WPCfishing

I was more interested in quality than weight. An oz or so is insignificant. In fact the Bantam felt better on my Helios 7’6” rod then the 6oz reel it replaced. Now I’m looking at a smaller reel for lighter baits. Looks like one of the 3 will work for me. I can’t decide.. need more info. Tell me what you think.. want to order today.

Well here we go.. The reel is outstanding in every way. I couldn’t be happier. It’s all that you guys have mentioned. My distance casting was further then I get with my K reels. I had 2 brakes set with the dial on 3. In minutes I trusted the reel. It works with the rod, not against it. The extra weight compared to my Lews Mag was negated by all the perfection designed and machined into the reel. I put 30# braid on it which spooled on extremely level and tight. To say I’m all in with MiJ reels would be an understatement. Happy! One thing I really like about it was the line guide on the worm shaft. Super solid mounted. Not plastic wobbling around.

Well, The Bantam arrived today.. happy about that, wasn’t due until Friday. I’m going out with it today. I’m going to try 50% power pro on it. See if I can get the distance I want with a gambler toad with a Stanley double hook. I’ll tell ya, my first impression was Wow? Then I held the reel and turned the handle. It was an OMG moment. As you all said it is buttery. Feels absolutely outstanding in my hand.. I’ll report back later today.. I’ll be out casting for a linker or two all day!

I own a lotta Lews reels. I bought the MB out of pure curiosity. Guess what, it’s not heavy, very comfortable in the hand, has an excellent drag, excellent brakes and can cast any bait out there. Probably the best value in the industry.

Lews has been excellent in my hands. How anyone could say Lews is subpar is a something fanboy. I recently bought two Ks and ordered a Bantam last night. I’m open minded. I also bought another brand reel which didn’t feel comfortable to me so I returned it. For those who oppose Lews tell us why?

Well that’s a bit disappointing to hear. I expected the Bantam to cast further than my K reels. Do you have braid on yours? I was planning on 65# power pro for the reel.

I could definitely see myself buying that rod. I like the Okuma rods I recently purchased. Light, cast great, plenty of hook setting power. I’m hooked!

The Shimano Claris is an outstanding Rod. Tackle Warehouse has them for 79.95. i have the MH. It’s a bit on the heavier side. You may like the medium better. I use mine in tight areas with jigs or frogs. Don’t let the price fool you. The rod is excellent. Better than many at a much higher price.

So your saying you like the feel better and it’s become noticeable and the Bantam does cast nicer than the K and DC? I avoided the DC because of the noise I’ve heard so much about. I like quiet.

Way back in the late 80s I had 6 of the Bantam reels set up on Shimano Rods. Wish I had held on to them. That aside over the last 5 years or so I’ve been sold on Lews. Aside from the Super Duty G I’ve been happy with them. A month or so ago I bought 2 Ks. Been using them mostly for top water in heavy cover. Darn it, I love the reels. Just ordered a Bantam 18 XG lefty. It’s supposed to arrive Friday from Japan. I read that the reel is 7.9oz, something I didn’t want was heavy. But I went for the perceived quality. Tell me if I made a mistake!

Well, I got the reel, spooled it with power pro 30# line. The brakes were inoperative. They were either all set on or nothing. The thumb knob was doubling up at times. The line guide was extremely loose so the line was stacking to the right. Got a Lemon! I shipped it back today. Going to stick with Lews or Shimano. The Chronarch or a Team Custom Pro. The Pro is only 5.8oz. I kinda like that idea.. The reviews are very good on both reels.

I’ll be sure to post my experience with the reel. I bought from the Okuma Store on Amazon. Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow. Obviously if the reel arrives early enough I’ll braid it up, set it on the 7’6” and make my way to put it to test. Thanks for the reply.

Ok so while using the two rods I was hearing some tics and creeks here and there. Typical of new rods but here’s the catch. Went out yesterday and as I casted more I was getting more and more distance. These Okuma rods have definitely meet my needs. Still ticking and creeking but it’s lessening.. The rods definitely require a break in.. more so than other rods I own. If you buy one be patient. The rod will exceed your expectations. Bought the SX reel Thursday. Should arrive tomorrow morning. Really looking forward to pairing with the 7’6”.

I’ve got one MB. It really is a hell of a reel. Not heavy, super smooth and it casts great. An excellent value. I’ve used mine one a number of rods with different line and baits. The reel performance is outstanding.

Finally got out on the water yesterday. I was throwing a toad with the 7’6” and had a medium frog on the 7’. Both rods did week. I’m hoping to get more distance with them. Probably comes down to line choice and reel settings. The light weight is what I wanted and these rods delivered. Was nice to fish some long hours and not get so worn out. My Villian 7’6” does me in.. twice the weight. Huge difference after 4-5 hours of casting long. Now I'm considering a reel. Helios SX reel. There’s good deal on eBay right now. I don’t need it but I’m very curious. Interesting how the spool disconnects from the axel. I’m thinking it will be quite a bomb caster. Any opinions or experiences out there that can be shared?

I just bought an enigma 7’mh Eglass Rod. It’s on the heavy side. Grip feels ok. Will give it a try this coming week.

That’s true.. I got the rods. They look and feel very nice. To much rain to get out on the water so I wait.

I switched to 50#. Big difference. Wax your guides. Bought 2 Okuma Helios rods. C series. Big guides. Should arrive Wednesday.

I kinda figured it was nonsense. I ordered the 7 and 7’6” C HF from Tackle Warehouse. Looking forward to the light weight and larger guides. My Abu Villian 7’6” is getting heavy and the I don’t like the reel seat on my 7’6” Powell. Both Lews rods are solid but they sticks. Not great for frogs and toads all the time. I hope the Okuma’s work for me..

I need some up to date information. Are these Helios rods still breaking or was that the early release? I'm looking at buying two of them from Tackle Warehouse. Not the CM. I like the larger guides. Any information will be helpful. Thank you.

I have 2 of them. So far a disappointment. Maybe Mike can square them away with a servicing. I generally bomb cast 100-150 with the wind behind me. I like the 65 in heavy cover.. it doesn’t find its way down between line layers. 50 should be good on the Ks. Although I wound them with 65. Wasn’t an issue. They cast great. I’m impressed.

I bought a 201 and a 201 hg yesterday at Bass Pro. Still want 2 larger spooled reels. I cast 100’-150’ with Gambler toads. I bring them back through a lot of cover and look For a blow up in the openings. It’s a blast and I get some really nice bass. I’ve been using 65... since I bought 2 of the Ks I’ll be doing exactly that. I’ll be checking out the Bantam tonight...

To small for bomb casting. I’m moving away from the Lew’s Super Duty reels.

I’m looking to buy 2 Shimano casting reels for Frog,Toad, Jigs. i fish a lot of heavy cover so I need some power. I do a lot of bomb casting. Looked at the Curado 201 hg. I like using 65# PowerPro, the reel doesn't hold much line. I need experienced opinion as to which reels I should be looking at. Im not interested in any other brand. Only Shimano. Thanks in advance.

Ok so here was the issue. The rod and line I was using do not go well together. i put the go to line on the reel.. 65lb power pro. problem solved. Reels cast extremely well now. I have 11 Lews reels now.