Shimano Scorpion 100 101 DC 2017 Casting Reel Product Review

Enthusiast Reel Review

Shimano Lowers the Price Barrier to DC : Their 2017 Scorpion DC

Date:	9/10/17
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	Shimano
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 8.25 - GREAT

Introduction: Those familiar with our site will know I'm a big fan of Shimano's digital control (DC) braking system. Reels with this braking profile are among my all time favorites. Well, except for one. Back in late 2011 and into 2012 I was so excited to purchase and fish the original Scorpion DC but was then ultimately disappointed because that reel's whine had been silenced and it just didn't feel that special anymore. So when I caught wind of a new Scorpion DC for 2017, I was skeptical to say the least. Nevertheless, I was curious to see if this new interpretation was worthy of the DC moniker so I procured one for review. Here now is our take on Shimano Japan's 2017 Scorpion DC.

2017 Shimano Scorpion DC Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	12/110
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	11.2 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	6.3	7.2
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	16.5 - 26	18.5 - 29
Weight	7.6 oz
Spool Weight	18 g
Handle Length	84 mm
Bearings	7+1
Bearings per Knob	One Bearing, One Bushing
Levelwind Bearings	One Bushing
Rated Max Drag	5.5kg (~11lbs)
Origin	Made in Malaysia
MSRP	$285

Introducing Shimano's 2017 Scorpion DC.

Impressions: The former Scorpion DC was built on the platform's 1500 size. The 2017 Scorpion DC is listed as a 100 size reel, but I have a difficult time telling it apart from the Scorpion 70. The Scorpion DC's spool does measure two millimeters more in diameter than the Scorpion 70, so perhaps that's the only real difference - the size of each reel's spool.

My first thought when holding this compact little DC baitcast in hand is how in the world was I going to get enough line on there without spooling it on every cast?

This reel sports Shimano's i-DC5 digital control.

The reel has a stealthy gloss black finish with red highlights on the spool tension knob. The DC brake setting is accomplished by a dial located on the bottom front edge of the reel's non handle side. It's kind of tucked away in a set it and forget it position. It has that typical, small degree of back and forth play we find on most Shimano reels otherwise, it's a very tight, compact, and solidly built machine.

It's listed as a 100 size reel but feels the same size as the Scorpion 70.

Real World Tests: After taking some measurements of the reel's weight, spool dimensions, and handle length plus some photos of the reel's guts, I spooled the 2017 Scorpion DC with some ten pound Sunline Super Natural monofilament for its real world, on the water tests on board my G.Loomis NRX 852C JWR casting rod.

Ready to go aboard our NRX 852C JWR.

This dial sets the brake's intensity, but first ...

Casting: The 2017 Scorpion DC sports Shimano's i-DC5 digital control system. With this system, you tell the reel what type of line you're using (F = fluorocarbon : PE = braid/polyethylene : N = nylon monofilament) through a dial set on the inside of the non-handle sideplate, then adjust the brake's intensity from the afore mentioned external dial which has five steps of adjustment (1-4 and A for Automatic).

... you must specify the line type via a dial on the inside of the non-handle sideplate.

I naturally set the internal dial to "N" and then set the external dial at a conservative "3" for my first cast with this setup. I tied on a Megabass Knuckle LD crankbait and made a nice easy swing in my casting motion. A familiar whir filled the air as the Scorpion DC sang to the launching of the Knuckle LD and all was right in the world of digital cast control reels once again.

Handle length is a standard 84mm.

The knobs on this reel are contoured for left or right hand retrieve.

The Scorpion DC performed very well through all the brake settings although the "1" setting made me nervous. I found the "A" setting interesting and am honestly still undecided if it's really useful or more of a 2.5 or 3 setting in disguise. That's the cynic inside of me talking right there.

The main gear is made of what Shimano refers to as Hyper-Tensile brass.

Next Section: A reasonable retrieve?