Japanese websites have started taking orders for the next generation of digital controlled reels. Apparently the concept is working well enough for Shimano to want to create more models with this method of spool control. Here is the new one - the Antares DC:
As you can see this is built on the Japanese version of the Calais. It comes in 5.8:1 and 7:1 gear ratios. At this time it sells for 68,000 yen, or $571.88 according to my currency converter. Despite the cost, they'll sell a bunch of them.
According to reports this new version can spin at 60,000 to 100,000 RPM. The average modern baitcaster spins at 30,000 RPM.
Geezer, you of all people should remember the immortal words of Gus Meisselbach: "The polished surface of such a reel glitters in an objectionable manner so as to frighten the fish..." (Aug. 1, 1903) Then Gus goes on to explain how he obviates that glitter. You would think that for $571.88 you could get a reel with the obviation built in. Or does the computer obviate the glitter in response to changing light conditions?
P.S. "Obviate" means to anticipate and prevent, so you'd have to find another verb to describe a response. Pretty darn funny, eh?
cool-thumb yay-banana jump jump jump USA, thanks Phil, we as humans are must expect upgrades, new ideas and work with them! ( my next question is! do they have a rod or rods to match? also what line will stand up to the (SPEED)? I wonder if the line stretch will efect the cast? also tempature? and what weight is the reel designed for? Folks, when you can get Geasers like Phil and I to except these new ideas , then you too must be willing to learn! I can remeber when my dad told me about lacquer paint that came out, the old way was enamal paint on vehicals, The paint sales rep came into the Highway Coach Bus company and showed My dad And Al Gurnack how fast the Lacqur wold dry! Well my dad and al said no way! it will fall off ! The paint didnt fall off, the fast drying time saved days of drying time on the busses, and car and bus mfgs are still using lacqur paint and it dosent fall OFF! ( we must except changes, I had a hard time convicing Phil to use POWER PRO LINE! ask him what he thinks of POWER PRO NOW! People, in less than 50 years these new reels will be colectable, and some of you will say (I remeber them when new) Then ORCA members that join 50 years from now will say where do we find a new one in the BOX!? Look what we call antique reels now were NEW just a FEW short years ago? It would be nice to set back one or more today as they are a new invention, pass them on to your Children and see what they bring in the year 2056!? Your willing to acept new < on Lake Erie Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG ps. Thanks Phil for the update!
No doubt an amazing reel and you both are absolutely correct about technology, Phil and Col. Milt. I guess there is a balance in what the tackle does for you vs. what you enjoy doing. Will "man, that's a beautiful cast" bring more satisfaction one way or another?
The irony I find in this all is that it's the Japanese that are doing this. One of my favorite locally broadcast shows is a sort of variety magazine-type program produced in Japan. They go around visiting interesting people and locations. Excellent look into their lifestyle. But many of their subjects are about the quickly disappearing crafts and businesses that were traditionally so painstakingly done by hand: ie. the guy that paints "hanafuda" playing cards by hand, the many types of foods and delicacies that require long and intensive production, least of all their joinery and architecture, etc. They never covered it but the manufacturer of the type of very large circle hooks we used here, Tankichi, made them individually. There was one "master" and he and some helpers made all their hooks by hand forming them. I sure would've liked to see the fellows working in their little back store room.
I guess it's just a typical process happening all around the world - less of an importance on being able to do something with the skills you develop (or maybe developing different skills?). Is it more important to concentrate on hooking a fish or learning to cast? Is it that much of a difference to help distinguish you from, like Harvey says, "fishing or just standing on the bank".
Brian,
That's "It's a Fine line between fishing and just standing on the bank". LOL
This discussion is kinda funny to me. Some twenty or more years ago, we were a bunch of weekend worriers and fishing the Ten Thousand Islands on the west coast of Florida every week end. Among us was an X-Pro bass fisherman by the name of Ben Allan. Every week end he would show up with the latest thing in reels, rods, line, lures, scales or whatever. All were designed for freshwater but he used them in salt and brackish to fish for Snook, Redfish, Trout, Tarpon or any thing else that was hungry. Behind his back, other anglers were laughing and claiming that his motive was to show off and show how much money he had. One morning he shows up in his 21ft. Lake and Bay boat with it's 225 horse engine and we notice a crowd gathered around. I walk over and laying on the front deck was an array of Shimano Calcutta reels. All on custom built rods. From 50 up to a 250 and maybe even a 400. Never seen one before as not many of the others had either. That was the talk at the dock for a couple weeks. How they were not made for this type of fishing, they wouldn't last, they were too pricey etc. Lo and behold, within a year, everybody had at least one. Everybody laughed and a year later they spent. A week or so ago, I ran into Ben at a breakfast nook. We started talking fishing and the Calcutta story came up. We both had a good laugh. I was telling him about this discussion about computerized reels. He stated that he has bought one and loved it. My bet is that he has a dozen by now.
harvey
Steve: I have never bought a Calais or the Japanese Antares because I really didn't like all that glitter. I guess Gus taught me well back in '03. Despite all the glitter, those reels are probably the smoothest reels ever made.
Brian: Reels that function as I like them to make fishing more enjoyable. I didn't buy my Calcutta DC so I could cast further. I got it because I was curious. I really prefer very short casts, and I really prefer the Shimano Conquest 50 (very small Japan market reel) to any reel I own, even the DC. I also purchased an Ambassadeur planetary geared reel because I wanted to see how they worked.
In reply to your traditional and hand made comments, I believe we have craftsmen making wonderful bamboo fly rods today. And I'm sure the same is true in lots of other crafts.
And finally, to all you fishermen. I caught one 3 pound smallmouth this afternoon and lost another in 2 hours or so on the Snake River. It was great.
cool-thumb yay-banana jump jump jump USA, thanks Phil, we as humans are must expect upgrades, new ideas and work with them! ( my next question is! do they have a rod or rods to match? also what line will stand up to the (SPEED)? I wonder if the line stretch will efect the cast? also tempature? and what weight is the reel designed for? Folks, when you can get Geasers like Phil and I to except these new ideas , then you too must be willing to learn! I can remeber when my dad told me about lacquer paint that came out, the old way was enamal paint on vehicals, The paint sales rep came into the Highway Coach Bus company and showed My dad And Al Gurnack how fast the Lacqur wold dry! Well my dad and al said no way! it will fall off ! The paint didnt fall off, the fast drying time saved days of drying time on the busses, and car and bus mfgs are still using lacqur paint and it dosent fall OFF! ( we must except changes, I had a hard time convicing Phil to use POWER PRO LINE! ask him what he thinks of POWER PRO NOW! People, in less than 50 years these new reels will be colectable, and some of you will say (I remeber them when new) Then ORCA members that join 50 years from now will say where do we find a new one in the BOX!? Look what we call antique reels now were NEW just a FEW short years ago? It would be nice to set back one or more today as they are a new invention, pass them on to your Children and see what they bring in the year 2056!? Your willing to acept new < on Lake Erie Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG ps. Thanks Phil for the update!
...ok, I guess you had to have seen the movie...
