Steez A vs Metanium vs Bantam

[The Maestro]

I currently have only 1 Bantam but it really ruined me. I was a bit skeptical that the all metal construction would really make a difference but I was wrong. The reel sets a new bar for quality and refinement in a low pro baitcaster. I thought my Curado E's were good but they don't compare to the Bantam. I believe one of the key differences is how they replaced the traditional side plate with the small screw-on hatch. The tolerances are very tight which allows the whole thing to stay rock solid with no play or slop whatsoever. It's nice and small. The MGL spool is a massive upgrade which makes pitching baits totally effortless. It looks, feels and sounds like pure quality. It's just an amazing reel and I plan on buying more of them for my best rods.

[freelancer27]

21 hours ago, iabass8 said:

Gear speed has nothing do to with the point. People using or not using XG reels for specific applications has nothing to do with what I said. Not sure why you jumped to that point or even concluded that from my statement but whatever. I'm referring to gear material. In that, yes, there is a difference.

 

The Steez SV TW and Steez A use a duralumnium. Durable? Yes. I own multiples of both variants. Specifically, I've had to replace the gear set in my Steez SV TW for heavy cover pitching / flipping. I bought the reel specifically for this and will have to replace the gears every 2-3 years and I'm fine /w that. duralumnium gears aren't meant for this but I'm fine /w it. I love the reel. 

 

the morenthan , which is just a JDM variant of the steez A, in lower gear ratios also uses duralumnium. The 8.6 specifically, and only the 8.6,  uses a bronze coated gear to help aid in wear from heavy cover use/heavy salt use. 

I can only add both thumbs up for the recommendation of the 8.6 Morethan. I am using mine (with a Steez A spool for more line capacity) on my Steez XBD frog rod. AMAZING combo. Played with the idea to put my Steez A on it, but I think the Morethan is just another beast with the bronze gears. My smoothest reel (smoother than Antares DC, Steez SV TW, etc.), casts a mile and is just a work horse with the large handle. 

I would not use a Metanium (the gears are just not sturdy enough in my opinion) and the Bantam just does not have line capacity in my opinion if one runs anything heavier than 50pound braid and likes to bomb cast frogs. 

I tried the Bantam and it did not feel very smooth, nevertheless a decent reel, just would not be my first choice. 

[bwjay]

36 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

I tried the Bantam and it did not feel very smooth, nevertheless a decent reel, just would not be my first choice. 

Was it in a puddle of mud?  The Bantam has a unanimous reputation for being ultra smooth. Perhaps the one you tried was defective.

[freelancer27]

2 minutes ago, bwjay said:

Was it in a puddle of mud?  The Bantam has a unanimous reputation for being ultra smooth. Perhaps the one you tried was defective.

That might be the case. But I have NEVER heard anybody claim that the Bantam was smoother than a Steez, a Conquest or Antares.

After all the Bantam is 'just' a 240 USD reel. To be honest though, I felt that my Curado K was smoother. Again, my experience seems to be confirmed by some of the reputable youtubers out there. 

[bwjay]

2 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

That might be the case. But I have NEVER heard anybody claim that the Bantam was smoother than a Steez, a Conquest or Antares.

After all the Bantam is 'just' a 240 USD reel. To be honest though, I felt that my Curado K was smoother. Again, my experience seems to be confirmed by some of the reputable youtubers out there. 

The Bantam is $349 USD right now, and even with JDM prices it's still $300. I have read and heard MANY people say it's like a low profile Conquest. I haven't seen anyone say it's BETTER than those reels, but matching the Antares and Conquest, absolutely.

[freelancer27]

1 minute ago, bwjay said:

The Bantam is $349 USD right now, and even with JDM prices it's still $300. I have read and heard MANY people say it's like a low profile Conquest. I haven't seen anyone say it's BETTER than those reels, but matching the Antares and Conquest, absolutely.

267 USD shipped on digitaka. 

Well, dont want to start a non necessary discussion here. To me it was a good step behind some other reels I own. Happy if it is the best for you, this will save you a LOT of money. 

[bwjay]

On 8/1/2019 at 2:03 PM, freelancer27 said:

267 USD shipped on digitaka. 

Well, dont want to start a non necessary discussion here. To me it was a good step behind some other reels I own. Happy if it is the best for you, this will save you a LOT of money. 

Ah, looks like it has come down in price. I'm sorry to hear the one you tried was bad but I can assure you that the 3 I've tried (1 at Cabela's and 2 that I own) are fantastic. 

[freelancer27]

I am sure that they are smooth. Try a 2019 Morethan 8.6 and then we talk again

[newyorktoiowa57]

1 hour ago, freelancer27 said:

I am sure that they are smooth. Try a 2019 Morethan 8.6 and then we talk again

I don't wanna buy a morethan at the price, especially since I would need to do a spool swap.

[freelancer27]

6 minutes ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

I don't wanna buy a morethan at the price, especially since I would need to do a spool swap.

Fair enough. To be fair, you could run the Morethan spool with 50 pound braid and still get a good amount on it. 

Just to put this into perspective, since I dont just want to recommend expensive toys.

I have a Antares DC MD, Steez SV TW, Steez CT SV TW, Steez A, Conques 401 and none of them is as smooth as the 2019 Morethan. 

To be fair though. The 6.3 Curado K is incredibly smooth (regardless of price) as well.

It is just a lot of fun to fish with the Morethan. Would I wait another month and save up for it? Sure would do!

[newyorktoiowa57]

Another option might be the new 13 concept boss.  

9 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

Fair enough. To be fair, you could run the Morethan spool with 50 pound braid and still get a good amount on it. 

Just to put this into perspective, since I dont just want to recommend expensive toys.

I have a Antares DC MD, Steez SV TW, Steez CT SV TW, Steez A, Conques 401 and none of them is as smooth as the 2019 Morethan. 

To be fair though. The 6.3 Curado K is incredibly smooth (regardless of price) as well.

It is just a lot of fun to fish with the Morethan. Would I wait another month and save up for it? Sure would do!

I too have the K in that ratio.  I love it for spinnerbaits! It is too wide for frogging though IMO. How do you like the Antares?  The Excense is supposedly a smaller profile but the same breaking system. 

[NHBull]

Get a conquest  and call it a day. Absolutely love mine! It puts the the others you mentioned to shame

[newyorktoiowa57]

Just now, NHBull said:

Get a conquest  and call it a day. Absolutely love mine! It puts the the others you mentioned to shame

The ratios are too slow for frogging

[NHBull]

5 minutes ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

The ratios are too slow for frogging

Check IPT and go with longer handles.

[newyorktoiowa57]

2 minutes ago, NHBull said:

Check IPT and go with longer handles.

I need at least 33'' for frogging, plus it probably won't be comfortable to palm. 

[umckibben]

Any thought about a '12 exsence DC? Used one can be had on Ebay for good price, excellent froggin reel imo!

[newyorktoiowa57]

6 minutes ago, umckibben said:

Any thought about a '12 exsence DC? Used one can be had on Ebay for good price, excellent froggin reel imo!

I have yes!  Only downside is the size, and I've never really bought used reels before. 

[NHBull]

11 minutes ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

I need at least 33'' for frogging, plus it probably won't be comfortable to palm. 

100 HG is 30.3 IPT and easy palmable

[freelancer27]

1 hour ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

Another option might be the new 13 concept boss.  

I too have the K in that ratio.  I love it for spinnerbaits! It is too wide for frogging though IMO. How do you like the Antares?  The Excense is supposedly a smaller profile but the same breaking system. 

I had the 2016 Antares DC and now have the 2018 Antares DC MD. The later has a big spool so it is perfect for putting heavier line on it. Mine is sitting currently in its box, since I dont have a use for it. But might be going on my frogging rod if I find a better use for the Morethan.

Great reel but consider the weight for frogging since it you frog all day, the weight of your combo will take a toll on your wrist and arm.

[newyorktoiowa57]

26 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

I had the 2016 Antares DC and now have the 2018 Antares DC MD. The later has a big spool so it is perfect for putting heavier line on it. Mine is sitting currently in its box, since I dont have a use for it. But might be going on my frogging rod if I find a better use for the Morethan.

Great reel but consider the weight for frogging since it you frog all day, the weight of your combo will take a toll on your wrist and arm.

Yea, thats why I originally was thinking Met with a gear swap. 

[craww]

1 hour ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

I have yes!  Only downside is the size, and I've never really bought used reels before. 

 That guys a smart man...Ive owned all of these but the Steez- and the exsence got picked up over them when i owned the others. That platform is the peak of shimanodom, with the x-ship/gear ratio its an amazing frog reel and would be my first recommendation for tip-down, power-oriented presentations. I spend alot of time throwing 1/2oz buzzbaits into heavy cover & am picky. Absolutely LOVE that reel in that role, which is similar to frogging in many respects.

[newyorktoiowa57]

14 minutes ago, craww said:

 That guys a smart man...Ive owned all of these but the Steez- and the exsence got picked up over them when i owned the others. That platform is the peak of shimanodom, with the x-ship/gear ratio its an amazing frog reel and would be my first recommendation for tip-down, power-oriented presentations. I spend alot of time throwing 1/2oz buzzbaits into heavy cover & am picky. Absolutely LOVE that reel in that role, which is similar to frogging in many respects.

Is the casting distance really that good?

[Bandersnatch]

I would think most frog rods would balance better with the heavier bantam. My 7'5 envy black 2 H feels best with my bantam. Ive tried my chronarch, metanium and aldebarans but thr bantam balances best. I was always a lightest reel guy until I felt a balanced longer setup. 

[craww]

8 hours ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

Is the casting distance really that good?

I compared the metanium to the exsence directly casting 5/8 rattlin vibes w/12lb Hybrid- both had been flushed and lubed w/a drop of Rem oil the day before. Aiming at a specific target, it was pretty much dead even depending on my mechanics...Splitting hairs; the metanium eaked out the farthest cast (actually hitting the target) but the DC gave a more consistent group.

 

Both of them will bomb as far as I want to set a hook on a frog lol. That said, personally I think alot of the reasons we’re seeing so many gear issues w/the current Shimanos is the micro module teeth while used w/unforgiving braid. For that reason alone I think the old school gears w/the double support of the X-Ship is the better tool. Again- maybe splitting hairs.

[newyorktoiowa57]

8 hours ago, Cheif250 said:

I would think most frog rods would balance better with the heavier bantam. My 7'5 envy black 2 H feels best with my bantam. Ive tried my chronarch, metanium and aldebarans but thr bantam balances best. I was always a lightest reel guy until I felt a balanced longer setup. 

The rod will be a 72H expride or PA, so should be well balanced but a heavier reel will only help.