As a Japanese, I know that Japanese Bass fishing tends to be lighter than in the US. Tbh, I think this is the main reason why JDM models have a 100 size spool. I mean most of the Metanium users in Japan use like max 14 lb line. Also in Japan, they often fish in a small area of water, so bomb-casting is not as common. I feel like the JDM model was aiming more on pitching/short-range lightweight lure casting and the US model was more for the power/long-range heavier lure.
I have both US and JDM version. Both of mine are buttery smooth. Both of mine are the HG model also. They feel identical in hand when turning the handle.
@@craigrogers3163 If using braid, I would go with the JDM version for the shallower spool. Less wasted line. I wouldn't get the newer Shallow spool version because it has aluminum gears. Brass gears would be better for braid.
With the spools being different sizes can you tell a difference in performance? Casting distance with the same lure or given weight. Also is the JDM more finicky to tune with the lighter spool? Thanks
@@spandankeshav I use 20lb Sufix 832 with a 12lb leader. I can bomb a fluke with a 3/0 hook, and usually use a 3/16 bullet weight with a 3" Pit Boss. I also regularly use it with a 3/8oz football head.
I just ordered the US version from Tackle Shack! Can't wait to get it. One other thing I noticed that was different between the US & JDM versions while they were sitting there was the Clutch Bar. The JDM version appeared to have ridges where the US version was smooth. Seems like a minor detail, but I bet more debris gets caught up in the ridges and makes it difficult to keep clean... Great video - SUBSCRIBED!
Thanks Jack! Yes. I definitely understand what you’re talking about now that I’ve tried it, I can see what you’re talking about in regards to the clutch bar. Don’t get me wrong, the JDM one is great but the US version is perfect.
Quick question! I just received my US version and the box was open and the reel was out of the bubble wrap! I was not happy, but I also want to be sure they didn’t mess with it. Is there a way to tell which spool I have? The US 150 or JDM 100? Is it marked? The reason I ask is because it sound faintly grainy when I turn the handle...
The jdm reel probably needs more breaking to keep it under control due to it having a lighter, faster spool. But this also means it has the potential to cast farther.
The JDM because of less line capacity may be somewhat better with lighter lures. Not BFS but close. I have 2 USA models-6.2/1 and the 8.1/1(XG). Knobs are same size but as usual the crank is longer on the XG. Both reels have bigger knobs compared to the new Antares. I also might add that the thumb bar action is much smoother on the Antares. Antares is a heavier reel but manageable. Great review! I was surprised the reels are different!
@@rapalaman6681 i believe this is true. I have the JDM version and I am into BFS fishing. I was thinking about buying a lighter spool. Turns out I don't think I need it. I compared my BFS PISCIFUN Phantom tuned with high speed bearings (pretty good actually) and my 2020 Metanium XG JDM. Both with same line and on the same BFS UL casting rod (Chinese Teton 632UL). Took me awhile to find the settings but I eventually got it working. They cast pretty much the same distance: Ned Rigs/Hellgrammites/Spinners and some other lures I have from 1.8 to 4 grams just fine. Of course Shimano is smoother but a bit heavier than the Phantom.
@@spandankeshav I ended up breaking the bank and buying all BFS Shimano’s JDM. BFS Aldebaran and BFS Scorpion😎I still have my Metanium but I did not upgrade the spool. my UL and light setups can cast from 1.4 grams
Great review! Have had my jdm met mgl about a month now. Equipped w/ 20lb braid on it and able to cast consistently between 45-60yards on 3/8 or 1/2 jigs with my PA 173MH. Keep up the great content! 👍🏼👍🏼
Another great video. When I first got my reel I thought it felt cheap. I have 3 of the 2016’s and the quality on those are great. After fishing with it, I think I want another one. I like the way it feels in my hands more the 2016. I have it paired with a 6.11 Adrena and is a perfect match. Keep up the great videos.
Depending on how tight or loose the large tension knob is on the left side of your reel would also determine what number you would need on the micro adjustment.
This video was beyond helpful and I would have never known the difference without it. I have US baitcasters from the SLX to the Bantam. I'm recently saw how much cheaper they are. Of course you don't get the warranty, but I have faith that I wouldn't even need a one year warranty.
The JDM Metanium like most JDM reels have better bearing (faster bearings) and why I usually run my JDM Mets with 3 or 4 brakes on. Your just use to the US version, the JDM is better quality bearings. Look at the spool bearings you can see they are not the same.
I have two aldebaren that I bought for my brother and me. I used the same line, rod and lure yet each reel had a different "sweet spot". I think each reel is just different.
yes thats what I thought, when it comes to baitcasters, I have 2 scorpion DC 151xg and they both cast differently with the same rod and lure and line lol
The only thing with the US version with more line on the spool is it will add more total weight to the spool and your light lure performance will be less than the JDM. More spool weight will also choke off bomb cast distance as well. I will stick with the JDM...personal preference i guess. Thanks for the video
I dont really have any interest in buying any reels this expensive any time soon but great video. A lot of people who've never purchased jdm seem to be afraid to purchase from across seas but I'd honestly rather buy reels from Japan than the us haha. I bought two steezs, a zillion and an ss sv recently and no issues. And somehow one reel got to my house 2 days after I bought it????
@@Hand_Fed Its called budgeting yourself. I said the word "BOUGHT" for a reason which means past tense. I also said "anytime soon." I BOUGHT those reels before. Dropping 1k on reels is plenty for now. I have no interest in spending more at the moment which is why I said "anytime soon." I have other things to pay for. I'm not a pro, I'm not sponsored so I buy it out of pocket. Anyone can surmise that If you spend that much money on just reels then at some point you need to take a break from buying high end toys.. smh yeah, okay dude.
@@ChewyThaoFishing Hmm I've heard of the portal website but ive never really dug around on it, may have to check it out. Usually I just get my jdm stuff off of ebay lol
It's interesting how we experience reels. Chewy has a clear winner with the USDM version whereas CFDoc at Bassreasource highly recommend the JDM one. I wonder if it is a matter of break/spool tension set-up, casting tecnique or if the reels has more individuality than expected, should I say desired... ?
The JDM one has light brake blocks so you need more set to larger number on external dial... I personally prefer JDM model as it can cast lighter lure and easier due to shallower spool. Good video !
Did you happen to lube everything up before using the JDM version? I got a Scorpion MGL and my first use it was kind of geary and the brakes were noisy. I did some TLC with a tiny drop of oil in the bearings, oiled the brake cone, put some thicker oil in the worm gear, and it now works flawlessly. A smaller spool should be more easily controlled by your brakes, which means technically the JDM version should be easier to control then the US version. Thinking maybe with some maintenance you might get better castability out of it.
so i'd wondered about the US version, in fact i was throwing a lipless crank to the end of spool just about on my JDM this morning on 14# sniper. so i kept thinking this morning how much further i'd be able to cast if i had the US version with it's 150 spool. funny to see the youtube notification today of you throwing up a comparison video...sure enough you cover casting performance; funny how coincidences play out. anyway, i do prefer the JDM handle and knob assembly better. also, i like the 85mm handle as well...thought i wouldn't but do. regarding braking performance...do you oil your brake plate at all? also, how much longer have you been fishing your US version versus your JDM? i know shimano maintenance requires oiling the brake plate after a few sessions. i find when i do i have to set my dial to 6 right after, but after a few sessions i'm back to normal which is typically between 3-to-4 on 14#sniper. this morning i was on 3 with a lipless crankbait, but that's expected considering no other bait casts better. on a 3/8oz chatterbait i'm typically running 4. again, i only have the JDM version. also, you running 16# on a lighter shallower spool...makes sense you'll have more fluff issues on the JDM versus the US 150 spool. 15# and up fluoro is already a challenge anyway so props to you for sticking with 16#...why i run 14# sniper and 12# assassin. incidentally, i'm liking 12# assassin better than sniper, but 15# assassin was a hassle compared to 14# sniper. chatterbaits/scroungers/spinners i'll run 14#...swimjigs 12#. pitching 30lb maxquatro to 11-12' 14#sniper leader or 15#assassin is pretty solid. heavy mats flipping...of course heavier line...but still braid to leader. have you had issues running lighter line hence your 16# preference? and i agree, considering price to performance and in some cases you can find these for just over $300 on ebay...there's no other baitcaster on the market that compares. now will it replace my daiwa steez sv tw, no...not at all for me personally...it just doesn't compete technology wise; the steez braking system is FAR superior and it handles a broader range of lure weights. i'm less consistent when skipping on the JDM met20 too, then again all shimanos, with regard to the occassional overrun. on the steez all you need to do is click to 12...14...16 and literally could plop your lure down on a hard skip flip and not get a fluff at all, thumbing it of course, but i digressed. anyway, great vid...glad you threw it up as you're the first on youtube to compare both models.
Great read and great questions. I will be experimenting with line size in the upcoming weeks. I've only had the JDM one for 4 weeks now but fished it extensively to get a good comparison. I have really big hands so the US version just so happens to work better for me and the knobs fit so perfectly. I have no issues with the JDM one, but I prefer the US version IF I had to pick and if they could be bought at the same price.
@@ChewyThaoFishing yeah i wish parts were available to where i could buy the 150 spool. the antares70 is too heavy and the spool is way too shallow, so for me this met20 is the best shimano has to offer baitcaster wise and i must say....what a great reel. really good! it seems i'm only using this one or the steez sv tw these days when out fishing. all my others are collecting dust. i'm terrible though...i usually keep my reels super clean. i got a slight tiny scratch on my met20, can barely see it yet it bothers me because the reel looks so damn good...tiny hair scratch too; can barely see it when the light hits at a certain angle.
I don’t think it’s the breaks adjust of 6 or 4 on US & JDM version. Check the spool tension knob. (See if it has the same play knocking on the spool!) Shallow spool, less line less weight in theory should cast further. Unless you didn’t even touch or miss with the spool tension knob straight out of the box... I do like the bigger handle of US version
I tried that as well. It didnt help unfortunately. The fluff really stopped when I turned up the external to 6. With 6 on, I had zero issues. I am also going to try swapping spools between the two and see how that works.
Chewy Thao Fishing That’s smart! It could just be the spool difference! Shallower(less line) lighter spool will spin faster with equal lure weight used on heavier/deeper spool which weighs more “take more inertia” spins slower.
@@ChewyThaoFishing I second this, although for very light applications...I give the nod to the JDM. I still like US version for Jigs 3/8+. GREAT REELS! US version ALPHA IMO. Bantam second
I don't know how you cast but I have a JDM and use it with 2 on 2 off and brake setting 3 on the outer dial spool tension at just minimizing side to side play, Only difference is I use Braid on mine PE3 Jbraid
Hi Chewy, i asked couple of tackleshop about the spool size after watching your video and all of them told me JDM is 70size and USDM is a 100. Can you pls confirm?
Are the bearings different in your us and jdm metanium? The side plate bearing on the jdm metanium is a nmb bearing which I believe is a micro bearing..Maybe the makes a difference if the us doesn't us micro spool bearings.
I got a question. I’ve had my metanium for about 1 1/2years. I cleaned it but for some reason now when i drop my line down 7-10x it gets stuck and the spool won’t drop line unless i mess and pull hard on the line? Any advice would help.
Most issues occur when re-assemble the reel. First thing i would check is the spool tension knob. Second thing is to make sure nothing is impeding the line from flowing off the spool - knicks in the line/knots/etc. If those don't work, i would try re-spooling it to rule out the line issue. I hope this helps.
The U.S. version had 90mm Handle on the HG model vs. 84mm on the JDM. The U.S. XG had 96mm Handle Vs. 90mm on the JDM. I cannot tell you how much I hate the 84mm Handle. I always upgrade to at least 90mm but that's expensive. I paid the extra $100 bucks for the U.S. XG model just because of the giant power handle.
Where is that grindy noise coming from specifically? It can happen with any reel quite honestly. Please make sure to use "oil" only for the bearings and grease for the gears. If used incorrectly, grease attracts a lot of "gunk".
@Chewy Thao Fishing hey what lures in terms of weight can this reel handle ? im thinking abt buying one for pike fishing approximately 0.5 oz up to 2.5 oz to u think it can handle it ? cheers
Thanks for watching Jan. To be honest, the reel COULD handle it but there would be better options for lures near the 2-2.5 oz range. Check out the curado 300 or even the curado 200k. Those would be better options as you will also have more line capacity. Hope this helps!
@@ChewyThaoFishing well in this case what are the capabilities of the metanium what lures will it handle comfortably ? i prefer lightweight reels and i usally fish up to 1.5 1.8 oz so i thought that it would be a perfect choice (since curado is bulky and extremely heavy in comparison to the metanium and secondly i want to pair it with zodias up to 25 lb or even lighter version up to 16 lb ) to sum up mainly i use lures in between 0.3 - up to 1.7 oz and i very rarely go above that 1.7 oz
Just received my new JDM Metanium. The drag on mine does not really loosen all the way and is still tight with it all the way loosen. Does yours do that?
Mine does not do that. Have you tried taking the drag apart and putting it back on? It could be installed incorrectly, which causes it to be tight even when you loosen it all the way.
I have the JDM and I'm having problems casting a 1/4 with a lure on two brakes on and 5 outside what should I do to get better casting distance I'm using Normandy color line first time it's like cloth I'm a power pro guy please help thank u
@@ChewyThaoFishing hmmm that would explain the skittishness of the spool. My Curado 71XG MGL handles those light lures excellently but needs heavier braking when throwing lures at a half ounce or more
