This worries me. That super short distance from guide to spool does seem to make me worry some. Most don't mention it, but you and a few others have mentioned that it doesn't cast quite as well as the Metanium/Chronarch MGL...pharmboy wrote:Initial impression: Super smooth tank of a reel that is comfortable in hand and a joy to retrieve - literally ZERO geary feeling to the retrieve. I will say (as others have mentioned) that while I have only 2 days on the water with it, the casting distance thus far is significantly less than Met/chronarch mgl. Only other minor negative is the thumb bar is slightly awkward on my thumb - I find myself always on the edge of the bar, not on the actual button.
Only time will tell where it will play in my arsenal, but I will hold off on grabbing a bunch of these in varied speeds - but i do NOT regret grabbing the 6.4:1 for lipless/chatterbait rod.
Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
DirtyD64 wrote:This worries me. That super short distance from guide to spool does seem to make me worry some. Most don't mention it, but you and a few others have mentioned that it doesn't cast quite as well as the Metanium/Chronarch MGL...pharmboy wrote:Initial impression: Super smooth tank of a reel that is comfortable in hand and a joy to retrieve - literally ZERO geary feeling to the retrieve. I will say (as others have mentioned) that while I have only 2 days on the water with it, the casting distance thus far is significantly less than Met/chronarch mgl. Only other minor negative is the thumb bar is slightly awkward on my thumb - I find myself always on the edge of the bar, not on the actual button.
Only time will tell where it will play in my arsenal, but I will hold off on grabbing a bunch of these in varied speeds - but i do NOT regret grabbing the 6.4:1 for lipless/chatterbait rod.
Wow man! I have never seen someone get so worried about a reel. Just order one...if you like it, keep it. If you don't, return it or sell it. I am OCD about stuff but this is insane.
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Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
Ha, was thinking the same thing but just didn't want to say anything.Big-Bass wrote: Wow man! I have never seen someone get so worried about a reel. Just order one...if you like it, keep it. If you don't, return it or sell it. I am OCD about stuff but this is insane.
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Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
We finally have the LEFT hand Bantam MGL in stock as of this afternoon. All pre-orders will ship no later than tomorrow and I will be getting one to fish more extensively. From my time on the water with the RH version, I think this is going to be an outstanding reel!
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Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
$350 is a decent amount at this point in life, probably shouldn't even buy the stuff I have now, but close to 30 without a great job makes me hesitant anymore. Sold off tons of Abu stuff I bought a little too quick but luckily got like 90% back. Just give me a few more years when I get life fully back on track and I won't be so OCD/worried anymore. Plan on celebrating by filling in the gaps finally in my rod/reel arsenal.Big-Bass wrote:DirtyD64 wrote:This worries me. That super short distance from guide to spool does seem to make me worry some. Most don't mention it, but you and a few others have mentioned that it doesn't cast quite as well as the Metanium/Chronarch MGL...pharmboy wrote:Initial impression: Super smooth tank of a reel that is comfortable in hand and a joy to retrieve - literally ZERO geary feeling to the retrieve. I will say (as others have mentioned) that while I have only 2 days on the water with it, the casting distance thus far is significantly less than Met/chronarch mgl. Only other minor negative is the thumb bar is slightly awkward on my thumb - I find myself always on the edge of the bar, not on the actual button.
Only time will tell where it will play in my arsenal, but I will hold off on grabbing a bunch of these in varied speeds - but i do NOT regret grabbing the 6.4:1 for lipless/chatterbait rod.
Wow man! I have never seen someone get so worried about a reel. Just order one...if you like it, keep it. If you don't, return it or sell it. I am OCD about stuff but this is insane.
Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
Not meant to offend at all. I was just saying I think you're worrying about too many little things with this reel. Yes, $350 is a good amount of money to spend, but to worry about schematics, a missing ball bearing etc. that over the longevity of the reel won't probably mean much is not the point of fishing the reel. Just enjoy the reel when you get it and post some pictures of fish that you caught on it. Best wishes on the water!DirtyD64 wrote:$350 is a decent amount at this point in life, probably shouldn't even buy the stuff I have now, but close to 30 without a great job makes me hesitant anymore. Sold off tons of Abu stuff I bought a little too quick but luckily got like 90% back. Just give me a few more years when I get life fully back on track and I won't be so OCD/worried anymore. Plan on celebrating by filling in the gaps finally in my rod/reel arsenal.Big-Bass wrote:DirtyD64 wrote:This worries me. That super short distance from guide to spool does seem to make me worry some. Most don't mention it, but you and a few others have mentioned that it doesn't cast quite as well as the Metanium/Chronarch MGL...pharmboy wrote:Initial impression: Super smooth tank of a reel that is comfortable in hand and a joy to retrieve - literally ZERO geary feeling to the retrieve. I will say (as others have mentioned) that while I have only 2 days on the water with it, the casting distance thus far is significantly less than Met/chronarch mgl. Only other minor negative is the thumb bar is slightly awkward on my thumb - I find myself always on the edge of the bar, not on the actual button.
Only time will tell where it will play in my arsenal, but I will hold off on grabbing a bunch of these in varied speeds - but i do NOT regret grabbing the 6.4:1 for lipless/chatterbait rod.
Wow man! I have never seen someone get so worried about a reel. Just order one...if you like it, keep it. If you don't, return it or sell it. I am OCD about stuff but this is insane.
Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
Was about to say, you have a good point, at that price range (even around $200) any reel should be a good one, especially with a good company to back it.Big-Bass wrote:Not meant to offend at all. I was just saying I think you're worrying about too many little things with this reel. Yes, $350 is a good amount of money to spend, but to worry about schematics, a missing ball bearing etc. that over the longevity of the reel won't probably mean much is not the point of fishing the reel. Just enjoy the reel when you get it and post some pictures of fish that you caught on it. Best wishes on the water!DirtyD64 wrote:$350 is a decent amount at this point in life, probably shouldn't even buy the stuff I have now, but close to 30 without a great job makes me hesitant anymore. Sold off tons of Abu stuff I bought a little too quick but luckily got like 90% back. Just give me a few more years when I get life fully back on track and I won't be so OCD/worried anymore. Plan on celebrating by filling in the gaps finally in my rod/reel arsenal.Big-Bass wrote:DirtyD64 wrote:This worries me. That super short distance from guide to spool does seem to make me worry some. Most don't mention it, but you and a few others have mentioned that it doesn't cast quite as well as the Metanium/Chronarch MGL...pharmboy wrote:Initial impression: Super smooth tank of a reel that is comfortable in hand and a joy to retrieve - literally ZERO geary feeling to the retrieve. I will say (as others have mentioned) that while I have only 2 days on the water with it, the casting distance thus far is significantly less than Met/chronarch mgl. Only other minor negative is the thumb bar is slightly awkward on my thumb - I find myself always on the edge of the bar, not on the actual button.
Only time will tell where it will play in my arsenal, but I will hold off on grabbing a bunch of these in varied speeds - but i do NOT regret grabbing the 6.4:1 for lipless/chatterbait rod.
Wow man! I have never seen someone get so worried about a reel. Just order one...if you like it, keep it. If you don't, return it or sell it. I am OCD about stuff but this is insane.
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Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
D-D64, I'm not sure where you're located but if you're in SoCal, you're welcome to try one of mine out.DirtyD64 wrote: Was about to say, you have a good point, at that price range (even around $200) any reel should be a good one, especially with a good company to back it.
Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
I'm in Arkansas actually. Not many equipment enthusiasts over here, honestly not a whole bunch of serious fisherman at that... I've never seen an Antares, any high end Shimano (aside of a 13 Metanium). Only used high end Daiwa's and a few others here and there because of a friend who tournament fishes hard.Winstondry wrote:D-D64, I'm not sure where you're located but if you're in SoCal, you're welcome to try one of mine out.DirtyD64 wrote: Was about to say, you have a good point, at that price range (even around $200) any reel should be a good one, especially with a good company to back it.
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Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
Received my Bantam MGL 151XG yesterday from the Tackle Trap. If you have any reservations about their customer service, don't even hesitate as they are top notch! Can't wait to test this bad boy out on the water
Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
What are you planning to chunk with it???accodn2ryan wrote:Received my Bantam MGL 151XG yesterday from the Tackle Trap. If you have any reservations about their customer service, don't even hesitate as they are top notch! Can't wait to test this bad boy out on the water
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Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
Going to be using it for froggin and flippin.DirtyD64 wrote:What are you planning to chunk with it???accodn2ryan wrote:Received my Bantam MGL 151XG yesterday from the Tackle Trap. If you have any reservations about their customer service, don't even hesitate as they are top notch! Can't wait to test this bad boy out on the water
Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
The Bantam reels have been shipping with all of the brakes turned to the on position. Turn two off and cast ti again...it should eliminate the distance issues.
Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
I was about to say, I figure the conical shaped level wind helped to eliminate the issue of having a shorter frame or spool to level wind distance. They have been getting amazing reviews, seems like ya'll did great. I saw a few neutral comments on the Chronarch MGL and it's been amazing, haven't seen even an eye blinked negatively toward the Bantam so it must be even better. Is there going to be much availability of the shallow spool or are they JDM scavenger hunt only???Bantam1 wrote:The Bantam reels have been shipping with all of the brakes turned to the on position. Turn two off and cast ti again...it should eliminate the distance issues.
Re: Bantam MGL Who has their hands on one?
[/quote]This worries me. That super short distance from guide to spool does seem to make me worry some. Most don't mention it, but you and a few others have mentioned that it doesn't cast quite as well as the Metanium/Chronarch MGL...[/quote]
I get the impression my Chronarch and Metanium beat the Bantam's casting distance by a small margin. They all bomb lures to a distance that has me question the ability to get a decent hook set I wouldn't describe the margin as large.
I get the impression my Chronarch and Metanium beat the Bantam's casting distance by a small margin. They all bomb lures to a distance that has me question the ability to get a decent hook set I wouldn't describe the margin as large.