JDM metanium shallow vs Metanium 20

[Jaybert]

I have a JDM metanium 20 and as seems to often be the case I now think I need another one.  
 

I have no complaints with my 20 but do I want the shallow version instead ?  I have not had my 20 long and have not tried it out on lighter baits yet won’t have a chance to until spring now.  
 

this new purchase will be going on my 2 power Loomis Rod rated max 5/8 oz and used with a variety of baits low end probably 1/8 oz weight plus plastic, 1/4 oz poppers etc and up to near the max 5/8 for the rod occasionally too. 
 

the shallow edition has a cool factor, but if its not a huge advantage for what I need then I’m happy with another Met 20 since I’m familiar with it and love it. I see the shallow has an aluminum gear that not everyone sees as a positive ?  Is the shallow is more of a “bfs” reel?  I don’t fish bfs so I’m not sure, but I think I’m looking at heavier than what is considered bfs ?  I used an older Curado 70 on this rod prior but ready to jump to the Metanium I think

 

just curious who has fished both and any insight on what would be the better choice for this medium rod and 1/8 oz to 1/4 heads plus plastic, light t rigs, poppers, cranks, jerks etc.  any insights appreciated!

[softwateronly]

I have Met 20's as well and understand why you want another and I was just looking at them on digitaka the other day.  Here's a link from shimano and I found the impression testimonials from japanese pros to be insightful.  One says down to 7g and another pro says down to 5g.  Line choice on your end could be a critical factor in you liking it.

 

https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/reel/baitlurecasting/a075f00003k1ldfqa2.html

 

scott

[Jaybert]

59 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

I have Met 20's as well and understand why you want another and I was just looking at them on digitaka the other day.  Here's a link from shimano and I found the impression testimonials from japanese pros to be insightful.  One says down to 7g and another pro says down to 5g.  Line choice on your end could be a critical factor in you liking it.

 

https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/reel/baitlurecasting/a075f00003k1ldfqa2.html

 

scott

Interesting read there thanks!   Looks like those pros are saying 1/8-1/4 minimum with the shallow spool version of if I translate it right ?   How low can a Metanium 20 go I wonder ?  I have only had limited use on mine tossing like 3/8 and above 

[FishTank]

From what I remember the spool in the shallow edition is good down to 3/16 but not lower. It's not really a BFS reel. 

 

I have the 20 Metanium and the JDM 100. These will go down to 1/4 oz on the right rod but a true BFS reel is the better choice.  

[Jaybert]

17 minutes ago, FishTank said:

From what I remember the spool in the shallow edition is good down to 3/16 but not lower. It's not really a BFS reel. 

 

I have the 20 Metanium and the JDM 100. These will go down to 1/4 oz on the right rod but a true BFS reel is the better choice.  

Makes sense thanks.  So throwing say a 1/8 weight plus a plastic maybe a little less than 1/4 ounce total then likely, or a 1/4 ounce popper, my Metanium 20 would be borderline at its minimum.  But the shallow spool that would be in its sweet spot by sounds of that ?

[FishTank]

20 minutes ago, Jaybert said:

Makes sense thanks.  So throwing say a 1/8 weight plus a plastic maybe a little less than 1/4 ounce total then likely, or a 1/4 ounce popper, my Metanium 20 would be borderline at its minimum.  But the shallow spool that would be in its sweet spot by sounds of that ?

 

I think that would depend on the rod and line as well. I would say a Med Fast rod should do it or even a Med Light.  I tested mine out on a P5 Six Eleven. It's not quite a BFS rod but handles stuff around 1/8oz to 1/4oz fine. Both reels did ok but the rod worked best with a BFS reel, in this case a Conquest BFS. 

 

For the weights you are talking about, I use a G Loomis NRX+ 802C and a Steez CT. 

[softwateronly]

I've never really tried to find the bottom end of my met 20's.  I do have diawa alpha 800s with pe 1.5 mounted on various medium powered rods to throw those weights and find it perfect.  I find it a giant leap ahead of a curado 70 as well.

 

scott

[newapti5]

For 1/8oz lures, like others suggested, I'd get a BFS spool instead of the shallow edition, and this is a good choice:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805942876554.html

 

I have the shallow edition spool and this KKR spool. In comparison, the latter is more suited for light lures, but for 1/4oz and above, the shallow spool is more controllable . 

[casts_by_fly]

16 hours ago, Jaybert said:

Makes sense thanks.  So throwing say a 1/8 weight plus a plastic maybe a little less than 1/4 ounce total then likely, or a 1/4 ounce popper, my Metanium 20 would be borderline at its minimum.  But the shallow spool that would be in its sweet spot by sounds of that ?

 

The regular Met should come with an MGL spool  The MGL spool will be good down to a quarter ounce total bait.  I don't use my Met that way, but I do use my chronarchs with that level of light at times (30 lb braid, MH/F rod).  An eighth ounce weight plus a light plastic.  If that's all you are doing with the rod then the shallow would probably be better, but if you're also going heavier and only occasionally going that light then I'd go with the standard.  before you decide, I'd get your current met out into the yard (snow) and cast it a bit with that lighter bait weight.  You might be surprised.

[Bigbox99]

Go for it.  It should do well with your bait range and the shallow spool has the plus of reducing small diameter braid dig in.  

[F14A-B]

The Shimano 22 shallow edition is a 100 Metanium. It has an aluminum main gear. It has a Yumeya custom spool that has tuned braking to facilitate casting 3/16 to 3/8. 
 

It is not a BFS reel unless you call 1/8 to 3/8 BFS. In fact I’ve taken my shallow spool out and popped it straight into my late model metanium 100 HG and it fits and works the same.

 

Mine is on a GLX 892 and it’s a joy to use. Bought mine last February. 

PS: It’s a shiny silver color, I like it. 

[Jaybert]

2 hours ago, F14A-B said:

The Shimano 22 shallow edition is a 100 Metanium. It has an aluminum main gear. It has a Yumeya custom spool that has tuned braking to facilitate casting 3/16 to 3/8. 
 

It is not a BFS reel unless you call 1/8 to 3/8 BFS. In fact I’ve taken my shallow spool out and popped it straight into my late model metanium 100 HG and it fits and works the same.

 

Mine is on a GLX 892 and it’s a joy to use. Bought mine last February. 

PS: It’s a shiny silver color, I like it. 

So is it a different color than the deep gray of my 20 Metanium ?   I know I know color doesn’t matter 

[F14A-B]

1 hour ago, Jaybert said:

So is it a different color than the deep gray of my 20 Metanium ?   I know I know color doesn’t matter 

Yes. A silver, brighter silver

[msgf91]

I have the shallow spool edition.  Like mentioned,  it can get down to bfs weights but not the best at it. I have mine on a ALX Light+ spinning rod custom made into a casting rod with carbon grips. The different paint job pairs well with the carbon grips. It works great with small keitech swimbaits. But I ended up really liking the rod for it's intended purpose,  which was drop shot. 5 lb Sniper and a Light+ really makes the shallow spool shine as a reel for blurring the line between bfs and regular bass finesse (ML).  Also I'm not too worried about the aluminum gears because I keep drag low for drop shot. 

[Swest18x]

Would the shallow spool be a good match for 110 jrs? 3/8 ounce ...I have a 110 Stick and want a little more distance than what I'm getting with my Curado 70. 20lb braid to leader.

[Jaybert]

So while the Metanium shallow spool edition was very tempting and likely better, I purchased a Curado BFS instead for this one.   Found it on a great deal that was far less than Metanium in this instance by time I imported it and paid the US/CDN exchange.    This is kind of an extra “fun” combo so I thought for the price ill give the bfs a try.    Still, my next reel when I need it will likely be another Metanium, they are perfection.  

[MRQturbo]

I use mine for BFS duties... Paired it with a Megabass P5 Xbites... I can toss 1/5 ned rigs with ease and up to 3/8 trig on this setup.. Of all the metanium variations, the silver paint on the shallow edition is the nicest..