Johnny Morris Platinum Baitcasting reel vs. Shimano SLX? 2024
Plottman1974 reply :
Hello
I am pretty sure this is my first post. I am a die hard bank/pond fisherman on a limited budget. I have always had $50 max reels. I have roughly $125 to spend on a reel and I am torn between the Johnny Morris Platinum (which is on sale right now) or the Shimano Slx..
Any advice is appreciated more than you know as this is a rather large purchase for me.
Thank you
Grim_Reaver reply :
Check out the Daiwa Tatula 100 currently on sale for the same price on Sportsman's Outfitters.com. i got one a few weeks ago and it's sweet. Definitely better than my friends SLX.
OG Crankster reply :
Id go with the SLX. Tackle Direct actually has SLX combos, SLX rod and SLX reel, on sale for 129.00 shipped. Thats a pretty good deal.
mc6524 reply :
I have several Johnny Morris platinums as well as Shimano curandos. The Johnny Morris is a great reel, but I change the bearings to Bica orange seal bearings after a while. Please understand you don’t have to change the bearings, but IMO for $40 more and an initial investment of $150 you have a reel that performs like a $300 reel.
i would suggest the Jonney Morris, or you can get a Lew’s tournament MB online for $120. I love the reel and it would be my choice.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 11/29/2019 at 8:36 PM, mc6524 said:I have several Johnny Morris platinums as well as Shimano curandos. The Johnny Morris is a great reel, but I change the bearings to Bica orange seal bearings after a while. Please understand you don’t have to change the bearings, but IMO for $40 more and an initial investment of $150 you have a reel that performs like a $300 reel.
i would suggest the Jonney Morris, or you can get a Lew’s tournament MB online for $120. I love the reel and it would be my choice.
Or pay $110 here. 
https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/fishing-reels/casting-reels/lews-tournament-mb-speed-spool-lfs-casting-reel/p/p33478
18RangerZ520L reply :
No comparison...
Shimano, period......
LegendaryBassin reply :
Shimano. No comparison.
Fishes in trees reply :
If you're dead set on a bait casting reel - go Shimano. For a long time, back in the day, I was bank bound and I realized that bait casting reels in that situation more often were more trouble than they were worth. Per haps you're better at using your bait caster than I was at the time, but I got caught up on lots of stuff behind me as I was drawing the tip back getting ready to throw it forward. I had to buy a lot of cheap mono due to snags on the back cast. I also started carrying a machete, to cut away some of the stuff behind me prior to fishing a spot.
These days, that wouldn't be as much of an issue because I know how to pitch and keep the bait & rod in front of me at all times - didn't know that then.
When I was bank bound, longer 6 1/2 and 7" spinning rods (not especially common then ) allowed me to parallel the bank easier, but the best tool was a pair of hip waders, that got me off the bank and made throwing a swim jig parallel to a row of cat tails much easier.
Even today, if someone told me I was going pond fishing, no boat, and could only take a few rods, I'd be grabbing spinning gear and leave the bait casting stuff on the bench.
Why didn't I use a spinner bait to learn bait casting, you ask? Probably the easiest bait to learn to throw on a bait caster, outside of a lipless crank. Basically, I didn't believe in them at the time. It took getting access to a boat AND getting spanked by buddies who did understand spinner baits several times before I considered throwing them.
Tizi reply :
On 11/29/2019 at 8:58 PM, new2BC4bass said:Or pay $110 here.
ALF has it for $89.99. Killer deal on a fantastic reel.
newyorktoiowa57 reply :
I sold my BPS JM platinum. Not really all that refined at the $200 price point. The SLX is probably smoother.
BaitFinesse reply :
Hard to go wrong with either. Both are reputable platforms from reputable manufacturers. I would lean towards the SLX personally. If I wanted the Platinum I would get a stripped down variant of the same platform for $50 when the ProQ 2.0 goes on sale this spring. Solid reel for $50.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
They’re both well made. Comes down to features preference and deals. The PQ on sale is probably the biggest bang for the buck.
GreenPig reply :
Never handled the JMP reel. I picked up a SLX 6.3 a couple weeks ago and have been very impressed with it for a $100 reel.
mc6524 reply :
Here again, bearings make a reel. The SLX is a 4 bearing reel compared to a 10 bearing reel with the Johnny Morris. Just saying....
Plottman1974 reply :
Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.
Shimano_1 reply :
If u haven't figured it out...shimano gets a lot of love on here. Are they better? Totally subjective. For the sale prices I believe the platinum would be a better reel in almost every way of course it's a 200 reel compared to a 100 dollar reel. I like shimano reels but I have 3 of the platinum reels and they're amazing. Totally dont agree that the slx is smoother. I've had a cple of the slx reels and I feel the platinum is considerably smoother. Honestly wasn't impressed with the slx. Much prefer the tatula ct to the slx. Its pretty apparent there are varying opinions so I'd go check em both out and see which feels better to "you". Bought the pro qualifier last spring on sale and it lasted 3 trips before it crapped out. I've had the platinums for a full season of heavy use and still feel like new.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Number of bearing definitely does not make the reel. Quality bearings in key locations is much more important. Don’t get sucked in by high bearing count.
dodgeguy reply :
If you can afford it I would get the Lews tournament pro for 139$ at Sportsmans outfitters. It's 199 other places.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
On 11/30/2019 at 9:34 PM, mc6524 said:Here again, bearings make a reel. The SLX is a 4 bearing reel compared to a 10 bearing reel with the Johnny Morris. Just saying....
Quality over quantity. ...a baitcaster only needs to have 3 bearings ..2 in spool one in handle crank ....10 bearings is a selling point thats it 4 of those bearings are in the handle one is in the sideplate at the end of the spool the other 5 bearings are what matters ..
I have abus with only 2 bearings in the spool that are smoother then a lot of (take ur pick) 8 bearing 5 6 etc reels
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
All reels should have at least 4 bearings in handle knobs.
BaitFinesse reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 9:23 AM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:All reels should have at least 4 bearings in handle knobs.
I've had cheap reels with 4 crunchy bearings in the knobs that made me wish they were one quality bearing and a bushing like my Daiwas.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 9:27 AM, BaitFinesse said:I've had cheap reels with 4 crunchy bearings in the knobs that made me wish they were one quality bearing and a bushing like my Daiwas.
Because you use DAIWA next time try Shishamo with 17+1 bearings.
BaitFinesse reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 9:33 AM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:Because you use DAIWA next time try Shishamo with 17+1 bearings.
Its like their knobs are a pez dispenser for awful bearings.
zell_pop1 reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 1:13 AM, Shimano_1 said:If u haven't figured it out...shimano gets a lot of love on here. Are they better? Totally subjective. For the sale prices I believe the platinum would be a better reel in almost every way of course it's a 200 reel compared to a 100 dollar reel. I like shimano reels but I have 3 of the platinum reels and they're amazing. Totally dont agree that the slx is smoother. I've had a cple of the slx reels and I feel the platinum is considerably smoother. Honestly wasn't impressed with the slx. Much prefer the tatula ct to the slx. Its pretty apparent there are varying opinions so I'd go check em both out and see which feels better to "you". Bought the pro qualifier last spring on sale and it lasted 3 trips before it crapped out. I've had the platinums for a full season of heavy use and still feel like new.
X2 on everything said here.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 1:13 AM, Shimano_1 said:If u haven't figured it out...shimano gets a lot of love on here. Are they better? Totally subjective. For the sale prices I believe the platinum would be a better reel in almost every way of course it's a 200 reel compared to a 100 dollar reel. I like shimano reels but I have 3 of the platinum reels and they're amazing. Totally dont agree that the slx is smoother. I've had a cple of the slx reels and I feel the platinum is considerably smoother. Honestly wasn't impressed with the slx. Much prefer the tatula ct to the slx. Its pretty apparent there are varying opinions so I'd go check em both out and see which feels better to "you". Bought the pro qualifier last spring on sale and it lasted 3 trips before it crapped out. I've had the platinums for a full season of heavy use and still feel like new.
Just curious, what does “crapped out” mean re the PQ?
Shimano_1 reply :
Got rough as heck. Made a cast and when I cranked the handle over I could feel something give inside. Felt like a coffee grinder afterwards. Didn't bother with tearing it down just took it back and got a refund. My dad bought one at the same time and his has already started to feel a little rough as well. The older one I've had for probably 6 years and it still feels pretty good
The Bassman reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 9:23 AM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:All reels should have at least 4 bearings in handle knobs.
This. Cause when I'm bored I like to flick the knobs and watch 'em spin.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 4:12 PM, The Bassman said:This. Cause when I'm bored I like to flick the knobs and watch 'em spin.
Yup a whole 10 second spin.
Plottman1974 reply :
I bought the Johnny Morris platinum. It’s regularly $200 & was on sale for $125. I may regret it, but I read tons of reviews online as well as the feedback here.
thank you for your help.
OnthePotomac reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 7:54 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:Number of bearing definitely does not make the reel. Quality bearings in key locations is much more important. Don’t get sucked in by high bearing count.
Amen sir, how correct you are, which is why I have always been a Shimano fan....great performance with a minimum bearing count.
On 12/2/2019 at 9:46 AM, Plottman1974 said:I bought the Johnny Morris platinum. It’s regularly $200 & was on sale for $125. I may regret it, but I read tons of reviews online as well as the feedback here.
thank you for your help.
And you made a good choice. Should last you forever.
GreenPig reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 4:44 PM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:Yup a whole 10 second spin.
Yep. When the knob quits spinning twitch your jerkbait. Then do it over and over. It's good for making you go slower when the waters cold.????
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