Real World Tests: It's been a long time since I've fished the Amazon (too long), but what two trips to fisherman's paradise instilled in me is an appreciation for a stick seven feet or shorter in length that can handle big, bulky baits. So instead of pairing my 23 Antares DC MD up with a traditional big bait stick, I mounted it on the current top candidate as my go to stick were I ever to return to the jungle, Evergreen International's Giant Dire Wolf - a six foot, eleven inch stick (6'-11") stick with a maximum lure rating of eight ounces (8oz).

Refinements in brake settings are made here...

For fishing line, I maintained the giants and monsters theme of this combo by choosing Varivas's Monster PE Si-X in PE #4 then varying my choice in leader dependent upon the baits I intended to fish relying upon Seaguar's Tatsu FC when the situation called for a fluorocarbon (anything subsurface) and either Sunline's Saltimate Nylon Leader or Varivas's Absolute BBM when the situation called for a nylon monofilament (usually topwater baits). My current connection knot of choice is the Alberto.

... but the basis for the brake's performance is first set inside

Casting: Shimano's 4x8DC braking system has been around for quite some time, so it's nothing new. What is new for the 4x8DC MD are the options on the 4 side of the settings. Normally, F (fluorocarbon), P (braid), N (nylon), and X (for long casting), the last mode is transformed to XB and is intended for slinging for big baits. Then, while in XB mode, the external dial's 8 adjustment points are designed for specific bait profiles. Going from Min to Max on that dial, positions one to three (1-3) are suggested for slim profiled big baits with little wind resistance like spoons, big lipless cranks, or large, one-piece topwater walkers. Four (4) is suggested for big, heavy plugs like Megabass's M series cranks.

Brake Setting XP (inside) + 4 (outside) is intended for large plugs like the Megabass M series of cranks

Five (5) is described as well suited for streamlined glides like GanCraft's Jointed Claw or Deps' SlideSwimmer, while six (6) is the choice if your baits have more of a sunfish shape like U.F.O. Bait Co's gill baits. You can see how the breakdown is going. Basically the lower end of the dial is for baits with the least wind resistance and you adjust the dial up from there with seven and eight (7 & 8) being the best choice for large spinnerbaits and umbrella rigs.

Brake Setting XP + 5 is for more aerodynamic big baits like Gan Craft's Jointed Claw

But even more important is the way the DC system supposedly monitors the line during a cast to help alleviate the occurrence of your baits tumbling in the air leading to better distance, more efficiency, and less fouling of your bait and line.

Brake Setting XP + 6 provides more control for big baits with less than ideal aerodynamics like these gill profiles (Evergreen International left, U.F.O. Bait Co. right)

To be honest, I remain a bit skeptical how much refinement was made to the "X" mode on this 4x8DC MD system versus simply adding the "B" to the X, but I've never actually fished my other 4x8DC enabled reels in X mode, so I can't say for sure. What I can say is the 23 Antares MD DC casts all manner of baits in that same, familiar and reliable manner all my DC reels do, and that's what counts. I cannot say for certain, however, that the brakes better manage the tumbling effect with my casts since I still experienced some - not a lot, but some. I think tumbling has a lot more to do the actual bait that you have tied on, as well as with your casting motion.

The reel's handle measures 88 mm from center of knob to center of knob

Next: An Monster Retrieve?