2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Reels are the hottest topic for TackleTour. Everyone wants to know what the latest and greatest is and how they compare to the old guard. What's the best for light stuff, or what's your suggestion for heavy cover. Do we really need different retrieve ratios? It's all in here.
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2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by freelancer27 » Sun Nov 14, 2021 8:52 am

Hi all,

I have decided to upgrade my reel on my chatter-bait/spinnerbait rod (St.Croix 7'4H legend elite). I am running a older Daiwa Coastal on it right now and while the reel is decent it is just not as smooth as I am hoping for and just not as sexy. ;-P



The two reels that I am choosing between are the 2021 Antares DC (probably in XG) and the 2021 Calcutta Conquest 201HG (I have the 101HG and I am digging it!), also throwing in the SLP Ryoga (I am hearing though that this reel has some side plate issues that can lead to wobbling of it).

Would love to get some thoughts from people who have either reel (or even both) to see what they would recommend.

I am mostly throwing spinnerbaits, chatter-baits and underspins with this combo, where the total weight lure ranges between 1/2 -1.25oz.

SInce I am using this combo a lot from the bank, distance is important but I also would like to invest in a reel that is and stays smooth.

I had the 2016 Antares DC and still have the 2018 Antares DC MD. Both of these reels were smooth to begin with, but just didnt stay as smooth as one would hope for.


Would appreciate any opinions and suggestions.

Thanks folks!

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by Cal » Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:13 am

Could just be me but I see the Antares option for your chatterbaits and one of the others for your spinnerbaits due to the difference in retrieve ratios....
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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by LowRange » Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:15 am

I want a DC reel for a spinnerbait reel to cast into the wind so the Antares DC gets my vote. If the modern Ryogas are like my LIN10 BJ then they have a strong braking profile that should make casts into strong wind a non issue but ultimately feel choked off in pure distance.

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by freelancer27 » Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:25 am

Cal wrote:
Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:13 am
Could just be me but I see the Antares option for your chatterbaits and one of the others for your spinnerbaits due to the difference in retrieve ratios....
Thanks Cal. I am not sure I 100% follow your post, could you please clarify?

Thanks!

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by freelancer27 » Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:26 am

LowRange wrote:
Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:15 am
I want a DC reel for a spinnerbait reel to cast into the wind so the Antares DC gets my vote. If the modern Ryogas are like my LIN10 BJ then they have a strong braking profile that should make casts into strong wind a non issue but ultimately feel choked off in pure distance.
Yeah, DC reel would make sense, but I have a trained thumb and would not like to trade off (long term) smoothness and reliability for some ease of casting.

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by Cal » Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:28 am

freelancer27 wrote:
Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:25 am

Thanks Cal. I am not sure I 100% follow your post, could you please clarify?

Thanks!
Faster reel = Chatterbait

Slower reel = spinnerbait

;)
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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by freelancer27 » Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:30 am

Cal wrote:
Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:28 am
freelancer27 wrote:
Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:25 am

Thanks Cal. I am not sure I 100% follow your post, could you please clarify?

Thanks!
Faster reel = Chatterbait

Slower reel = spinnerbait

;)
Ahh! Now your post makes sense :mrgreen:
Thanks!

I prefer a quicker retrieve ratio for both techniques. I can always slow down ;-)

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by NOLRAMB » Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:29 am

I have the SLP Ryoga, I did swap out the cork knobs, I just didn't like them.

I have it paired with a Daiwa BLX LG 7ft4 MH, it's one of my favorite do everything combos, this and a ML spinning rod and I can cover most applications if I'm not in my boat.

The reel is not choked off at all, I have 14 LB Sunline Structure on it, and I can toss 3/8 football jigs up to a Gantarel JR (I can cast larger baits utilizing a different rod) effortlessly without wishing for more distance, it casts just like my Steez A's if you're familiar with those reels.

It's used for 1/2-3/4 Warhammer spinnerbaits, DUH spoons and Lv500's mostly.

Just a great workhorse reel if you are wanting a round reel, although not really much difference between the SLP vs the current standard Ryoga, the SLP does not have magical but that's a non issue for my applications.
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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by freelancer27 » Sun Nov 14, 2021 11:27 am

NOLRAMB wrote:
Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:29 am
I have the SLP Ryoga, I did swap out the cork knobs, I just didn't like them.

I have it paired with a Daiwa BLX LG 7ft4 MH, it's one of my favorite do everything combos, this and a ML spinning rod and I can cover most applications if I'm not in my boat.

The reel is not choked off at all, I have 14 LB Sunline Structure on it, and I can toss 3/8 football jigs up to a Gantarel JR (I can cast larger baits utilizing a different rod) effortlessly without wishing for more distance, it casts just like my Steez A's if you're familiar with those reels.

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I have a Steez A as well and like its casting performance

Have you heard/ experienced the side plate issue of the Ryoga? Some vids on YT suggest that the reels's side plate can get loose and wobble, because of the fragile closing mechanism.

How would you rate the long term reliability and smoothness of the Ryoga?

Thanks again for your time!

It's used for 1/2-3/4 Warhammer spinnerbaits, DUH spoons and Lv500's mostly.

Just a great workhorse reel if you are wanting a round reel, although not really much difference between the SLP vs the current standard Ryoga, the SLP does not have magical but that's a non issue for my applications.

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by NOLRAMB » Sun Nov 14, 2021 11:38 am

I haven't had any issues with the sideplate, on this Version or the standard Daiwa Ryoga, but I don't beat on my equipment either.

I have used this reel with the Berkley Dredger for deep cranking even though it's a 6.3 the reel is super smooth still, it is one of my work horse reels so it gets used often.

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by LowRange » Sun Nov 14, 2021 12:04 pm

NOLRAMB wrote:
Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:29 am
I have the SLP Ryoga, I did swap out the cork knobs, I just didn't like them.

I have it paired with a Daiwa BLX LG 7ft4 MH, it's one of my favorite do everything combos, this and a ML spinning rod and I can cover most applications if I'm not in my boat.

The reel is not choked off at all, I have 14 LB Sunline Structure on it, and I can toss 3/8 football jigs up to a Gantarel JR (I can cast larger baits utilizing a different rod) effortlessly without wishing for more distance, it casts just like my Steez A's if you're familiar with those reels.

It's used for 1/2-3/4 Warhammer spinnerbaits, DUH spoons and Lv500's mostly.

Just a great workhorse reel if you are wanting a round reel, although not really much difference between the SLP vs the current standard Ryoga, the SLP does not have magical but that's a non issue for my applications.
Is that a glass black label? I kinda want one for my Alphas with homemade HLC spool and braid for bombing 1/2 traps over grass expanses. That price tag though.

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by NOLRAMB » Sun Nov 14, 2021 12:26 pm

It's not fiberglass, it's surprisingly great for bottom contact, could be used as a C-Rig rod.

At one point they were $199.99 I bought 3 of them, this model and two 7ft MH Xfast.

They are great at the normal price point, when they were 199.99 they were unbeatable, and I'm pretty Jaded with Racing Designs and Kaleidos

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by freelancer27 » Sun Nov 14, 2021 5:43 pm

Ordered the 2021 Antares DC. Was a close call between it and the Ryoga (since I already have the 2021 CC I wanted to try something new).

What made the difference for me was the gear ratio, line capacity and weight and cast control in windy situations.

Let's see if I made the right call.

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by freelancer27 » Sat Nov 20, 2021 12:28 pm

Went out with the 2021 Antares DC XG yesterday and fished everything from a 3/8oz spinnerbait (with trailer) to a 3/4oz underspin and a 3/4 oz chatterbait.

The pros:

* smoothest DC reel I have experienced so far. I hope it stays that way! ;-)

* much improved tolerances. Little to no play in handle and knobs

* no more hollow play as I experienced it in the 2016 and 2018 Anres DCs


(Potential) Cons:

* this thing sits high on the reel seat.
* casting distance is solid but not absolutely amazing (i had 17# Armilo on it)
* not the right gear ratio for higher resistance baits.

I decided after todays shootout to put the reel on my frog rod. Need to decide now if i still want to get the Conquest 201hg or choose an existing reel...

First world problems 🤣

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Re: 2021 Antares DC vs 2021 CC HG vs SLP Ryoga for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits

Post by Edward78 » Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:21 am

I have a conquest 101 HG and a Antares 21 HG and they are both fine reels of course but the Antares gear ratio between the HG and standard are far apart and not what I prefer when it comes to spinnerbaits or even chatterbaits. The conquest 200/201 is the superior reel for those baits IMO.

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