Shimano Bantam vs Met

[jbsoonerfan]

I'm looking at adding either a Bantam MGL or a Metanium MGL to the arsenal. I may end up getting both in the long run but just wondering for those who have used or own both which they preferred. I'm not worried about saving money when it comes to buying one over the other so that isn't the issue. Just wondering the pros of one over the other. Doubt there would be many cons for either of these reels. I would assume weight would be the biggest difference in the two and for some that may be here nor there.

 

Thanks!

[Dwight Hottle]

The met is lighter in weight but uses aluminium gears I believe. There has been talk of them becoming geary feeling after some use based on gear wear. I had three including one DC but never experienced any problems. I bought a bantam because of the hype about the three piece frame and how smooth it was. After falling in love with it I sold all my mets and now own 6 bantams. Once you experience a bantam in hand it just becomes the "one" reel. The bantam is available from JDM sources for $272 shipped last time I looked. 

[NHBull]

I have both and love both. I have had 1 out of 7 Met MGL'S feel gearie, but that's been fixed.

Weight is a big factor for me, so I do reach for the Mets most, but the Bantam is special.  It took me a while to dial it in as it is counter intuitive to most logic and it now almost obtaining the same distancees.....I use the Bantam for fishing in salad.....but truth be told, if the conquest 100 had more IPT, I would be very deep in them.  Sorry for little help

[FishTank]

I went through the same dilemma earlier this spring.  After fishing a friends Metanium which did feel a little geary, I bought the Bantam.  So far it has been awesome.  

 

I have said before, it has that round reel feel, power and smoothness built into a low profile reel.  I get the sense that it will last forever. 

[Frog Turds]

without a doubt, you'll love the Bantam...like ive mentioned in the past you get more in a reel than the price reflects...i feel its actually underpriced for what you get...ive never felt that way about any other reel...

[Yumeya]

I also upgraded brass in my Metaniums, I personally like the Metanium MGL as much as the Bantam.

 

I put my Bantam on a NRX 843 and my Metanium on a NRX 852.

 

Love both..

 

The Metanium will cast a little better then the Bantam but both cast amazing.

I have both set the same, 2 brakes on and set to number 2 on the dial....

[fishballer06]

I guess the better question to ask is what are you using the reel for? The Metanium MGL is a hell of a reel and no one is going to argue with that. I used to own two of them. Then when the Chronarch MGL came out, I ordered two and fell in love with them. I ended up selling both my Metanium's and bought two more Chronarch's. I have since bought two Bantam's and absolutely love them as well. 

 

Honestly, you aren't going to go wrong with either reel here. 

[jbsoonerfan]

Thanks for all the responses. As I had imagined, they are both fine reels and one doesn't particularly outshine the other. I think I am leaning toward the Bantam for now and will fish it as much as I can this fall/winter and get a Met come Spring time. I appreciate all the insight from you guys.

[Dwight Hottle]

7 hours ago, Yumeya said:

I also upgraded brass in my Metaniums, I personally like the Metanium MGL as much as the Bantam.

 

I put my Bantam on a NRX 843 and my Metanium on a NRX 852.

 

Love both..

 

The Metanium will cast a little better then the Bantam but both cast amazing.

I have both set the same, 2 brakes on and set to number 2 on the dial....

Try your Bantam with 4 brakes on & set the dial to 2.5 and adjust it from there. 

[jbsoonerfan]

This will probably be a dedicated squarebill or lipless reel. Going to be mounted on a 6'10" M Zodias.

[Dwight Hottle]

15 minutes ago, Frog Turds said:

without a doubt, you'll love the Bantam...like ive mentioned in the past you get more in a reel than the price reflects...i feel its actually underpriced for what you get...ive never felt that way about any other reel...

X2

[newyorktoiowa57]

4 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

I guess the better question to ask is what are you using the reel for? The Metanium MGL is a hell of a reel and no one is going to argue with that. I used to own two of them. Then when the Chronarch MGL came out, I ordered two and fell in love with them. I ended up selling both my Metanium's and bought two more Chronarch's. I have since bought two Bantam's and absolutely love them as well. 

 

Honestly, you aren't going to go wrong with either reel here. 

Do you feel the Bantum feels th most solid out of the 3? I have a chronarch and it is great, but it does feel hollow at times. 

[fishballer06]

15 minutes ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

Do you feel the Bantum feels th most solid out of the 3? I have a chronarch and it is great, but it does feel hollow at times. 

I've only fished my one Bantam for one outing. I've bought both my Bantam's within the past month. So I don't think I can make that assessment quite yet. 

[Yumeya]

10 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Try your Bantam with 4 brakes on & set the dial to 2.5 and adjust it from there. 

Why?

 

2 brakes on and set to 2 does excellent.

[Dwight Hottle]

2 hours ago, Yumeya said:

Why?

 

2 brakes on and set to 2 does excellent.

Because it works better. Try it & find out.

[Efishin]

1 hour ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Because it works better. Try it & find out.

4 brakes lol???

[Dwight Hottle]

8 hours ago, Efishin said:

4 brakes lol???

What some of you guys don't understand the bantam with it's updated braking system is not like the shimano's of old. It's no longer just set two brakes on & forget about it. If your not interested in accepting someone else's advice just do what you have always done & get what you always get. 

[Junger]

Does the Bantam MGL XG have brass gears? I recall someone saying the 6.2 had brass, and the 8.1 had aluminum, but I may be crazy.

[The Maestro]

Does anyone know the logic behind the shorter handle and smaller knobs on the Bantam models below the XG?  The longer handle and bigger knobs on the XG are so much better imo.

[jbsoonerfan]

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered the Bantam in a 6.2. Just trying to decide if I want to put it on a Zodias 6'10" M and throw treble baits or put it on a Zodias 6'10" MH and throw spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Which ever rod it doesn't go on I will be putting a Scorpion DC HG on.

[Efishin]

2 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

What some of you guys don't understand the bantam with it's updated braking system is not like the shimano's of old. It's no longer just set two brakes on & forget about it. If your not interested in accepting someone else's advice just do what you have always done & get what you always get. 

I will adjust my brakes according to the application as well as the external adjust to compensate for the conditions on hand or if switching a lure as it may need more or less braking depending on application. The Metanium MGL, Chronarch MGL, Bantam MGL, Curado K (Just a few for example) all have the SVS Infinity braking...  I actually own 4 Bantams and setting 4 brakes is not optimal casting performance. The external adjustment was decided as a micro adjuster for quick changes in conditions and when throwing different lures. It does a great job but setting 4 brakes is hurting casting performance. 

[Frog Turds]

i have some of both and heres my take...at 1st when i had both i told myself i'm never going to buy a met again...i've since reassessed that and yes i would...but with upgrading the gear set to brass micros out the gate...

 

Bantam hands down, without question is a solid workhorse mofo and easily can be the do it all reel...underload it shines no matter what type of load it is, rock of a reel...

 

I have a new appreciation for the Met with brass gears though...ive used the upgraded Met as 1 of my dedicated froggin reels this whole season with zero issues after blowing out the duralumin gears last year doing the same, a bantam is my other dedicated frogger...

 

I purposely put that stock met threw that grinder of a test...my other mets werent used for heavy cover...but to get to the bottom line, the Met with brass really changed my perception, appreciation for it and the overall feel of the Met in hand/using it...i like them for throwing lighter baits, its tosses those out very effortlessly...and it fits the bill for me for what i want to use them for...only draw back, is you really have to watch bombing baits with the Met, its spools very easily, like almost too easy...

 

for me, its two tools that, one shines a bit brighter on one side and the other shines brighter on the other...sometimes i want that bit brighter side the Met offers over the bantam...if i had only 1 choice, it would be the bantam no doubt, especially with my style of bassin...

 

but i'm glad i dont have to settle for just 1 option...i do appreciate both in different ways and can always see having some Mets in my arsenal (with brass gears sets for me)

 

if money isnt an option, then get both and throw the brass gear set in the Met right off...then what ive wrote will make more sense  

[LegendaryBassin]

On 10/22/2019 at 9:28 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

Try your Bantam with 4 brakes on & set the dial to 2.5 and adjust it from there. 

?

Not sure I agree here either... Anyways, do what floats your boat. 

 

On 10/21/2019 at 11:58 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

The met is lighter in weight but uses aluminium gears I believe. There has been talk of them becoming geary feeling after some use based on gear wear. I had three including one DC but never experienced any problems. I bought a bantam because of the hype about the three piece frame and how smooth it was. After falling in love with it I sold all my mets and now own 6 bantams. Once you experience a bantam in hand it just becomes the "one" reel. The bantam is available from JDM sources for $272 shipped last time I looked. 

Yes, you are correct. What I have found is the Met MGL and Met DC are not decided for resistance baits (big spinnerbaits, crankbaits, chatterbaits, etc) as well as locked drag with braid. I find that is what does the most damage to them and causes them to be geary. I too have them and have no issues at all. 

[browne762]

2 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered the Bantam in a 6.2. Just trying to decide if I want to put it on a Zodias 6'10" M and throw treble baits or put it on a Zodias 6'10" MH and throw spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Which ever rod it doesn't go on I will be putting a Scorpion DC HG on.

I put one of my Bantams XGs on a 6'10" Zodias and use it for chatterbaits and buzzbaits. I have really enjoyed that combo and gotten many fish with it in the last several months. I plan to purchase more Bantams in the future.

 

I use a Curado DC HG for squarebills and such. Works well also.

[Yumeya]

13 hours ago, Efishin said:

I will adjust my brakes according to the application as well as the external adjust to compensate for the conditions on hand or if switching a lure as it may need more or less braking depending on application. The Metanium MGL, Chronarch MGL, Bantam MGL, Curado K (Just a few for example) all have the SVS Infinity braking...  I actually own 4 Bantams and setting 4 brakes is not optimal casting performance. The external adjustment was decided as a micro adjuster for quick changes in conditions and when throwing different lures. It does a great job but setting 4 brakes is hurting casting performance. 

 

x2

 

 I keep my reels very fast and have a very trained thumb