2023 Shimano Antares DC HG

Yeppers...gonna ride her hard this fall and winter seasons.

I was able to test cast a few different lures for about 1.5 hours yesterday evening, and the reel handled all very well.

I set the inner brake to "P"

1 oz Teckel Slashkicker - external brake down to 2 and it launched very well with control. As long casting as the 36 mm HCL perforated spool in the OG Zillion platform, but more resistance on the braking.

3/8 oz SK Hack Attack swim jig + SK Rage Swimmer 3.75 - I was able to dial the exterior brake to 1 and still had good control and good distance, albeit while applying thumbing since there was a NE crosswind. Distance isn't better than some other 34mm Daiwa braid specific spools and definitely not as good as the Roro LC23, however the '23 Antares DC is a larger diameter spool, but narrower.

Custom 1.3 oz shad glide. I set mostly at 5-6 and the distance was very good and control was excellent. The DC braking helped keep this bait from tumbling as much as I usually experience with 15-20 mono/copoly/fluoro. Thus far this is where I see a clear advantage for the 4x8 DC system.

1/2 oz buzzbaits + toad/paddletail trailers, external brake at 3-4. Launched these baits well, excellent distances and with control. Not any further than some Daiwa 34 mm spools, but better backlash control.

I think this reel would be excellent for bigger bladed spinnerbaits in windy conditions, however I will need to change the line and test it on the water.

I'm also intrigued as to the DC MD gear set on Japan Tackle if mine starts to wear out.

https://japantackle.com/casting-reels/shimano/shimano-21antaresdc.html

I’ve got one sitting on the shelf that I’ve yet to fish. Excellent writeup and it just makes me realize how much more time I need on the water. 🤣

Posted by: @rise

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I’ve got one sitting on the shelf that I’ve yet to fish. Excellent writeup and it just makes me realize how much more time I need on the water. 🤣

Haha, fosho brother...don't we all?!?

I also paired the reel up with a 2025 Daiwa Steez HRB Technical Glide Bait rod, 55lb Phenix Rods Hydra X8 + 20lb Izorline XXX leader.

BTW, I just realized that this is a 2021 model year reel.  Lol

Posted by: @dragon1

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BTW, I just realized that this is a 2021 model year reel.  Lol

🤣👏🏻

Got some more time with the Antares DC HG...I can confirm that this 7.4 even with a 92 mm ZPride CF handle, is less powerful than the OG Zillion Type R 7.3 with the shorter factory handle. I tossed a 1/2 oz Terry Oldham DW spinnerbait with a 3" XZone Swammer, total weight 1.09 oz and fished it in the same manner as when I had the Zillion Type R on the same rod.

The reel is very capable however with this 55lb braid and heavier lures.

After opening up this reel for a quick service, and assessing the internal components...it's now in another person's arsenal in GA.