Calling all 2020 Metanium MGL owners

[Phil77]

Turn all four brakes on and put the dial on six and you shouldn't even have to thumb it. If it still blows up on that setting then the brakes aren't working properly.

[DINK WHISPERER]

4 minutes ago, Phil77 said:

Turn all four brakes on and put the dial on six and you shouldn't even have to thumb it. If it still blows up on that setting then the brakes aren't working properly.

I just came inside from practicing in the backyard. I left the brakes on 2 pins and turned the dial to 6 with the spool tension to where the frog just slowly drops down. No backlash but no distance either. I slowly started turning the dial down until I got to 2 and still no backlash. I was getting about 35 yards. Still not where I want it but it's a lot better. It makes no sense that starting at 6 on the dial and working down made a different. When I started with the dial at 2-3 is was really bad. Mosquitos were killing me so I came back inside. I'm going out to further test on the water tomorrow. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

44 minutes ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

I finally took the XG out that's on my frog rod today. I tried all the adjustments mentioned and it's still not casting far! My spool definitely wiggles around when you loosen the tension knob though. If I just flick it out there it does ok, no backlash. But, if I try to get any distance on it, it immediately blows up! I love the looks and palming feel of this reel so I really want to figure it out. I highly doubt that all of the ones I ordered from 2 different dealers are all defective! I will keep at it....

Some reels show up with no oil and some with 2 much which can make the reel feel strange but very few are defective.  The odds of 2 of them being duds is extremely low, much less all 3. 

I like to run all of my reels loose with little brakes as possible.  I usually keep my dial from 3-5 depending on wind conditions, the bait I'm throwing and the rod it's on. 

I would recommend starting with the dial on 4 or 5.  Even with all 4 brakes engaged neither of my Mets feel like they're really over braked.  Just make sure you have the tabs engaged instead of disengaged.  That would be the only other explanation I can think of other then issues with the reel.  You'll figure it out, good luck. 

[Phil77]

8 minutes ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

I just came inside from practicing in the backyard. I left the brakes on 2 pins and turned the dial to 6 with the spool tension to where the frog just slowly drops down. No backlash but no distance either. I slowly started turning the dial down until I got to 2 and still no backlash. I was getting about 35 yards. Still not where I want it but it's a lot better. It makes no sense that starting at 6 on the dial and working down made a different. When I started with the dial at 2-3 is was really bad. Mosquitos were killing me so I came back inside. I'm going out to further test on the water tomorrow. 

I can bomb a weightless senko with two brakes on and the dial at three with a wrist flick. You shouldn't have to put in much effort to get distance, make sure to oil the brake collar. Google shimano SVS maintenance and there is a shimano rep with a video showing how to oil the system. If that doesnt work then you have a defective reel. When the external dial is at 6 that is the highest brake setting, working down in the numbers reduces the braking force applied. Is this your first SVS reel?

[evo2s197]

Looks like you need a real reel such as a Daiwa Steez SV TW

[DINK WHISPERER]

35 minutes ago, evo2s197 said:

Looks like you need a real reel such as a Daiwa Steez SV TW

Lol, good one!? I've had them and they feel terrible in my hand. And every one of them grinds the gears after a few months. Hard pass on that one....

41 minutes ago, Phil77 said:

I can bomb a weightless senko with two brakes on and the dial at three with a wrist flick. You shouldn't have to put in much effort to get distance, make sure to oil the brake collar. Google shimano SVS maintenance and there is a shimano rep with a video showing how to oil the system. If that doesnt work then you have a defective reel. When the external dial is at 6 that is the highest brake setting, working down in the numbers reduces the braking force applied. Is this your first SVS reel?

Not at all. I've used every Shimano low pro except for the Aldebaran. I just sold 8 Chronarch MGLs and a couple Curado 70 MGLs and switched to all Metaniums. I opened 3 to start with but still have some unopened in the box. 

[evo2s197]

6 minutes ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

Lol, good one!? I've had them and they feel terrible in my hand. And every one of them grinds the gears after a few months. Hard pass on that one....

Sounds like a review on CNN

[evo2s197]

All three are doing the same thing correct?

 

4 pins on and the dial at 2 with the spool tension is where the lure falls to the floor with no overruns should be a set it and forget it setting, with good distance still.

[DINK WHISPERER]

We just got back from the lake. I cleaned any excess oil from the brake drum and pins. Loosened the spool tension all the way and removed the spool. Replaced the spool and adjusted it to where the side to side wiggle barely stops. Brakes with 2 on 2 off and the brake dial at 6. I was able to turn the dial all the way down to 1 with no backlashes and I was bombing a 1/2oz frog way further than I needed to! We had good action on the frogs so I didn't even get to test the other two yet. I honestly have no idea what was going on or what I did but that one is good now. The one on my punch rod I'm not that worried about since it's a close range technique. 

[Msl819]

Glad it got sorted.  Of course it would be good to know what you did to fix it so you can replicate the fix and possibly help other should they have the same issue.  

[FishTank]

I just got my 2020 Met today and have the same issue as the op.  I can't make sense of it.  No matter what I set the brakes to, I get a backlash.  I'm using the same line I have on 4 other reels, 15lb Tatsu.  My first 10 casts or so were fine.  After that, I had no luck.  I even tried a 1/ 2 Oz casting plug.

[DINK WHISPERER]

54 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I just got my 2020 Met today and have the same issue as the op.  I can't make sense of it.  No matter what I set the brakes to, I get a backlash.  I'm using the same line I have on 4 other reels, 15lb Tatsu.  My first 10 casts or so were fine.  After that, I had no luck.  I even tried a 1/ 2 Oz casting plug.

What finally fixed all of mine was to remove the side plate, turn 2 brake pins on and 2 off. Then remove the spool and loosen the spool tension knob all the way. Now put the spool back in and make sure it's set in there correctly. Put the side plate back on and tighten your spool tension and SVS dial back to match the lure you're throwing. Mine absolutely bomb after doing this! Good luck man....

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

What finally fixed all of mine was to remove the side plate, turn 2 brake pins on and 2 off. Then remove the spool and loosen the spool tension knob all the way. Now put the spool back in and make sure it's set in there correctly. Put the side plate back on and tighten your spool tension and SVS dial back to match the lure you're throwing. Mine absolutely bomb after doing this! Good luck man....

I will try this tomorrow.   It was super frustrating.   I started with two brakes on and the outside dial at 4 and I was fine.  Then about 10 casts in and one backlash after another.   So I went to 6 on the dail and tightened the cast control as the backlash was towards the end of the cast, no good.  I then turned on another brake, samething.  I then went to four brakes on and then I gave up.  I have two Curado K's, a Bantam MGL, a Chronarch MGL, two Antares 12 and an Anteras 70A.  None of these have this issue.

[Phil77]

Hopefully they bring back a flagship reel with the old VBS style brakes. Some people didn't like having to open the side plate to adjust the brakes but it never bothered me.

[Jmurphy87]

I have two Mets also they are sort of unruly at first but settle down after some use. It's very frustrating at first though, when you have 15 different reels and don't have issues with them it can be different for sure. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

3 hours ago, Jmurphy87 said:

I have two Mets also they are sort of unruly at first but settle down after some use. It's very frustrating at first though, when you have 15 different reels and don't have issues with them it can be different for sure. 

It is very weird indeed. I'm so glad I didn't give up on these though. I absolutely love these reels now! 

[Jmurphy87]

2 hours ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

It is very weird indeed. I'm so glad I didn't give up on these though. I absolutely love these reels now! 

They are definitely worth it, there's nothing quite like them. 

[dodgeguy]

21 hours ago, FishTank said:

I just got my 2020 Met today and have the same issue as the op.  I can't make sense of it.  No matter what I set the brakes to, I get a backlash.  I'm using the same line I have on 4 other reels, 15lb Tatsu.  My first 10 casts or so were fine.  After that, I had no luck.  I even tried a 1/ 2 Oz casting plug.

Buy a Lew's custom lite with 27 position externally adjustable centrifugal brakes. If you backlash that then buy a Zebco 33

[DINK WHISPERER]

25 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Buy a Lew's custom lite with 27 position externally adjustable centrifugal brakes. If you backlash that then buy a Zebco 33

The man can't trade in a Lamborghini for a Prius ?

[dodgeguy]

7 minutes ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

The man can't trade in a Lamborghini for a Prius ?

Guaranteed the Lews casts just as far if not further with none of the hassle.

[FishTank]

43 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Buy a Lew's custom lite with 27 position externally adjustable centrifugal brakes. If you backlash that then buy a Zebco 33

No thanks.  I have worked on too many and seen too many issues to know better.  Sorry not Sorry but ......

[DINK WHISPERER]

25 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Guaranteed the Lews casts just as far if not further with none of the hassle.

Not.... I've owned many including the lite and just no. QC issues are too common their products. I have one Lew's left that's doing good still and that's the super duty wide spool that I use for big swimbaits. 

17 minutes ago, FishTank said:

No thanks.  I have worked on too many and seen too many issues to know better.  Sorry not Sorry but ......

Hang in there buddy I know the feeling! I ruined a couple spools of line before getting it set myself. 

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

Hang in there buddy I know the feeling! I ruined a couple spools of line before getting it set myself. 

 

I found the issue/issues.  

 

There was a piece of unfinished plastic on the level wind cap and it was cross threaded. The line was hitting it as the spool slowed down causing the backlashes.

 

As I was picking/cutting the backlash out in the above pic, the cap started to fall out.  The tiny piece of plastic just dropped off.  I didn't notice it when I spooled it but I would never have seen it with line on. 

 

With the line almost half gone, I was able to get the get the cap screwed on and fish.  It casted well and I was able to catch a few dinks before the sun went down. 

[newapti5]

On 10/18/2021 at 9:22 PM, DINK WHISPERER said:

What finally fixed all of mine was to remove the side plate, turn 2 brake pins on and 2 off. Then remove the spool and loosen the spool tension knob all the way. Now put the spool back in and make sure it's set in there correctly. Put the side plate back on and tighten your spool tension and SVS dial back to match the lure you're throwing. Mine absolutely bomb after doing this! Good luck man....

 

I think that might be a common situation with all the lately Shimano reels with "Silent Tune."  I observe on my bantam, 20 metanium, and the new 21 calcutta conquest. And the solution is just as above: Loose the tension knob, put the spool all the way back in, then close the side plate. Now you should feel obvious side-to-side movement on the spool; just tighten the tension knob until the movement is almost gone. I believe the reason for these extra maneuver is that silent tune spring. 

 

As long as brake setting, with the new SVS (white brake shoes), I think 2 on 2 is a pretty safe setting for most experienced baitcaster users. For the old version SVS (red brake shoes), I usually dial down a little, leaving just one shoe on. 

[Phil77]

13 hours ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

Not.... I've owned many including the lite and just no. QC issues are too common their products. I have one Lew's left that's doing good still and that's the super duty wide spool that I use for big swimbaits. 

Hang in there buddy I know the feeling! I ruined a couple spools of line before getting it set myself. 

 Strange, I've not had any QC problems from Lew's. They don't charge for parts either, I got spare spools for my pro ti and custom lite free of charge. The only problem I've had was a stripped handle nut and they sent a new one free. I fished nothing but Shimano for almost twenty years, everything from the Calais to the Met20 and and would still be using them if they had a braking system like the ACB Lew's has. The SVS is ok, I preferred the VBS but they had to find a way to appeal to the younger crowd who don't like to thumb spools. The Met20 is an outstanding reel but I can do the same thing with any of my ACB Lew's reels and adjust them much easier by only turning the dial and not having to mess with spool blocks. Still the only two brands you'll see on my boat and yak though.