

Meet the newest Citica, the
CI100DSV
The Citica 100DSV will feature a 6.2:1 ratio and
weighs in at only 7.4oz, which is exactly the same as the Curado 100D. It will
retail for $119.00 just like the other Citicas. Unfortunately for now left hand
fans will have to wait as only the right hand version has been announced.

This reel is a mainstream palmers
dream come true, and a great deal for all those who looked at the Curado 100D
but wished for a reel closer to the 100 dollar price point

Jeremy Sweet holds up Shimano's
exciting new reels the Calais DC and the Curado 300DSV
Next
Section: Daiwa goes straight up Enthusiast!
