WPCfishing Posted October 5, 2019 Posted October 5, 2019 I bought that Bantam MGL and the party started. Just bought 2 Chronachs MGLs.. one 7 and one 8. More coming as I move more of my reels. Shimano Japan has it going on guys. The reels are outstanding as many of you already know. On Another note the K isn’t at all close to the MGLs. Very nice but, The two I bought a month ago are going to be sold. One 8 and one 6. Will buy another Bantam after they sell. 1 Quote
Junger Posted October 5, 2019 Posted October 5, 2019 What are the characteristics of a MGL spool that differentiate it from a normal Shimano spool? I have a Curado DC and K, but I'm very tempted to buy a MGL spool to see what it's all about. Quote
mrpao Posted October 5, 2019 Posted October 5, 2019 Basically it's just a lighter spool. Designed to require less force to cast the same weight as a non mgl spool. Honestly, I really dont notice much difference if any. More of a sales gimmick to me. Quote
WPCfishing Posted October 6, 2019 Author Posted October 6, 2019 On 10/5/2019 at 8:28 AM, mrpao said: Basically it's just a lighter spool. Designed to require less force to cast the same weight as a non mgl spool. Honestly, I really dont notice much difference if any. More of a sales gimmick to me. The spool May be a bit lighter and that’s fine but the entire reel is different. The machine quality and materials are so far ahead of the K and similar. There’s no comparison between the reels. MGL reels are not loose and the brakes are incredibly smooth as is the entire reel. The tolerances on the MGLs are outstanding. I’m ordering 2 more. 1 Quote
Super User JustJames Posted October 6, 2019 Super User Posted October 6, 2019 6 hours ago, WPCfishing said: The spool May be a bit lighter and that’s fine but the entire reel is different. The machine quality and materials are so far ahead of the K and similar. There’s no comparison between the reels. MGL reels are not loose and the brakes are incredibly smooth as is the entire reel. The tolerances on the MGLs are outstanding. I’m ordering 2 more. You shouldn’t compare $300 reels bantam to $180 Curado K, of course material, fit and finished is gonna be better on high price reel. @Jungerjust like @mrpaomentioned MGL spool is just a lot more holes and thinner material to make spool lighter. If it better than K, a lot depends on lure type and weight, if it is 3/8 and up with aerodynamic shape lure I don’t really see advantages of MGL (if I tell you SLX cast further and easier than bantam would you believe me). MGL is the way Shimano try to answer those daiwa SV spool, I like true free floating spool (no shaft) on Daiwa better for lighter lure. US market is just a hyped after whatever Japan market introduced. If you want real answer it should be those that own Chornarch MGL vs Chornarch G, Casita USDM vs Casita MGL or the K vs new scorpion MGL. Now is MGL is a gimmick or not. I’d say NO, there are markets for MGL spool especially in Asian where they are truly fishing finesse style for big fish. Too bad I didn’t test casting light weight 1/4oz lure before shipped one out to my best friend in Thailand and the one I currently use loaded with 15lb fluorocarbon which is not optimum for lighter lure. I can comment one thing between lighter weight spool. I happened to be able to compare CQ50 spool (JDM) with Calcutta TE 50 GT (USDM). Even though they are kind of same reel but USDM market required heftier specs for the way we fish, thus spool on USDM is thicker and heavier with less holes. Casting light weigh lure 1/20oz Ned rig with TDR, the CQ50 is cast better, easier and further. I got more accuracy on CQ 50 compare to TE GT reel. CQ spool left is 17.5 grams vs TE 50 GT right 23.5 grams. Note a lot of new shimano high price reel (bantam MGL, etc)start using middle shaft support spool to accomplish floating spool which help spool spin faster and easier start up. The one that I really wanna try and compare with my beloved Curado 70 is SLX 70 MGL (again JDM) but I don’t own one yet because shimano p i ssed me off by giving everything to SLX line but no love to Curado 70. Quote
TBAG Posted October 7, 2019 Posted October 7, 2019 I've got several K's and a few SLX's. I'm afraid to try an MGL because I feel I'll do the same thing as OP, sell everything and start buying only MGL reels. It truly is an expensive, slippery slope. ? Quote
Yumeya Posted October 7, 2019 Posted October 7, 2019 I didn't notice much of a difference between casting distance with the Curado K and the Bantam MGL, but the Bantam feels smoother, more powerful and better in the hand, except on cold days...d**n this reel gets cold being a full metal jacket My Metanium MGL definitely will outcast the Bantam with less effort but the Bantam casts amazing. Quote
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