Super User Senko lover Posted October 14, 2015 Super User Posted October 14, 2015 So there's this older man in my church who has amassed a huge, and I mean a huge, collection of tackle over the years; he fished FLW as a coangler for a while and now he fishes tournaments in the area almost every weekend. In an extremely generous gesture, he gave me a custom rod and a Shimano Bantam Curado last night! It's my first Shimano caster, and I know little to nothing about it, but I knew ya'll could help me out. The reel seems like a workhouse, and I love it. But I would like to get new handles for it....something more like the current curado or cronarch handles. What kind of handles will fit on the reel? I've never switched out handles before, so I know absolutely nothing. Also, what's the difference between a Bantam and a Bantam B:51? Lastly, he popped off the side plate so quickly last night that I thought I would be able to duplicate it equally, but I can't seem get them off, and I don't want to break it trying to go about it the wrong way. How do you get it off? Thanks guys. Quote
DirtyDeuceGoose Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 As far as the side plate goes if memory serves me correctly, you pop the key up and unscrew until it's loose. It's been a while since I've handle a greenie! 1 Quote
Basswhippa Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 That reel is legendary. I have 4 myself. It is what our poster Big O favors, and he uses it at Falcon to pull in 10 to 13 pounders. He says it is the only reel he has found that can take what Falcon gives. Lots of articles out there. For the record, the handle that is on there is superb as well. Pop the tops off, grease, unscrew the screws, pop the handles off, and grease the bushings every now and then and it will be smooth for decades. If you don't like the small knobs, add your favorite color of reel grips. I have camo reel grips on mine, and they look, feel and work phenomenal. Bantam = 6.2 gear ratio. 1 Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted October 15, 2015 Super User Posted October 15, 2015 Don't know what a Bantam B51 is. You unscrew the side plate like DirtyDeuce described. Also, you can buy a Chronarch 200 handle for about $30. It will come with the knobs and fit in place of the original handle. I don't know if the Curado I handle will work with the Bantam's drag star. 1 Quote
fisherrw Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 I love my shimano bantum use it for swimbaits on a phenix swimbait rod 1 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted October 15, 2015 Super User Posted October 15, 2015 Great cranking reels!! Nice score! 2 Quote
Molay1292 Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 A handle change on these is possible but you will loose the clicking adjustment unless you upgrade the dragstar as well. 1 Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted October 15, 2015 Super User Posted October 15, 2015 A handle change on these is possible but you will loose the clicking adjustment unless you upgrade the dragstar as well. Edit, I'm going to have to take a reel apart. lol 1 Quote
Molay1292 Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 It doesn't have the same plate and ball clicker like the newer reels? Nah, they were a little different. The cap that covers the nut has a little tab on it that passes through a hole in the handle and rubs on top of the drag star. Kind of like putting a baseball card in the spokes of your bicycle wheel. 1 Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted October 15, 2015 Super User Posted October 15, 2015 Nah, they were a little different. The cap that covers the nut has a little tab on it that passes through a hole in the handle and rubs on top of the drag star. Kind of like putting a baseball card in the spokes of your bicycle wheel. I'm sure you're right. I'm going to have to look. 2 Quote
Molay1292 Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 I'm sure you're right. I'm going to have to look. I am going from what I remember, so if I am wrong please let me know. 1 Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted October 15, 2015 Super User Posted October 15, 2015 I don't have a Bantam here to check. I'll check tomorrow if nobody else knows for sure. 1 Quote
James Pondscum Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 B51 left hander. Black circle on side lift center and open six pin brakeing. Great reel still use them for my crank baits. All I used for years till I went to the darkside. 2 Quote
Super User Senko lover Posted October 15, 2015 Author Super User Posted October 15, 2015 Thanks guys! Appreciate the help. He also gave identical setups to each of my brothers....I may or may not be able to get my hands on another in a couple years . Considering the fact that my little bro doesn't fish. Quote
Zimobass Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 Great reels that are still being used 20 odd years after they were introduced.The B51 is actually a right hand retrieve reel, with a lower 5:1 gear ratio. There is also a very slow 3.8:1 , but more rare. Very generous gesture by the "older man" ! 1 Quote
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