Looking Hard at the Shimano Bantam MGL A Casting Reel ~

[ErieCan]

I just got a JDM version of the new Bantam (XG model) and put it on a St. Croix LTB "workhorse".  It's a heavy reel but it pairs up with that rod very nice. It's a great caster!

 

I also have a JDM Metanium XG.  Both reels feel similar in the hand.  I like the paddles on the Bantam better.  Also, the Bantam has a tad wider spool and 6 breaks instead of 4.  The Metanium is about 2.5oz lighter or so.   

 

IMO, if Shimano just took the current Bantam and made a magnesium (light) version of it, they'd have the best of everything. 

[newapti5]

On 8/16/2022 at 9:01 AM, ErieCan said:

I just got a JDM version of the new Bantam (XG model) and put it on a St. Croix LTB "workhorse".  It's a heavy reel but it pairs up with that rod very nice. It's a great caster!

 

From what I gather around Shimano official sites, the spool of JDM version is 200 size (~140 yards of 12lb mono), instead of 150 size (110 yards of 12lb mono) of USDM version. Could you help confirm that? Thanks!

[clh121787]

The bantam is a pure caster. 

[ErieCan]

On 8/20/2022 at 2:38 AM, newapti5 said:

 

From what I gather around Shimano official sites, the spool of JDM version is 200 size (~140 yards of 12lb mono), instead of 150 size (110 yards of 12lb mono) of USDM version. Could you help confirm that? Thanks!

 

I'm not 100% sure on that.  Japanese lines are sometimes rated differently? So I don't know if 12lb US market line is the same diameter as 12lb Japanese market line. 

 

But assuming they are the same, then the USDM version holds 110yds of 12lb and the JDM holds 142yds. According to the USDM and JDM Shimano websites, the width and diameter are the same. 

[Eddie101]

Sorry for reviving the old thread. There’s a guy selling his Bantam, but has no idea if it’s USDM or JDM. The box has MGLXG, 03849, and 5RL106000 printed on it. Everything else is written in Japanese so I’m clueless. Any clue as to what this is? TIA as usual. 

[softwateronly]

15 minutes ago, Eddie101 said:

Sorry for reviving the old thread. There’s a guy selling his Bantam, but has no idea if it’s USDM or JDM. The box has MGLXG, 03849, and 5RL106000 printed on it. Everything else is written in Japanese so I’m clueless. Any clue as to what this is? TIA as usual. 

 

There could be an assembled in Japan printed on the bottom near the feet.  There are no material differences between the two that I'm aware of, just the possibility of a more thoughtful assembly by a Japanese tech.  There is a bigger difference between the 22 and 18 model though.  I have and love both, but the 22 does cast better with the slightly elongated frame.

 

you can see the print in these pics...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155914572499?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1QfDh4k4EQOmwSyfpanhDbg27&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=155914572499&targetid=2299003535955&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9217253&poi=&campaignid=21214315381&mkgroupid=161363866036&rlsatarget=pla-2299003535955&abcId=9407526&merchantid=6296724&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9eO3BhBNEiwAoc0-jWm4kHEwS3pcoo-WZ5XBjvtEvm-DdZP2mnHDLbEve4rfLZcHiPTEDBoCBaAQAvD_BwE

 

scott

[Eddie101]

Thank you for your post. Unfortunately I don’t have the pertinent pic to verify that. OTOH, the color of the box is close to silver than what you posted which is more of dark charcoal gray. Does that mean the one I’m looking at might be an older version of the bantam?  

[ABU is overpriced]

I'd argue that this is the best baitcaster shimano makes when you take the price to performance (JDM prices) into considration. Its the Shimano's Zillion. And if they could make it in sub 6.5oz, and stopped using their garbage micro module gearing, it'd be as good as the Zillion.

[A-Jay]

After fishing that first one,

I bait monkeyed 3 more.

Super smooth, powerful and just sweet to fish reel.

 

Now I just need to rehome the reels they replaced. 

At a DEEP discount of course. 

A-Jay

[T2DM]

3 hours ago, Eddie101 said:

Sorry for reviving the old thread. There’s a guy selling his Bantam, but has no idea if it’s USDM or JDM. The box has MGLXG, 03849, and 5RL106000 printed on it. Everything else is written in Japanese so I’m clueless. Any clue as to what this is? TIA as usual. 

 

This is from Shimano Japan website and might help a little.

 

You might have mis type 03849 as supposed to 03859, USDM 18 and 22 Bantams are exactly the same reel as JDM, just brought over as "USDM version".

 

I have two 18 USDM Bantam, 1 is a 6 speed and one is a 7 speed, and they match Shimano product codes in the picture above as well as my two 22 Bantams. So, the only way to tell really is through the packaging and manuals, paperwork in the box. If it's all in Japanese, then it's obviously a JDM reel.

 

 

2 hours ago, Eddie101 said:

Thank you for your post. Unfortunately I don’t have the pertinent pic to verify that. OTOH, the color of the box is close to silver than what you posted which is more of dark charcoal gray. Does that mean the one I’m looking at might be an older version of the bantam?  

 

Silver box is 18 Bantam MGL.

[Eddie101]

Yes, you’re correct sir - it was a typo. Much mahalo for your valuable input!

 

Do you prefer the ‘22 model or the ‘18 model? Is there a major difference between the two? 

[T2DM]

56 minutes ago, Eddie101 said:

Yes, you’re correct sir - it was a typo. Much mahalo for your valuable input!

 

Do you prefer the ‘22 model or the ‘18 model? Is there a major difference between the two? 

 

I like the looks of the 18 better but there are 3 major improvements compared to 18 Bantam, 22 Bantam is worth the upgrade IMO. 

[Maverick2017]

And another JDM 22’ Bantam on the way to me from Digitaka. 6 speed this time for spinners, chartters, and swimbaits 😎

[T2DM]

8 minutes ago, Maverick2017 said:

And another JDM 22’ Bantam on the way to me from Digitaka. 6 speed this time for spinners, chartters, and swimbaits 😎

Yep, this guy won't leave me alone last night!

 

So same here, from same place, also 6 speed but LH.

 

 

[T2DM]

23 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

I'd argue that this is the best baitcaster shimano makes when you take the price to performance (JDM prices) into considration. Its the Shimano's Zillion. And if they could make it in sub 6.5oz, and stopped using their garbage micro module gearing, it'd be as good as the Zillion.

One of my super smooth 7 speed 22 Bantam finally went Geary on me yesterday luckily, I know exactly what to do and have done it quite a few times on most of my reels and that is replacing the X-Ship bearing and everything is back to normal. This procedure has been pretty consistent at least in my case. I've even swap gear set in the past just to be sure. I never had a problem with MM gear, the only time I had a problem with it was when I bought a new gear set to slow down my Chronarch MGL and Shimano sent me a defective set, not sure if it's the main gear or the pinion but they ended up replacing both. The problem was after installing new the gear set there was ticking noise on the same spot every handle rotation.

 

I've read somewhere that Culcatta series reels even uses a much finer MM gears and to be honest, My 17 Scorpion DC which has the HEG gearing is more geary than my MM gear reels.

 

Just sharing my experience that's all.

[A-Jay]

Looking Hard at the Shimano Bantam MGL A Casting Reel ~

Might have been looking a little too hard . . . 

😎

A-Jay

[Maverick2017]

On 12/9/2024 at 12:32 PM, A-Jay said:

Looking Hard at the Shimano Bantam MGL A Casting Reel ~

Might have been looking a little too hard . . . 

😎

A-Jay

Gosh dang A-Jay!!!

 

I know the feeling! They are starting to outnumber and replace my Metaniums! 

 

Such a solid, no frills reel with line capacity to boot!