Super User Catch and Grease Posted May 1, 2014 Super User Posted May 1, 2014 My uncle just gave me 5 rods and reels from the 1970's because he doesnt freshwater fish anymore and figured i would use them more, but out of the five I decided to try an old Shimano bantam 100 casting reel thats 30+ years old first and it is amazing! He takes very good care of his reels and this really old reel feels like it was made yesterday and it cast very good. You can get these bantam 100's in good condition at 50-100$... Anybody else use this reel, i was just wondering if anyone else loves these old reels as much as me. 1 Quote
Dave P Posted May 1, 2014 Posted May 1, 2014 I had the newer generation black one. It's was one of the best reels I've ever owned. It' met it's end when a rod blew out of the boat going down the highway... Quote
Super User bigbill Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 Looks to me you might have some collectables there? Quote
Super User WRB Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 The jewel in the original Bantoms was the 1000 SG, wonderful casting reels that I have fished for years until the anti reverse bearing reels came out. Still have 2 of 1000 SG's. Tom Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted May 2, 2014 Author Super User Posted May 2, 2014 I have one of those 1000 SG too! I'll spool some line on it and try it out tommorrow Quote
Super User .RM. Posted May 2, 2014 Super User Posted May 2, 2014 I believe Curados are still better and cast farther still but thats a 150-200$ reel. you can get these bantam 100's in good condition at 50-100$ and its worth every penny... Anybody else use this reel, i was just wondering if anyone else loves these old reels as much as me. They were great reels in their time. But they were discontinued in the late70's early 80's. There are no parts/support availible and those reels will not hold up to todays lines or fishing techniques. They were originaly trout reels 10's, 100's, 1000's, the name Bantam means (small). The were tooled right after the first Shimano Lew's were tooled, in the 70's.... Just an old service techs .02¢ Tight Lines! Quote
John G Posted May 2, 2014 Posted May 2, 2014 The old Bantams were fine reels in their day and you can find ones on ebay that are in great shape and perfect working order but IMHO, and the opinions of very experienced reel techs, due to parts availability and other reasons, they should be set aside and admired for what they were. Quote
greyleg33 Posted May 3, 2014 Posted May 3, 2014 I have a baker's dozen or more of the old Bantam 150 and 250 selective anti-reverse reels. Great reels and I still keep a couple in the holster. Quote
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