Shimano Bantam MGL

LgMouthGambler · June 25, 2019, 05:39:25 PM

Quote from: CraigP83 on June 25, 2019, 05:16:21 PM
Why mono?

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Because I hate fluorocarbon, and sometimes you wanna change it up from always using braid. Let's call it more of a challenge. I dont need to land every fish, but I want a fight. I figure, I'm not really using thin mono like 8 to 12lb test sizes, but rather a strong mono that's rated at a average 16lb diameter. Its proven me good this Magnathin. On a side note, I have also ordered some Sufix Advance to try out. The line I spooled onto the Bantam is actually line off another reel. Once the Advance gets here, I'm gonna swap it and see which I like more. They are both the same diameter lines. I've been using the Magnathin for quite some time, and want to compare, and also see what the fuss is about.

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LgMouthGambler · June 27, 2019, 10:51:41 AM

Got my Sufix Advance in the mail today. Looks like I'm gonna respool when I get home.

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LgMouthGambler · June 27, 2019, 05:44:50 PM

Ready to go.

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LgMouthGambler · June 30, 2019, 06:06:16 PM

I got a good amount of time with this reel on the water yesterday. Pitching baits was rather effortless, and the reel has plenty of power overall. I'm rather impressed with it, and would consider it to be Shimanos Chronarch if they had decided on a metal updated version. I used it to pitch a 3/8oz weight and creature baits around, and had no issues.

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fishballer06 · July 01, 2019, 08:24:50 AM

Yep, I still want one of these. Thanks for the updates LG.

LgMouthGambler · July 03, 2019, 08:37:24 AM

So this happened last night while I was tinkering and respooling the reel. This is about as balanced as you can get. The first rod Lee Smith ever built me, found a perfectly balanced home with the Bantam MGL.

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LgMouthGambler · July 08, 2019, 12:32:25 PM

I got to use the reel and rod quite a bit yesterday pitching around in Lox. Never had a rig that was soo perfectly balanced before. Really made fishing this way effortless. The reel is very powerful and smooth given the high gear ratio. There is little to no resistance with the bait (1/2oz weight, punch skirt, and craw bait). Even when I was rapidly reeling to bring th ebait back to me, it was crazy how easy it was. Shimano really did do a good job with this reel, its impressive.

LabRat · July 11, 2019, 11:25:51 AM

Glad to see you're enjoying it, it really is an awesome reel, isn't it?! Now all you need is a bigger handle

LgMouthGambler · July 11, 2019, 11:55:17 AM

Quote from: LabRat on July 11, 2019, 11:25:51 AM
Glad to see you're enjoying it, it really is an awesome reel, isn't it?! Now all you need is a bigger handle

The 102mm is too big for me. I usually just stick to the 90 or 94mm ones from Hawgtech. I dont think I'll be changing anything on it though. Even though I can get them for next to nothing.

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MCS · July 25, 2019, 11:00:42 AM

Quote from: LgMouthGambler on July 11, 2019, 11:55:17 AM
The 102mm is too big for me. I usually just stick to the 90 or 94mm ones from Hawgtech. I dont think I'll be changing anything on it though. Even though I can get them for next to nothing.

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#tinyhands

LgMouthGambler · July 25, 2019, 11:07:28 AM

Quote from: MCS on July 25, 2019, 11:00:42 AM
#tinyhands

big g · July 25, 2019, 12:16:22 PM

I love it, but just don't get it!

I'm still using a Revo with a half million casts. So many reels, so little money!

Some spend on women, drugs, and booze, you spend on reels.

LgMouthGambler · July 25, 2019, 12:34:58 PM

Quote from: big g on July 25, 2019, 12:16:22 PM
I love it, but just don't get it! I'm still using a Revo with a half million casts. So many reels, so little money! Some spend on women, drugs, and booze, you spend on reels.

No, I spend money on all them things too.

LgMouthGambler · July 29, 2019, 07:48:11 AM

I lied, I modded. Lol.

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LgMouthGambler · October 16, 2019, 07:28:58 AM

And I modded it a little more. A few gold accents, and discovered the 09Aldebaran cast control cap will fit.

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fishballer06 · October 16, 2019, 07:57:12 AM

LgMouthGambler · October 21, 2019, 05:52:15 PM

Since I am in the process of a tear down and a little tuning to a members reel, I thought I would use this opportunity to show the internals of this reel.

Here you see the internals with the palm plate removed. Looks good, and your typical straight forward Shimano setup using quality parts.

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LgMouthGambler · October 21, 2019, 05:54:02 PM

Here you get a better picture with the gears removed to see the idle gear assembly and clutch parts.

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LgMouthGambler · October 21, 2019, 05:54:51 PM

This shows you the drive and pinion gears, as well as the drag stack.

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LgMouthGambler · October 21, 2019, 05:58:39 PM

Removing the levelwind assembly to install a bearing where the bushing is. There is a small e clip on the levelwind idle gear that you have to remove to pull the gear off. Then you remove the 2 screws to take the plate off that is also built into the crankshaft assembly stack.

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LgMouthGambler · October 21, 2019, 06:01:40 PM

Tilt the line guide a bit to remove the cap and pawl, then pull the worm shaft out and the bushing is located to the right of it. That will be replaced with a bearing.

And yes, the pawl is plastic, SMH. Lol

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LgMouthGambler · October 21, 2019, 06:02:54 PM

The levelwind pipe just slides out the crank side of the frame since this has no full palm plate. You can see the hole in the picture.

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fishballer06 · October 22, 2019, 08:37:03 AM

Cute reel