Shimano Bantam mgl, Lew's Pro-Ti SLP or...? 2025
sh0wb1z reply :
Hi guys!
Time has come for a new reel! My Lew's Custom Pro Speed Spool SLP is already 4 years old..
I'm fishing 20lb fluoro so spool capacity is important. I will use it with chatterbaits, small swimbaits, jerkbaits, flipping small craws..
I'm looking for something that can cast really far (I fish from the shore in really deep waters) and that it's buttery smooth on the retrieve.
I'm looking for a Shimano or Lew's, price range max 350$.
I was thinking about the Shimano Bantam mgl but I'm concerned about the casting distance (line guide issue).
Anyone is using the Lew's Pro-Ti SLP? The custom pro felt geary since day one, now I want a reel that is silky smooth.
Unfortunately my local fishing shops doesn't have them in stock.
Every suggestion is appreciated.
Thank you for your time!
Basswhippa reply :
I have a Bantam. It will spool 20 mono. That's further than I need to ever throw bass fishing, and I like long casts. I was worried about the same thing. Not anymore. And it is butter.
sh0wb1z reply :
On 1/24/2020 at 9:56 AM, Basswhippa said:I have a Bantam. It will spool 20 mono. That's further than I need to ever that m throw bass fishing, and I like long casts. I was worried about the same thing. Not anymore. And it is butter.
Thank you for your reply! I will use it with 20 lb fluoro sunline fc sniper that corresponds to 0,38 mm (0,01496063 inches). What do you think?
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 1/24/2020 at 9:56 AM, Basswhippa said:I have a Bantam. It will spool 20 mono. That's further than I need to ever that m throw bass fishing, and I like long casts. I was worried about the same thing. Not anymore. And it is butter.
You should fill your spool up with more line.
bwjay reply :
If you want a silky smooth reel, look no further than the Bantam. You will probably get 70-80yds of 20lb fluoro on it. If you truly need more line capacity, then you'll need to look at a Curado 200K which won't have the solid smooth feel of the Bantam. I would worry more about line capacity than casting distance. The Bantam is no slouch.
LegendaryBassin reply :
Shimano Bantam is a superior reel. You'll really like it
scbassin reply :
Just look how the Bantam is built, It's a solid reel. I have one & it has already said you will have no problem with the casting distance depending on the rod you choose to put it on. It is a amazing reel.
onenutinthewater reply :
Bantam- I use mine for salmon which like to run and have never been spooled- YET! I cannot imagine a bass taking much line after a rocket cast. I am only able to spool it with 80 yards of thick 30# fireline Ultra 8.
Super smooth- Might even prefer it over the Daiwa Morethan.......
The Maestro reply :
Well Shimano's using the Bantam platform for the new Metanium so that should tell you something. I used my Bantam last year for senkos so long casts weren't really a huge priority but I can see why it's important if your fishing from the bank. Maybe you could hold out and fork over a little more dough for the new Met? Best qualities of the Bantam with what should be improved casting distance.
sh0wb1z reply :
Thank you for the replies!
As I said, casting distance is crucial for me. That's why I'm trying to understand if the line guide is really a problem...
I will pair the reel with an Irod Fred magic stick.
I think I may wait until someone will do some casting comparison to see if the improvement is real.
I was thinking about getting the met but in Japan the sell it with the lower capacity spool. I may get it and get a second spool later, right?
dodgeguy reply :
I would get the Lews. Why didn't you return yours if it felt Geary ? The Lews can be had around 250 at sportsmans outfitters.
Basswhippa reply :
On 1/24/2020 at 5:22 PM, sh0wb1z said:Thank you for the replies!
As I said, casting distance is crucial for me. That's why I'm trying to understand if the line guide is really a problem...
I will pair the reel with an Irod Fred magic stick.
I think I may wait until someone will do some casting comparison to see if the improvement is real.
I was thinking about getting the met but in Japan the sell it with the lower capacity spool. I may get it and get a second spool later, right?
It isn’t a problem. Look at some metanium vs bantam videos. One will cast further than you will ever need in bass fishing. The other a few more feet. An 80s Modell ABU Wide spool Ultra Mag has won distance world championships, if it is that important. It will be a grinder. But probably not as much as the DoyoLews.????
fishballer06 reply :
You're throwing jerkbaits on 20lb FC?! 
Bantam or Metanium, by the way.
sh0wb1z reply :
On 1/24/2020 at 8:07 PM, dodgeguy said:I would get the Lews. Why didn't you return yours if it felt Geary ? The Lews can be had around 250 at sportsmans outfitters.
I'm Italian, Lew's is not distributed here, just some small batches are imported..So i kept it. But I read the review at tackletour and even Cal described the geary feeling while retrieving.
On 1/24/2020 at 9:02 PM, Basswhippa said:It isn’t a problem. Look at some metanium vs bantam videos. One will cast further than you will ever need in bass fishing. The other a few more feet. An 80s Modell ABU Wide spool Ultra Mag has won distance world championships, if it is that important. It will be a grinder. But probably not as much as the DoyoLews.????
Do you mean that with the Bantam I will achieve almost the same distance I'm getting with the Lew's custom pro speed spool SLP I already have? Sorry for the many questions but I usually buy a reel every 3 years and I want it to be a good one 
It's too bad I can't try it before buying..
But are there already videos around featuring the bantam against the new metanium mgl 2020?
On 1/24/2020 at 9:55 PM, fishballer06 said:You're throwing jerkbaits on 20lb FC?!
Bantam or Metanium, by the way.
Yes I do. BUT I have an excusefor this 
I fish almost no trespassing old sand extraction caves here in Italy, so I can bring only one rod with me. I'm using an Irod Genesis II Fred's magic and with that I'm casting top water baits, small to medium hard swimbaits, chatterbaits, jerkbaits, small craws. I don't have a boat and bass is getting rarer and rarer around here...unfortunately 
The Maestro reply :
The Bantam is still a VERY good casting reel. The little bit of extra distance you might get with another reel isn't worth the trade off in refinement and quality you'd get with the Bantam in my opinion. I've never heard of anyone being disappointed with their decision to buy one.
freelancer27 reply :
I do not have the reel, but had the Metanium MGL, which has similar line capacity.
If I was to put 20# fluro on the reel to use it for any technique but pitching and flipping, I would probably look for a different reel. Bomb casting swimbaits, I would think you would be at risk of unspooling. You could always go braid to leader though if that was an option.
I know that you are not looking at Daiwa, but I would highly recommend you doing so.
The Daiwa Steez A comes to mind or even the new Daiwa Costal TWS (that has a SV spool). Bigger spool, smoother retrieve. They are also lighter, which will have an impact when you really want to use it for jerk baits.
Just some thoughts.
sh0wb1z reply :
On 1/24/2020 at 10:58 PM, The Maestro said:The Bantam is still a VERY good casting reel. The little bit of extra distance you might get with another reel isn't worth the trade off in refinement and quality you'd get with the Bantam in my opinion. I've never heard of anyone being disappointed with their decision to buy one.
Thank you, maestro!
On 1/25/2020 at 12:59 AM, freelancer27 said:I do not have the reel, but had the Metanium MGL, which has similar line capacity.
If I was to put 20# fluro on the reel to use it for any technique but pitching and flipping, I would probably look for a different reel. Bomb casting swimbaits, I would think you would be at risk of unspooling. You could always go braid to leader though if that was an option.
I know that you are not looking at Daiwa, but I would highly recommend you doing so.
The Daiwa Steez A comes to mind or even the new Daiwa Costal TWS (that has a SV spool). Bigger spool, smoother retrieve. They are also lighter, which will have an impact when you really want to use it for jerk baits.
Just some thoughts.
You have my attention here! Do you think that Steez A would be an improvement over the bantam? Would it be as smooth as the bantam?
I service all my reels and never had a Daiwa. I'm afraid about the magsealed stuff. This is why I was not after a Daiwa high end reel...
Basswhippa reply :
On 1/24/2020 at 10:51 PM, sh0wb1z said:I'm Italian, Lew's is not distributed here, just some small batches are imported..So i kept it. But I read the review at tackletour and even Cal described the geary feeling while retrieving.
Do you mean that with the Bantam I will achieve almost the same distance I'm getting with the Lew's custom pro speed spool SLP I already have? Sorry for the many questions but I usually buy a reel every 3 years and I want it to be a good one
But are there already videos around featuring the bantam against the new metanium mgl 2020?
Yes I do. BUT I have an excusefor this
The new metanium is not out yet. There are no videos of it in action. It should be comparable in casting distance to the current version, and there are videos out there. I've only used my Bantam twice. I estimate I was casting a 1/2 ounce rattletrap 50 yards with 20 pound Big Game monofilament. But it is a 150 sized reel. A 200 size reel holds more line, so it's physically able to cast even further if it's design/ engineering allows for it. 50 yards is plenty for me. If I dropped down in line size and upped lure weight, I have no doubt I could cast further.
freelancer27 reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 9:09 AM, sh0wb1z said:Thank you, maestro!
You have my attention here! Do you think that Steez A would be an improvement over the bantam? Would it be as smooth as the bantam?
I service all my reels and never had a Daiwa. I'm afraid about the magsealed stuff. This is why I was not after a Daiwa high end reel...
So, this is where it becomes very subjective. A lot of people say that the Bantam MGL is super duper smooth. I do think that it is smooth but I would not put it in the top tier (tested one for a couple of hours before I sent it back).
I currently have two of the top Shimano reels: a 401 Conquest and the Antares DC MD. So I have some sort of Shimano experience if you will.
In terms of smoothness (and staying smooth, something that completely annoyed me with the Metanium MGL) I would put the following ranking together:
1. Daiwa Steez SV TW
2. New Daiwa Morethan
3. Steez A
4. Steez CT SV
5. Antares DC MD
6. Calcutta Conquest
....
Bantam MGL
Again, this is my own subjective opinion. Others, I am sure, will disagree with me.
If I had to compare the Steez A with the Bantam MGL:
Pros Steez: Lighter, More line capacity, frame is easier to palm (in my hands), the frame is 'warmer' in the cold, the Bantam's alu body will literally freeze your hands off in cold weather, lots of spool options. Buy an SV spool and you have a finesse baitcaster that you can use for skipping or throwing 1/8oz lures.
Casting distance (I heard that the close placement of the line guide is hindering distance)
Pros Bantam: The unibody is more robust I would think. It probably deals better with hits to it (not to say that the Steez is fragile), heavier weight might make it balance better with heavier rods (one has to test it), slightly cheaper than the Steez
If you have never tried a Daiwa, I would definitely give it a shot. There are other Daiwa products out there that cost less money and also get great reviews (cant speak to them personally though).
Let me know if you have any other questions!
FishTank reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 9:09 AM, sh0wb1z said:Thank you, maestro!
You have my attention here! Do you think that Steez A would be an improvement over the bantam? Would it be as smooth as the bantam?
I service all my reels and never had a Daiwa. I'm afraid about the magsealed stuff. This is why I was not after a Daiwa high end reel...
I have the Steez SV TW and the Bantam. They are, in my opinion, two different reels, for different purposes.
The Steez is my go to for soft plastic and anything finesse. It's light weight, super smooth, and pretty much is the best reel I have ever fished. The only down side is that it is one the more difficult reels to work on. It's not horrible but with its tight tolerances, I needed more patience to get it back together. With that said, I would not recommend it for the application you are looking at. The Bantam would be the clear choice. It can handle the line you want, it too is smooth, casts just as well as any reel I have used and is built like a tank (think like a round reel). The frame of the reel is, some how, sensitive. I use mine for flipping, swim jigs, small swimbaits, and bigger jerkbaits. The only thing I don't like about this reel is taking the side plate off to get to the spool. It's just kind of annoying how it's built. It is easy to work on and service otherwise.
freelancer27 reply :
On 1/26/2020 at 12:49 PM, FishTank said:
I have the Steez SV TW and the Bantam. They are, in my opinion, two different reels, for different purposes.
The Steez is my go to for soft plastic and anything finesse. It's light weight, super smooth, and pretty much is the best reel I have ever fished. The only down side is that it is one the more difficult reels to work on. It's not horrible but with its tight tolerances, I needed more patience to get it back together. With that said, I would not recommend it for the application you are looking at. The Bantam would be the clear choice. It can handle the line you want, it too is smooth, casts just as well as any reel I have used and is built like a tank (think like a round reel). The frame of the reel is, some how, sensitive. I use mine for flipping, swim jigs, small swimbaits, and bigger jerkbaits. The only thing I don't like about this reel is taking the side plate off to get to the spool. It's just kind of annoying how it's built. It is easy to work on and service otherwise.
I would agree with you that the Steez SV TW is not a good choice here. The Steez A is a different reel though.
FishTank reply :
On 1/26/2020 at 4:36 PM, freelancer27 said:I would agree with you that the Steez SV TW is not a good choice here. The Steez A is a different reel though.
Great reel but when I tried it, it didn't blow me away for what I wanted to use it for (soft plastic). Not really sure how to compare it to the Bantam though, I think it too is a different reel. I don't think he could go wrong with either one though....
And the bait monkey says hello.....
https://japantackle.com/casting-reels/daiwa/low-profile-casting-reels/reg0000218.html
Shimano_1 reply :
Maybe for full retail I'd get the bantam. For the 250 it can be had for I'd get the lews myself. I've fished a buddies and they are super nice reels. The over whelming majority is going to say get the shimano and they're great reels. I personally love everything about lews so admittedly my opinion may be biased. I'm sure either reel is a solid choice
freelancer27 reply :
On 1/27/2020 at 12:06 AM, FishTank said:Great reel but when I tried it, it didn't blow me away for what I wanted to use it for (soft plastic). Not really sure how to compare it to the Bantam though, I think it too is a different reel. I don't think he could go wrong with either one though....
And the bait monkey says hello.....
https://japantackle.com/casting-reels/daiwa/low-profile-casting-reels/reg0000218.html
Yeah, the Steez A's spool is not very good for lighter lures. It works with 3/8oz and up but with lighter lures, especially when one wants to pitch, I would not use it.
In both of my Steez As I have SV spools. One I use for throwing 1/8oz poppers. If wanted I could just throw in the original spool and could throw up to 4oz baits.
On 1/27/2020 at 3:01 AM, Shimano_1 said:Maybe for full retail I'd get the bantam. For the 250 it can be had for I'd get the lews myself. I've fished a buddies and they are super nice reels. The over whelming majority is going to say get the shimano and they're great reels. I personally love everything about lews so admittedly my opinion may be biased. I'm sure either reel is a solid choice
I have tried some of the high end Lews. And I just dont think they hold up quality wise with the top Shimano and Daiwa products.
I think they have decent mid level reels (I still use my Lew's BB2 Inshore) for some medium sized swim and glide baits. Decent reel for the price.
FishTank reply :
On 1/27/2020 at 3:55 AM, freelancer27 said:Yeah, the Steez A's spool is not very good for lighter lures. It works with 3/8oz and up but with lighter lures, especially when one wants to pitch, I would not use it.
In both of my Steez As I have SV spools. One I use for throwing 1/8oz poppers. If wanted I could just throw in the original spool and could throw up to 4oz baits.
I have tried some of the high end Lews. And I just dont think they hold up quality wise with the top Shimano and Daiwa products.
I think they have decent mid level reels (I still use my Lew's BB2 Inshore) for some medium sized swim and glide baits. Decent reel for the price.
I wonder how the Steez A with a SV spool compares to the Steez SV TW. Other than the frame material, it looks like it might very similar.
I also tried out a Lew's HyperMag and did not care for it. I do have a Lew's Carbon Fire and it's not bad actually. But when it comes to the Lew's reels I have worked on, in general, this pic from Tackle Tour review of the Pro Ti says a lot (despite them naming it an Editor's Choice).
Too much grease out of the box on all the reels I have taken apart. I think if this was properly done from the get go, the reel would perform better. I guess I could say something similar about the Steez I have. It was pretty much bone dry. Once I added a few drops oil and dab of grease in the right spots, it went from awesome to beyond comparison.
NYWayfarer reply :
My vote is for the Lew’s Pro TI
I have this reel and it is silky smooth, not geary at all. It is Lew’s flagship baitcaster at MSRP of $350 ($250 on sale)
It’s a whole lot of reel for the money.
freelancer27 reply :
For 250USD there are much better quality reels out there IMO. But everybody decides how they spend their hard earn money
related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
previous topic
next topic
most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
© 2025 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.