Expert Review: Shimano Metanium DC Low Profile Baitcasting Reel
Powerfishing a windy point for aggressive fall bass. Photos courtesy of Josh Saenz
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the reel, which I purchased with my own money in April of 2021.
My take
The Shimano Metanium DC Low Profile Baitcasting Reel is personally one of my favorites. I wouldn’t say it's great for beginners, because it's quite expensive, and a reel with minimal technology would be more beneficial for learning purposes. I would recommend it to experienced anglers looking for an easy and joyful baitcast fishing experience.
About the reel I own
- Model: Shimano Metanium DC Casting reel
- Reel Size: 100HG
- Construction:Baitcasting Reel
- Drag System: Shimano’s Cross Carbon Drag System
- Drag Pressure: Max. 11lbs
About me
- Preferred fishing style(s): I fish salt and freshwater
- Experience: Almost 20 years of fishing
Test conditions
- When I bought this: April 2021
- Rod Paired with Reel: Shimano Zodias 7’5” Medium Heavy Casting Rod
- Line Paired with Reel: For fresh and saltwater, I have 10-15 yards of monofilament backing (6lbs) and about 90 yards of 10lbs SpiderWire invisibraid
- Days tested: 1.5 years
- Waters I’ve used it on: Lakes, ponds, and wide rivers
- Species targeted with reel: Largemouth bass and striped bass
How it performs
What I was looking for
I had just recently lost a reel (Shimano SLX) in the water due to my canoe flipping over, but I already had a bunch of experience with baitcasters. After getting home, I then decided to start looking in the market to replace what I had lost, but I ended up looking up “best baitcaster” on google and found this. Once I heard it's versatile in both salt and freshwater and learned about the braking system, I knew I had to pick it up.
Why I chose this gear
The reason I chose this reel is because of how flexible it is. What I mean is the reel can be used in both freshwater and saltwater. It can also cast super far with all kinds of lures and sizes with hardly any effort. Plus, it has that amazing singing noise when casting; I absolutely love it.
Wear & Tear after a year and a half
What I love about it
- Performance: Performance-wise, this reel is just amazing.The braking system is just amazing and quick to make adjustments mid cast to extend the longevity of the cast which ultimately cancels all backlashes. Most regular braking systems require thumbing, and very good braking adjustments to cast far. I never have casting issues.
- Quality: This reel not only feels good but also looks good. It would make a really nice piece to a collection. This reel is made from magnesium and aluminum. When casting it gives off a really nice sound that tends to get people's attention.
- Versatility: I can use it in both salt and freshwater, can use both big and small lures, and it still casts surprisingly far. It's great for catching all types of fish.
- Durability: After using this reel all the time in freshwater and three times in saltwater, it still works as if it was brand new. After using it for a year and a half, dropping it from time to time it only has minor blemishes/scratches.
- Aesthetics: When fishing with this, I've had a few people ask me what it is and tell me it looks nice. As I said above, it's made from magnesium and aluminum for that perfect shine/reflection.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Drag System: The drag system is really nice and smooth. The only issue is that it's so strong that if I only put braid on it, there's a chance that when setting the hook the line on it could slip. To stop and avoid that, I recommend putting some mono backing on it. Since I started doing that I have solved this issue.
- Feel: Since this reel is really high quality but also quite expensive, I sometimes get upset after going back to some older reels. What I mean is since this braking system doesn’t really require thumbing, but my other reels do, it can feel quite unsettling.
- Price: This reel is quite pricey, which can turn a lot of people away. But you definitely get what you pay for in the fishing market.
Favorite moment with this gear
I was fishing with a buddy of mine on his boat on Lake Lanier in October. During that time on Lanier, lots of striped bass are still very active chasing balls of shad. I've even seen them jumping out of the water to eat. They were moving so fast I had to sneak up on them and not get too close. Doing this type of fishing can be difficult, but with my new DC, it made it a whole lot easier getting my cast out first without spooking the fish due to the casting distance. It made a big difference on that trip and ultimately led to me catching more fish than everyone else.
Value for the money vs. other options
Long term, I think that this reel is definitely one of the best reels on the market. But I understand if it's not for everyone due to the price. There are some other really great options in Shimano's DC lineup. For instance, the Little Brothers, Curado, and SLX DC all have the same braking system but are made from different components, which changes performance and durability.
Final verdict
I think this reel is arguably one of the best reels on the market. I say that due to its braking system: it puts itself before other reels in this class. I recommend this to any experienced angler looking for a worry-free baitcaster and who likes advances in technology.
