Design & Ergonomics: I've always had a preference for smaller reels. 100 sized or smaller low profile reels work well for me with general applications. 50 is ideal with round reels. I find 200 sized reels too large for my liking but will use them for big baits because of the added line capacity with heavier line. Though I continue to use my Conquest 301HG and Daiwa Ryoga Shrapnel, I find 300 and 400 sized reels overkill when pursuing largemouth bass. Over the last couple of years, I've discovered a happy place with 150 sized reels and big bait applications. Review duties not withstanding, my Scorpion and Bantam MGL see a lot of work.

There have been complaints in the past about the thumb bar on the Curado platform. Scorpion shares a very similar if not identical lineage to Curado, but I had zero issues with this thumb bar

Late last year, I was privately lamenting the fact my 2017 Scorpion DC was only a 100 sized reel because I had a hole in my lineup for a Scorpion tier big bait reel. The MGL was sufficient, but I wanted a DC and for whatever reason, the domestic SLX and Curado brands (both 150 sizes) just aren't as appealing to me. I guess I'm still a JDM-universe angler. When I caught wind of Shimano Japan's plans to introduce a new 150 sized Scorpion DC and slide that MGL spool into the mix, I knew all I needed was a little patience to wait for stock to arrive.

Gone is the reel's familiar burgundy finish, replaced by red highlights here and there

Returning to the topic of sound. One aspect of Shimano's DC reels' whine that I feel gets overlooked is how that sound augments your casting experience. The sound is not steady or fermata. There is a crescendo and diminuendo. The peak and valley of that sound engages a third sense from you during a cast so you're not relying solely upon feel and sight. As the brake sound diminishes, you can judge when your bait is about to hit the water and more accurately determine when to stop the cast or let it go. This is especially helpful in lowlight when visibility is tough.

The spool tension knob is about the only evidence remaining of Scorpion's former, rebellious nature

Price & Applications: It appears Shimano Japan does not enforce a minimum advertised price (MAP) policy amongst its vendors or if they do, this policy does not apply to vendors selling product online. In recent years, the difference in cost for these reels vary greatly between outlets. As far as we can tell, the suggested retail price of Shimano's 2021 Scorpion DC is somewhere around 31,800 Japanese Yen. Converted at the exchange rate during the time of this writing (~110.9 JPY = 1 USD), that means you can expect to pay around $286.67 for this reel. However, you can expect that number to fluctuate with the exchange rate and vendor.

Conclusion: Whether deserved or not, I tend to view Shimano's fishing division as very corporate and strict. The majority of their reels are very polished and refined all of which is reinforced by their choice in color schemes. Scorpion is like a rebel child. It is their most avante garde brand offered in the most variants (DC, MGL, BFS, MD) with a new model and color scheme seemingly every year. Scorpion and I have not always gotten along but the early 2000s 1000/1001 model was my gateway to all things JDM and the brand more often than not continues to re-inspire my enthusiasm.

More often than not, Scorpion has a way of lifting my spirits and re-invigorating me with enthusiasm

When I find myself feeling over burdened and burnt out with responsibilities from this site, I'll scour Japan Tackle for a pick me up. Sometimes that pick me up is a reel like the Conquest 101HG DC, but quite often it's a reel like the Scorpion MGL or Scorpion 71. It doesn't take much. This reel came to me with a good deal of expectations for that combination of DC and MGL technologies. Overall, I wasn't disappointed, but there is one aspect of this reel I wish was different.

This 2021 Scorpion DC doesn't quite peak my enthusiasm, but it certainly earns an Editor's Choice nod from yours truly

Notice how, in all those multi-verse superhero movies, the costumes of each superhero while tweaked and changed between films, usually remains consistent within the same universe in color scheme. That color combination, along with the actual costume, is like a signature. Scorpion's signature color is burgundy much like the USDM Curado's is a deep green. Recently Shimano appears on a mission to move both platforms away from their traditional hues favoring more mainstream greys and silvers with only touches of that signature color highlighting the spool tension knob. In fact, the spool tension knob, adorned with the logo of a Scorpion is about the only hint of the old avante garde spirit left on this reel. While for most, this 2021 Scorpion DC's performance is certainly enough to overshadow the manufacturer's decision to depart from the reel's traditional color scheme, for me, it means I'll likely find myself on the hunt again for yet another variant in the JDM-verse to breathe life into my enthusiast spirit next season.

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