Final update: this little reel is the little engine that could kzfaq.infoUgkxSlytCJqozTF7EbdP4LWP-HUXf9WRDJ0e . It performed flawlessly and was easy to adjust drag in the moment while I was battling a 35lb bat ray behemoth. Mind you, this reel is spooled with only 25 lb braid and 25 mono topshot. It's paired with the kastking telescopic heavy power rod and the two work well together. This has now earned my respect and confidence when traveling and fishing. If you have ever hooked into large rays and sharks, you know they pull extremely hard and can run forever! This thing clamped down on the fish and was easy to adjust during the fight. It has a nice decently fast retrieve as well. Twice the fish went on mad runs and I was able to gain back line quickly to avoid spooling.

Only channel that gives us a sneak peak at the new stuff, awesome stuff.

2023 Antares DCMD definitely the best so far! Glad they finally made a new model for it.

When it comes to daiwa and Shimano, Shimano will always be my biased

I preordered my Antares monster drive from Japan tackle since it was announced. It finally shipped Friday and according to FedEx it should arrive tomorrow 🙌🏻

Shimano vid while rocking Daiwa gear 3/4 of the vid 😂. Love Shimano from now until the last cast. Vanquish is the new grail for me.

I might take a look at that new Vanquish reel, but right now I have my heart set on a ‘23 Airity. I started out a Shimano spinning reel fan decades ago, but in the past 5-7 years, have purchased more Daiwa reels than Shimano.

I imported a Scorpion MGL. I liked it so much I ordered a replacement spool and put it in my Curado 200k. Replacement parts are pricey though. It would've been cheaper to sell my 200k and pick up a 150 MGL, but I find Shimano reels in that price range are hit or miss. I got lucky and my Curado 200k is finger on butter smooth, but I've had others where they were smooth, but not that finger on butter feeling, even after I tore it down and regreased everything. So if I find one, I like to hang on to them.

Ben that 'Antares is sooo sick, same with the Vanquish! I talked shit about the digital Diawa, and said I'd rather 4 Mentaniums 😅 I'm loving what you have here today'!!! I guess I'm a Shimano guy these days. I don't hate Daiwa by any means though.haha!

That Antares DC MD is a must buy so sexy

As an absolute Daiwa fanboy, I was actually hoping for a successor to the Z2020. After a long wait, I will now use the Antares DC MD for my Megabass Valkyrie World Expedition VKC-711XH-4, or do you have a better idea? However, on the Black Jack I am super happy with the Tatula 300 XSL...

I'm loving the newer excense dc that thing is buttery

Thanks for the sneak peek! I started into bfs last fall, so I am really interested in the Calcutta conquest bfs. I will probably add it to my collection, but I will give it some time for you guys or others to get their hands on it and do a review. While I can appreciate the other new additions to the lineup, most of them don't fit my usage needs. Although, The new Antares MD probably helped with lowering the cost of the 2021 Antares DC model that I recently picked up. One of the best things about new gear and technology is that it usually trickles down into other reels in the future. I would love to see more stuff with bfs lures and equipment in the future. Do you guys stock and finesse hard baits that might work well for panfish like bluegill and crappie? I just purchased the LC 0.1 FTS, but they only come in a shad pattern.

It's all preference guys, don't shit your boat. They all look like sick reels. I love Daiwa. I love Shimano, too. I think someone who prefers one over the other can find any feature of that reel and use it against any feature of another brand's reel because it's all proprietary technology. Shimano doesn't share DC and MGL and Daiwa is not going to share their tech. It's up to you to decide what you want. Ben and the guys are Daiwa fanboys but they do a great job of not absolutely shitting on Shimano like most Daiwa Dudes. Keep the Shimano in the game, Daiwa Dudes, it keeps the technology improving through competition. All good. Fish on!

Just got my Calcutta Conquest md 400 in the mail today changed the handle for a Gold Gomexus Handles and Boca Bearings

New Calcutta looks dope! 🔥🔥🔥👀

Shimano❤👑✌️

Great video boys,thank you 👏👏👍

I'm going to need one of those BFS Calcutta's for my Pagani TRAD . . .

Thanks for all the info! Waiting on a new certate here. Or even one to come in stock. Just got my windbuster (thank you for that as well!) so I need a good reel for that😊

Thanks for the updates! Have a few Calcutta's (Conquest, TE, 400) and you are right - they just work! I was not fan of the Tranx, but are any of those other low profiles saltwater ready for jigging (think Tranx 300). Thanks!

Can you cast 10 oz lures on the Calcutta 400 MD? Thank you!

I like what I see.... looking forward to them.

I hope the higher speed and braking trickles down to the D. Not holding my breath. I really like the location of the star drag on the D. It makes a noticeable difference in side torque under load.

Shimano stella forever ;)

Can't wait for the reels to be here so I can just look at them. 😂 they look killer!

Preordered the vanquish.

Subbed I am new to fishing and this seems like my kind of people!

Ah yes.... Ben's Shimano philosophy The "This will hurt me more than it does you" before I got the Belt.

BBBEEENNN!

No new Aldebaran?

Im looking forward to the Vanquish FC in a 2500S or a 3000MHG. But usually we have to see which gearings there are available. Everything above 3ft(90 cm) retrieve per handleturn i do not like. Any high end DC Reel is welcomed.

Hey guys.. Shimano is Jennifer Lopez. And Diawa is Rosie Perez.. Both are star worthy.. BUT... I only crave one.. But would f÷#% both.. Both are great for fishing.. Ha.

Looking for a good reel to go with an orochi xx launcher for deep cranking. Really want one of these calcuttas but think the 7.4:1 ratio is a bit too much. Thoughts?

I know it's not new but. Can u guys bring the shimano scorpion 300MD over here u really don't see them over here at all?

How can you compare it to the 2019 vanquish is it the same or different from the new one 23 model or is it the same reel as the last one I love the last 19 vanquish

I wonder if the slx 70 dc xt will come over here as a curado. I'd love a smaller, affordable dc reel.

Love it, u Rock 😊👍

I'm really hard on brands I love as well. I want them to be the best, even though the depth of competition is absurd. So many great brands out there.

The gravity in Japan is a little weaker. That’s why the reel felt lighter 😗

How much will the new Great Hunting rods be? They look super dope!

Looking swell

#TEAMDAIWA

New swimbait reels for Shimano's armajoint

What are the knobs on the Antares?? Cheers

Strange hearing you prefer Daiwa. My experience has been entirely negative. My Daiwa lexa i cant stand, the levelwind failed my first week of fishing and i hate how i cant pack line on the spool without it rubbing on the lower part of the frame. My curado 300 has the smallest amount more of clearance between spool and frame which solves the issue. I just feel Diawa reels aren't as well designed and the quality control is seriously lacking. My $30 dollar Shimano sienna feels more sensitive than my 80 dollar Daiwa reagal as did my old 300 curado to the lexa.. The Daiwa broke a spring on the bail arm on day one while the sienna is still going strong years later!

Hell yeah

why do you think shimano spinning is not as good or better than diawa. i have the new stella, exits, and airity and have put time on all of them. stella is by far the smoothest (im including startup inertia in smoothness rating), id say drag is a tie, drag sound i like exist best, exist is lighter, stella is more durable. overall id say all these reels are a dream to fish with but on a windy day and all reels with d braid i got wind knots on only the exist and not stella or airity also had line get under the spool on the exit and not stella or airity. stella also beats the breaks off of every other reel with line management in this new version and the slow rise and fall of the stella spool looks amazing. i think all 3 reels are amazing but if i had to pick a winner it would b the shimano stella by a hair. has your experiences with these reels been different? id say id buy stella for alot of rods as it balances my longer spinning rods much better than en exist but an exist will balance out my shorter rods much better then a stella. im talking bout diawa, megabass, croix, and loomis top end rods so they are all light but alot of the 7ft 3-6 inch rods balance better with a bit heavier of a reel like stella and not a exist or airty or vanquish for that matter an vice versa for shorter rods. I want the chance to fish with ben, not only would it be a blast but i could try to convert you to liking shimano as well as diawa, my reels are split about 50/50. Also very disappointed in new exist badging on spool, the old version was engraved and would last a lifetime this new one is just like printed on like a $100 reel i feel like all the badging and text on the spool will ware off of the new exist unlike old one, for a $850+ reel youd think they could spend an extra few bucks to engrave the spool badging and writing, why would they make a new version with spool badging/writing that is a downgrade from the 2018 version.

Anything about the limitbreaker that’s coming out next month?

What, no Shimano hoodie? 🤣

Will the new Antares come with that handle ??

Hey Ben, you have any experience or insight with the NRX+ 883C BJR? I bought one along with the new Bantam 151HG and plan on using it for bladed jigs, lipless cranks, and other reaction baits. Thanks!

Swimbait anglers rejoice 🥳

Is the Calcutta conquest Md releasing in USA ?

I've been fishing for 31 years. I've used almost every brand reel. Okuma, Shimano, Daiwa, Penn, Abu Garcia, quantum, lews, Mitchell, pflueger, tsunami. None of them compare to Shimano. I have a couple of Shimano IX spinning reels that only cost $15 each. I've had them for 8 years already in freshwater and saltwater. Not one problem. Daiwa reels are second rate. Very good quality as well. But Shimano has the edge.

Already pre-order the Calcutta conquest bfs

Very interesting their coming with stock Gomexus handles

Thankfully I’m not brand loyal. I love both Daiwa and shimano. Unless you’re sponsored, it would be foolish not to experience both.

Good morning from NC

Great info, what reel would you suggest for 10oz and up baits?

They need to give me a bantam bfs. I don't know why, but the bantam is the only Shimano I care about.

Are they saltwater?

Ben wears diawa talking about Shimano. Lmao 🤣

Are u going to be selling any of the scorpion reels soon?

Are the daiwa silverwolf coming back in?

Guy is just making things up as he goes trying to explain these reels 🤣

Are you bringing in the Huntsman Rod?

What are the issues with the current Metanium?

Ben what are the bugs in metaium. Bassmd

All these DRT purist fanbois are gonna boycott shimano now because of the knobs just you watch🤣🤣🤣

Everyone wearing masks except for the arrogant American! LOL. Great stuff as always, guys!

It feels like you have in your mind that if you make a statement, then say "right" afterwards, it makes your statement more effective. In fact, it makes your statement annoying for me and I just couldn't finish watching this video. I may try watching a different one in the future. Good luck!

I just threw up in my mouth a little, you used the word "fashion" 3 times in a fishing reel video. Bfs has been infected with hipster-itis.Yes I have issues.

All these DRT purist fanbois are gonna boycott shimano now because of the knobs just you watch🤣🤣🤣