I found a chart and my Bantam Mag Plus 250SG was made in January 1983.

Reel Old Geezer wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 03, 2014 10:34 am

The date of manufacture/assembly should be stamped on the foot. It is in a 2 letter code.

The code on the reel foot of my Bantam Mag Plus 250SG is HA. Any idea what year that is? I was born in 69 and I'm thinking my dad bought me this reel when I was 12 or 13 years old so that would be 81/82.

I'm digging up this old Thread because I recently bought a Bantam 100 off of eBay and it's out for delivery.
I'm hoping that it's in good shape internally. Good shape to me means smooth but not modern smooth but a connected feeling.

What we're seeing here is "Peak JDM'ism" one guy said... I follow this JDM gent on Insta who comes up with all kinds of reel concoctions. A couple of examples: Gates Carbon Drive Zebco 33 GCD Z33.JPG 3D reel with recording/playback device. Currently playing Shimano DC sound each cast..haha 3D DC.JP...

I got my money back on the rod and I got to keep the rod because shipping back to Japan would not be cost effective. The seller sent me a message apologizing and saying that these rods sometimes come with misaligned guides but because the rod is flexible, it can still be used. :roll: I'll eventually...

what rod is that??? i see the forenut.. is that a webie seat? It is a Smith Super Strike topwater rod. With the pistol grip, it is 6'6". It has IIRC, a 21g lure rating and with the pistol grip, I cannot comfortably cast it one handed for various reasons. The long handle is also made by Smith. The S...

How big are Millionaires compared to a Calcutta 100? I'm talking the old round Calcutta 100 and not the new one that doesn't even look like a round reel anymore. The Millionaire 100 series frame, to include the 70/103/105 and all other Megabass and I'ZE variants, compares very closely to the OG CT ...

DirtyD64 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 12, 2023 2:23 am

Which old Calcutta 100 are you talking about?

The regular round Calcutta 100 like my 100XT.

How big are Millionaires compared to a Calcutta 100?
I'm talking the old round Calcutta 100 and not the new one that doesn't even look like a round reel anymore.

Slazmo wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 08, 2023 9:39 pm

Back in my day, you young whipper snappers wouldn't understand...

Nek minute.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CoqT-odPzdI ... MyMTA2M2Y=

See that's what you've got.... The epitome of Japanese design.

Chode wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 08, 2023 6:46 pm

It's not crooked. It's spiral wrapped

I thought the same thing.
I'm going on day two and I have not heard anything from my seller in Japan about my free return so after tomorrow, I'm contacting eBay to get my $80 back.

I bought the rod on eBay for around $80 shipped from Japan and fortunately for me, the seller pays return shipping because I'm returning it because all of the guides are crooked.

Ghost wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 23, 2023 1:49 pm

I'd rather spend a few more dollars and get an Aldeberan BFS, which has been tried and true top end BFS reel.

At the moment, this Lew's BFS reel is $39.20 more expensive than the Aldebaran BFS XG is from Digitaka.
My $39.20 does include a 7% Florida sales tax.

I remember that Calcutta! It was the first one I ever owned, and I LOVED being able to put 200 yards of 12 pound test on that beast when only 50 or so yards actually ever saw the light of day. Since the early 90s, I've been putting on Walmart Clearance line as backing, and only putting 50 or 60 yar...

When the baddest ass fish that I catch is a Largemouth Bass, 50 yards of line is more than enough. LOL