Shimano Bantam vs Met 2024

jbsoonerfan reply :

I'm looking at adding either a Bantam MGL or a Metanium MGL to the arsenal. I may end up getting both in the long run but just wondering for those who have used or own both which they preferred. I'm not worried about saving money when it comes to buying one over the other so that isn't the issue. Just wondering the pros of one over the other. Doubt there would be many cons for either of these reels. I would assume weight would be the biggest difference in the two and for some that may be here nor there.

Thanks!

Dwight Hottle reply :

The met is lighter in weight but uses aluminium gears I believe. There has been talk of them becoming geary feeling after some use based on gear wear. I had three including one DC but never experienced any problems. I bought a bantam because of the hype about the three piece frame and how smooth it was. After falling in love with it I sold all my mets and now own 6 bantams. Once you experience a bantam in hand it just becomes the "one" reel. The bantam is available from JDM sources for $272 shipped last time I looked.

NHBull reply :

I have both and love both. I have had 1 out of 7 Met MGL'S feel gearie, but that's been fixed.

Weight is a big factor for me, so I do reach for the Mets most, but the Bantam is special. It took me a while to dial it in as it is counter intuitive to most logic and it now almost obtaining the same distancees.....I use the Bantam for fishing in salad.....but truth be told, if the conquest 100 had more IPT, I would be very deep in them. Sorry for little help

FishTank reply :

I went through the same dilemma earlier this spring. After fishing a friends Metanium which did feel a little geary, I bought the Bantam. So far it has been awesome.

I have said before, it has that round reel feel, power and smoothness built into a low profile reel. I get the sense that it will last forever.

Not_Here reply :

Yumeya reply :

I also upgraded brass in my Metaniums, I personally like the Metanium MGL as much as the Bantam.

I put my Bantam on a NRX 843 and my Metanium on a NRX 852.

Love both..

The Metanium will cast a little better then the Bantam but both cast amazing.

I have both set the same, 2 brakes on and set to number 2 on the dial....

fishballer06 reply :

I guess the better question to ask is what are you using the reel for? The Metanium MGL is a hell of a reel and no one is going to argue with that. I used to own two of them. Then when the Chronarch MGL came out, I ordered two and fell in love with them. I ended up selling both my Metanium's and bought two more Chronarch's. I have since bought two Bantam's and absolutely love them as well.

Honestly, you aren't going to go wrong with either reel here.

jbsoonerfan reply :

Thanks for all the responses. As I had imagined, they are both fine reels and one doesn't particularly outshine the other. I think I am leaning toward the Bantam for now and will fish it as much as I can this fall/winter and get a Met come Spring time. I appreciate all the insight from you guys.

Dwight Hottle reply :

On 10/22/2019 at 1:46 PM, Yumeya said:

I also upgraded brass in my Metaniums, I personally like the Metanium MGL as much as the Bantam.

I put my Bantam on a NRX 843 and my Metanium on a NRX 852.

Love both..

The Metanium will cast a little better then the Bantam but both cast amazing.

I have both set the same, 2 brakes on and set to number 2 on the dial....

Try your Bantam with 4 brakes on & set the dial to 2.5 and adjust it from there.

Not_Here reply :

jbsoonerfan reply :

This will probably be a dedicated squarebill or lipless reel. Going to be mounted on a 6'10" M Zodias.

Not_Here reply :

Dwight Hottle reply :

On 10/22/2019 at 9:54 PM, Frog Turds said:

without a doubt, you'll love the Bantam...like ive mentioned in the past you get more in a reel than the price reflects...i feel its actually underpriced for what you get...ive never felt that way about any other reel...

newyorktoiowa57 reply :

On 10/22/2019 at 8:30 PM, fishballer06 said:

I guess the better question to ask is what are you using the reel for? The Metanium MGL is a hell of a reel and no one is going to argue with that. I used to own two of them. Then when the Chronarch MGL came out, I ordered two and fell in love with them. I ended up selling both my Metanium's and bought two more Chronarch's. I have since bought two Bantam's and absolutely love them as well.

Honestly, you aren't going to go wrong with either reel here.

Do you feel the Bantum feels th most solid out of the 3? I have a chronarch and it is great, but it does feel hollow at times.

fishballer06 reply :

On 10/23/2019 at 12:56 AM, newyorktoiowa57 said:

Do you feel the Bantum feels th most solid out of the 3? I have a chronarch and it is great, but it does feel hollow at times.

I've only fished my one Bantam for one outing. I've bought both my Bantam's within the past month. So I don't think I can make that assessment quite yet.

Not_Here reply :

Yumeya reply :

On 10/22/2019 at 9:28 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

Try your Bantam with 4 brakes on & set the dial to 2.5 and adjust it from there.

Why?

2 brakes on and set to 2 does excellent.

Dwight Hottle reply :

On 10/23/2019 at 8:06 AM, Yumeya said:

Why?

2 brakes on and set to 2 does excellent.

Because it works better. Try it & find out.

Efishin reply :

On 10/23/2019 at 10:32 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

Because it works better. Try it & find out.

4 brakes lol???

Dwight Hottle reply :

On 10/23/2019 at 11:49 AM, Efishin said:

4 brakes lol???

What some of you guys don't understand the bantam with it's updated braking system is not like the shimano's of old. It's no longer just set two brakes on & forget about it. If your not interested in accepting someone else's advice just do what you have always done & get what you always get.

Junger reply :

Does the Bantam MGL XG have brass gears? I recall someone saying the 6.2 had brass, and the 8.1 had aluminum, but I may be crazy.

Not_Here reply :

The Maestro reply :

Does anyone know the logic behind the shorter handle and smaller knobs on the Bantam models below the XG? The longer handle and bigger knobs on the XG are so much better imo.

jbsoonerfan reply :

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered the Bantam in a 6.2. Just trying to decide if I want to put it on a Zodias 6'10" M and throw treble baits or put it on a Zodias 6'10" MH and throw spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Which ever rod it doesn't go on I will be putting a Scorpion DC HG on.

Efishin reply :

On 10/23/2019 at 8:50 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

What some of you guys don't understand the bantam with it's updated braking system is not like the shimano's of old. It's no longer just set two brakes on & forget about it. If your not interested in accepting someone else's advice just do what you have always done & get what you always get.

I will adjust my brakes according to the application as well as the external adjust to compensate for the conditions on hand or if switching a lure as it may need more or less braking depending on application. The Metanium MGL, Chronarch MGL, Bantam MGL, Curado K (Just a few for example) all have the SVS Infinity braking... I actually own 4 Bantams and setting 4 brakes is not optimal casting performance. The external adjustment was decided as a micro adjuster for quick changes in conditions and when throwing different lures. It does a great job but setting 4 brakes is hurting casting performance.

Not_Here reply :

LegendaryBassin reply :

On 10/22/2019 at 9:28 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

Try your Bantam with 4 brakes on & set the dial to 2.5 and adjust it from there.

????

Not sure I agree here either... Anyways, do what floats your boat.

On 10/21/2019 at 11:58 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

The met is lighter in weight but uses aluminium gears I believe. There has been talk of them becoming geary feeling after some use based on gear wear. I had three including one DC but never experienced any problems. I bought a bantam because of the hype about the three piece frame and how smooth it was. After falling in love with it I sold all my mets and now own 6 bantams. Once you experience a bantam in hand it just becomes the "one" reel. The bantam is available from JDM sources for $272 shipped last time I looked.

Yes, you are correct. What I have found is the Met MGL and Met DC are not decided for resistance baits (big spinnerbaits, crankbaits, chatterbaits, etc) as well as locked drag with braid. I find that is what does the most damage to them and causes them to be geary. I too have them and have no issues at all.

browne762 reply :

On 10/23/2019 at 10:23 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered the Bantam in a 6.2. Just trying to decide if I want to put it on a Zodias 6'10" M and throw treble baits or put it on a Zodias 6'10" MH and throw spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Which ever rod it doesn't go on I will be putting a Scorpion DC HG on.

I put one of my Bantams XGs on a 6'10" Zodias and use it for chatterbaits and buzzbaits. I have really enjoyed that combo and gotten many fish with it in the last several months. I plan to purchase more Bantams in the future.

I use a Curado DC HG for squarebills and such. Works well also.

Yumeya reply :

On 10/23/2019 at 10:38 PM, Efishin said:

I will adjust my brakes according to the application as well as the external adjust to compensate for the conditions on hand or if switching a lure as it may need more or less braking depending on application. The Metanium MGL, Chronarch MGL, Bantam MGL, Curado K (Just a few for example) all have the SVS Infinity braking... I actually own 4 Bantams and setting 4 brakes is not optimal casting performance. The external adjustment was decided as a micro adjuster for quick changes in conditions and when throwing different lures. It does a great job but setting 4 brakes is hurting casting performance.

I keep my reels very fast and have a very trained thumb

NHBull reply :

On 10/23/2019 at 10:32 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

Because it works better. Try it & find out.

^^^^This since I read about it a couple months ago on a previous thread...far better than 2 for me

LegendaryBassin reply :

On 10/24/2019 at 12:01 PM, Yumeya said:

x2

I keep my reels very fast and have a very trained thumb

I agree. There is no need for 4 brakes. While there are some people and circumstances where more braking is necessary, you will not achieve optimal performance with any reels with all brakes when compared to less braking. It common sense in that more braking (with all else equal) contributes to less overruns but less distance. While it may be better for you, it may not be for everyone else. I know a ton of people who use reels without any braking.

WPCfishing reply :

On 10/23/2019 at 8:06 AM, Yumeya said:

Why?

2 brakes on and set to 2 does excellent.

That’s how mine is set. The reel can do it all.. serious quality.

Yumeya reply :

I tried it today with 4 brakes on and set to 1, lets just say I lost a lot of distance.

Switched back after 2 casts....

WPCfishing reply :

On 10/27/2019 at 2:03 PM, Yumeya said:

I tried it today with 4 brakes on and set to 1, lets just say I lost a lot of distance.

Switched back after 2 casts

On 10/22/2019 at 12:27 PM, Frog Turds said:

i have some of both and heres my take...at 1st when i had both i told myself i'm never going to buy a met again...i've since reassessed that and yes i would...but with upgrading the gear set to brass micros out the gate...

Bantam hands down, without question is a solid workhorse mofo and easily can be the do it all reel...underload it shines no matter what type of load it is, rock of a reel...

I have a new appreciation for the Met with brass gears though...ive used the upgraded Met as 1 of my dedicated froggin reels this whole season with zero issues after blowing out the duralumin gears last year doing the same, a bantam is my other dedicated frogger...

I purposely put that stock met threw that grinder of a test...my other mets werent used for heavy cover...but to get to the bottom line, the Met with brass really changed my perception, appreciation for it and the overall feel of the Met in hand/using it...i like them for throwing lighter baits, its tosses those out very effortlessly...and it fits the bill for me for what i want to use them for...only draw back, is you really have to watch bombing baits with the Met, its spools very easily, like almost too easy...

for me, its two tools that, one shines a bit brighter on one side and the other shines brighter on the other...sometimes i want that bit brighter side the Met offers over the bantam...if i had only 1 choice, it would be the bantam no doubt, especially with my style of bassin...

but i'm glad i dont have to settle for just 1 option...i do appreciate both in different ways and can always see having some Mets in my arsenal (with brass gears sets for me)

if money isnt an option, then get both and throw the brass gear set in the Met right off...then what ive wrote will make more sense

Where did you buy the brass gears for the Met? I’m considering buying 2 of them. I’ll definitely want the upgrade. Thanks for the information.

Yumeya reply :

On 10/28/2019 at 12:21 AM, WPCfishing said:

Where did you buy the brass gears for the Met? I’m considering buying 2 of them. I’ll definitely want the upgrade. Thanks for the information.

https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=898_792_793

Not_Here reply :

J._Bricker reply :

Merry Christmas all, I’ve got a couple of questions regarding the Bantam vs Metanium discussion, so that’s why I resurrected this thread. I’m looking at a MGL XG specifically after I received the OK from Mrs Claus to make this purchase. I plan to replace my Alphas Type F with it to pitch senkos, possibly with a JDM variant.

I checked BR to get experienced opinions, and discovered the Metanium doesn’t have brass gears. I checked the Tackle Trap link and the replacement gear set for the left hand model is out of stock.

I’m leaning towards the Metanium due to my perception of if being a little better at throwing lighter baits. The consensus is the Bantam is the more solid of the two.

Thanks guys again for your help

The Maestro reply :

On 12/24/2019 at 2:04 AM, J._Bricker said:

Merry Christmas all, I’ve got a couple of questions regarding the Bantam vs Metanium discussion, so that’s why I resurrected this thread. I’m looking at a MGL XG specifically after I received the OK from Mrs Claus to make this purchase. I plan to replace my Alphas Type F with it to pitch senkos, possibly with a JDM variant.

I checked BR to get experienced opinions, and discovered the Metanium doesn’t have brass gears. I checked the Tackle Trap link and the replacement gear set for the left hand model is out of stock.

I’m leaning towards the Metanium due to my perception of if being a little better at throwing lighter baits. The consensus is the Bantam is the more solid of the two.

Thanks guys again for your help

I use my Bantam XG for senkos and it handles them with zero issues. As far as I can tell the only real advantage to the Met is lighter weight but that would mostly be negated by swapping the gears.

jbsoonerfan reply :

I LOVE my Bantams!!! Currently trying to decide between another one or a Tranx for swimbaits.

newyorktoiowa57 reply :

A new met is going to drop in a few months. It is supposed to have to coresolid body like the bantum.

pauldconyers reply :

I've read this reel for some reason has a small handle on it. Been looking at getting one for a jig/frog rod, can anyone point me towards a larger handle option if I were to spring for one?

jbsoonerfan reply :

On 12/25/2019 at 10:58 AM, pauldconyers said:

I've read this reel for some reason has a small handle on it. Been looking at getting one for a jig/frog rod, can anyone point me towards a larger handle option if I were to spring for one?

The Bantam has an 84 mm in the 5.5, 6.2 and 7.1 and a 90 mm in the 8.1

The Met has an 84 mm in the 6.2 and 7.4 and a 96 mm in the 8.5

I own a reel with each of the handles and the only difference you might be able to tell would be going from the 84 to the 96. You would be hard pressed to tell an on the water difference between the 84 and the 90. We are talking 3 mm on each end of the handle or .11"

But I guess if we are going to debate over about 1/10th of an inch you could get a 96 mm Met xg handle from the Tackle Trap

J._Bricker reply :

Thanks everyone for your help ‘cause I pulled the trigger on the Bantam. Just have to wait for it to transit the Pacific before I can put it in play. Looking forward to that day in 2020.

Not_Here reply :

jbsoonerfan reply :

On 12/27/2019 at 9:49 AM, Frog Turds said:

if you're gonna be throwing heavier swimbaits, especially on a longer stick...id go with the tranx with its larger capacity spool for one...you'll spool the bantam bombing big baits with heavier braid...

Well, I made a decision and a wrong one at that lol. I ordered a Tranx but I accidentally ordered a 200 instead of a 300. I had both of them in my watch list and for some reason I thought they were both the 300 and I ordered the cheapest one. Turns out it was a 200. I'm going to try it and see how it works out.

I ordered a 7'8" XH Intenza to throw them on and going with 20 lb Sufix Elite. Plan to stay 2 oz and under and this is just a way for me to get into swimbaits on the "entry level" at best.

dgkasper58 reply :

On 12/27/2019 at 10:01 AM, jbsoonerfan said:

Well, I made a decision and a wrong one at that lol. I ordered a Tranx but I accidentally ordered a 200 instead of a 300. I had both of them in my watch list and for some reason I thought they were both the 300 and I ordered the cheapest one. Turns out it was a 200. I'm going to try it and see how it works out.

I ordered a 7'8" XH Intenza to throw them on and going with 20 lb Sufix Elite. Plan to stay 2 oz and under and this is just a way for me to get into swimbaits on the "entry level" at best.

with the smaller 2 oz and less baits you'll be fine with the 200 tranx

jbsoonerfan reply :

On 12/27/2019 at 11:39 PM, dgkasper58 said:

with the smaller 2 oz and less baits you'll be fine with the 200 tranx

Good news! I was hoping so, but figured I would at least give it a shot. I don't figure I will have enough patience to dedicate a lot of time to the technique anyway lol.

FrankN209 reply :

On 12/24/2019 at 2:24 AM, jbsoonerfan said:

I LOVE my Bantams!!! Currently trying to decide between another one or a Tranx for swimbaits.

That's my decision also. I want to start throwing big swimbaits. I might go with the Tranx 200.

fishballer06 reply :

On 12/25/2019 at 10:58 AM, pauldconyers said:

can anyone point me towards a larger handle option if I were to spring for one?

Hawgtech

Tackle Trap

Spool Speed

Flea-Bay

Hedgehog studio

Or just call Shimano and order the 96mm version handle

Not_Here reply :

newyorktoiowa57 reply :

Here is a better picture of the new met

Not_Here reply :

newyorktoiowa57 reply :

On 1/1/2020 at 8:56 AM, Frog Turds said:

very Metam'ish looking...

looks like the old met platform and the bantam had a baby

jbsoonerfan reply :

Looks nice!!!!I watched the Youtube video of it laying on the deck of Ken's boat. Can't wait to see it.

J._Bricker reply :

On 1/1/2020 at 9:31 AM, newyorktoiowa57 said:

looks like the old met platform and the bantam had a baby

Gotta like the pedigree

Not_Here reply :

newyorktoiowa57 reply :

On 1/1/2020 at 10:28 AM, Frog Turds said:

if it indeed it is a hybrid as it appears, im sure i'll figure a way to justify getting one...surely they will have put brass gears in it for this model...

My dealer told me no..I hope he is wrong

bwjay reply :

Gosh that looks sexy... I'm dying to see it out in the open!!

J._Bricker reply :

I finally got my Bantam, thanks again everyone and @jbsoonerfan for the original post. I gotta say things have come a LONG way since my first Bantam, and I like the direction things are headed

FrogMann reply :

On 1/1/2020 at 10:32 AM, newyorktoiowa57 said:

My dealer told me no..I hope he is wrong

On 1/1/2020 at 10:28 AM, Frog Turds said:

if it indeed it is a hybrid as it appears, im sure i'll figure a way to justify getting one...surely they will have put brass gears in it for this model...

Heard from my local shop the same as you. Said he heard a rumor is they weigh around the same as the previous model, so most likely the gears won't be brass as that would be a heavier reel. Overall, it will be an excellent reel. Can't wait to use them

newyorktoiowa57 reply :

On 1/11/2020 at 5:53 AM, FrogMann said:

Heard from my local shop the same as you. Said he heard a rumor is they weigh around the same as the previous model, so most likely the gears won't be brass as that would be a heavier reel. Overall, it will be an excellent reel. Can't wait to use them

Pretty sure the gears will swap with the chronarch or Bantum since the ratios match.

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