Explain Shimano MGL for dummies like me

[lunkerboss923]

I do like my equipment, but some of it makes no sense to me. Could somebody use layman's terms to effectively explain the MGL platform. I'm looking for a reel for finesse fishing, but can be multi-purpose reel too.  I'm interested in perhaps an SLX MGL when they release or a Metanium MGL if I can find one, but I'd like to make an informed decision. 

 

Why did Shimano make the MGL? 

 

What are the benefits? 

 

What lures does the MGL excel in throwing? Is it made for special lures (is it a finesse reel)? 

 

Why buy an MGL over DC or a standard reel? 

 

Thank you in advance. I'm not as sophisticated as most of you with equipment.  I'm trying to learn thank you for your patience. 

 

Feel free to throw as much information as you can. Whatever I left out that needs explaining, please include as much as you can on this topic. 

 

[Tywithay]

MGL basically means lighter, ie. Magnumlite. In theory, it should handle lighter baits better than the DC reels due to less startup inertia. In my experience, they excel from 1/4-1/2oz. They're more than capable of throwing heavier as well, but line capacity can come into play at that point.

[lunkerboss923]

13 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

MGL basically means lighter, ie. Magnumlite. In theory, it should handle lighter baits better than the DC reels due to less startup inertia. In my experience, they excel from 1/4-1/2oz. They're more than capable of throwing heavier as well, but line capacity can come into play at that point.

So it is a finesse type reel? I've been looking for a baitcaster to throw weightless Zoom Trick worms, Senkos, wacky worms (I like to throw wacky worms on a baitcaster). I'm thinking a Dobyns 703c would be my rod for it. 

[Tywithay]

3 minutes ago, lunkerboss923 said:

So it is a finesse type reel? I've been looking for a baitcaster to throw weightless Zoom Trick worms, Senkos, wacky worms (I like to throw wacky worms on a baitcaster). I'm thinking a Dobyns 703c would be my rod for it. 

I suppose it depends on your definition of finesse. A 5" senko weighs roughly 3/8oz and most reels can cast them relatively well, especially texas rigged. The MGL spools cast them with less effort than most other reels I've used. Wacky worms aren't too bad, but can be a little bit rough if it's windy. I live in Kansas and it's always extremely windy in the summer, so I prefer spinning for wacky most of the time. 

[zell_pop1]

Ya the MGL spool likes lighter lines/lures than say the stock spool in a SLX reel, although a SLX is decent at finesse the way it is. I doubt it casts a 5" Senko any better, but a lighter 4" version it probably will.

[JustJames]

As mentioned this MGL spool should or supposed to be lighter than regular spool. Let look at SLX MGL spool weight about 13 grams compare to almost 16 grams of SLX XT. And yes in theory lighter spool should help light weight lure to fly off reel easier. Another reason all BFS reels try to built spool as light as possible. Other factors to be consider are line diameter and line capacity. Bigger diameter line require more pull force compare to smaller line. Bigger spool capacity 150 vs 70 full spool on 150 would add a couple more grams compare to smaller spool (SLX XT 150 size vs SLX MGL 70 size)

 Now let look at you lure listed, weightless trick worm (3/16oz) shouldn’t be in the same category as weightless senko (3/8). Weightless trickworm might benefit from light weight spool whereas SLX XT might cast senko further. Have you try to free spin spool with line and without line? Heavier spool (with line) trend to spin longer (energy).

Now let look at comparison 70 size reel, I can cast 5” senko further on my curado 70 (none MGL) or even regular SLX but SLX MGL have more control with both trick worm and senko. Confused yet? No? Because the heaviness of curado 70 spool about 17 grams that it harder to stop once spin, even when the lure stop but spool still spinning result in professional over run but I don’t have this problem with 1/16 Ned Rig even about the same weight as Trick worm, why? That 1/16oz head and smaller profile of Ned Rig help pulling the lure further give me more time to control the spool. Why a lot of ppl recommend spinning setup when come to finesse so you don’t have to worry about over run and pay more attention to target or accuracy.

Now you want multi-purpose reels, yes the SLX MGL can be a multi-purpose reel but you might have to get 2 or three reels for different line type. 6-8lb for finesse worm/wacky rig, 10-12 for senko or Texas rig, 30lb braid for Jig or top water (btw the SLX MGL you can get only 70-80yds if you use 14lb line)

Why MGL? to complete with well known and best selling SV reel from Daiwa of course. But no matter what it is hard to complete with true free floating spool from Daiwa higher end reel (no shaft) which is my choice of finesse reel Daiwa Alphas SV.

If you are looking at one size fit all, it might be a little bit harder in this case, The MGL might be good for weightless trickworm and wacky rig senko but you get restricted with line size, or you get a spinning setup with 10-15lb braid and get it done with.

 

The DC reel shouldn’t be in consideration when buying finesse reel, shouldn’t even compare to SLX MGL

[lunkerboss923]

@Bass_Fishing_Socal it looks like you are telling me the MGL spool is lighter and therefore has more control of light lures, at the same time holds less line than a regular spool. 

 

There in lies the question, why do people buy MGL reels? 

[JustJames]

As of now MGL spool with 70 size only on SLX, Aldebaran 30/50 and JDM metanium/Antares MGL, the  rest are 150 size. I have bantam MGL but that reel is never intended to use with Finesse. The bantam got 12lb copolymer line which I use for 3/8oz Jig, chatterbait but I can cast 1/8oz shakey head with ease. 
Why ppl buy MGL, same reason as why ppl buy BFS because they can cast light lure with baitcaster and they don’t want to be called “sissy” using spinning. And of course I’m one of them LOL. 
Or ppl just buy it because “MGL name” without even knowing what MGL suppose to do it for you. BTW these day higher end reel shimano come equipped with MGL spool. It just a new standard,I guess.

Have you heard of Chronarch G? I guess not, Chronarch G is the same as Chronarch MGL, shimano offer none MGL spool version for more saltwater friendly but doesn’t seem like anybody want it and shimano now advertise the MGL as well as their magnesium reels are saltwater friendly.

[jimmyjoe]

    The MGL spool is like a sports car; light, agile and kinda specialized. If a sports car fills the bill for you, then get an MGL. OTOH, if a minivan or pickup is more useful for you, don't get the MGL.      jj

  

  

 

[lunkerboss923]

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/ICAST20.html?from=BASRES&ccode=SHIM20B

 

This pretty much answered my question. I guess what you have to ask yourself is how much devotion do you want to spend on finesse fishing? I prefer baitcasters any chance I get, being a pond hopper this an extra rod reel to carry. Makes planning your day trip extra important. Thanks @Bass_Fishing_Socal again.

[The Maestro]

49 minutes ago, lunkerboss923 said:

@Bass_Fishing_Socal it looks like you are telling me the MGL spool is lighter and therefore has more control of light lures, at the same time holds less line than a regular spool. 

 

There in lies the question, why do people buy MGL reels? 

Line capacity isn't really a concern when you're primarily making short little pitches and roll casts. These casting techniques are also where the MGL's advantages become most apparent since you aren't using the energy of the rod to really load up and sling the bait out there.

[lunkerboss923]

@Bass_Fishing_Socal I'm not questioning your experience or expertise on this subject. I respect it, I just never understood the engineering involved in fishing reel. I just like equipment. I was just curious about MGLs and why they are so highly thought of, initially I thought of them like a baitcaster used to throw finesse lures, which in a round about way I was right. I don't have a boat, Jon boat or even a kayak. I'm a pond hopper, so I've got to keep my equipment to a minimum. 

[jbsoonerfan]

I have Chronarch MGL's, Bantam MGL's, a SLX MGL, Metanium MGL's and Scorpion MGL's and none of them were bought with the specific mindset that they were going to be "finesse" reels. In fact, the SLX MGL is the only one you could say even fit that category, if you consider 1/8 oz finesse.

 

In all honesty, most people here in the states (with some exclusions) don't even know what finesse fishing truly is. Most guys think a wacky rigged Senko is finesse fishing. LOL

[Derek1]

I can’t wait for the tranx mgl to come out, for my lighter Swimbaits 

[WRB]

Casting skills will out perform the lightest weight spools. Ounce you are a expert caster then the fine tuned reel component may make a difference of a few yards. 

If you have the expendable resources to spend it becomes a choice, otherwise use light weight reel with small diameter line and practice casting.

Tom 

 

[NOC 1]

On 8/26/2020 at 8:32 PM, lunkerboss923 said:

@Bass_Fishing_Socal it looks like you are telling me the MGL spool is lighter and therefore has more control of light lures, at the same time holds less line than a regular spool. 

 

There in lies the question, why do people buy MGL reels? 

It's all about the weight of the spool as it is when you cast. The spools made for casting very light weights weigh maybe 7-9 grams and hold only 40-50 yards of 6-8lb line. If you have a spool loaded up with 100 yards of line that spool isn't so light anymore. Look for a light spool and then consider only filling it half full for best results.

 

If you are throwing something more than 40 yards I would say that it isn't that light of of a bait to begin with.

[Stephen B]

32 minutes ago, NOC 1 said:

It's all about the weight of the spool as it is when you cast. The spools made for casting very light weights weigh maybe 7-9 grams and hold only 40-50 yards of 6-8lb line. If you have a spool loaded up with 100 yards of line that spool isn't so light anymore. Look for a light spool and then consider only filling it half full for best results.

 

If you are throwing something more than 40 yards I would say that it isn't that light of of a bait to begin with.

That wont work either. Now you have less IPT because you are only partial feeling the spool. So you fixed one problem, yet created a new problem.

[NOC 1]

8 minutes ago, Stephen B said:

That wont work either. Now you have less IPT because you are only partial feeling the spool. So you fixed one problem, yet created a new problem.

I don't think that less IPT on the cast matters much if any at all and I know that IPT is something that I don't really assign much importance to in most cases and especially when I'm casting an 1/8 oz bait maybe 20 yards.. Most of my reels are 6:1 reels anyway.

 

If it matters for you, then I guess you'd have to stick with the shallow lightweight spools that are a little heavier but they do hold a larger diameter with less line.

[Stephen B]

28 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

True but if it allows you to solve one problem while creating another that is more of a slight inconvenience then an actual problem then it works just fine.

If that floats your boat then by all means ?

[JustJames]

nah...

Don’t fill only half spool, instead backing 1/2 spool with braid on regular spool. You eliminate IPT and coil memory issue (even more important that IPT). Don’t be another reel test guy, but he got that idea from Daiwa SV professional, imho. 

 

Shallow spool, do whatever you want lol.

[Tywithay]

The SV spool was designed to be filled 1/2 full for bfs. They even list two separate capacities. 

[JustJames]

1 hour ago, Tywithay said:

The SV spool was designed to be filled 1/2 full for bfs. They even list two separate capacities. 

Oh thanks, I’m aware of that

The thing is nobody mention about memory effect when using mono/FC which would happen even shallow spool like SV spool. So why Daiwa recommended only 1/2 spool? To make spool even lighter, to cast backlash free but don’t get optimal distance?

Now think about ppl starts using this method with not so shallow spool like one of those YouTube guy video on one of his Abu Revo.

[Motoboss]

Thread revival!
 

So this thread evolved talking spool weights/sizes.

I have a 2022 JDM Curado bfs SLX, actually three of them. I want to take one and increase the casting line capacity;  larger spool. Does any of the model Curado spools fit a bfs reel, such as the MGL 70 fitting the SLX frame?

Anyone know or have information or know how/where to find info?

[PhishLI]

17 minutes ago, Motoboss said:

I have a 2022 JDM Curado bfs SLX, actually three of them. I want to take one and increase the casting line capacity;  larger spool.

Shimano's BFS reels that have FTB mag brakes like your reel will not accept spools from standard SVS Infinity braked reels. The arbor size is fixed on your spool due to the mag brake, so there's no way to get more line cap.

[Motoboss]

9 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Shimano's BFS reels that have FTB mag brakes like your reel will not accept spools from standard SVS Infinity braked reels. The arbor size is fixed on your spool due to the mag brake, so there's no way to get more line cap.

That’s what I was afraid of. No big deal as they are my river rigs, was just wanting to use them more often on the lakes.

Looks like a MGL may be in my future.

 

Thanks