Shimano Bantam MGL baitcaster review

Reel Review

SOLID! - The Shimano Bantam MGL Baitcaster (continued)

While the Bantam is not be my first choice as a finesse reel it is quickly becoming one of my go to reels for fishing deeper diving reaction baits, power fishing plastics, and even tossing swimbaits under three ounces. Applications that require power and high torque are right in the Bantam’s wheelhouse, and the exceptional rigidity and smooth cranking performance offered by this reel make it an absolute beast in powering through these applications. The very same applications where smaller round reels are go to options are now open territory for the Bantam, and anglers that prefer the ergonomics of a low-profile baitcaster now have a reel that can rival a round reel in both rigidity and durability.

Paired with the right rod the reel's weight is less of an issue but it certainly never feels light

The Bantam is a tank of a reel, it feels every bit as solid as many machined round reels, and is surprisingly refined for a $349 dollar reel. If you can get over the weight of this reel, and accept the Bantam for the solid reel that it is designed to be, it might just become your favorite power fishing baitcaster.

The Bantam may exude power but it does offer excellent refinement, including bearing supported knobs

The Bantam also feels pretty high-end, even for a reel in this price range, and I found that I enjoyed fishing it more than the Chronarch MGL. If you are looking for a finesse reel there are better, lighter, options out there from Shimano and competing lineups, but when it comes to solid feel and power the Bantam Series offers something unique and when compared with Shimano’s round reels I’d go with the Bantam over the Calcutta B and D Series reels as long as the line capacity is enough for your particular application.

One of the rods I liked to pair the Bantam with was the already heavy Megabass Orochi XX AKLYS, which made for a powerful pitch or swimbait combo

The biggest threat to the Bantam probably comes from Shimano’s own new Curado 150DC, and not because it is a similar reel but rather because it is so different. Between the reels the Bantam feels like the more refined reel, and offers a better cranking performance, but the new Curado not only will outcast the Bantam but retails for a hundred less as well. Ultimately it will boil down to what you are really looking for in your next reel. Refinement and power versus the latest in casting technology and range of applications, you decide.

Ratings: (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide):

Shimano Bantam MGL 150XG Casting Reel Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	The Bantam is built extremely solid, and the second you pick up the reel it is clear that this reel is designed for battle. Use of excellent materials throughout, and the only downside is all that metal adds up in weight	9
Performance	I found the Bantam to be a good caster and excellent during retrieves. This reel feels powerful and yet is smoother than I expected. Excellent tolerances and use of performance enhancing features make this a surprisingly refined reel. The only area where we would like to see an improvement is the addition of a beefier drag	9
Price	A reasonable price for what you are getting. The Bantam isn't cheap but it absolutely lives up to the price point	8
Features	The CoreSolid body is the biggest feature of all but there are a lot of additional features squeezed into the reel's compact body, including micro module gearing, X-Ship, and the MGL spool	9
Design (Ergonomics)	A tale of two reels. While the compact profile and footprint of this reel make it excellent to palm there is no getting around the fact that it does feel heavy at times	7.5
Application	A more application specific baitcaster than many other Shimano reels. While the Curado Series is more of a do-everything workhorse the Bantam feels most at home when used for power applications	7
Total Score		8.25
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable! For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus Minus
+ Innovative new solid reel construction that makes the Bantam smooth, powerful, and durable. Built like a tank!	- Built like a tank but weighs in like one too
+ Excels in power fishing applications like deep cranking, punching, and topwater	- Doesn't feel like a finesse reel, and weighs down ultralight combos
+ Smooth drag performance that is reliable under load	- Drag could be more powerful and is on the light side when compared with other reels at this price point
+ Externally adjustable cast control and proven SVS Infinity system
+ Powerful retrieve, and surprisingly refined
+ Something different, unique, and is very enjoyable to fish (as long as you can get over the weight)
+ As close to a aluminum round reel that you can get in a low profile baitcaster

Conclusion: The Shimano Bantam is quite unlike any other baitcaster in the Shimano lineup both from a styling and performance point of view. It makes use of a completely different design than other baitcasters, and much as Daiwa has done with their monocoque Exist spinning reels Shimano’s Bantam Coresolid design delivers enhanced rigidity and durability to low profile baitcasters. This is as close to you get to the feeling of a refined machined aluminum round reel in a low profile and compact baitcaster. The performance benefits and feel are all there but all of this comes with a weight premium that may be off putting to anglers that put an emphasis on low overall reel and outfit weight.
The Bantam is likely the most solid feeling low profile baitcaster on the market, and much of what makes the reel so great is also what makes it more of an application specific performer than other Shimano baitcasters, including the recently introduced Shimano Curado 150 DC.

If you are looking for a great power reel the Bantam delivers. This is one rigid cranker

You can certainly employ the Bantam for the complete spectrum of applications but where this reel really excels is in power applications, heavy cranking, pitching, frogging, and even tossing swimbaits. It can cast the light stuff surprisingly well, and that added sensitivity actually makes it a decent option for finesse fishing plastics or jigs, but that weight is always there.

There is a lot to like about the Bantam and I like that Shimano took some chances with the reel to give anglers something that not only looks different but exhibits a unique performance and feel. The Bantam is SOLID in just about every way

If the Bantam was an ounce lighter it would be just about perfect. Could Shimano make a similar reel with a lighter material like magnesium or a carbon composite? Perhaps, but it would also likely alter the performance characteristics and that unique cranking feel. Anglers looking for a power fishing reel, or simply want a low profile reel that offers many of the benefits of a round reel, should definitely consider the Bantam. The Bantam couldn’t have come at a better time, and while anglers that prioritize weight will likely pass, those looking for a unique power reel will find the Bantam is not only innovative but one heck of a SOLID performer.

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