2020 Metanium mgl owners

[Pogues2300]

Hello, just looking for some opinions on this reel since it’s been out for a decent amount of time now. I’ve read good things mostly but a few reviews say it starts feeling geary which surprised me. Narrowing down my next reel to this or possibly a steez and appreciate the feedback. Thank you.

[FishTank]

I picked one up last fall and like it so far.  Smooth, light, and I haven't noticed any geary feeling in the reel. 

 

As far as which reel to pick..... I do like my Steez SV. It would be a toss up for me. I might give a slight edge to the Steez simply because I have fished it more. Another reel to look at is the Antares 70A JDM.  Great reel as well. 

[Pogues2300]

Awesome thanks. I’ve been racking my brain over this one lol. On a side note I’ve tried looking up why most steez don’t come in 8:1 and can’t find any info. Seems strange to me. I see they have a new ct but that’s not what I’m looking for. Thanks again

[FishTank]

2 minutes ago, Pogues2300 said:

Awesome thanks. I’ve been racking my brain over this one lol. On a side note I’ve tried looking up why most steez don’t come in 8:1 and can’t find any info. Seems strange to me. I see they have a new ct but that’s not what I’m looking for. Thanks again

I have the 8x:1in the Metanium. It has the longer power handle. It's quick,  almost too quick. As far as the Steez goes,  the 7x:1 is plenty fast. 

[SmugOne]

I think I have had mine for about a year and a half and it is still as smooth as the day I pulled it out of the box.  

[fishballer06]

I have two of them and absolutely love them. Highly recommend them and the Bantam both. 

[Pogues2300]

Cool glad to hear you guys liked them. As I said I was really surprised to see reviews that said they felt geary so I’m just getting more opinions from bass resource which has steered me in the right direction multiple times. 

[Fishingmickey]

55 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

I have two of them and absolutely love them. Highly recommend them and the Bantam both. 

I'm in the same boat as fishballer06. I've got two Met's and three Bantam's. They have performed perfectly and are as solid as a rock with the frame design. 

FM

[GReb]

15 minutes ago, Pogues2300 said:

Cool glad to hear you guys liked them. As I said I was really surprised to see reviews that said they felt geary so I’m just getting more opinions from bass resource which has steered me in the right direction multiple times. 

People love to complain. 

 

[FrankN209]

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[FishTank]

37 minutes ago, Pogues2300 said:

Cool glad to hear you guys liked them. As I said I was really surprised to see reviews that said they felt geary so I’m just getting more opinions from bass resource which has steered me in the right direction multiple times. 

There is one thing that bugs me about the Metanium, it feels like a lighter version of the Bantam.  It's not a bad thing, both great reels. I just think for the money I would have gotten another Bantam and lived with the extra weight. Maybe I haven't fished it enough to notice a difference between the two.

[TNBankFishing]

I own Mets in HG and XG speed as well as Bantams in the same. 
 

I do not own a Steez simply because their USDM and JDM prices are more than I’ll spend on a reel. 
 

To me the biggest difference between the Met and Bantam besides weight is the casting distance on lighter baits, and larger diameter line. You can almost go BFS on a Met, but the Bantam seems to choke the line a bit. It is very noticeable with thick line, less so with thinner. 
 

I beat my reels and none of my Mets are geary in the slightest. They are more “hollow” feeling than the Bantams, but that’s because of the material. 
 

In my mind, the JDM Met is the baseline for a fantastic workhorse reel. Has all the bells and whistles, and hovers around $280. Anything I consider purchasing has to stack up to the Met. New Zillions? At $320 on sale, nope. same with Bantams. 

[GReb]

45 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

 

In my mind, the JDM Met is the baseline for a fantastic workhorse reel. Has all the bells and whistles, and hovers around $280. Anything I consider purchasing has to stack up to the Met. New Zillions? At $320 on sale, nope. same with Bantams. 

I have said for a year I’d never buy anything other than a Met for the price. Well I ordered a zillion this weekend. But I struggled for 2 weeks on that decision. I love the Met B

[jigheadworm]

Bought 3 last yr and all 3 are still smooth as the day bought .

[newapti5]

7 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

Anything I consider purchasing has to stack up to the Met. New Zillions? At $320 on sale, nope. same with Bantams. 

 

There is (or will be in near future) a new kid in town: the '22 new Bantam.  It's already listed on Amazon Japan for roughly $250 including tax, but "temporarily out of stock."   It uses MGL III spool as the Metanium; the line guide is moved forth as well as the Metanium. All these would no doubt improve its casting performance.  It also uses "infinity drive" to improve cranking power, which only has been seen on '21 Conquest and other saltwater reels.  I bet it'll give the Metanium a run for its money, except maybe a little heavier. 

[lunkerboss923]

I consider the Bantam more of a deep cranking power reel...The Metanium is an all around do everything. 

[Pogues2300]

Just bought the reel yesterday. In two months when the ice is gone here in Minnesota I’ll report back! Cabin fever in full swing for me lol. Oh well that will give me time to decide on reel for nrx+ 844c mbr I grabbed while getting the Metanium