Shimano Brings Next Innovation In Digital Casting Control To New Calais DC Low-Profile Baitcasting Reels

Media contact: John Mazurkiewicz/Catalyst Marketing

4x8 Digital Control Braking System

IRVINE, Calif. 7/06 -- Continuing the evolution of digital cast control systems, Shimano introduces the new Calais 200DC and left-hand retrieve Calais 201DC, both offered with Shimano’s unique new 4x8 Digital Control braking feature.
“Digital control on the Calcutta TE DC was a revolutionary advancement in baitcasting reels; however, even it had limitations such as pitching and skipping,” said Jeremy Sweet, fishing reel product manager for Shimano American Corp., and a member of Shimano’s worldwide design team for the new Calais DC reels. “In developing the Calais DC and the 4x8 Digital Control Braking System, we analyzed the casting mechanics for various conditions to come up with four different braking profiles, or modes, with eight settings in each mode to provide up to 32 different settings to handle just about any fishing situation and condition.”
These include an ‘X - extreme distance’ mode “that has a very specific profile to allow the spool to achieve more than 50,000 revolutions per minute,” Sweet states. It is designed for competition distance casting and light line surfcasting with 8- to 9-foot rods, but is typically not used in normal fishing situations.
The ‘L - long distance’ mode controls backlashes almost immediately upon releasing the bait and analyzes spool rotation during the middle portion of the cast. Sweet says this setting is ideal for low air resistance plugs like pencil baits, vibration baits and topwater plugs, and also serves as an all-around mode for most bass fishing baits from soft plastics to hard baits. “By providing more control than a centrifugal weight equipped reel, it results in fewer backlashes, longer casting distance, and requires less effort to cast,” said Sweet. “Because of a slightly lighter braking curve than the CTE-DC, the Calais DC can provide even more impressive casting performance.”
With the Calais DC reels in the ‘A - accuracy’ mode, Shimano addresses the biggest limitation of its first generation digital control reel - the Calcutta TE DC - in that it offered only one braking profile (similar to L mode), which was not good for low spool speeds. In the A mode, the digital control feature is able to engage at low spool speeds. “The DC is applying constant brake force during all portions of the cast,” Sweet said. “The strongest of the four brake modes, it is designed to prevent overruns by reducing spool rotation immediately after the cast and then continuing to add tension after the middle stage of the cast. This mode is ideal for accuracy casting styles such as pitching and skipping, and also excellent when using glass or our TC4 construction rods to fish crankbaits.”
Perhaps the most exciting innovation with the 4x8 DC system is the ‘W- wind’ mode. In this mode, the Calais DC reels can make long casts into gusty or heavy headwind conditions - a fishing situation never before possible with a baitcasting reel. Sweet explains that when a wind gust hits a typical baitcasting reel, it slows down the lure, and not the spool, usually resulting in a severe backlash. The W mode prevents backlashes immediately after the lure is released and then adds or subtracts tension on the spool to adjust for the flying position of the lure during the middle of the cast. By constantly updating the amount of brake force depending on how the lure acts in the wind, this mode increases casting distance with less chance of backlash.
Along with the 4x8 Digital Control System, the Calais DC reels also feature an extensive list of proven Shimano features including a Magnumlite aluminum spool, the Super Free bearing supported pinion gear system, High Efficiency Gearing to allow for a fast 7.0:1 gear ratio with power, and a tapered titanium levelwind insert that both makes it easier to thread the line during setup and also reduces friction and line angles during the cast to contribute to added casting distance. It will also feature the smooth performing Dartanium Drag and is capable of generating 12 pounds of drag.
Both Calais DC reels have 10 shielded A-RB anti-rust ball bearings plus one A-RB roller bearing. The spool support bearings are greaseless, which further increases the casting performance. Calais DC will retrieve up to 31 inches of line per crank, and have the spool capacity to handle from 130 yards of 10-pound test up to 100 yards of 16-pound.
Shimano backs the Calais DC with its new ‘Platinum Premier Service Plan,’ available only when an angler completes on-line warranty registration on Shimano’s web site. “With this program, Calais DC owners will receive an extended two year warranty, coupons for discounted maintenance fees ranging from half off to free, and guaranteed 48-hour service turnaround,” said Brian Nolte with Shimano’s tech support department.
For more information on the new Calais DC baitcasting reels with visit the Shimano web site - http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/fish/sac/us/en.html - for additional reel features and further details on the unique 4x8 Digital Control braking system, or call or call Shimano’s product support team at 877/577-0600 (6 am to 5 pm Pacific Standard Time).