Metanium MGL vs Aluminium Daiwa Steez vs Conquest 100 2025
freelancer27 reply :
Hi all,
my all around reel broke and I am in the market for a new one.
The requirements for the reel would be:
* Smooth caster
* sturdy
* salt water safe
* light
Techniques that I would use the reel for are:
* Spinnerbaits
* Chatterbaits
* Jigs
* smaller swimbaits (up to 1.5 oz)
Would be interested in your thoughts!
Thanks!
fishballer06 reply :
The Metanium and the Steez are the best of the best.
Do you prefer a Lambo or a Viper?
Dwight Hottle reply :
Conquest would be my choice of those three.
freelancer27 reply :
On 4/19/2017 at 4:44 AM, fishballer06 said:The Metanium and the Steez are the best of the best.
Do you prefer a Lambo or a Viper?
Lambo! German Engineering yo! 
Which one would be the lambo?
yosef reply :
At first I didn't like the metanium as much as I thought I would so I got a steez, the steez is really nice but neither reel was as nice as I expected it to be, I ended up machining some parts and changing out the bearings in my metanium and now I really like it ...tightened up some tolerances and took some slop out of the reel ....out of the box I think I like the steez better but the metanium fits better in my hand so I chose to machine some parts for that one
freelancer27 reply :
On 4/19/2017 at 5:06 AM, yosef said:At first I didn't like the metanium as much as I thought I would so I got a steez, the steez is really nice but neither reel was as nice as I expected it to be, I ended up machining some parts and changing out the bearings in my metanium and now I really like it ...tightened up some tolerances and took some slop out of the reel ....out of the box I think I like the steez better but the metanium fits better in my hand so I chose to machine some parts for that one
Oh wow. I def. do not have the skills nor the tools to do the same thing. Congrats to you for that skill!
For me the trade off is:
Lighter and probably not as refined (Steez/Metanium) or 0.6 oz more weight and the best refinement that money can buy (Conquest)
lmbfisherman reply :
Conquest HG.
RoLo reply :
I've been disappointed by a Steez reel, so for me it would be between a Metanium and Calcutta.
I prefer a low-profile reel, so I'd opt for the Shimano Metanium.
Roger
freelancer27 reply :
On 4/19/2017 at 9:00 AM, RoLo said:I've been disappointed by a Steez reel, so for me it would be between a Metanium and Calcutta.
I prefer a low-profile reel, so I'd opt for the Shimano Metanium.
Roger
Which version of the Steez where you disappointed with and what was the reason of disappointment if I may ask?
RoLo reply :
On 4/19/2017 at 9:24 AM, freelancer27 said:Which version of the Steez where you disappointed with and what was the reason of disappointment if I may ask?
I'm glad you asked, which allows me to be more specific.
It was 'not' a casting reel it was a Steez spinning reel, but quality control issues leave a bad taste in the mouth.
The bail didn't fully return every time (I had to close it manually), and the reel handle began to fall apart.
Stuff like that I wouldn't accept from a budget reel, what's more a reel marketed as state-of-the-art.
Roger
freelancer27 reply :
On 4/19/2017 at 9:35 AM, RoLo said:
I'm glad you asked, this way I can be more specific.
It was 'not' a casting reel it was a Steez spinning reel, but quality control issues leave a bad taste in your mouth.
The bail didn't fully return every time (I had to close it manually), and the reel handle began to fall apart.
Stuff like that I wouldn't accept from a budget reel, what's more a reel marketed as state-of-the-art.
Roger
Thanks for your opinion!
Interesting. Might steer me more into the Conquest direction. I ordered all of them from TW and I will have a look and mount them on my rod to see which feels best.
Stingray23 reply :
I use a conquest 100HG for spinnerbaits and I LOVE it. Such a beautiful reel.
Rbm18 reply :
If you want a light reel, I just bought a shimano aldebaran. I really like it a lot.
Mosster47 reply :
Revo MGXtreme 2.
It's 4.5oz, has way nicer handle knobs, stocked with ceramic spool bearings which the others don't have, and the profile of the reel is smaller.
freelancer27 reply :
On 4/19/2017 at 10:38 AM, Rbm18 said:If you want a light reel, I just bought a shimano aldebaran. I really like it a lot.
On 4/19/2017 at 10:46 AM, Mosster47 said:Revo MGXtreme 2.
It's 4.5oz, has way nicer handle knobs, stocked with ceramic spool bearings which the others don't have, and the profile of the reel is smaller.
I was looking into those as well. Though I would like my reel to be ready for the salt as well, that is why I took those reels out of the equation.
EllisJuan reply :
Conquest. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. I don't have a Steeze, but I do have a '13 Met and a Met DC. Both are fantastic, but nothing has wowed me like my Conquest.
Stingray23 reply :
I also have Steez and '13 Metaniums and I love them too, but the Conquest is special.
Mosster47 reply :
On 4/19/2017 at 11:12 AM, freelancer27 said:
I was looking into those as well. Though I would like my reel to be ready for the salt as well, that is why I took those reels out of the equation.
What makes a Metanium or Steez salt ready over anything else? You have to do the same maintenance on every bass caliber low profile baitcaster once you fish in salt.
FrankN209 reply :
On 4/19/2017 at 6:35 PM, Mosster47 said:
What makes a Metanium or Steez salt ready over anything else? You have to do the same maintenance on every bass caliber low profile baitcaster once you fish in salt.
Because some of the Daiwas are Magsealed for salt water. I don't know about the Mets..
h20-50 reply :
On 4/19/2017 at 5:06 AM, yosef said:At first I didn't like the metanium as much as I thought I would so I got a steez, the steez is really nice but neither reel was as nice as I expected it to be, I ended up machining some parts and changing out the bearings in my metanium and now I really like it ...tightened up some tolerances and took some slop out of the reel ....out of the box I think I like the steez better but the metanium fits better in my hand so I chose to machine some parts for that one
Out of curiosity, what exactly did you machine?
h20-50 reply :
On 4/19/2017 at 6:35 PM, Mosster47 said:
What makes a Metanium or Steez salt ready over anything else? You have to do the same maintenance on every bass caliber low profile baitcaster once you fish in salt.
Also don't forget material of the reel. Magnesium more readily reacts with salt water and supports corrosion quicker than say an aluminum reel. Sealed reels are great but there are more factors than just that. Reality is you can use almost any reel for both salt and fresh, some will just require a heck of a lot more maintenance and upkeep.
DubyaDee reply :
I get a little giddy every time I pick up my Conquest HG. My metanium/poison adrena combo doesn't give me the same warm special feeling like my conquest does.
mwh33 reply :
I have a the conquest and MGL. I don't have a Steez aluminum, but have 2 other Steez reels. The Conquest is smoother than the MGL to me. I use my Conquest for moving baits including small swimbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, topwater, and crankbaits. I use my Steez for flipping, pitching, Texas rig, and jigs. MGL is used as an all around, but I like my conquest and Steez the best.
freelancer27 reply :
I think you guys have convinced me! I will have to bite the bullet and get the most expensive one. I am going with the 101.
DubyaDee reply :
On 4/20/2017 at 12:51 AM, freelancer27 said:I think you guys have convinced me! I will have to bite the bullet and get the most expensive one. I am going with the 101.
Sweet! What rod are you pairing it up with? Japan Lure Shop had a good price when I got mine a few years ago.
freelancer27 reply :
On 4/20/2017 at 1:50 AM, DubyaDee said:Sweet! What rod are you pairing it up with? Japan Lure Shop had a good price when I got mine a few years ago.
I am not sure yet. I ordered a couple of rods from TW to get a feel with the reel.
Candidates are:
| Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy | |||||
| Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'1" FMJ | |||||
| Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'2" Daemos St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy
|
Any thoughts on these? Use would be: be a good all around rod, with focus on Spinnerbaits, Jigs and small swimbaits
offsidewing reply :
I'm actually "platooning" a Metanium MGL and a Steez A right now. Its only been a couple weeks and I fish only freshwater. So far, I prefer the steez A for moving baits and the metanium MGL for bottom contact weightless plastics. While both have aluminum main gears, The Metanium feels a little smoother.
freelancer27 reply :
On 4/20/2017 at 7:20 AM, offsidewing said:I'm actually "platooning" a Metanium MGL and a Steez A right now. Its only been a couple weeks and I fish only freshwater. So far, I prefer the steez A for moving baits and the metanium MGL for bottom contact weightless plastics. While both have aluminum main gears, The Metanium feels a little smoother.
They are both nice reels. Though I think that the Conquest might be the better long term investment. It seems just more sturdy!
flechero reply :
I believe there is a correlation in the lines... I have been disappointed in all my high end Daiwa reels over the last 15 years... (none of them have casted as well as my Shimanos) and I have been pleasantly surprised by the Shimano reels, even the mid range reels, like Curados. I know that doesn't directly answer your question but if I had the same decision to make- it would be Shimano.
I'm sure I'm missing something as I know many people that I respect- who extol the greatness of high end Daiwa reels... but I just haven't experienced it. I want to love them but just haven't.
freelancer27 reply :
So, I received the order today.
The Metanium is definetely out. Just not loving it, also it is too close in look and feel to my Antares.
Now the surprising part: I am really digging the Steez. Finish is great and it palms sooo much better than the Conquest. I was also a bit disappointed on just how little line I could get onto the conquest, it almost felt like half the line capacity of the Steez.
I am strongly tending towards the Steez at this point. I will throw a 2-3 times with the reels in my backyard to see if there is a significant difference between the two reels that would make me change my mind.
Rod wise I narrowed it down to:
St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy (the Extremes just did not feel that comfortable and customer service of St.Croix said that the guides of the Elite are a bit more robust than the Extreme's)
+ I love the tip (just what I am looking for)
+ Handle has a good feel to it
+ Hook keeper design is great
+ 50 USD cheaper than the G.Loomis
- I wish the handle was a bit longer
- Micro guides not as robust
- reel seat not as nice as the one on the G.Loomis
G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR
+ Reel seat feels and looks very nice
+ has a broughter lure weight spectrum (1/4oz - 1oz vs 3/8 - 1 on the St.Croix)
+ 'Regular' Guides (I think they are more robust which is important to me as a bank fisherman)
- Hook keeper design not as robust as on the St.Croix
--> My mind tends to the G.Loomis (seems more robust and more versatile, though the tip is not fast enough for my taste). My heart though tends a bit more towards the St.Croix.
Any thoughts on my thinking process?
lmbfisherman reply :
Regarding the Steez vs Conquest, interesting most people have the opposite opinion. That being said, it sounds like you like low pro more than round. If that's it keep the Steez. As for the rod, get the one that makes you happy. If it were me the Loomis would take the nod, the MBR series is supposed to be great all around. It sounds like you are used to St Croix's "Fast" so I'd say get the St Croix.
j bab reply :
I personally wouldn't get anything under 7' for your application, but maybe that's because I'm 6'4"
robster80 reply :
Get the Steez and the GLX
offsidewing reply :
My favorite all round rods are the casting 7'0" slash 7'1" Medium Heavy St Croix's with a Fast Action. I have them in Avid X, LTB, and the new Elite series. If I throw anything under the 3/8oz (baits smaller than a 5" Senko or Fat Ika) I moved down to a Med Fast casting rod or spinning gear.
The Avid X 70MHF rod is probably the "one" I'd choose if I had to choose one casting rod for Bass.
DubyaDee reply :
On 4/20/2017 at 3:24 AM, freelancer27 said:I am not sure yet. I ordered a couple of rods from TW to get a feel with the reel.
Candidates are:
Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'1" FMJ Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'2" Daemos
St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy
St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy
St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy X Fa
0 G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR
Any thoughts on these? Use would be: be a good all around rod, with focus on Spinnerbaits, Jigs and small swimbaits
I'd get the Daemos in a heartbeat. I don't have it, but I feel like it would match up well with that reel. I like a longer rod for those techniques.
freelancer27 reply :
On 4/20/2017 at 9:41 PM, DubyaDee said:
I'd get the Daemos in a heartbeat. I don't have it, but I feel like it would match up well with that reel. I like a longer rod for those techniques.
The Demos is a sweet luckily reel. The tip is not soft enough tough.
On 4/20/2017 at 7:26 PM, j bab said:I personally wouldn't get anything under 7' for your application, but maybe that's because I'm 6'4"
I am 6'3 myself, but I like the feeling of a shorter rod for applications where I want to be precise with my casts.
Couldn't sleep because they choices kept me awake. Lol
I think I am also bringing the Daiwa Steel ST into the equation. I looked at it more and I like it actually a lot. I was just not able to get some quality reviews on the rod. Anyone with experience on the rod Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy
Thanks all!
freelancer27 reply :
So, I went into my backyard and tested the the Steez and the Conquest and compared them against my Antares and my Lew's Inshore BB2.
All but the Antares where spooled with 15pound mono.
Here is the essence of my testing:
1. The Steez felt solid during retrieves, not much (if at all) play in the handle. Casting distance was good. Same distance as my Lew's. Though I felt that the line capacity was not sufficient. On long casts I had maybe 15% line left. Since I was planning to use the reel also for inshore fishing, that turned out to be a deal braker.
2. Conquest 101. Super solid feel on retrieve. Ability to palm was ok, but not outstanding. I casted a 1oz lure and I had maybe 5 turns of line left. Great cast ability but the line capacity is just not sufficient.
Result:
I am sending the reels back. I am keeping the Daiwa Steez ST rod, which I am gonna pair with my 2016 Antares DC. I am gonna keep using the Lew's as my crank/topwater reel (which I wanted to use as a back up reel and rod combo that I would leave always in my car). It casts as well as the Steez, is almost as sturdy and just the added weight is not too bad.
Saved a couple of bucks (that I can use at some other point in time)! 
papagravey reply :
On 4/20/2017 at 7:20 AM, offsidewing said:I'm actually "platooning" a Metanium MGL and a Steez A right now. Its only been a couple weeks and I fish only freshwater. So far, I prefer the steez A for moving baits and the metanium MGL for bottom contact weightless plastics. While both have aluminum main gears, The Metanium feels a little smoother.
Which one of these cast farther? I'm looking at picking up one of the two
freelancer27 reply :
On 6/4/2017 at 9:53 AM, papagravey said:Which one of these cast farther? I'm looking at picking up one of the two
I have used the Steez A for a couple of outings and with the right line it casts almost as far as my Antares DC.
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