Differences in JDM and USDM 2020 Metaniums

[CFDoc]

Like the title suggests, are y’all aware of any big differences in JDM and USDM 2020 model metaniums?

 

I see some really good prices on some Japanese tackle sites that even with $25 shipping are considerably lower than US offerings. Just curious if they’re the same reels.

[mrpao]

About the only difference is the spool size.

The US version is a 150 spool and the JDM version is 70 spool size.

 

[DomQ]

Handle knobs are different as well

[gilkeybr]

19 hours ago, mrpao said:

About the only difference is the spool size.

The US version is a 150 spool and the JDM version is 70 spool size.

 

You sure about this?  I'm not aware of any differences.  The published capacity by Shimano Japan (followed from a link off digitaka) is 12lb/100M for JDM and TW lists the USDM as 12lb/110Yd.  This would indicate the same spool capacity...

[mrpao]

I only have the US version so I can't compare spool sizes.

I heard from several sources that the US was going to get the 150 size while Japan got the 70 size.

Maybe that has changed, but I do know that the Japanese do prefer the more shallow spools. 

[CFDoc]

Well I have 2 JDM and 2 USDM models on the way. So I’ll report back with what I find.

[fishballer06]

Just a heads up, getting anything from Japan right now is next to impossible. Lots of anglers have reported that they've been waiting weeks for things that are stuck in customs. My advice is spend the extra money and buy from an American shop so you can use it right away. 

[Tywithay]

3 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

Just a heads up, getting anything from Japan right now is next to impossible. Lots of anglers have reported that they've been waiting weeks for things that are stuck in customs. My advice is spend the extra money and buy from an American shop so you can use it right away. 

Japan EMS is closed, so nothing is shipping. Ask them to ship via DHL or Fedex and there's no issues at all. I had 2 reels that showed up 6 days after they shipped. That's worth the wait to save almost $400.

[CFDoc]

I have a tracking number from DHL. Says Tuesday of next week delivery. We’ll see.

 

And yes the price of 2 JDMs is considerably less than 2 USDMs.

Edited May 19, 2020 by CFDoc

[CFDoc]

All reels have arrived!

 

The JDM's came in today, which was incredibly fast shipping. I was surprised.

 

I'll try to upload some pictures later. So far the immediate differences are:

 

1.) Knobs are larger on USDM

2.) Spool is deeper on USDM

3.) Handle diameter is larger on USDM.

 

I've spooled up one USDM and one JDM and made some casts with various baits.

[CFDoc]

JDM on the left. USDM on the right.

Edited May 21, 2020 by CFDoc

[DomQ]

1 hour ago, CFDoc said:

JDM on the left. USDM on the right.

Spool pictures please

[CFDoc]

Got an email I could send them to?

 

I'm pretty much at my allowed data limit here...

[Kral]

On 5/18/2020 at 7:32 PM, fishballer06 said:

Just a heads up, getting anything from Japan right now is next to impossible. Lots of anglers have reported that they've been waiting weeks for things that are stuck in customs. My advice is spend the extra money and buy from an American shop so you can use it right away. 

This is untrue. I ordered my 2020 JDM metanium on Monday and received it today (Thursday)

Edited May 22, 2020 by Kral

[Justin Roberts]

How much are yall buying JDM metaniums for?

[fishballer06]

9 hours ago, Kral said:

This is untrue. I ordered my 2020 JDM metanium on Monday and received it today (Thursday)

Maybe you did if it wasn't shipped with EMS. Japan EMS has been shut down since April 3rd. 

[CFDoc]

10 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

Maybe you did if it wasn't shipped with EMS. Japan EMS has been shut down since April 3rd. 

 

Still not sure why you'd suggest it's "impossible" to get anything from Japan...

 

Japan EMS is just one way items can be shipped from Japan. They have several other options that are working perfectly fine. It's a very easy solution to a problem that doesn't really exist.

 

Anyways, the JDMs can be had for anywhere between $100 - $120 less than USDM MSRP. And that's shipped.

[CFDoc]

Finally got some time to really try these things out. Did a good bit of just casting in the back yard and some time on the neighborhood lake.

 

All my casting results are from casting various actual baits. I haven't casted any plugs. However, I don't fish with plugs so I'm not too concerned there. 

 

JDM Version

 

The good: I really prefer the shallower JDM spool size for this reel. The casting performance was much nicer and more consistent for me with the JDM spool.

 

The bad: The smaller diameter handle and smaller overall knob size really makes reeling this thing uncomfortable. It honestly feels like I'm reeling one of those Walmart Snoopy Zebco's for children. I will have to change this.

 

USDM Version

 

The good: Handle diameter and knobs much more comfortable. 

 

The bad: Not a fan of the deeper spool at all. Especially for light line situations. The slimmer body/spool for this new Metanium means the USDM spool is extremely deep. IMO it holds a ton of unnecessary line. Also, if the spool gets line deficient, the casting performance suffered noticeably. I tried 12, 15, & 20 pound fluorocarbon and 30 & 50 pound braid. I didn't like the way this spool performed with any of them. I really hope Shimano USA will offer the JDM spool as an aftermarket product. 

 

Once I swapped the JDM spool in the USDM reel, I really had something lol. Only problem is I had 2 reels I liked and 2 I hated.

 

Finesse

 

Absolutely where this reel belongs. The JDM spool with light line, light baits, light rods felt really good. Casting distance, control, accuracy was all great. Again though, the USDM spool with light line is a ton of line for no reason IMO.

 

Skipping/Jig Fishing

 

My favorite technique. I'm a skipper. I skip everything I can. Jigs, chatterbaits, flukes, senko's, etc. I think I've even skipped a crankbait a time or two.

 

Having said that, I was most disappointed in the reel here. The spool width is so narrow, my thumb easily covers the entire spool and rubs both sides of the spool. The problem with skipping is that I rely heavily on my thumb to feel the line unspool during the cast and apply slight pressure to control the skip. Well with this narrow spool, I can't get my thumb near the line without applying pressure to the sides of the spool which ultimately kills the cast.

 

Really disappointed here. 

 

Flipping/Pitching

 

The reel performed well here. My only issue is again my thumb against the narrow spool. Also, I think using this reel for flipping/pitching is not the best use of its talents.

 

General Casting Impressions

 

Fluorocarbon: Did very well with 12, 15, & 20 pound Seaguar Tatsu on the JDM spool. Again, I much preferred the performance of the JDM spool over the USDM spool. I casted various bait/line combos against other reels in my boat and the Metanium was right with the others. However I never found a combination where the Metanium blew the doors off other competitors.

 

Braid: The USDM spool struggled casting braid with every rod/line diameter I tried when compared to other reels. It just felt like a lot of friction that I could not overcome regardless of the internal/external brake setting. The JDM spool performed much better.   

 

Finally, I haven't tried deep cranking, drop shotting, and a few other techniques yet. They're on the list though. Hope this helps.

[mrpao]

Good review.

You could order new handles to replace the JDM handles since you don't like them. That would be a easy fix.

[CFDoc]

I’ve also heard Shimano USA won’t help with any issues on a JDM model.

 

Sucks cause as much as I really like the JDM spool, I hate the USDM spool.

 

i tried emailing Shimano USA to ask if the JDM spool will be made available to the USA. We’ll see if I hear anything back.

[CFDoc]

11 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Why in the year of our lord 2020 would anyone try to skip with a Shimano SVS reel?

 

Why not?

 

I have zero issues skipping with other SVS reels.

[Cityangler7]

1 hour ago, CFDoc said:

I’ve also heard Shimano USA won’t help with any issues on a JDM model.

 

Sucks cause as much as I really like the JDM spool, I hate the USDM spool.

This is correct, they would not help me at all with questions about a scorpion and engestu. I wonder if I called Shimano Japan ,do they have someone who speaks English that would answer questions or assist with parts inquiries. 

[Tywithay]

47 minutes ago, Cityangler7 said:

This is correct, they would not help me at all with questions about a scorpion and engestu. I wonder if I called Shimano Japan ,do they have someone who speaks English that would answer questions or assist with parts inquiries. 

I have no experience with Shimano Japan, but Jun at Japantackle has always been super helpful when I've had questions about JDM reels.

[CFDoc]

22 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Crazy person.

I sure would love to know why. 
 

The SVS system is nothing more than a dynamic braking system that changes the moment of inertia of the spool at speed. It’s nothing more than the figure skater concept of speeding up/slowing down by pulling in/extending out their arms.

 

Almost every single baitcast reel from every major brand has had some form of inertial braking on their reels for years and years now.

 

I would truly love to know how Shimano’s SVS inertial braking system has any negative effects on skipping.

[Cityangler7]

3 hours ago, Tywithay said:

I have no experience with Shimano Japan, but Jun at Japantackle has always been super helpful when I've had questions about JDM reels.

I have purchased reels from Japantackle. You are right,Jun is a wealth of knowledge and very willing to offer assistance.