Bantam A

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Bantam A

Post by Salty Parrot » Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:46 am

Looks like tacklewarehouse listed a new 2022 Bantam

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Re: Bantam A

Post by ss30378 » Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:04 am

With no price increase over the old model might I add. Always a good thing in my book.

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Re: Bantam A

Post by reason162 » Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:30 am

The new Expride Bs are listed too at the same price, but pretty sure they will all increase come Feb 1?

Sort of a weird way to approach things.

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Re: Bantam A

Post by Firstoutfisher » Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:40 pm

interesting

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Re: Bantam A

Post by StymoDe » Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:17 pm

22 Bantam weights 220 gram? my 18 Bantam is slightly lighter if I remember correctly

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Re: Bantam A

Post by mrpao » Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:27 pm

I'm disappointed that the new bantam didn't lose any weight. That's my biggest complaint about the current model. At this time I see no real reason to up grade.

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Re: Bantam A

Post by Real Pudd legend » Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:40 pm

Yup, it’s a tank and was hoping as well for a reduction in the weight but that’s not the case.

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Re: Bantam A

Post by ss30378 » Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:51 pm

I’m probably one of the few that don’t mind the weight and actually picked up a bantam for the extra weight and the small sized package. It balances a few of my heavy powered rods better than an under 7oz reel but still has that small form factor. Take that and make it better casting and add a little more cranking power without bumping the cost is all good to me.

I mean it’s still lighter than an OG zillion which is one of my all time favorites.

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Re: Bantam A

Post by LuS » Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:01 pm

Any word on what it does better than the current bantam? Spool upgrade?
Luca :)

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Re: Bantam A

Post by Bay_Bassin86 » Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:55 am

LuS wrote:
Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:01 pm
Any word on what it does better than the current bantam? Spool upgrade?
It has the new mgl spool, svs infinity and infinity drive just like the new conquest. You might see a little increase in casting performance but where you will see it the most in when the reel is under load.

I have the current conquest 200 I use for big swimbaits and when I toss my wakes the reel feel the same under load as it does just reeling up slack line.

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Re: Bantam A

Post by Bay_Bassin86 » Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:58 am

mrpao wrote:
Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:27 pm
I'm disappointed that the new bantam didn't lose any weight. That's my biggest complaint about the current model. At this time I see no real reason to up grade.
The weight is what’s nice about this reel. The designed it with power fishing in mind and to give it that solid round reel feel.

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Re: Bantam A

Post by Cranky » Sat Jan 22, 2022 7:01 am

Tough crowd. First low profile reel to get infinity drive plus 150 size MGIII spool, and line guide moved forward to replicate Antares casting. It’s basically a low profile flagship Conquest at a lower price (of which a 150 size doesn’t exist). I also agree on the weight and rod balance. This one is a workhorse winner to me.

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Re: Bantam A

Post by Mike son » Sat Jan 22, 2022 7:28 am

Cranky wrote:
Sat Jan 22, 2022 7:01 am
Tough crowd. First low profile reel to get infinity drive plus 150 size MGIII spool, and line guide moved forward to replicate Antares casting. It’s basically a low profile flagship Conquest at a lower price (of which a 150 size doesn’t exist). I also agree on the weight and rod balance. This one is a workhorse winner to me.
This. The Bantam has been a polarizing reel, you're either in or out.

Edit: What exactly is infinity drive? I'm reading it on Shimano JP but don't quite understand it's improvement.

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Re: Bantam A

Post by StymoDe » Sat Jan 22, 2022 7:57 am

Bay_Bassin86 wrote:
Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:58 am
The weight is what’s nice about this reel. The designed it with power fishing in mind and to give it that solid round reel feel.
I would have to agree...Bantam seems stand for solid and strong in Shimano's book, I think they built their Bantam rods for that purpose too. the new Bantam rods are still relatively heavy (compared with Poison series) and more intended for power games

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Re: Bantam A

Post by ss30378 » Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:30 am

Mike son wrote:
Sat Jan 22, 2022 7:28 am
Cranky wrote:
Sat Jan 22, 2022 7:01 am
Tough crowd. First low profile reel to get infinity drive plus 150 size MGIII spool, and line guide moved forward to replicate Antares casting. It’s basically a low profile flagship Conquest at a lower price (of which a 150 size doesn’t exist). I also agree on the weight and rod balance. This one is a workhorse winner to me.
This. The Bantam has been a polarizing reel, you're either in or out.

Edit: What exactly is infinity drive? I'm reading it on Shimano JP but don't quite understand it's improvement.
The spool shaft fits the pinion gear like a glove and locks up tighter to take part of the load when reeling under load. It’s to give it more cranking power. I have the 7.4 conquest with infinity drive and it definitely feels like a cranking reel despite being a 7.4 ratio and only an 84mm handle. Both pinion bearings and the spool bearings take the load under pressure. As minute of a change it seems to be you can feel a difference.

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