HELP! Shimano Scorpion DC 2017 Problems 2025
Quinner006 reply :
Hey guys,
First time post, I've used the site a ton for information but just signed up today.
I finally got my Shimano Scorpion DC 2017 101HG reel this past week that I've been anxiously waiting for, however I've had big problems with it all 3 times I've taken it out. I easily get twice the amount of backlash (counterproductive to what it's supposed to help with) than I do clean casts and I also haven't heard the "whine" either which is concerning. I've watched all the reviews and read a ton about the reel so I am pretty familiar with the settings and brakes and what not. I have it spooled with 20lb braid (I have the internal brakes set on PE) and first started throwing a 3/8oz jig. I have used each of the external settings (A-4) and have had backlash on all of them, I have also tinkered with the spool tension knob which has helped a little but when tightened too much I don't get much distance (and have to hand peel line once it hits the water to get the lure into the water). I have had issues will other lures as well (crankbait, jerkbait, shakyhead) with trying many different combinations of settings. I've also tried treating it like I would with a normal reel settings wise and still get backlash, it isn't like I'm casting too hard (which shouldn't matter anyway?). I am really concerned because I've been looking forward to this reel so much and just have at zero luck using it, and I certainly want to hear that "whine"!
Any and all suggestions/comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
20# braid is too light in my opinion. It may be digging in. It's impossible to tell if the brake system is working sight unseen.
Further North reply :
On 1/22/2018 at 4:59 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:20# braid is too light in my opinion. It may be digging in. It's impossible to tell if the brake system is working sight unseen.
I was going to ask about the line choice.
I'd run nothing less than 50# braid on that reel. I have one baitcaster I drop down to 30# on, but it's a BFS rig.
iabass8 reply :
20# braid is fine. 30# is a little easier to use but 20 isn't terrible on a 101. If you got the reel new and you're confident it isn't user error just swap it out for a new one. It's that or send it away to make sure it's working correctly.
Riazuli reply :
I've heard the DC system needs to charge. I've heard that a heavy bait set to high brakes will charge the system faster (makes sense as there is more force being applied to the system).
Maico1 reply :
On 1/22/2018 at 10:48 AM, Riazuli said:I've heard the DC system needs to charge. I've heard that a heavy bait set to high brakes will charge the system faster (makes sense as there is more force being applied to the system).
Really.....The charge that you mention is generated while the spool is rotating on a cast , has nothing to do with a heavy bait creating more force.
On 1/22/2018 at 1:35 AM, Quinner006 said:Hey guys,
First time post, I've used the site a ton for information but just signed up today.
I finally got my Shimano Scorpion DC 2017 101HG reel this past week that I've been anxiously waiting for, however I've had big problems with it all 3 times I've taken it out. I easily get twice the amount of backlash (counterproductive to what it's supposed to help with) than I do clean casts and I also haven't heard the "whine" either which is concerning. I've watched all the reviews and read a ton about the reel so I am pretty familiar with the settings and brakes and what not. I have it spooled with 20lb braid (I have the internal brakes set on PE) and first started throwing a 3/8oz jig. I have used each of the external settings (A-4) and have had backlash on all of them, I have also tinkered with the spool tension knob which has helped a little but when tightened too much I don't get much distance (and have to hand peel line once it hits the water to get the lure into the water). I have had issues will other lures as well (crankbait, jerkbait, shakyhead) with trying many different combinations of settings. I've also tried treating it like I would with a normal reel settings wise and still get backlash, it isn't like I'm casting too hard (which shouldn't matter anyway?). I am really concerned because I've been looking forward to this reel so much and just have at zero luck using it, and I certainly want to hear that "whine"!
Any and all suggestions/comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Send it back , since you do not hear the DC Whine there is something wrong with the Digital Control Unit......
J Francho reply :
On 1/22/2018 at 1:35 AM, Quinner006 said:Any and all suggestions/comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Contact Shimano. It's a warranty issue. Return for exchange.
Quinner006 reply :
On 1/22/2018 at 4:59 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:20# braid is too light in my opinion. It may be digging in. It's impossible to tell if the brake system is working sight unseen.
On 1/22/2018 at 8:57 AM, Further North said:I was going to ask about the line choice.
I'd run nothing less than 50# braid on that reel. I have one baitcaster I drop down to 30# on, but it's a BFS rig.
On 1/22/2018 at 10:25 AM, iabass8 said:20# braid is fine. 30# is a little easier to use but 20 isn't terrible on a 101. If you got the reel new and you're confident it isn't user error just swap it out for a new one. It's that or send it away to make sure it's working correctly.
I’ve only heard any of the whine with nothing tied on and the Spool tension all the way loosened and really spinning the handle hard, never on a cast. Why would 50# braid make a difference? Especially when they have settings for several different lines, certainly they can’t expect you to throw ONLY mega heavy lines with the reel?
iabass8 reply :
On 1/23/2018 at 2:34 AM, Quinner006 said:
I’ve only heard any of the whine with nothing tied on and the Spool tension all the way loosened and really spinning the handle hard, never on a cast. Why would 50# braid make a difference? Especially when they have settings for several different lines, certainly they can’t expect you to throw ONLY mega heavy lines with the reel?
The don't expect that. 50# just had a larger diameter and is "easier" to throw and doesn't dig in as much. Don't think line is your issue. Just send the reel back for an exchange.
J Francho reply :
Seriously, it's got to be defective or something else is going on.
Quinner006 reply :
On 1/23/2018 at 3:07 AM, iabass8 said:The don't expect that. 50# just had a larger diameter and is "easier" to throw and doesn't dig in as much. Don't think line is your issue. Just send the reel back for an exchange.
On 1/23/2018 at 3:10 AM, J Francho said:Seriously, it's got to be defective or something else is going on.
I purchased it from Japan Tackle. I’ve emailed them. They ask that you pay the $20 in shipping to send it back, which is unfortunate.
iabass8 reply :
Diagnosing sounds and brakes is pretty much impossible via the forums. Could be a bunch of different things. You seem like you've done your research on the reel and have at least a basic understanding on how to set up a reel on a beginner level. You've tried countless settings and still get the same result....brakes aren't engaging. Unless you know somebody locally that can look at it for you, you have 2 options being its new. Send it back for a return or send it to a reel repair shop to look at it.
J Francho reply :
On 1/23/2018 at 3:20 AM, Quinner006 said:I purchased it from Japan Tackle. I’ve emailed them. They ask that you pay the $20 in shipping to send it back, which is unfortunate.
That's the risk you take up front buying JDM gear.
Quinner006 reply :
On 1/22/2018 at 10:25 AM, iabass8 said:20# braid is fine. 30# is a little easier to use but 20 isn't terrible on a 101. If you got the reel new and you're confident it isn't user error just swap it out for a new one. It's that or send it away to make sure it's working correctly.
Just spooled it with some 50# I had in my tacklebox and same result. ????
iabass8 reply :
Send it on back. You could e-mail JapanTackle and ask for a prepaid shipping label being yours is defective. I don't know their return policy though.
Quinner006 reply :
On 1/23/2018 at 4:34 AM, iabass8 said:Send it on back. You could e-mail JapanTackle and ask for a prepaid shipping label being yours is defective. I don't know their return policy though.
Waiting to hear back from them, I am almost certain it is defective but it makes me extremely nervous even about the replacement/the DC reels.
iabass8 reply :
Understandable. It does happen though. Japan Tackle is a good retailer. Same goes for Digitaka and JPangler. Shipping sucks (time wise)from anywhere in Japan though unless you do express EMS which is usually +/- 20$.
Riazuli reply :
On 1/22/2018 at 11:10 PM, Maico1 said:Really.....The charge that you mention is generated while the spool is rotating on a cast , has nothing to do with a heavy bait creating more force.
Send it back , since you do not hear the DC Whine there is something wrong with the Digital Control Unit......
You clearly must not understand what "I've heard" followed by helpful suggestions indicates. Consideration of charging, regardless of specifics, is better than just sending it in.
Ideally, a heavy lure, if manageable without a charged system, will result in more rotations due to more force applied which will result in more charge applied - does that make sense?
iabass8 reply :
On 1/23/2018 at 8:29 AM, Riazuli said:You clearly must not understand what "I've heard" followed by helpful suggestions indicates. Consideration of charging, regardless of specifics, is better than just sending it in.
Ideally, a heavy lure, if manageable without a charged system, will result in more rotations due to more force applied which will result in more charge applied - does that make sense?
Maico1 has a larger collection and experience /w the flagship DC reels and high end Shimanos in general than almost everybody....Gut feeling....he understands these reels better than most....
Riazuli reply :
On 1/23/2018 at 8:54 AM, iabass8 said:Maico1 has a larger collection and experience /w the flagship DC reels and high end Shimanos in general than almost everybody....Gut feeling....he understands these reels better than most....
Him having a lot of these reels doesn't warrant the way he responded. I was giving a helpful suggestion based on what I've heard and what makes sense. I clearly indicated that this was second hand knowledge and what I am proposing is not based off on my own experience - I may not have clearly laid out some of the specifics in my first post, but to snidely say "really" and the "charge you mention" and then say that spool speed has nothing to do with a heavy bait creating more force is plain wrong (according to laws of physics). The heavy brakes obviously aren't factor until the DC kicks in - and if it does actually kick in. The tension knob (referred to as mechanical brakes by some would need to be set to "heavy" to of course prevent backlash when the DC system is not engaging) This was a suggestion for something to try and consider before simply sending it in. Again, this is based off what I have read and heard and has reportedly worked for others.
I, admittedly, should not have been "more" snide in my response to him...but...he started it 
(end sarcasm)
Also, @Quinner006, if you're not getting a full cast due to backlash, then it seems like you're not getting a solid opportunity to charge the system (based on my limited knowledge of DC reels). You could try keeping the tension knob tight and doing a bunch of casts that way to see if the DC system kicks in (maybe cast 20 times or something like that and then try different settings on the brakes with less on the tension knob - the number I mentioned is arbitrary and it may require more or less). If you've tried everything mentioned, then there may indeed be an issue with the system.
J Francho reply :
Sorry, this last post has some erroneous terms and explanations. I fish with Maico, and have used his reels. It may be best to sit back, listen, and learn rather expound on your "limited knowledge of DC reels." Your words. DC doesn't work the way you're describing.
Riazuli reply :
On 1/23/2018 at 9:39 PM, J Francho said:Sorry, this last post has some erroneous terms and explanations. I fish with Maico, and have used his reels. It may be best to sit back, listen, and learn rather expound on your "limited knowledge of DC reels." Your words. DC doesn't work the way you're describing.
Can you please point out the erroneous terms and explanations? Also, me having a limited knowledge of a DC reel doesn't mean I have a limited knowledge of how things in general work. Not one person in this thread has mentioned to consider trying to charge the DC system - are you saying it doesn't charge from casts? (I'm aware that it does). Everything I have mentioned is based off of similar situations that have actually worked for other people. It seems like you're scrutinizing some of the less significant points (if they are actually wrong) and missing the main point of a simple consideration before the riding the bandwagon of just sending it in and creating more work and headache for the OP and the seller when a simple fix might (keyword might) work.
I can't be wrong in asking someone to consider something reasonable that has worked for other people. It's pretty shocking that I'm getting slack in this thread for that. It if works, great, if it doesn't, at least it was tried before doing something that might be unnecessary (like sending the reel back...) Pretty sure that's a general principle of life...
Riazuli reply :
On 1/23/2018 at 9:39 PM, J Francho said:On 1/23/2018 at 9:39 PM, J Francho said:Sorry, this last post has some erroneous terms and explanations. I fish with Maico, and have used his reels. It may be best to sit back, listen, and learn rather expound on your "limited knowledge of DC reels." Your words. DC doesn't work the way you're describing.
Additionally, when you say DC doesn't work the way I'm describing, I've literally gone off what Maico said in that "The charge that you mention is generated while the spool is rotating on a cast , has nothing to do with a heavy bait creating more force. "
Minus the second part, because that, if anything here, is actually incorrect. To say that a heavy bait creating more force doesn't result in more spool rotations is plain wrong. If there weren't more spool rotations, heavy baits wouldn't cast further (unless you go too heavy for the setup of course).
I don't mean any disrespect, just stating the facts.
iabass8 reply :
You don’t need to create the extra force to charge DC reel. Asking the OP to go try casting to charge the reel is redundant. He’s clearly been casting the reel over and over with the same results. 5 more times or 500 times isnt going to make a diference. You don’t need to huck a large bait every so often to charge the board. All things equal, including distance to target, the spool travels the same distance regardless if its a 1/16 oz bait or a 4oz bait. Working correctly, 1 short cast is enough. Saying it doesn’t is like saying adding a longer handle increases a reel’s IPT (which it doesn’t).
OP, you can try sending your reel to reelX. He might have a quicker turn around and knows shimanos really well. Otherwise Ian could look at it from TT but he’s a bit behind right now I think.
Riazuli reply :
Thank you for explaining that. It was my understanding that the OP was not actually getting a decent cast in due to backlash. You're right of course if the distance is equal that bait size doesn't matter. My thought was that a heavier lure (say a 3/4) might get him out further than a 1/8 (again depending on setups). And then the further cast would charge the system more - this comment of mine is based off of someone who had the same problem (as far as what's being described) and this approach got him running again. That being said - I gave a suggestion not a verdict.
It helps to explain like you have in this learning and contributing environment even if you have to be a bit direct than just be condescending without really explaining anything. That rarely solves anything. So, thank you!
J Francho reply :
On 1/24/2018 at 12:16 PM, iabass8 said:he’s a bit behind right now I think
We're all behind. It's winter. Haven't even looked at my reels yet! 
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