Chris Walton 
Anglers require the best tools at their disposal — one inadequate piece and the expedition ends in despair. To eliminate the chances of such despair, you will need effective gear in your tackle box. The highest quality of reels becomes the need of the hour, however, not every brand offers the same top-notch quality reel as the others. What better than the products offered by the leader in the market — Shimano.
Shimano is undeniably the kingpin in bringing the best out of your fishing expedition. The Japanese brand has been the most well-appreciated fishing gear manufacturer for almost three decades now. The product we throw light on — is Shimano’s Metaniumu XG. The most sought-after choice of anglers laden with innovation all around.
SHIMANO Metaniumu DC XG Baitcasting Reel: Review
Metaniumu DC XG is Shiman’s expensive offering for anglers to provide beyond ordinary capabilities. The expensive price tag brings some additional features that most reels lack. The most versatile to date — Metaniumu DC XG has a lot to talk about.
In the following sections, we unravel the most fascinating selling points and why it is a must-have in your tackle box.
Design
The Shimano Metaniumu DC XG boasts a lightweight design, courtesy of the magnesium-embossed frame. The theme of the reel is garbed in gray, which brings a premium yet classy look when fishing. The top has a dark grey finish, while the rest of the components have a touch of a light gray color.
The handles are another significant support system that wards off blows from large species with their unparalleled maneuver abilities. Moreover, with 195 grams of weight — the reel is a comfortable machine to cling to for all sizes of anglers. Overall, this premium baitcasting reel has the look and feel of other high-end models and is also the most in-demand choice for seasoned and beginners.
Shimano Curado K Baitcasting Reel is one of the best baitcasting reels available at this price point. Its weight is very less but it still sends the reel with zero backlashes. The button has a nice and firm click.
The micro module gearing differs from the standard gear that you see in most bait casters on the market. The main feature of this reel is the micro module and it just makes it insanely smooth and that’s the defining feature of this reel.
Shimano Curado K Baitcasting Reel also has an attached side plate so it never falls off in the water. This reel is pretty famous for its ease of cast ability, durability, the strength of the real, and amazing SBS braking system.
You actually have an external dial for adjusting it. It has a very powerful drag system. It is an absolutely fabulous spinning reel. It’s really smooth, lightweight yet pretty durable.
It has some amazing upgraded features which make it a little costlier than other reels but the benefits can easily outperform other options. You should know how to fine-tune your bait caster. Once you fine-tune it you are able to skip right underneath the docks as they have enough drag or stopping power.
Also Read: Lowrance Hook2 9 Fishfinder: The Complete Fishfinding Device
Features of Metaniumu 15 DC XG Baitcasting Reel
The most recognizable trait of Shimano’s Metaniumu DC XG — is the Silent Tune Technology. This is a one-of-a-kind feature that assists in unparalleled casting smoothness by reducing wayward movements in the bearings.
The other significant addition to the Metaniumu DC XG is the I-DC Gearing. The I-DC5 feature is a concoction of the micro-computer and a ring magnet to keep the brake force balanced. This brake mechanism provides anglers the ability to adjust the line for smooth and maximum casting. The external dial allows anglers to comfortably make brake adjustments.
The Micro Module is Shimano’s trademark feature employed in all of its feature-rich reels. This feature comes with a reduction of tooth size on the drive and pinion gear, and as a result, it assists with the seamless and smooth functioning of the reel. Micro Module gearing, when coupled with X-Ship features makes retrieving experience all plain sailing.
The inclusion of another one of Shimano’s hallmarks — X-Ship technology, is a feature way ahead of its competitors. X-Ship stabilizes and maintains the alignment of the gear to cut down on friction levels, therefore working in tandem to fight heavy and large fish. The technology also is efficient in enhancing the gear’s durability.
SVS Infinity Braking System is an invaluable improvement in the reel. This braking mechanism comes with an adjustable brake dial that makes turning the fly a hassle-free experience.
The Magnumlite (MGL) spool has this superior ability to turn and maneuver the reel without having to put in some additional effort. This best-in-class spool technology gives anglers the power to cast long and effortlessly without fretting about any breakage issues or defects. The S3D technology alleviates the spool wobbling and offers more seamless and consistent casting.
Retrieve and Gear Ratios are another talking point of a reel. The retrieve on the reel measures 91 centimeters in length, whereas it comes equipped with the standard gear ratio of 6:2:1. The model is supplied with Shielded Anti-Rust Bearings for long-lasting performance, while also meeting the requirements of both professionals and beginners.
The SBS braking system on this reel is tremendous and you can turn it on and off. A little brass hub can actually help you adjust when it hits those brakes by turning a dial on the bottom. There’s a shaft that goes through the spool into the gearbox.
This shaft is supported on multiple bearings to reduce the amount of flax on the spool. The spool system is so stable it cuts down vibrations to help it cover a long casting distance.
The spool does not have any slop or cause any damage to the internal components of this reel when you are horsing and cranking in through that slop with a big fish.
Pros and Cons of the Metaniumu 15 DC XG Baitcasting Reel
The Shimano Metaniumu DC XG is an incredible model encased in modernistic features and some advanced technologies. The baitcasting reel is used widely by all kinds of anglers in their fight against large species of fish. That said, there are a few flaws that need to be addressed. Here are some of the benefits and limitations of the reel:
The Metaniumu 15 DC XG is the most feature-rich offering from the undisputed fishing accessory leader. The smooth and consistent casting is everything anglers look forward to in the baitcasting reel. The few limitations that come with it may prevent you from buying, but clearly, the benefits outweigh them. The raging fan-following of the brand is beyond explanation, so we decided to jot some alternatives in case the model runs out of stock.
Alternatives to the Metaniumu 15 DC XG Reel
1. Shimano Curado MGL 70 K Baitcast Reel
Shimano’s list of world-class products is never-ending. The MGL 70 K is the most promising reel from the Curado series with nifty features like the Micro Module Gear system that works for smoother retrievers.
The reel boasts a Super Free design that cuts down on the friction on the spool shaft for long and consistent casting. Like the Metaniumu DC XG, the MGL 70 is supplied with the X-Ship technology, which adds stability and power when casting. The addition of the Cross Carbon Drag assists you with extra power while battling giant fish.
The Curada MGL 70 K comes with a host of fascinating features that aren’t a letdown when considering a worthy alternative for the impressive Metanium DC XG.
2. Shimano Chronarch MGL Baitcasting Reel
Another from the house of Shimano is the versatile Chronarch MGL, a budget-friendly alternative to the slightly more expensive Metaniumu DC XG. This baitcasting reel comes in three gear ratios – 6.2:1, 7.1:1, and 8.1:1, and invariants compatible to be used on both hands.
Similar to the Metaniumu, this reel also comes with the MicroModule gearing, which ensures much smoother performance. The machine has a similar braking system — SVS Infinity for the accurate casting of both heavy and light lures. Also, the Super Stopper does a great job in reducing backplay whilst in need of some instant hook setting power.
Shimano’s Chronarch MGL is a low profile and an inexpensive contender for the best baitcasting reel spot. There are features that make a big difference between the two, but when the chips are down — both have the capacity to help you in your fishing expedition.
Also Read: Shimano Curado K Baitcasting Reel: Thoughts On The Inexpensive Reel
Verdict
Shimano is a popular name in the fishing industry — with a plethora of mighty reels, rods, and many such accessories to make fishing a worthwhile experience. The Metaniumu DC XG is another testimony of the brand’s excellence in creating gears that anglers trust and use widely across the globe. The performance and quality of the reel are matchless, and longevity is incredible.
Hope your quest for the best mid-range Shimano offering comes to an end with this review. If you have questions or an alternative that deserves a mention, write to us in the comments section.
FAQs
Is the Shimano Metaniumu DC XG waterproof?
The Shimano Metaniumu does have some sort of protection against water splashes, allowing you to place it underwater only for a short period. Also, it is safe to use for both fresh and saltwater. However, we do not recommend pushing the machine underwater for a long time.
How do I ensure the smoothness of the drag on my Metaniumu DC XG?
There is more than one reason why the drag is not as smooth as it should be. The reasons are: insufficient grease on the drag washer or the washer is entirely in oil. We recommended replacing the drag washers or re-greasing the drag washer.
What is the best feature of the adjustment module in the Shimano Curado K Baitcasting Reel?
The biggest feature of the Shimano Curado is the micro module gearing in the crank. It improves the performance of the rail a lot. The micro module gearing is just super smooth, when you reel it in it’s like butter smooth compared to some other cheaper reels.
The brakes on this reel to control the spool are very easy to adjust; the adjuster goes from one to one to six. You just rotate it along and it adjusts the bushing inside it and moves that up and down to contact the greater adjustment of little paddles. You can flick them up for more friction or flick them down for less friction so the spool spins accordingly.
How far can you throw the baits with the Shimano Curado K Baitcasting Reel?
The baits really don’t weigh anything and you can still bomb it even on sixty to eighty feet and sometimes even on 100 feet when you have the wind on your back.
Is it true that a spinning reel casts farther than a bait caster?
One of the popular myths is that a spinning reel will cast farther than a bait caster. With Shimano Curado K Baitcasting Reel you can cast it just as far as you can with any spinning equipment. You can try and test it yourself. With the micro module gear system installed in Shimano, it casts super smooth. The high-end ball bearings in this bait caster help in covering a great distance smoothly.
