TackleTour

If no brakes are on the dial has no effect.

I still never figured out why the US model Bantam MGL always lists only 8 bearings total. Saw plenty of schematics and I'm pretty sure its 9 total, Shimano USA still hadn't changed it last time I checked. Unless of course the count is different for the US model after all...

Anyone got a line on the 151 XG in stock for under $300?

1nutinthewater wrote:Anyone got a line on the 151 XG in stock for under $300?

I will probably be returning mine the performance just isn't worth the price, there are to many other reels that are more refined at this price point. The Bantam spool capacity should be good for Steelhead fishing if you need it, I don't need more than 120 yards or so of 8-10lb test for the Salmon fishing I do, if they get that far I have already lost them to a bend in the river or a sweeper so a 70 - 100 size spool if perfect. I might try a Steez A?

Just a thought... the Curado 200K gives up nothing to the Bantam MGL performance wise that I could tell and you could buy two of them for the same price as the Bantam.

Kurt

Kurt L wrote:

1nutinthewater wrote:Anyone got a line on the 151 XG in stock for under $300?

I will probably be returning mine the performance just isn't worth the price, there are to many other reels that are more refined at this price point. The Bantam spool capacity should be good for Steelhead fishing if you need it, I don't need more than 120 yards or so of 8-10lb test for the Salmon fishing I do, if they get that far I have already lost them to a bend in the river or a sweeper so a 70 - 100 size spool if perfect. I might try a Steez A?

Just a thought... the Curado 200K gives up nothing to the Bantam MGL performance wise that I could tell and you could buy two of them for the same price as the Bantam.

Kurt

Hmm Thanks for the feedback! Maybe I need to rethink this... Kinda getting tired of buying rods/reels to try and then they go on the back burner. Really like the chronarch mgl that i used last season and the lexa 300 is ok- spool clicker on the way for it so maybe just stick with them. Naw--- thats no fun

1nutinthewater wrote:

Kurt L wrote:

1nutinthewater wrote:Anyone got a line on the 151 XG in stock for under $300?

I will probably be returning mine the performance just isn't worth the price, there are to many other reels that are more refined at this price point. The Bantam spool capacity should be good for Steelhead fishing if you need it, I don't need more than 120 yards or so of 8-10lb test for the Salmon fishing I do, if they get that far I have already lost them to a bend in the river or a sweeper so a 70 - 100 size spool if perfect. I might try a Steez A?

Just a thought... the Curado 200K gives up nothing to the Bantam MGL performance wise that I could tell and you could buy two of them for the same price as the Bantam.

Kurt

Hmm Thanks for the feedback! Maybe I need to rethink this... Kinda getting tired of buying rods/reels to try and then they go on the back burner. Really like the chronarch mgl that i used last season and the lexa 300 is ok- spool clicker on the way for it so maybe just stick with them. Naw--- thats no fun

The Chronarch is great reel so is the Lexa 300! for what it's worth the Cabelas Arachnid (Old Tatula Type R basically) is a great option. I tried three reels this spring for light King salmon work (12lb line) all the high speed options, A Lews Super Duty, Curado K and the Arachnid was the best of the bunch its really solid and is smoother with or without load on it & casting is on par, it's a killer deal for what you get. It's the only one of the three that I kept.

Kurt

Kurt L wrote:

1nutinthewater wrote:

Kurt L wrote:

1nutinthewater wrote:Anyone got a line on the 151 XG in stock for under $300?

I will probably be returning mine the performance just isn't worth the price, there are to many other reels that are more refined at this price point. The Bantam spool capacity should be good for Steelhead fishing if you need it, I don't need more than 120 yards or so of 8-10lb test for the Salmon fishing I do, if they get that far I have already lost them to a bend in the river or a sweeper so a 70 - 100 size spool if perfect. I might try a Steez A?

Just a thought... the Curado 200K gives up nothing to the Bantam MGL performance wise that I could tell and you could buy two of them for the same price as the Bantam.

Kurt

Hmm Thanks for the feedback! Maybe I need to rethink this... Kinda getting tired of buying rods/reels to try and then they go on the back burner. Really like the chronarch mgl that i used last season and the lexa 300 is ok- spool clicker on the way for it so maybe just stick with them. Naw--- thats no fun

The Chronarch is great reel so is the Lexa 300! for what it's worth the Cabelas Arachnid (Old Tatula Type R basically) is a great option. I tried three reels this spring for light King salmon work (12lb line) all the high speed options, A Lews Super Duty, Curado K and the Arachnid was the best of the bunch its really solid and is smoother with or without load on it & casting is on par, it's a killer deal for what you get. It's the only one of the three that I kept.

Kurt

That cabelas reel has 12 bearings ?

My bantam was finicky when I first got it , the trick for me was the amount of line on the spool. It has a happy spot where it’s not over filled. Now it casts effortlessly with overruns now less intermittent. It does have a sweet spot in lure weight that’s for sure ...

My Brake settings are 1 inner block activated, 2.5 / 6 on the side plate.
Works well for most lures i throw.
at 2 / 6, the line starts to get really unstable even with 2 inner blocks activated.

By the way the (Stock) bearings were dipped in acetone with 1 drip of Hedge hog alchemy ultralight oil.

Yeah the Cabela's Arachnid is much like the old body style (non CT) Fuego. Has the extra 2 bearings in the knobs and 2 on the levelwind. Think it has 2 main shaft, 1 anti reverse, 1 pinion, 2 spool, 4 handle knobs, 2 levelwind. Wish more companies would do this for mid priced reels, still find is so strange that the Fuego had 12 bearings stock.

Been using 1 brake block on, 3 on the dial, cc just a tad to the tight side, 10in power worm 3/8 wt, CNQ904c.
Smooth casting, good distance, and a very solid feel with a fish on.

1nutinthewater wrote:

Kurt L wrote:

1nutinthewater wrote:Anyone got a line on the 151 XG in stock for under $300?

I will probably be returning mine the performance just isn't worth the price, there are to many other reels that are more refined at this price point. The Bantam spool capacity should be good for Steelhead fishing if you need it, I don't need more than 120 yards or so of 8-10lb test for the Salmon fishing I do, if they get that far I have already lost them to a bend in the river or a sweeper so a 70 - 100 size spool if perfect. I might try a Steez A?

Just a thought... the Curado 200K gives up nothing to the Bantam MGL performance wise that I could tell and you could buy two of them for the same price as the Bantam.

Kurt

Hmm Thanks for the feedback! Maybe I need to rethink this...

X2.... Furthermore Malaysia Shimano has the worst in term of customer service

So I decide to stay with Daiwa

WW

The bait monkey took control of my keyboard last night while visiting a JDM site and when I awoke I found a receipt in my inbox for the purchase of the 151 XG................

1nutinthewater wrote:The bait monkey took control of my keyboard last night while visiting a JDM site and when I awoke I found a receipt in my inbox for the purchase of the 151 XG................

congrats !

So Im seeing a trend of people selling off the Bantams after using them a bit. Is this reel just over hyped? Kinda reminding me of the whole Concept Z thing. Thoughts on this? Or is it because its got a plastic pawl?