Shimano SLX MGL arrived 2025
WPCfishing reply :
Ok so, I’m disappointed. These reels are not made in Japan. Although the quality is very nice but, if you look close you will see it’s not a typical MGL reel made in Japan.
They install a spring on the crank shaft to hide the play between the star adjustment and the side plate of the reel. Keeping pressure between the two virtually eliminates the play like you would feel on a K reel.
Am I glad I bought it?
Yes, it’s a 71 size. It really does feel great in the hand and has the same ratings as most other Shimano reels bass guys look for.
Now I have to get out on the water with it. I’m thinking 12# floro or 30# P-Line braid.
J Francho reply :
On 10/16/2019 at 1:26 AM, WPCfishing said:They install a spring on the crank shaft to hide the play between the star adjustment and the side plate of the reel. Keeping pressure between the two virtually eliminates the play like you would feel on a K reel.
This has been a Shimano practice for at least 30 years. The drag nut floats inside the drag star knob. You can go all the bay back to the Curado Bantam A to see it.
WPCfishing reply :
On 10/16/2019 at 1:34 AM, J Francho said:This has been a Shimano practice for at least 30 years. The drag nut floats inside the drag star knob. You can go all the bay back to the Curado Bantam A to see it.
You’re definitely correct, I just checked the two K reels I bought. Both have the spring. But, like my Lews reels there’s movement, unlike my Bandit MGL and Chronarch MGL reels.
J Francho reply :
I kind of like the design. It simplifies the clicking drag feature, reducing a lot of weight off to the side of the reel.
The Maestro reply :
On 10/16/2019 at 2:00 AM, WPCfishing said:You’re definitely correct, I just checked the two K reels I bought. Both have the spring. But, like my Lews reels there’s movement, unlike my Bandit MGL and Chronarch MGL reels.
There's a big price difference between the SLX and those reels. I would hope there's a noticeable difference in feel and quality.
OnthePotomac reply :
By not made in Japan you must mean the Shimano facility in Maylasia staffed with Shimano personnel and from which the Curado 200I and 200K come. Years ago the Citica 200D came from that facility and it was an absolute brute of a reel. Believe me, there is nothing wrong with reels produced in that Shimano facility.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Where is it made ....korean and Malaysia are about the same as Japanese these days IMO great quality
I stay away from reels with a STICKER that says made in china i see same stickers on can openers LOL
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
I wondered you didn’t know this before you ordered, even JDM reel(Japan domestic market), a lot of them made in Malaysia. I think the cut off now is from Curado (USDM), Scorpion (JDM) and lower to be made in Malaysia. Chornarch and above still made in Japan. They both still use shimano quality material, just QC and fit and finish that a tad less.
fishballer06 reply :
This little reel has me curious because of the MGL spool. I'm debating getting one, but I can snag a Scorpion MGL for only $40 more (which I already own and love). One thing to keep in mind is that this line of reels is a budget price point reel, so you aren't going to get all of the bells and whistles that come on the higher price tagged reels. Doesn't mean that they aren't great performing reels, but it's like comparing a Honda to a Cadillac.
Please report back with your on the water findings. I'm curious to hear what you think.
WPCfishing reply :
On 10/17/2019 at 12:21 AM, fishballer06 said:This little reel has me curious because of the MGL spool. I'm debating getting one, but I can snag a Scorpion MGL for only $40 more (which I already own and love). One thing to keep in mind is that this line of reels is a budget price point reel, so you aren't going to get all of the bells and whistles that come on the higher price tagged reels. Doesn't mean that they aren't great performing reels, but it's like comparing a Honda to a Cadillac.
Please report back with your on the water findings. I'm curious to hear what you think.
I certainly will. I do like the size. And it’s nothing like the My Bandit or Chronarchs, but the reel is very nice. Nicer than my K reels.
I’m happy with it now.. I’m over the not made in Japan that I expected.
On 10/16/2019 at 11:53 PM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:I wondered you didn’t know this before you ordered, even JDM reel(Japan domestic market), a lot of them made in Malaysia. I think the cut off now is from Curado (USDM), Scorpion (JDM) and lower to be made in Malaysia. Chornarch and above still made in Japan. They both still use shimano quality material, just QC and fit and finish that a tad less.
You are correct. I’m just starting to move to all Shimano reels. So I assumed a review I saw on YouTube was accurate. The SLX MGL is a nice reel. I’m glad I bought it. Tiny little bugger!
johnD. reply :
One more notable difference , there's only one bearing on the main shaft and it sits in the frame. The main shaft is not supported by another bearing above the anti reverse bearing like the curado k and daiwas.
TBAG reply :
I prefer the size of my SLX reels over my K's and am going back and forth on ordering an MGL version or going with a 70.
OnthePotomac reply :
Look at the design simplicity of the Curado 100B (I still have two) and you will wonder how in the world did they get such an amazing performance from such a simple design? Mine are now 14 years old and are as smooth as the day they came out of the box and nothing has ever had to be replaced in them. They are like energizer bunnies.
r83srock reply :
On 10/17/2019 at 9:29 PM, OnthePotomac said:Look at the design simplicity of the Curado 100B (I still have two) and you will wonder how in the world did they get such an amazing performance from such a simple design? Mine are now 14 years old and are as smooth as the day they came out of the box and nothing has ever had to be replaced in them. They are like energizer bunnies.
Love me some 100b’s!
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 10/17/2019 at 9:29 PM, OnthePotomac said:Look at the design simplicity of the Curado 100B (I still have two) and you will wonder how in the world did they get such an amazing performance from such a simple design? Mine are now 14 years old and are as smooth as the day they came out of the box and nothing has ever had to be replaced in them. They are like energizer bunnies.
Same reason my all time favorite is the Core 50mg. Simple design, good materials and tight tolerances are where it’s at. 90% of the “innovations” we see are just marketing and attempts to stand out that don’t mean much on the water.
FishTank reply :
On 10/18/2019 at 10:26 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:Same reason my all time favorite is the Core 50mg. Simple design, good materials and tight tolerances are where it’s at. 90% of the “innovations” we see are just marketing and attempts to stand out that don’t mean much on the water.
I have the Core 101 and would have to agree. It has been my favorite reel since I bought it. It's just the simple design of the reel and how well if functions that make it one the easiest baitcaster to use. It checks all the boxes when comes to the things I want in a baitcaster plus it's easy to work on. I wish I could just find a lot of them sitting new in the box on eBay or something.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 10/19/2019 at 6:27 AM, FishTank said:
I have the Core 101 and would have to agree. It has been my favorite reel since I bought it. It's just the simple design of the reel and how well if functions that make it one the easiest baitcaster to use. It checks all the boxes when comes to the things I want in a baitcaster plus it's easy to work on. I wish I could just find a lot of them sitting new in the box on eBay or something.
I hear that. Better snag them up before I see it!!
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 10/19/2019 at 8:26 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:I hear that. Better snag them up before I see it!!
No joke! I found a mint 50mg7 on the auction site late the other night for $250 BIN. I went to the bathroom and came back to buy it and it was sold. Lesson learned.
WPCfishing reply :
The weather has been lousy here so I haven’t used the reel yet. Hopefully tomorrow or Sunday we’ll get some Sun and less wind. I’m going to put 30# braid on it and do some pitching.
I’ll post feedback.
On 10/16/2019 at 2:51 AM, J Francho said:I kind of like the design. It simplifies the clicking drag feature, reducing a lot of weight off to the side of the reel.
Im building my Shimano reel arsenal.
I’m thinking 8 reels. Most will be the Chronarch MGLs. I do want one more Bandit. The 8 will go well with my 7.
They are well balanced on the rod. Again I agree with you. You know these reels inside and out.
newyorktoiowa57 reply :
On 10/17/2019 at 8:21 PM, TBAG said:I prefer the size of my SLX reels over my K's and am going back and forth on ordering an MGL version or going with a 70.
Wait for the new 70.
mrpao reply :
Is there a new 70 series coming out?
TBAG reply :
On 10/20/2019 at 2:07 PM, newyorktoiowa57 said:Wait for the new 70.
Yeah, I saw where the current 70 is being marked down as it's discontinued. When do you expect to see the new 70's?
newyorktoiowa57 reply :
On 10/21/2019 at 7:47 PM, TBAG said:
Yeah, I saw where the current 70 is being marked down as it's discontinued. When do you expect to see the new 70's?
I would guess the bass master classic-if it were next years ICAST I don’t think it would have gone on sale so soon.
CrankFate reply :
On 10/17/2019 at 9:29 PM, OnthePotomac said:Look at the design simplicity of the Curado 100B (I still have two) and you will wonder how in the world did they get such an amazing performance from such a simple design? Mine are now 14 years old and are as smooth as the day they came out of the box and nothing has ever had to be replaced in them. They are like energizer bunnies.
On 10/18/2019 at 10:26 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:Same reason my all time favorite is the Core 50mg. Simple design, good materials and tight tolerances are where it’s at. 90% of the “innovations” we see are just marketing and attempts to stand out that don’t mean much on the water.
It depends on what you like. The only benefit to newer reels is lightness, which IMO, reduces fatigue if you fish 7-10 hours at a time. The older, simpler reels need little maintenance, which means no reason to crack them open to clean, grease and tinker with. So they make for very boring winters.
mrpao reply :
On 10/23/2019 at 12:44 AM, newyorktoiowa57 said:I would guess the bass master classic-if it were next years ICAST I don’t think it would have gone on sale so soon.
Or shimano may just bring the SLX mgl over and make that the next USDM 70 size reel
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
On 10/23/2019 at 2:20 PM, mrpao said:Or shimano may just bring the SLX mgl over and make that the next USDM 70 size reel
Oh no, don’t say that. I would hate it if that is really happened.
newyorktoiowa57 reply :
On 10/23/2019 at 2:20 PM, mrpao said:Or shimano may just bring the SLX mgl over and make that the next USDM 70 size reel
Personally I would pay that much for a reel without X-ship or mm gearing
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