MiceNReets

That’s what I’ve been doing for this reel. Maybe I did the same last season and forgot. But luckily it’s a set and forget brake system for this reel and no need to keep opening the side plate so I’ll just continue to do the same then. Hold it on its side so gravity brings the pins down and put the side plate back on. would changing these brake blocks change anything at this point?

I’ll have to try and give you a shout tomorrow after work. I’m thinking it’s the spool after all. I swapped spools within every reel and everything is great except with this spool and I’ve noticed that the brake blocks go right down as for all the others float and don’t flop completely down. So when flopped completely down, the side plate must be just holding them down completely with no room to move. So maybe the spool is toast now? All 4 blocks do this

Yeah. It isn’t the spool. It works in my 3 other bantams. It must be the side plate and I can’t figure out what’s causing the issue on the side plate. Also I did back the tension knob off as well. I only took the reel apart because it was acting up. Went through my gear today to figure out my roster for the year and this one wasn’t like this before. So I took it apart to make sure everything inside was fine and I’ve narrowed it down to the side plate I guess :/

It was one of the ones from Japan. It worked well last season and now it doesn’t. as an update, I tried the spool in all my other bantams and on a ‘20 Met and it was fine in all those reels. Put it back in this bantam and the issue continues. The side plates all look the same so I can’t figure out why this one somehow pins down the brake blocks (if it is) but it has to be the side plate I’m guessing at this point. And no…. That one has been solid. If it was that one then I wouldn’t be so annoyed :)

So this one bantam is giving me a headache again. So I take the side plate off and then put it back on and the spool doesn’t want to turn. Took everything apart and it’s all in correctly. I put the side plate on and nothing. Then I put all brake blocks up in the locked position and the spool turns and everything is smooth as should be. If I go back to the 2 brakes up and 2 brakes down and put the side plate on, the spool wont turn easily at all. So then if I hold the reel on its side so the brakes flip forward and put the side plate on that way, it’ll turn smoothly as it should. It seems the brake blocks are getting pressed down when the side plate is going on or it’s at least interfering with the brakes and side plate. I have 3 other ‘18 bantams and I don’t have this issue and they look identical to this bantam so I can’t for the life of me figure out what is interfering with the spool and the brake blocks when the side plate is on . Anyone ever have this issue?

I really like my St Croix victory rip n chatter 72H

Yup. Anything under $100 is very minimal if they get you. My last scorpion just cost me $9.95 from Canada post for handling fees. Didn’t get hit with any other taxes this time. However the last 2 scorpion DCs arrived together and cost me $32.98 for handling fees and taxes.

Another scorpion arrived today. $122cdn all in. Few battle scars but it’s as smooth as my brand new one in box.

🦂

I’d say the advantage would be a farther cast from the longer rod. I used to use a 7’ rod for jackhammers, then went to 7’3 and now I use a 7’6 and it bombs them by a significantly good amount. For pinpointing them in tight spots I will use a 6’10.

After posting this thread, I went digging in my rods and found a 6’10 MH/RF poison adrena that I was thinking would do the trick this season. So looks like I might be on the right path. I’d like to use my kaera frogs but I haven’t found the right rod for them.

What is everyone’s go to frog rod for smaller frogs like jackal Kaera, Megabass gabarin jr and buzz toads?

I’ve often wondered about this scenario when buying used from Japan. I’ve seen some really beat up reels in my searches and the descriptions do seem to be honest with appearance. And I’ve also bought used ones with descriptions making them seem worse than they actually are and when I get them, there is no issue or a simple clean will do it. I’m sure I’ll eventually get a mint reel on the outside and a bomb went off on the inside. Hopefully not though

I use them for everything., Bantam is my main heavy cover frog reel. Took the reins back from my ‘22 zillion hd. The other bantams are cranking, chatterbaits and t-rigs in all types of cover and no cover. yeah true. His Komodo must be at least 12 years if I recall if not older. He got it when it first came out. So I’m sure he’d enjoy another tank of a reel to last a lifetime.

I don’t find the weight an issue on the bantam. Maybe I’ve just used it in the right rods to balance right. I have 4 and they’re all as smooth as my zillions and steez reels. So maybe I got lucky with the micromodules for the time being?

Yeah. I was leaning to the Zillion. I have all reels and I prefer the bantam over them all with the zillion close second. I have a zillion HD as well. But I was curious what the general public would think is a better gift and it seems the zillion is on point. Silly question of me to ask

Good day! As I’ve mentioned in other threads, I’ve been buying used off the auction for excellent deals. Decided to surprise the brother in law with a reel to replace his old Okuma Komodo that has seen some days and lots of use. It’s still going good but thought maybe he could use a refresh. I had a few reels in mind to replace it with and was wondering what would be a good reel to receive as a gift. He uses his Komodo on a MH I believe and has it spooled with 30lbs braid so he can do some frogging and t-rigs in some cover and anything else he wouldn’t use his spinning reel for. these are the reels I had in mind: 1. Shimano MGL/DC 2. Shimano 2018 Bantam MGL 3. Daiwa 2021 Zillion SV 4. Shimano 2020 Metanium MGL out of those 4. What would you want to receive as a gift and why? edit: He mostly fishes from shore and we do float tube fish at times so casting distance can be important.

Those 2012 Exsence DCs are awesome reels!

100%… figured that out a year and a bit ago. Take them apart and give a good clean and out together and they’re as good as new. Plus it’s easier to fish the heck out of a reel once someone gets the first scratches on them for you when I’m getting 2016 Steez SVs and 2017 Steez As in near mint condition for $140-150 used in Japan (still going for $879 new Canada local to me)… it’s a no brainer for sure!

i wasn’t searching for a 2020 met either. But accidentally came across it and figured for $122 I’d get it. Cost $13 shipping and $25 customs. So I’m in it for $160 over the $700 plus tax price tag locally. Even new from JLS they’re about $400 all said and done with shipping and customs

Postal lady just dropped this off. $122cdn from the Japan auctions and this reel is mint. Description said “smell of cigarettes”… I disagree. It smells like “success” LoL

Just showed up today. Just in time for Christmas lol. Rod is mint. The handle was sticky (the description mentioned that). Nothing a little goo gone couldn’t fix. For $40cdn, I’m happy with my purchase. Plan to use a PX-R with the finesse special spool.

Finally got one….