Shimano Bantam vs Met

[NHBull]

On 10/22/2019 at 10:32 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

Because it works better. Try it & find out.

^^^^This since I read about it a couple months ago on a previous thread...far better than 2 for me

[LegendaryBassin]

12 hours ago, Yumeya said:

 

x2

 

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

I agree. There is no need for 4 brakes. While there are some people and circumstances where more braking is necessary, you will not achieve optimal performance with any reels with all brakes when compared to less braking. It common sense in that more braking (with all else equal) contributes to less overruns but less distance. While it may be better for you, it may not be for everyone else. I know a ton of people who use reels without any braking.

[WPCfishing]

On 10/22/2019 at 8:06 PM, Yumeya said:

Why?

 

2 brakes on and set to 2 does excellent.

That’s how mine is set. The reel can do it all.. serious quality. 

[Yumeya]

I tried it today with 4 brakes on and set to 1, lets just say I lost a lot of distance.

 

Switched back after 2 casts....

[WPCfishing]

10 hours ago, Yumeya said:

I tried it today with 4 brakes on and set to 1, lets just say I lost a lot of distance.

 

Switched back after 2 casts

On 10/22/2019 at 12:27 AM, Frog Turds said:

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  

Where did you buy the brass gears for the Met? I’m considering buying 2 of them. I’ll definitely want the upgrade. Thanks for the information.

[Yumeya]

1 hour ago, WPCfishing said:

Where did you buy the brass gears for the Met? I’m considering buying 2 of them. I’ll definitely want the upgrade. Thanks for the information.

https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=898_792_793

[J._Bricker]

Merry Christmas all, I’ve got a couple of questions regarding the Bantam vs Metanium discussion, so that’s why I resurrected this thread. I’m looking at a MGL XG specifically after I received the OK from Mrs Claus to make this purchase. I plan to replace my Alphas Type F with it to pitch senkos, possibly with a JDM variant.
 

I checked BR to get experienced opinions, and discovered the Metanium doesn’t have brass gears. I checked the Tackle Trap link and the replacement gear set for the left hand model is out of stock.

 

I’m leaning towards the Metanium due to my perception of if being a little better at throwing lighter baits. The consensus is the Bantam is the more solid of the two.

 

Thanks guys again for your help 

[The Maestro]

6 minutes ago, J._Bricker said:

Merry Christmas all, I’ve got a couple of questions regarding the Bantam vs Metanium discussion, so that’s why I resurrected this thread. I’m looking at a MGL XG specifically after I received the OK from Mrs Claus to make this purchase. I plan to replace my Alphas Type F with it to pitch senkos, possibly with a JDM variant.
 

I checked BR to get experienced opinions, and discovered the Metanium doesn’t have brass gears. I checked the Tackle Trap link and the replacement gear set for the left hand model is out of stock.

 

I’m leaning towards the Metanium due to my perception of if being a little better at throwing lighter baits. The consensus is the Bantam is the more solid of the two.

 

Thanks guys again for your help 

I use my Bantam XG for senkos and it handles them with zero issues. As far as I can tell the only real advantage to the Met is lighter weight but that would mostly be negated by swapping the gears. 

[jbsoonerfan]

I LOVE my Bantams!!! Currently trying to decide between another one or a Tranx for swimbaits.

[newyorktoiowa57]

A new met is going to drop in a few months. It is supposed to have to coresolid body like the bantum. 

 

 

[pauldconyers]

I've read this reel for some reason has a small handle on it. Been looking at getting one for a jig/frog rod, can anyone point me towards a larger handle option if I were to spring for one?

[jbsoonerfan]

24 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

I've read this reel for some reason has a small handle on it. Been looking at getting one for a jig/frog rod, can anyone point me towards a larger handle option if I were to spring for one?

The Bantam has an 84 mm in the 5.5, 6.2 and 7.1 and a 90 mm in the 8.1

 

The Met has an 84 mm in the 6.2 and 7.4 and a 96 mm in the 8.5

 

I own a reel with each of the handles and the only difference you might be able to tell would be going from the 84 to the 96. You would be hard pressed to tell an on the water difference between the 84 and the 90. We are talking 3 mm on each end of the handle or .11"

 

But I guess if we are going to debate over about 1/10th of an inch you could get a 96 mm Met xg handle from the Tackle Trap

[J._Bricker]

Thanks everyone for your help ‘cause I pulled the trigger on the Bantam. Just have to wait for it to transit the Pacific before I can put it in play. Looking forward to that day in 2020.

[Frog Turds]

if you're gonna be throwing heavier swimbaits, especially on a longer stick...id go with the tranx with its larger capacity spool for one...you'll spool the bantam bombing big baits with heavier braid...

[jbsoonerfan]

8 minutes ago, Frog Turds said:

if you're gonna be throwing heavier swimbaits, especially on a longer stick...id go with the tranx with its larger capacity spool for one...you'll spool the bantam bombing big baits with heavier braid...

Well, I made a decision and a wrong one at that lol. I ordered a Tranx but I accidentally ordered a 200 instead of a 300. I had both of them in my watch list and for some reason I thought they were both the 300 and I ordered the cheapest one. Turns out it was a 200. I'm going to try it and see how it works out.

 

I ordered a 7'8" XH Intenza to throw them on and going with 20 lb Sufix Elite. Plan to stay 2 oz and under and this is just a way for me to get into swimbaits on the "entry level" at best.

[dgkasper58]

13 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Well, I made a decision and a wrong one at that lol. I ordered a Tranx but I accidentally ordered a 200 instead of a 300. I had both of them in my watch list and for some reason I thought they were both the 300 and I ordered the cheapest one. Turns out it was a 200. I'm going to try it and see how it works out.

 

I ordered a 7'8" XH Intenza to throw them on and going with 20 lb Sufix Elite. Plan to stay 2 oz and under and this is just a way for me to get into swimbaits on the "entry level" at best.

with the smaller 2 oz and less baits you'll be fine with the 200 tranx

[jbsoonerfan]

1 minute ago, dgkasper58 said:

with the smaller 2 oz and less baits you'll be fine with the 200 tranx

Good news! I was hoping so, but figured I would at least give it a shot. I don't figure I will have enough patience to dedicate a lot of time to the technique anyway lol.

[FrankN209]

On 12/23/2019 at 10:24 AM, jbsoonerfan said:

I LOVE my Bantams!!! Currently trying to decide between another one or a Tranx for swimbaits.

That's my decision also. I want to start throwing big swimbaits. I might go with the Tranx 200. 

[fishballer06]

On 12/24/2019 at 9:58 PM, pauldconyers said:

can anyone point me towards a larger handle option if I were to spring for one?

Hawgtech 

Tackle Trap

Spool Speed

Flea-Bay

Hedgehog studio 

Or just call Shimano and order the 96mm version handle

[newyorktoiowa57]

Here is  a better picture of the new met

[Frog Turds]

very Metam'ish looking...

[newyorktoiowa57]

35 minutes ago, Frog Turds said:

very Metam'ish looking...

looks like the old met platform and the bantam had a baby

[jbsoonerfan]

Looks nice!!!!I watched the Youtube video of it laying on the deck of Ken's boat. Can't wait to see it.

[J._Bricker]

45 minutes ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

looks like the old met platform and the bantam had a baby

Gotta like the pedigree 

[Frog Turds]

if it indeed it is a hybrid as it appears, im sure i'll figure a way to justify getting one...surely they will have put brass gears in it for this model...