22 JDM Bantam vs 20 JDM Metanium?

[ErieCan]

22 JDM Bantam vs 20 JDM Metanium - what are the key differences between the two? I own a JDM Metanium XG and live it.  Just wondering if I should spring on the Bantam when I can get a lefty model. 

[Dumbbassanglr]

I have a few metaniums and haven’t seen a need to buy a bantam. It is still an inferior reel. Only things you could need that met doesn’t have would be more line capacity and the new infinity drive which makes it easier to turn the handle. At jdm prices it just doesn’t make sense to buy a bantam over a met unless you need one of those two things.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The Batam is aluminum where the Met is Magnesium.  I have a 20Met and have made a few casts with a friends previous gen Bantam.  The Metanium has a really solid feel for a Magnesium reel, but the Bantam might be the better choice out of the 2 for stuff like frogging or maybe even deep cranking.   

[newapti5]

Yeah, I don't think 22 Bantam is in any way inferior to 20 Metanium. Actually, it's even better in some ways. IMO Metanium's price bump is just because of the material difference - Magnesium is more expensive yet lighter.  

[scbassin]

I am on the same fence as ErieCan. Both Dumbbassanglr & GetFishorDieTryin  have made good points. I have several of the 20 Metaniums. I am just waiting what is said about the Bantam.

[T2DM]

I just got my 22 Bantam, for comparison I have the 18 Bantam and 20 Metanium all USDM. First thing I've noticed with the 22 Bantam is how smoother and cast further it is compared to my 18 Bantam, kinda like I was using my Metanium but in a Bantam Body...Weird!!!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Two different reels with different focus: light weight performance vs super rigid smooth. 

[T2DM]

8 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Two different reels with different focus: light weight performance vs super rigid smooth. 

Yes Sir, that is the main reason why I have both.

[Diggy]

I'll be the voice of reason in this thread...do it.

[ErieCan]

On 7/19/2022 at 5:08 AM, Diggy said:

I'll be the voice of reason in this thread...do it.

 

Apparently the lefty models aren't coming out until August ?

 

 

[QED]

None of the above.  Steez Air or Aldebaran.  Weight is an important decision variable

[mrpao]

I have the 18 bantam in the PG model. I had one in HG. Only kept the PG models. The 22 Bantam doesn't have the PG version.

If the 22 model comes out with a PG version, I may pick one or two up. 

I have 2020 USDM, JDM and the new shallow spool version metaniums. 

Like others say, the two reels are different and used for different techniques. Bantam for heavier duties and metanium for all other techniques. And Aldebaran for the lighter stuff.

I dont think one is better than the other. Just different tools for different jobs.

[newyorktoiowa57]

I have the 18 Bantam and like it for frogs.  The most common complaint is that the line guide is too close to the spool which hinders casting distance, but I feel like it casts well enough personally. 

 

On the 22 Bantam, the line guide is farther from the spool, like on the Metanium. People on tackletour have said it casts similarly to the 20 Metanium because of this change.  

 

[ErieCan]

UPDATE 

I have now owned both of these (JDM) reels for a little while.  The Bantam XG I have is a glorious piece of machinery.  It's only issue, for me, is its weight. Although it tends to ballance out my 7'3 St. Croix LTB quite well. On a 7.5" Steez AGS BC2, it ruins the feel of the rod IMO. The Metanium feels better on that rod. 

 

If Shimano ever asked me (and they never would, lol) what I thought the perfect reel would be, I'd say take the Bantam, and make a magnesium version. A Bantam "light" so to speak. To me, the Bantam has a slight edge on the Metanium on everything except weight.  The Bantam has 6 breaks instead of 4, a slightly, yet noticeably, wider spool, and casts just as well as the Met.  I experimented with a 3/16 oz weight and 7" ribbon tail. 16lb fluorocarbon and it cast with no issues. 

[scbassin]

On 7/18/2022 at 11:29 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Two different reels with different focus: light weight performance vs super rigid smooth. 

I now have 4 Metanium 2020 XG ( 6.3 oz) & 3 22 Bantam XG ( 8oz.) reels. What DVT has said is spot on. I am using the Metanium's on Dobyns Champion Extreme HP DX 744 C FH & 745 C FH  for bottom fishing & the Bantam's on Dobyns Champion XP DC 736 C FH for frog fishing. I have been out about a dozen times comparing these 2 reels.  With the DX 744C I was Texas rigged with 3/16 & 1/4 oz. bullet weights.  The DX 745 C Was set up with Carolina rigs  using 1/2 & 3/4 barrel weights. The Bantam was used in heavy cover FROG Fishing & in my opinion is the reel to use when frog fishing. The Metaniums  hand no problem what so ever so next time I will increase the weight & fish in heaver cover. Both of these are excellent reels. I did no notice the weight difference & am use to the Shimano Calais CL 201 series. I hoped this helped some