The new Bantam is coming in March

[newapti5]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ironbjorn]

Everyone makes fun of the US customary system but can we talk about the absurdity of 29,215 being US 253 and how that's somehow better.

[Kenny Yi]

7 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

Everyone makes fun of the US customary system but can we talk about the absurdity of 29,215 being US 253 and how that's somehow better.

The South Korean Won is worse, 1000₩ is equivalent to $0.87 US

 

so $253 US is equivalent to 302,409₩

[garroyo130]

9 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

Everyone makes fun of the US customary system but can we talk about the absurdity of 29,215 being US 253 and how that's somehow better.

Makes me wonder if 1¥ is seen the same way as a penny here where most ppl wont even stop to pick one up if they see it on the ground

[FrankN209]

So what is the difference between this Bantam and the 18'?

[newapti5]

13 minutes ago, FrankN209 said:

So what is the difference between this Bantam and the 18'?

 

MGL III spool for better casting performance.

Line guide is moved a bit forward like the Metanium, also for better casting performance.

"Infinity Drive" that no one knows exactly what it is but somehow does increase the winding power, as much as "26%," Shimano proclaims. 

Also a darker paint job.

 

[FrankN209]

9 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

 

MGL III spool for better casting performance.

Line guide is moved a bit forward like the Metanium, also for better casting performance.

"Infinity Drive" that no one knows exactly what it is but somehow does increase the winding power, as much as "26%," Shimano proclaims. 

Also a darker paint job.

 

Good to know, thanks. 

[Dumbbassanglr]

If this is heavier and holds around the same amount of line, why wouldn’t you just get a metanium?

[Darth-Baiter]

I’m cool with other country currencies.  It’s so fun when I travel.  
 

im buying a reel when I go to Japan.  I can’t wait to pay in their money.  My wife, is gonna be ticked.

[newapti5]

1 hour ago, Dumbbassanglr said:

If this is heavier and holds around the same amount of line, why wouldn’t you just get a metanium?

 

It'll probably have similar casting performance but cheaper price, and it has "Infinity Drive," which the Metanium doesn't have.

[Spy]

12 hours ago, Dumbbassanglr said:

If this is heavier and holds around the same amount of line, why wouldn’t you just get a metanium?

No magnesium frame to corrode when fishing brackish water on a regular basis. 

[fishwizzard]

21 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

Makes me wonder if 1¥ is seen the same way as a penny here where most ppl wont even stop to pick one up if they see it on the ground

 

People keep them around to measure their personal-smallest microfishing records on. 

[Mr. Bassin II]

What makes this particular reel an upgrade over the Curado 150 MGL?

 

[softwateronly]

4 hours ago, Mr. Bassin II said:

What makes this particular reel an upgrade over the Curado 150 MGL?

 

For me;

 

- I fell in love with the solid core body of the bantam and met.  Seems like they'll last decades with simple maintenance.

 

- MGL III spool

 

scott

 

ps - drawbacks; the aluminum gets cold

 

 

[DirtyYAK]

Any differences between the jdm and US versions of the new bantam?

[newapti5]

3 hours ago, DirtyYAK said:

Any differences between the jdm and US versions of the new bantam?

 

Not many as far as I can see. Probably smaller knobs on the JDM version.

 

10 hours ago, Mr. Bassin II said:

What makes this particular reel an upgrade over the Curado 150 MGL?

 

 

Better spool(MGL III), frame(core solid body), line guide(cone shape), winding power(Infinity Drive), and tolerance; More bearing as well. 

[Undrcoverrednek]

Where will this reel be for sale in March?

[zpelletier]

14 hours ago, Undrcoverrednek said:

Where will this reel be for sale in March?

My guess would be that this and the Daiwa reels that are supposed to be coming in March will be released at the classic 

[JustJames]

On 2/19/2022 at 9:58 AM, Mr. Bassin II said:

What makes this particular reel an upgrade over the Curado 150 MGL?

 

Only a little for me in term of fishing and landing fish.

The new MGL spool might cast a little further for light weight lure but I doubt it will be very noticeable and in term of reality not many would use bantam 150 size spool for those type of techniques.
You might feel a little more smoothness on Bantam out of the box due to solid core body but long run I’m not sure. That silent tune bearing spring might cause some resistance and grinding, it also make it a bit harder to set spool tension properly.

The core solid body sound great in paper but do we need a heavier tank type reel in bass fishing. There are plenty of light weight plastic reels that can last a long time too. I’d rather use lighter weight quality reels because I do a lot of moving rod and reel while fishing(not just cast drag and reel), even an ounce can help me stay in comfort for longer hours.

BUT

Bantam MGL is so beautiful just to look at. You can enjoy the reel not just while fishing but even on the shelf. It is one heck of a novelty reel that very affordable, it is a fine art in reel. While I had my bantam I was afraid to use it in rough condition, just one scratch I would kick myself hard. I don’t mind if scratches  happens to my other same price reels. If you have bantam lay next to Curado, ppl would notice bantam way before Curado. If that worth the price upgrade to you? Only you can answer.

BTW one mentioned about cone shape line guide, if you never try one you wouldn’t know how handy it gets, way better than TWing system. If I can upgrade all my Shimano reels I wouldn’t mind spending 30-40 bucks for just those guide. I’ve used on 4 of the reels, bantam, Aldebaran, core and 16 stephano.

 

[lunkerboss923]

On 2/18/2022 at 10:11 PM, newapti5 said:

 

It'll probably have similar casting performance but cheaper price, and it has "Infinity Drive," which the Metanium doesn't have.

I bet it will go for $300. 

[T2DM]

On 2/21/2022 at 8:49 PM, Undrcoverrednek said:

Where will this reel be for sale in March?

I would say pretty much any online retailer, I got one pre order at TW, can't wait to get it.

[jbsoonerfan]

I'd be surprised if any are available in March.

[WC53]

Bantam and Batman both coming in March, coincidence………

[jigheadworm]

Shimano website  says May for right hand, July for left hand