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Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 10:41 am
by bwjay
I need another reel and I'm not sure what to do. I've got an HG Bantam and HG SLX. I love the Bantam for everything except flipping... it doesn't seem to, IDK, start spinning the spool as fast as the SLX. The SLX is a joy to flip with. I use it for my weightless plastics and T-rigs. I use the Bantam for frogs and moving baits. I love the rigidity and smoothness of the Bantam, there's no contest against the SLX. That said, the SLX was my first casting reel and I am still pretty impressed with it and wouldn't mind another one if it came down to that.

That being said, while I know I would enjoy another Bantam, maybe XG this time, I feel like I want to try a different reel. I have been considering a Metanium MGL or Chronarch MGL, as they are both lightweight reels that people seem to love, but the problems with aluminum gears and a "geary" feeling kind of turn me off. I also don't have a boat and have already scratched up my Bantam a few times from bank fishing :( and I have read about durability issues with the Metanium , so I'm leaning away from that. I am also leaning away from the Chronarch due to talk about a geary feeling.

Then you consider ICAST and new reels... the only thing is they probably won't be available for purchase for at least 1-3 months after announcement, right? So if I need a new reel by mid-August I probably won't be getting any ICAST 2019 reels, right?

OH, you're probably thinking I've only mentioned Shimano reels. That's true. I have looked at some Daiwa reels and would consider the Zillion SV TW which I have read good things about. Problem is, I really am not a fan of the aesthetics of any Daiwa reels until you get to the Steez. I think they look a little gaudy, Zillion SV TW included. I really enjoy the understated clean look of Shimano reels (SLX notwithstanding) and so far they have a good track record with me. So I'm leaning towards Shimano. It's kind of sad that it comes down to looks but I think the Zillion SV TV looks cheap for a $300 reel, and the blue/yellow color combo just doesn't work for me.

What do I do? Just buy another SLX and wait to see what ICAST holds? Considering I probably won't get any newly announced reels in time, I might as well buy a reel now and get some use out of it right? I just want something new and shiny and another SLX isn't any fun! But the SLX MGL is JDM only, the Chronarch and Metanium have a geary feeling, and I already have a Bantam... :-k

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 12:20 pm
by Poisson
If you want a workhorse reel with brass gears the Curado K is pretty solid. If the deeper spool is a turnoff and you're not planning on using super heavy line consider the Curado 70. Over the last few years I've purchased a 200IH, 70HG, and 200KXG and have yet to pay more than 60% of MSRP. Haven't looked in a while but you may be able to track down some killer deals on a 70 or 200K.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 1:36 pm
by LgMouthGambler
What are you planning on using the reel for? That will help influence which reel is really necessary.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 1:48 pm
by bwjay
LgMouthGambler wrote:
Mon Jul 08, 2019 1:36 pm
What are you planning on using the reel for? That will help influence which reel is really necessary.
For the sake of discussion I would prefer people provide some recommendations and state what they think a specific reel would be good for. I could use the reel for moving single hook baits, moving treble hook baits, topwater, T-rigs, worms, lots of stuff... I swap reels on my rods because as a bank fisherman I believe in being versatile and I can't have 12 combos for 12 techniques, so my reels must be able to do a lot of things. I can definitely tell my SLX is more enjoyable to use for flipping light baits than my Bantam, but the Bantam isn't awful at it either. I'm hoping to choose another reel that is pretty good for a lot of applications but is lacking for a few, and is overall really enjoyable to use, like the Bantam. The SLX is fairly enjoyable to use but the Bantam oozes quality. Hopefully that makes sense.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 2:14 pm
by LgMouthGambler
You a righty? What your budget? I may have something youll like.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 4:06 pm
by bwjay
I use left hand retrieve so I may not fit your bill. Budget is $100-$300 but could stretch to $400 at the most, tax and shipping included, if it's something like another Bantam. I am leaning towards the cheaper side because there might be something nice from ICAST to wait for, but if I had enough reassurance for something like a Chronarch then I might just go for it. I just really don't want to have to mod a brand new (or soon after) reel, or pay someone else to do it... if I could buy a pre-modded one for a good price, that might be enough to tempt me, but right now I'm talking about bone stock reels.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 6:55 pm
by TahoeDust
How do you feel about round reels? You can get a Conquest 101HG for under $400 from Digitaka. If you like the way the Bantam feels, you'll love a Conquest.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:17 am
by bwjay
TahoeDust wrote:
Mon Jul 08, 2019 6:55 pm
How do you feel about round reels? You can get a Conquest 101HG for under $400 from Digitaka. If you like the way the Bantam feels, you'll love a Conquest.
Those are basically for high torque applications like deep cranking and big swimbaits, right? I really like smaller reels that I can palm comfortably. I would be fine with a 70 sized spool probably but would prefer 150 if possible. Still, I think a Conquest is a little too big and doesn't really fit my use cases.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 7:14 am
by LgMouthGambler
bwjay wrote:
Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:17 am
TahoeDust wrote:
Mon Jul 08, 2019 6:55 pm
How do you feel about round reels? You can get a Conquest 101HG for under $400 from Digitaka. If you like the way the Bantam feels, you'll love a Conquest.
Those are basically for high torque applications like deep cranking and big swimbaits, right? I really like smaller reels that I can palm comfortably. I would be fine with a 70 sized spool probably but would prefer 150 if possible. Still, I think a Conquest is a little too big and doesn't really fit my use cases.
The 100 is tiny, or in your case, the 101

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:28 am
by bbates3
i really like my metaniums i haven't fished them enough to notice any gear issues and if /when i do i will simply replace the gears with brass ones.

but i like the way the reel feels and enjoy fishing with it.

i also have a bantam and like it as well , admittedly i don't have a ton of time on it, i like it great solid and smooth reel but i probably do prefer the feel in hand of the titanium.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:10 am
by bwjay
LgMouthGambler wrote:
Tue Jul 09, 2019 7:14 am
bwjay wrote:
Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:17 am
TahoeDust wrote:
Mon Jul 08, 2019 6:55 pm
How do you feel about round reels? You can get a Conquest 101HG for under $400 from Digitaka. If you like the way the Bantam feels, you'll love a Conquest.
Those are basically for high torque applications like deep cranking and big swimbaits, right? I really like smaller reels that I can palm comfortably. I would be fine with a 70 sized spool probably but would prefer 150 if possible. Still, I think a Conquest is a little too big and doesn't really fit my use cases.
The 100 is tiny, or in your case, the 101
It does seem pretty small, wouldn't mind trying one but I prefer the narrower profile of typical non-round casting reels. I live in Minnesota, about as inland as it gets in North America, so I have no use for a reel typically sought after by (as far as I understand) saltwater anglers. I have read many good things though and would love to try one, I just don't think it's for me.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:17 am
by bwjay
bbates3 wrote:
Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:28 am
i really like my metaniums i haven't fished them enough to notice any gear issues and if /when i do i will simply replace the gears with brass ones.

but i like the way the reel feels and enjoy fishing with it.

i also have a bantam and like it as well , admittedly i don't have a ton of time on it, i like it great solid and smooth reel but i probably do prefer the feel in hand of the titanium.
I'm sure I would enjoy fishing with one, I just don't want to have to replace anything. It just shouldn't have that issue to begin with... but it seems the trend is going toward aluminum gears for weight reduction.

Does anyone know of a place I can buy pre-modded reels? Or a place I could send a brand new reel to get the gears swapped straight away? Might seem unnecessary with a brand new reel but if it's not too expensive I would just go for it. But then again I could also just get another Bantam and save ~$100 (assuming a JDM Metanium with replaced gears). I don't really mind the weight as it actually balances out my slightly tip heavy Kistler H3s. Even with a Bantam the balance point on my 6'9MHXF and 7'HXF is close to but in front of the reel seat knob. I'm considering adding weight to the handles to balance them out, so if I'm doing that, there's not really an upside to a lighter reel as far as I'm concerned. But... I still would kind of like to get a couple hours on a Metanium anyway. Argh...

Might just get one of the new SLX XTs; they should be out mid-July according to TackleDirect which works for me. It's not super fancy or anything but it's a third of the price of a Bantam/Metanium and should get the job done. I haven't really found that I need adjustable external brakes as I almost always throw similarly weighted baits on a specific combo (one combo for 1/4 to 1/2oz moving baits, one for 1/8 to 3/8oz finesse) but if I was gonna just get another SLX I might as well get the XT instead. Hmm.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:24 am
by Poisson
bwjay wrote:
Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:17 am
But... I still would kind of like to get a couple hours on a Metanium anyway. Argh...
I've never tried this, but you could always give the Tackle Warehouse reel demo program a shot if you want to compare a couple of reels side by side.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 1:22 pm
by Bmauldin22
I've been very pleased with my Chronarch MGL which is mounted on a Gen 1 Megabass Spinnerbait Special. The reel has been a real pleasure to fish with. I use that combo for single hook applications, topwater, and some lighter t-rigs.

Re: Need new casting reel within a month, what to do?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 2:52 pm
by Aquaftm45
bwjay wrote:
Mon Jul 08, 2019 10:41 am
What do I do? Just buy another SLX and wait to see what ICAST holds? Considering I probably won't get any newly announced reels in time, I might as well buy a reel now and get some use out of it right? I just want something new and shiny and another SLX isn't any fun! But the SLX MGL is JDM only, the Chronarch and Metanium have a geary feeling, and I already have a Bantam... :-k
Icast is putting out the usual second fiddle products, so don't hold your breath.
There is a 19 Antares in the sale forum that you need to jump on if your seriously considering a reel. A steal at $425, if any one knows him, he keeps his reels impeccable. I've seen a bunch of pics of it, because I have been trying my darndest to make a trade for it..

Sell your jacked up Bantam if that's what you need to do for the extra bucks. If you do end up getting it, please don't hang a double hook frog from the nose piece. ](*,)

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