Shimano Metanium 70 DC A baitcaster review #shimanometaniumdc #metaniumdc

Reel Review

Dialed In - Shimano's Metanium DC A Baitcaster (continued)

Price and Applications: When it comes to both price and versatility, the Met DC from Shimano emerges as a top contender among high-end baitcasters. Its seamless fusion of ergonomic design and exceptional performance positions it as a standout choice within its class. The incorporation of the i-DC5 module further enhances its precision and casting capabilities, appealing to enthusiasts seeking advanced control and performance.

A look at the Met DC on a Megabass Destroyer P5 Daemos rod. Again the Met DC just looks right on every rod

Granted, at $499, it's a significant investment for any angler. However, when weighing the factors of excellent ergonomics, DC functionality and performance, and overall refinement, the Met DC truly stands alone. There simply isn't a direct competitor that matches its features and performance in a comparable price range. Even when compared to the already impressive Metanium MGL 150, which sits just $50 below it in price, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Met DC every time, unless of course one has a personal aversion to DC-equipped reels.

The Met DC is great for fishing finesse plastics and reaction baits. The only thing I didn't love it for was BFS

When considering its applications, the Met DC shines brightest in traditional fishing techniques, covering a wide range of scenarios. It excels in power fishing in confined spaces with contact baits and proves to be particularly effective for fishing reaction baits when covering expansive areas of water. The I-DC5 module facilitates effortless casting across various lure weights, from weightless rigged plastics to 1-ounce paddle-tailed swimbaits and bladed jigs, making it an ideal choice for anglers employing these traditional baits and techniques.

Put a larger lure on the Met DC and it is easy to spool it during the cast

However, it's important to acknowledge where the Met DC may not be the optimal choice. It lacks the capacity and power required for confidently casting oversized swimbaits, limiting its effectiveness in such scenarios. Additionally, while its DC cast control system is well-suited for most traditional baits, it does not provide the swift start-up required for true BFS (Bait Finesse System) applications, where lower inertia is crucial for casting smaller and ultralight baits in tight spaces. While the Met DC is technically capable of BFS, anglers seeking dedicated BFS performance will find the application-specific Aldebaran BFS more suitable and enjoyable for their needs.

The Met DC is an incredible blend of ergonomics and performance

Ratings: (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide):

Shimano Metanium DC 70 HGA Casting Reel Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	The Metanium MGL 150 B already showed us what magnesium based CoreSolid body was capable of. The new DC version brings back a familiar form factor and is built with the same level of quality and precision. The drag star on this reel doesn't feel as solid as the 150 B's aluminum star but the black anodized handle and dual dial cast control system is very well implemented on the new DC reel. Overall build quality is very comparable between the two reels	9
Performance	The new reel manages to improve on the casting performance with the pairing of I-DC5 digital braking with MGL Spool III. This reel handles lure weights 1/8oz. and up and anything 1/4oz. and up is in the wheelhouse. With a larger or heavier/bait it is pretty easy to cast the entire spool of this reel when the settings are dialed in. Casting accuracy is also excellent with this reel and it is a great option for both open water casting and target fishing in tight cover	9.7
Price	The biggest negative to this reel is the price. At $499 the Metanium DC A is not a cheap reel but considering the unique blend of ergonomics and casting performance it really is a unique offering. We feel like the 50 dollar premium over the Met MGL 150 is absolutely worth it (as long as you like that DC whine)	7.8
Features	Everything we already loved about the Met 150 MGL like the magnesium based CoreSolid body and MGL III spool but with the very refined I-DC5 cast control that is fully externally adjustable	9.2
Design (Ergonomics)	The last Metanium 150 MGL was already a masterpiece in ergonomics and this new reel manages to deliver the same basic ergonomics (just a tad lighter) with the very advanced I-DC5 cast control system. This is the most ergonomic DC reel Shimano has ever built	9
Application	The Metanium DC is a great lightweight workhorse reel that excels with lure ranges that fall squarely in the middle of the range. Put anything heavier on the end of the line and this reel casts so well it is pretty easy to spool the Met DC. The only area where the reel is not as well suited is for serious baitfinesse where a lower startup inertia spool and more traditional cast control system helps to cast the lightest baits in tight cover	8
Total Score		8.78
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable! For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus	Minus
+ The magnesium CoreSolid design continues to deliver excellent low weight and rigidity	- Expensive but worth the price considering the performance and unique blend of light weight and DC casting performance
+ The best implementation of I-DC5 in a lightweight reel yet. This reel casts both far and very accurately	- Great for finesse to power fishing applications but falls short as a dedicated BFS reel
+ MGL III Spool a very good pairing with the I-DC5 system	- Aluminum gearing is light but may not hold up as well as brass over the long term
+ Excellent ergonomics. Palms great and the externally adjustable cast control is easy to fine tune on the fly
+ Very refined and the most dialed in Metanium to date
+ Feels every bit like a true enthusiast reel. It is hard to put down and just a pleasure to fish when paired with a lightweight rod

Conclusion: This latest iteration of the Metanium ups the ante for Shimano once again. While its visual resemblance to the Met 150 may suggest similarity, the Met DC A distinguishes itself with a notable leap in casting performance with its easy to adjust I-DC5 digital casting system, resulting in enhanced casting distance and accuracy in even the toughest conditions.

The Met DC paired with a Trika 6X rod. I liked this reel so much I started trying it on a ton of different rods. It just made every rig feel light, refined, and like it was made for it

With ample cranking power for its intended applications, the Metanium DC offers top-tier performance without compromise, aside from the massive dent it leaves in your wallet. Fishing with the Metanium DC is a joy; it elevates the entire fishing experience, especially when paired with the right rod. I honestly found it hard to put down when paired with a G.Loomis NRX or Megabass Destroyer rod. After using the Metanium DC, switching to other reels and combos made it clear just how uniquely it blends performance and ergonomics together.

Going ultra-high end in Shimano's lineup when pairing the Met DC with a Poison Ultima

Light, deadly, and dialed in. This blackout combo feels JDM Enthusiast throughout

While many magnesium-framed baitcasters tend to lean towards finesse applications, sometimes even feeling hollow under strain, Shimano's CoreSolid design addresses this weakness adeptly. By integrating the B-Side plate and levelwind support into a single, solid frame, the Metanium DC achieves an outstanding balance of lightweight construction and robustness. Its combination of lightness, solid frame, and excellent casting performance makes it a standout in its class. There just isn't another reel quite like the new Met DC 70A in any competitor's lineup and Shimano's digital casting system continues to me a differentiator.

DC or not, this is the most dialed in Metanium to date, another iteration of the masterpiece platform that delivers a seamless blend of features and ergonomics that come together to enhance the overall angling experience.

If you are looking for the ultimate in lightweight magnesium baitcasters and casting performance the Metanium DC 70A is a standout

The Met DC 70A doesn't just streamline casting; it amplifies the enjoyment of every cast, earning it our Editor�s Choice Award as the latest standout in the Met lineup. By effortlessly facilitating precise casts with a wide range of setups, this magnesium bodied baitcaster not only improves angler performance but elevates the overall fun factor with each and every DC-whine accompanied cast.

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