The newer Bantam is a beast of a reel for sure. The most amazing thing about it is Shimano managed to get a tiny reel to feel both substantial and powerful.
I like the new look for this year. I can't wait until you start doing the live shows again. You used to get a package and do an unboxing like a little kid getting a new toy. Keep them coming 👊😎👍
Love using my Bantam for Magdrafts and smaller swimbaits like the Megabass Gorham 147f. Absolutely monster reel especially with an added longer handle.
Thank's for the informative video. I love fishing Spinnerbaits but it's hard to find a 7 speed reel with enough power to handle an easy retrieve. This reel solves that problem.
First off that camera angle is awesome. Reel looks sick, I’d love to see you put it up against the new hupermag in cast battle and overall feature show down. Great review!
Love those Shimano reels and was hooked on em for a long time. They had some great rods, too. I don't work for a utility, anymore, so affordability is a must for me, now.🤷♂️
Been thinking about pairing this reel up with the Megabass Mark 56 rod for swim baits, rats, etc….I’ve used only shimano reels for the past 30 years. On a side note….I 👊🏻 that like button!!!!
Long time Shimano guy here, i recently bought 3 Daiwa Zillions and have really enjoyed them. How do you like the Bantam A vs the 21 Zillion SV TW? I know you praised the zillion in your prior video. Thanks!
I own the Zillion and the Bantam. I use my Zillion for light-med. sized baits with light to med. resistance. If you're throwing heavier resistance baits like 1/2 Spinnerbaits or power fishing in the weeds then the Bantam is a better choice. Both great reels!
@@dustinmcelreath5667 just remember, the Bantam is significantly heavier than the Zillion. Just keep that in mind before purchasing it. It's not a reel I use for all day use and you're going to have to use a longer rod to balance out the combo.
Between the Zillion, this new Bantam and the Metanium, is one significantly better as far as casting distance or resistance to backlashing? Or better for a particular technique? Maybe you could do a comparison video since you like them all. I already have a Zillion but Christmas is coming.
I do prefer the Shimano reels for working the bottom as I feel they are more sensitive and I like the Daiwa reels for my reaction baits as I feel they are more compact and comfortable in hand while cranking and whatnot. As far as control goes, I'd have to give the edge to the zillion...that braking system is easy to dial in and just works! 👊💪
@@TackleJunky81 I'm in the market for another baitcaster and I see online that you can get the Zillion from Amazon and other sites for only $217. From my research they could be from Japan (JDM) and the only difference is an aluminum gear vs bronze..At that price, I'll get 2, one for the wife
@@Fishin4ever4life that rod is 420 dollars in the us market. If you can find it from Japan it’s 270. It’s a super sick rod though I have one I got last year.
The ALX Skipper is also a great option that is USA made including the blank. 6'9" MH+ It's H power rod with a MH tip section for casting accuracy. The Skipper is a shorter version of their Toadface, which is a 7'2" rod with the same MH+ design.
The new bantam even cast better and farther than the old one...I have 3 of the new models in and it actually cast myn 2-4 oz. swimbaits without any problem. Another good video Jim.
thing i dislike with shimano, the amount off effort requided each cast isnt good. have they fixed that or do you still have to put maximun effort each cast? they look good but if its the same i wont buy. after using a daiwa, half the effort to cast similar distances i dont know iff i want to go back to shimano, annoying to cast and they dont last long
I like the Shimano Reels but they are Reel expensive lol and I do like the lower speeds and never thought much about it when I was Catfishing but my Old Abu 5500 was in the high 4’s I think and worked well for bringing in huge Flatheads. Don’t let it sit on shelf we gotta see it zinging some Lures, a Topwater Frog maybe…
@@blind_eye_fishingpretty good speed for crankbaits. I liked my old Quantum Crank'n Reel for that. 3.8:1 retrieve speed. First cast on Seminole, after moving here, caught a 6lb 6 oz. Lgm on an old school crankbait, not made anymore, in fire craw.
Someone told me that reel ran under 299$ 😂 i said nope not even its a 350$ reel at minimum and some places had it listed at 399$ but looks like its came down across the board. Ill have one some day lol
@@helotaxi nope wrong on both of the newest models. 269$ on the bantam and just over 300$ on the metanium. That's the cheapest listings I found 2 hours ago lol. US pricing has the bantam 359$ and up. The metanium is over 400 and up to almost 500$. I'm constantly looking at gear and lures lol.
