Explain Shimano MGL for dummies like me

[optimator]

I’ve got the SLX MGL on my Kistler LMH. For me it’s about the perfect setup for weightless/lightweight trig plastics.

[Tatulatard]

MGL is a made up acronym for a shallow ported shimano spool. There is no magnesium like an old ZPI spool or anything like that.  It's a shallow ported spool with an SVS brake.  While nothing fancy it is effective and the MGL makes for easy identification as a light weight shallow spool version of a platform without confusion with their shallow heavy spool variants for vertical jigging. 

[Hulkster]

so for an older reel like the Curado 200i that has a ported spool, does it have essentially the same thing even though its not labelled "MGL"? 

 

the spool on the reel isnt shallow though, but then again neither are the 150 size MGL reels like the curado and the bantam??

[Tatulatard]

23 minutes ago, Hulkster said:

so for an older reel like the Curado 200i that has a ported spool, does it have essentially the same thing even though its not labelled "MGL"? 

 

the spool on the reel isnt shallow though, but then again neither are the 150 size MGL reels like the curado and the bantam??

No.  Its not shallow and light weight.  If it was they would have an MGL version like they do with the scorpion 150 MGL which is a JDM curado 200k MGL basically.

[Hulkster]

34 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

No.  Its not shallow and light weight.  If it was they would have an MGL version like they do with the scorpion 150 MGL which is a JDM curado 200k MGL basically.

 

right but what I was getting at is the MGL reels like the Chronarch MGL and Curado MGL  are not shallow spooled. 

 

they are normal spools with porting. 

 

so does that mean that older reels that werent labelled MGL could be called that today?

[Tatulatard]

44 minutes ago, Hulkster said:

 

right but what I was getting at is the MGL reels like the Chronarch MGL and Curado MGL  are not shallow spooled. 

 

they are normal spools with porting. 

 

so does that mean that older reels that werent labelled MGL could be called that today?

I consider the curado 150 MGL to have a shallower spool.  It certainly has a larger arbor and shorter diameter than what I consider a "normal bass reel" spool.  The chronarch is pushing it but its spool is light weight which also fits the bill.  The thickness of the spool material greatly impacts the weight.  If you look at a "G1 duraluminum" SV spool and its much lighter than a standard daiwa spool due to the spool being much thinner.  A like for like comparison would be a tatula 100/ct spool compared to the elite long cast.  The elite long cast is much lighter in construction due to the stronger aluminum but is otherwise identical.  I belive the same applies to MGL spools vs non MGL but I only have MGL shimanos so I can't compare.  

[Darth-Baiter]

On 8/26/2020 at 6:32 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? 

its lighters so start up energy is less, and it takes less energy to stop the lighter weight spool.  your thumb still needs active involvement.   it's just a physics problem.  the example above about the sports car is okay.  the sports car's lightass wheels are the better analogy.  

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

MGL isnt always shallower. The 70 vs 70mgl spool the porting is different they have the same depth/width and line capacity. 

[Tatulatard]

7 minutes ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

MGL isnt always shallower. The 70 vs 70mgl spool the porting is different they have the same depth/width and line capacity. 

Is the spool material any thinner in the 70 MGL or is the weight savings all from the porting? 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

[Hytekrednek]

in the old days, if a bait was to light to cast far enough, we just added weight to the bait or line, like stick-on lead dots and strips, split shots, I even used some tungsten putty. The putty worked great.... until it got hot in summer. Then it melted and dripped into the boat carpet, on your shoes, in your shirt.... that crap got everywhere and wherever my old boat is, I promise you there is still tungsten putty spots in the carpet. If only it wouldnt melt it would be great for adding or removing weight to baits for whatever reason. As it stands, that crap is forbidden in my boat!

[badfish79]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but does anyone know if MGL spools are made of magnesium? Do MGL reels/spools have issues when used in saltwater?

 

Thanks!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

MGL spool are lighter weight but still aluminum. MGL designation doesn’t affect saltwater appropriateness either way but off the top of my head I can’t think of a saltwater application where an MGL spool would be an advantage 

[badfish79]

I cast 1/4oz t-rig grubs for saltwater bass and halibut. I want to get max distance, especially when I'm fishing from shore.

 

I have a Tranx 150 right now but it's not great at distance. I have to up my trig to 3/8 to cast as far as my Tournament MB can sling a 1/4oz.

 

I really like how the Tranx palms and was thinking of giving a Curado 150 MGL a shot.