2022 Bantam MGL A

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Cracker
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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by Cracker » Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:33 pm

How it casts compare to 2019 Antares ( lures over half ounce to 1.5 Oz range)?

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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by Freddie » Tue Jul 19, 2022 7:06 am

I don't yet own the new Bantam but I have the 2020 Metanium. It seems logically like the casting of this new Bantam should be very similar to the '19 Antares and '20 Met(almost identical spools) with the only real differences in the spools being 1) 1 mm larger diameter and 2) 6 brakes instead of 4 and 3) larger line capacity. The filled spool of the Bantam will therefore be substantially heavier than the Antares/Met and be not quite as finesse oriented. BUT, the advantage it may have over those other two reels is better long distance performance with heavier lines and heavier baits because of the 1) larger line capacity and 2) larger spool diameter.

Logically that makes sense to me. Realistically I'm not 100% sure. SVS Infinity+MGL III is an incredibly versatile casting combination. Again, I believe the only advantage the Bantam will have is when you need that greater line capacity.

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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by aqua71 » Tue Jul 19, 2022 6:03 pm

dragon1 wrote:
Sun Jul 17, 2022 5:04 pm
aqua71 wrote:
Sun Jul 17, 2022 8:22 am
I thought about picking one up for cranking, but realized the PG is sadly no longer an option.
Will the MM gears from Gen 1 still fit in the 2022 model? If so, you could order PG gears and swap and then sell the gears in the 2022 Bantam.
That was my first thought, but I have no way to confirm. Hopefully someone in the know will chime in.

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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by dragon1 » Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:38 pm

aqua71 wrote:
Tue Jul 19, 2022 6:03 pm
dragon1 wrote:
Sun Jul 17, 2022 5:04 pm
aqua71 wrote:
Sun Jul 17, 2022 8:22 am
I thought about picking one up for cranking, but realized the PG is sadly no longer an option.
Will the MM gears from Gen 1 still fit in the 2022 model? If so, you could order PG gears and swap and then sell the gears in the 2022 Bantam.
That was my first thought, but I have no way to confirm. Hopefully someone in the know will chime in.
I wonder if Shimano USA or perhaps Jun at Japan tackle or Plat could verify for you?
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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by aqua71 » Wed Jul 20, 2022 9:21 am

dragon1 wrote:
Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:38 pm
aqua71 wrote:
Tue Jul 19, 2022 6:03 pm
dragon1 wrote:
Sun Jul 17, 2022 5:04 pm
aqua71 wrote:
Sun Jul 17, 2022 8:22 am
I thought about picking one up for cranking, but realized the PG is sadly no longer an option.
Will the MM gears from Gen 1 still fit in the 2022 model? If so, you could order PG gears and swap and then sell the gears in the 2022 Bantam.
That was my first thought, but I have no way to confirm. Hopefully someone in the know will chime in.
I wonder if Shimano USA or perhaps Jun at Japan tackle or Plat could verify for you?
I reached out to Shimano last week, but they were unable to help since the PG model was only a JDM option. I reached out to both Jun and Plat as per your suggestion and I'm waiting to hear back. Thanks.

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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by dragon1 » Wed Jul 20, 2022 12:22 pm

[/quote]
I reached out to Shimano last week, but they were unable to help since the PG model was only a JDM option. I reached out to both Jun and Plat as per your suggestion and I'm waiting to hear back. Thanks.
[/quote]

Kool, keep us posted please.
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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by LowRange » Wed Jul 20, 2022 1:32 pm

I have an irrational urge to get one and put it on a MH Valkaryie then move my LIN10 up to a H Valkaryie I will have to buy. Send help.

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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by dragon1 » Wed Jul 20, 2022 1:49 pm

LowRange wrote:
Wed Jul 20, 2022 1:32 pm
I have an irrational urge to get one and put it on a MH Valkaryie then move my LIN10 up to a H Valkaryie I will have to buy. Send help.

Lol... probably too late homie.
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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by LowRange » Wed Jul 20, 2022 4:07 pm

dragon1 wrote:
Wed Jul 20, 2022 1:49 pm
LowRange wrote:
Wed Jul 20, 2022 1:32 pm
I have an irrational urge to get one and put it on a MH Valkaryie then move my LIN10 up to a H Valkaryie I will have to buy. Send help.

Lol... probably too late homie.
:lol:

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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by aqua71 » Fri Jul 22, 2022 4:47 am

dragon1 wrote:
Wed Jul 20, 2022 12:22 pm
I reached out to Shimano last week, but they were unable to help since the PG model was only a JDM option. I reached out to both Jun and Plat as per your suggestion and I'm waiting to hear back. Thanks.
dragon1 wrote:
Wed Jul 20, 2022 12:22 pm
Kool, keep us posted please.
Update:
Plat said the gears will likely not fit. In addition, he said: "Even if we ask to Shimano, they also don't answer because remodeling is not recommended."

Jun said he wasn't sure, but that it might be worth trying.

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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by dragon1 » Fri Jul 22, 2022 5:22 am

Well that's unfortunate. It does make sense with some of the tweaks made to the levelwind and pinion shaft support system, etc.

Shimano may release a PG model again, howevwr lower gear ratio reels today and in the last few years, have generally been the lowest volume seller for most manufacturers.
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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by Dink Whisperer » Fri Jul 22, 2022 3:52 pm

Shimano WILL answer questions about swapping and mixing parts. They just give you the disclaimer that they don't recommend it. I've done it plenty of times before.
Now, looking at both the old model Bantam and the new one schematics of the ones I have(both HGs) they use the exact same part number for the main gear. The pinion gear part numbers however are different. I'm thinking it wouldn't take much to make this swap work.

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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by dragon1 » Fri Jul 22, 2022 6:46 pm

Dink Whisperer wrote:
Fri Jul 22, 2022 3:52 pm
Shimano WILL answer questions about swapping and mixing parts. They just give you the disclaimer that they don't recommend it. I've done it plenty of times before.
Now, looking at both the old model Bantam and the new one schematics of the ones I have(both HGs) they use the exact same part number for the main gear. The pinion gear part numbers however are different. I'm thinking it wouldn't take much to make this swap work.
Sounds like the pinion gear is the only difference due to the Infinity drive system.
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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by slipperybob » Sun Aug 07, 2022 8:21 pm

With all the positives thus far, I gotten myself a Bantam MGL A HG version. First off I spooled directly some 20# Sufix G-Core 131 braid and it took all of it, but still didn't fill the spool. That's a 150 yards spool. The was a premature mistake and it's been quite a long time since I had to spool anything. There was still over 25% of the reel spool remaining. Could've taken up another 50 yards. Dang I had to manually pull the line all off and then put some mono backing onto it. After all was done and fixed to go with roughly 75 yards. I counted about 250 handle cranks on the 150 yards and lucky guess the backing and came to about 125 handle cranks of line.

Now for the backyard practice casting and tuning. Boy that first cast did it fly off far with the 3/8th oz practice plug. Took up 49 handle cranks to reel the line back. Second cast and phluuuueeeey had a little more fine tuning needed, mostly because of the line misbehaving. Fixed that, adjust cast control some and a few more practice rounds. More adjusting as I kept seeming to get some line fluff until I was only getting about 30 handle cranks. So I had to check that against the old Bantam MGL XG with 15# Diawa J-Braid x8 on. Well the old reel was doing about 35 handle cranks. I'm not overhead casting since I've got trees overhead. It's just a side under cast rather straight forward low trajectory. After several more comparative casting I cannot achieve the distance of the older Bantam MGL. I even tried the 1/4 oz. practice plug and adjusted the reel to that. I think this is mostly attributed to line size and the overall weight of the line. The 1/4 oz. plug was getting good distance at just about 30 handle cranks. Switched up to the 3/8th oz. plug and was getting about 32 handle cranks of line back.

Overall the biggest difference in the newer Bantam MGL A reel is it's more smoother on the cast in terms of lack of spool bearing vibration. The handle cranks on retrieval was also more smooth in comparison. I think if I had the exact same line, I may get even closer match of casting distance with the lighter lures. I did not try any heavier weights at this time, so the jury is still out on that.
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Re: 2022 Bantam MGL A

Post by tmd11111 » Mon Aug 08, 2022 2:56 pm

I picked up a JDM XG and also have 5 of the previous models to make a comparison. Besides the hyperdrive it has 6 brake pins instead of 4 like the previous generation and the line guide is moved out a few millimeters. Had both rigged on a pair of GLX 984's with 20# Sniper throwing 3/8 oz. shakyheads with 12" worms. It casts quite a bit further, maybe 10 yards or so and that's where it ends for me. Casting and cranking it doesn't feel any smoother or different.

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