SOLID! - The Shimano Bantam MGL Baitcaster
(continued)
 Reel World Tests: To test the Bantam reels
I procured two reels, a standard Bantam 150 (6.2:1 gear ratio) and the faster
Bantam 150XG (8.1:1 gear ratio). Both reels exhibit the same basic form factor
but the XG has a larger handle and paddle knobs, and weighs in .2oz. heavier. I
fished a variety of lines on these reels and made sure to log nearly equal time
with both fluorocarbon and braided lines while fishing for largemouth bass. I
also paired the reels with a variety of rods including G.Loomis GLX, Megabass
Orochi XX, and even an Uribe Riverside M2 spiral wrapped rod to experience the
reel’s casting performance on a variety of platforms.

The Bantam paired up nicely
visually with just about every rod I tried it on
Casting: One of the coolest
things about the Bantam is how the company implemented the external cast control
into the solid construction without a traditional takedown sideplate. The SVS
Infinity cast control knob is externally adjustable through the cold forged
brake housing located within the non-handle sideplate. I found that I was able
to adjust the settings reasonably quickly and easily with one hand and like
other SVS quipped reels this adjustment makes use of internal brake weights on
the spool and friction against the internal raceway during each cast. This
system combines with Shimano’s magnumlite (MGL) spool which essentially reduces
spool weight to improve inertia startup during casting.

The MGL spool design doesn't
disappoint and while casts on the Bantam felt friction free the distances were
just inline with other similarly priced reels
When casting a wide range of baits
I found that the Bantam was a very respectable caster, and especially good at
heavier baits and pinpoint casts requiring quick startup for accurate pitches.
In the mid-range I found the Bantam about average when compared with other
baitcasters, which puzzled me. I found that when I casted aggressively the
Bantam would cast as well as other MGL reels, but on lower momentum lob casts it
was just average. I think part of the reason is that the Bantam doesn’t straight
up outcast many other reels is due to the position of the line guide which
results in some more aggressive angles, and increases friction as the line peels
off the spool and passes through the guide. The very kind of friction that
designs including Daiwa’s T-Wing system help reduce. Overall the Bantam is a
good caster that excels on both sides of the range, but is not as well rounded a
caster as some other reels.

A look at the bearing supported
MGL Spool
Retrieve: It is during
retrieves that the Bantam really started to shine. It didn’t take more than a
few minutes cranking aggressively on this reel to start experiencing just how
smooth the Bantam is. The Bantam feels more like a machined
round reel than it does a low profile baitcaster, and when I started catching
fish on it I developed an even greater appreciation for just how powerful the reel feels,
especially under the load of working bigger fish.

Where the Bantam absolutely excels
is in cranking. This reel is smooth and powerful. Bring on the torque!
There is no give in this reel and
the integrated B-Side plate, level wind guard, and frame all come together to
give this reel not only greater rigidity but also enhanced sensitivity. Enhanced
sensitivity in a reel? The sensation is hard to describe but you can actually
detect vibration coming through the reel and into the palm of your hand. When
paired with a sensitive rod the combination of the vibration coming through the
blank and reel nearly simultaneously makes for a deadly power and contact
fishing tool.

Micro Module gearing adds to the
smooth and refined feel
The Bantam is a very stable
cranking platform but while it is easy to give all of the credit to the Coresolid
body Shimano has another feature in the Bantam that plays a part, and that
is the X-Ship implementation which supports the pinion gear on both ends and
provides better alignment and tolerance between the pinion and drive gear, so
that even when fighting big fish the gears stay in position, transferring all
that cranking energy seamlessly into the retrieve.

Gear mesh is precise and the
tolerances on this reel are excellent throughout
While the Bantam shined in power
tests it also proved to be very refined as well, and delivers the kind of smooth
retrieve that you expect in baitcaster in this price range. The brass gearing in
the Bantam is finely cut with micro teeth providing additional contact points
between the drive and pinion gears which reduces the stress on each tooth, and
improves that smooth yet connected feel that is quickly becoming a signature of
Shimano baitcasters from the Curado K Series and up.

The Bantam is a really fun reel to
fish and I found it great for cranking, topwater, pitching, and even fishing
lighter swimbaits
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