Older Shimano Bantams from the 80's 2025

royce reply :

I like the old Shimano Bantams from the 80's. I'm talking about the black ones that are dainty. Good for about 12 pound test line.

These are smooth old reels and I grew up using them. I've been picking a few up along and along.

What are your opinions of these older reels. I know that some of the newer ones have a little better retrieve ration but I don't think they are any better....

linesider7 reply :

Can you post a pic? The memory isn't working well today...

Bassn Blvd reply :

I have two and my uncle has 7 from his tourny years. I post a picture if I can find the reels....

The_Natural reply :

I learned on an Abu Garcia XLT Plus Synchro. It was a bad arse reel at the time. I have to say it doesn't compare to the newer reels...they didn't even have infinite anti-reverse! Still a treasure though...charish them.

linesider7 reply :

Ah, black bantams, I was thinking curados for some reason. I remember those reels, I had one.

Cephkiller reply :

Are you talking about the graphite ones? I bought one of these at KMart with yard mowing money about 20-25 years ago. It still works fine.

eastkybass reply :

I have one. I love it I learned on it and would still use it today but I have to order a couple of parts for it. My Dad has 2 of the silver Bantam 1000's he still uses and does quite well with. I will agree that they don't compare to the newer reels but still hold up and are still able to catch fish.

royce reply :

The Bantam 10xsg is the black metal body. I think it's aluminum. I think they have a v spool of aluminum too. I have several new reels also but I still like the old School shimanos. My favorites are the ones with the paddle handle.

.RM. reply :

This is interesting. We are talking Bantam 10's 50's 100's in the SG and XSG. They were the first of the Bantam reels designed after the Lew's BB1 series reels that Shimano® at the time was tooling. In the 80's Shimano® produced well over 25 different series of Bantam reels including the first left hand retrieve LP reels. Bantam Mag Plus, 15SG, 15XSG, 10X, 21SG, 50SG, 150SG, 150XSG, 250SG (also in LHR), 250SG XHS (also in LHR), 250X, 350 SG, 1500X Plus, etc..

These reels are nothing like today's reels, I see some of the silver series 100's thru 1000's. But be warned, now that they are discontinued and considered collectibles, there are no parts that cross over into today's reels, and, therefore the parts for these reels have expired (very few to none available).

I have also recommended to many of the owners of these reels that should they use them, they should be relegated to very light duty reels only.

Tight Lines !!!

Catt reply :

I still have mine

royce reply :

I have some of the newer Shimanos. They are really smooth and hold up well. With that being said, I've also worn out some of the newer reels (Not all are Shimano) and the older Shimanos are still going strong. I do clean them regularly and take care of them though.

Raul reply :

Quote
I learned on an Abu Garcia XLT Plus Synchro. It was a bad arse reel at the time. I have to say it doesn't compare to the newer reels...they didn't even have infinite anti-reverse! Still a treasure though...charish them.

Natural, it was a Schyncro no wonder why you say that about the antireverse. Got two XLT series: XLT plus and 521 XLT plus still in use and a conmemorative limited edition 521 XLT Plus NIB.

Also got a Bantam BMag 1000 that I no longer use.

scbassin reply :

I have 5 Bantam Magnumlite GT Plus with the fightin drag. I bought these reels in the late 70's @ K-Mart for $84.95, I still have the boxes. The reels are in excellent shape & I still use them from time to time.

Laurentino reply :

I've been using an old Bantam off and on for many years. It's still going strong!

Bassn Blvd reply :

Quote
I have 5 Bantam Magnumlite GT Plus with the fightin drag. I bought these reels in the late 70's @ K-Mart for $84.95, I still have the boxes. The reels are in excellent shape & I still use them from time to time.

Like this one.

scbassin reply :

Mine are the Magnumlite 2001 GT. They also have a fish saver switch.

Turner9087 reply :

They are awesome reels I had one that my grandfather gave me and I lost it in a pond a few years ago and found it 2 years later and it still works

Big-Bass reply :

The Bantam 100EX is a true collectable! They still command very high prices.

WRB reply :

My early Bantam's are silver 100 & 1000.

The big change in baitcasting reels came in the early 90's with instant anti reverse and superior drag materials the earlier reels don't have. Drags you can upgrade, instant anti reverse you can't be added.

Tom

fishballer06 reply :

J Francho reply :

Another decade old thread.....lol.

Raul reply :

Now I find out why when I logged to BR the foul stench of 10 year old rotting thread flesh offended my sense of smell.

onenutinthewater reply :

I fell in love with the looks of the old shimano bantams a few years ago and started buying up any i could find in mint condition. Then I made the mistake of using them and learned that baitcasters have greatly improved and none were as smooth to the standards we now have. I ended up getting rid of most but that was crazy as they are still very cool looking............

offsidewing reply :

Necro thread!

the reel ess reply :

I'm reviving this thread once more! I ran across this BMP350 in my dad's stuff. The handle was loose. I surmised the cap nut on the aftermarket handle was stripped and it would slip one thread after you tightened it. I took the nut off the old Daiwa Procaster in the pic and used on the Shimano handle. It's nice and tight now. The reel seems to be in perfect working order, except for some "gear feel." Well, it is decades old. It's the biggest reel in that line so I'm not sure what to use it for. Maybe a dedicated Trap/Spook-type combo. It will require some weight to spin the spool. The side plate has "Extra High Speed" on it. It's 5.1:1. LOL

tholmes reply :

I still have two of them, a B-100 Mag and a BTX-100 Mag. I don't use them anymore, but they still work just fine.

Tom

waymont reply :

Bantam Mag 250 is a great reel. Sloooooow retrieve.

MAN reply :

On 1/22/2019 at 1:34 AM, waymont said:

Bantam Mag 250 is a great reel. Sloooooow retrieve.

Trying to buy one of these as we speak...fingers crossed.

waymont reply :

On 1/22/2019 at 3:35 AM, MAN said:

Trying to buy one of these as we speak...fingers crossed.

These show up on Ebay frequently. Keep an eye out and you can find a nic clean one. They usually need new drag washers. Good luck.

Russ G reply :

Still have a pristine P1500MAG that I use pond fishing every year because I like to fish with it. Can't see retiring it as it works so good still.

MAN reply :

On 1/22/2019 at 9:22 AM, waymont said:

These show up on Ebay frequently. Keep an eye out and you can find a nic clean one. They usually need new drag washers. Good luck.

???? ...Thats exactly were my fingers are crossed at!

Catt reply :

Tizi reply :

I have several of the Bantam Magnumlites, 150 and 200 sizes with fighting drag. All still going strong. They do not cast as far as my more modern reels.

Smallmouthkiller71 reply :

I have a 2 older shimano bantams that my father used. One is like new. They seem in great shape.can someone help me with info on them? Do these have any value? He recently passed and I have no need for them

mrpao reply :

The two shimano bantams are not worth much. The Lews may be worth a little more depending on condition and if you have the box and papers.

You can do a quick search on Ebay to see what others in like condition have sold for. The normal going price is usually $20 to $50 depending on condition.

I would just keep them as memorabilia.

r83srock reply :

On 1/23/2019 at 3:32 AM, Catt said:

What was a high dollar model in its day was it not? Very nice looking reels. My dad had the gold 10xg that he gave to me as my “first bait caster”. I have it on my toolbox in the garage as a show piece.

Catt reply :

On 9/12/2019 at 10:20 AM, r83srock said:

What was a high dollar model in its day was it not?

The Bantam 100EX with rosewood handles was the top of the line, I bought it with my first tournament winnings.

3347

Older Shimano Bantams from the 80's 2025

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