Shimano SLX DC

I just prefer a Baitcaster in most situations. I really only use my Spinning while trolling or using a Popping Cork.

I have a couple and fish inshore. Great reel, I’ve had them about a year and half with zero issues.

I have two of the Curado DCs, and love them. It will be tough to go back to non digitals.

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I have two of the Curado DCs

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I bought one last year. I love it so much. It's my 1st baitcaster I actually cast a lot. I'm planning on getting another one.

I have a curado DC as well. They say u can't backlash them but I proved that theory wrong almost immediately. Lol

Do you rinse them off just like any other reel?

I fish most of the time with my dad. Between the two of us we have 3 Shimano SLX DCs, 2 Shimano Curado DCs, and 1 JDM Shimano scorpion DC. Remember that all 3 of these reels are considered safe for saltwater use by Shimano which is what I primarily fish.

I rank these reels in this order on performance:

1) Scorpion DC

2) Curado DC

3) SLX DC

Here's how I would rank them for price to performance ratio:

1) Curado DC

2) SLX DC

3) Scorpion DC

So let's talk about the SLX DC. Its a great reel, and for $190 in my opinion will offer more bang for your buck than anything else made by daiwa, Shimano, Lew's, 13 or any other major brand. The DC controller in the SLX works unbelievably, in fact every Shimano DC reel works incredibly. It casts so well because of the controller that you will smile every time you use it. But here's the downside. It feels like a $100 reel, it's not fancy. It has tons of plastic bits and the smoothness of the gears dies very quickly. But even though it feels cheap in your hand it is plenty strong. Its not gonna break when you throw it on the deck, or step on it, or hook into a 25lb redfish. Its gonna just perform. It's like a Ryobi power tool, you look at it and think it's junk but soon after using you realize you could run it over and not even scratch it... That's why we have 3, they just do their job soooo freaking well.

The Curado DC does everything the SLX does right and dials it up. You no longer have that cheap plastic feel, metal accessories, and it has the upgraded Shimano gears that after catching 100s of fish still feel smoother than the SLX from the factory. The reel is so smooth you think your drag is disengaged when you crank the handle. Just dollar for dollar it's an absolutely insane reel.

The scorpion DC is a JDM market only reel, so to get it you would need to order it online and import to the US. With modern shipping times you can get one off eBay in 1-2 weeks. But I don't recommend it whatsoever since Shimano USA refuses to do service or warranty work on any JDM reels o good luck if it breaks, it's also about $30-50 + shipping more than the Curado DC. The reel hits between the SLX and Curado as far as smoothness goes. Has just as good of build quality as the Curado DC but has Shimano's tier 2 DC technology. The upgraded DC controller makes casting even easier and significantly more customizable for the particular style/conditions the reel is being used for. It is my favorite reel of the 3 but I do not recommend due to the lack of warranty and difficulty to find parts and services to repair the reel in the US, ALTHOUGH some online retailers will honor the warranty and if shipped back to them will send it in for repair work.

In conclusion I highly recommend paying the extra $60 for the Curado DC over the SLX after extensively using both. I'm sure you will be happier with either, but if you can afford and extra $60 go for the Curado. The smoothness and build quality increase more than justifies the price difference.

It would fine for salt/brackish water but I wouldnt use it to wade fish.

I've caught more fish on my Curado DC than any of my other baitcasters and it still feels brand new. I paired it with a medium BPS Carbonlite 2 rod since it offered a lifetime warranty, performs better than most rods in it's price range and more than good enough for my applications, not to mention its a beautiful combo lol