T2DM

I've actually looked into this a while back and I just double checked myself again before replying just to be sure. The Curado 71K MGL, Curado DC 151, Curado DC 201 all uses the same green star drag part# BNT5915 or 10TB5 and both DC 151/201 uses the same handle assembly just different lengths. I used to own the DC 151HG and I currently own a 71K MGL so I'm almost 100 percent sure that the handle assembly for the DC 151HG should color match the star drag of the 71K MGL. DC 151 and HG comes with 90MM handle DC 151 XG comes with 96MM handle DC 201HG and XG both comes with 96MM handle Keep in mind that I use left hand reels so my part numbers could be different than the one you're after.

You're welcome, Sir! glad to help. it's the handle part that is swept.

here's a better picture of the difference in color.

Yes and would look like this: It's not completely black but close enough. Curado 71 has black handle shank though.

I was planning on replacing my 24 Met DC 84MM handle with XG handle version until I saw how much the whole handle was, I almost passed out! 1469V – Shimano US Fish Shop Yes HG 90mm but silver in color with larger knobs. I think XG is 96MM.

Yes, I can feel the difference between knobs that has 1 bearing 1 bushing vs knobs that has 2 bearings, you can compare your Bantam and Metanium handles side by side to see if it matters much to you. Bantam/Curado 71 handle knobs come with 1 bearing and 1 bushing compared to the Metanium 2 bearings per knob. Both 90MM handles mentioned of course are a lot better than those 84MM handle but then again, it's all up to you which one you want to buy.

All of my reels that came with 84MM handle are replaced by 18 or 22 Bantam XG 90MM handle with extra bearings: If you like a good-looking silver, I suggest looking at the one for 22 Bantam XG (90MM) handle assembly part number 10S2V 10S2V – Shimano US Fish Shop If you like gun metal looking dark grey the checkout 18 Bantam XG (90MM) handle assembly part number 10TTR 10TTR – Shimano US Fish Shop Both of the handle assembly comes with the handle knobs you want but only 1 bearing per knob. You can buy extra or extract the ones that came with the original handles you are replacing and the handle nuts and retainers should be compatible. If you want handle assembly that comes with 2 bearings per knob then go for the Metanium B handle assembly, USDM HG already comes with 9MM, XG comes with 96MM both with bigger knobs also. Anything else is personal preference.

Dang bait monkey is on me hard today! What are your thoughts on this reel, always wanted a round reel but just can't decide since I already have few Bantam (18 and 22). 30 spool size good enough for 12LB sniper? if it is then how much 12LB will it hold. Never own a 30-spool size before, 70 spool size is the smallest I own. Thinking about pairing it with one of my PA 611M+ using mini max and some small swimbaits. Thanks.

He's right you know!

@10,000 lakes Bassin not sure if it matters to you but keep in mind that the JDM HG comes with 84MM handle and the XG comes with 90MM handle.

18 and 22 Bantam are pretty small for a 150 size and rock solid but a little bit heavy. It's by far my favorite reel. Maybe you should look into them Bate's Hundo reels, looks tiny in pictures compare to most bait caster out there, plus it should be pretty solid based on how it's made. Images courtesy of @ghost

I like the combo so far. I don't have the previous gen Metanium DC 100 but but some of us here can assure you that the 70 DC should be smaller and lighter. It's the lightest Shimano DC to date.

I have both and the frame are the same size, line capacity is of course different. DC palm side plate is tiny bit wider but that's about it.

I would be surprised if they do, I think it would be discontinued along with the Chronarch MGL but they ever do update it, I hope it includes the MGL 3 Spool, 6 pin SVS infinity, Silent tune and a different color. I also hope they won't mess with the platform too much since it's the best palming reel I have.

Glad to help and I hope it all work out for you; I think it will cause I've seen a video a while back about the Shimano Saragosa doesn't have the auto close or trip feature. I myself have never liked and never use the auto close feature and wish sometimes that Shimano would just get rid of it completely.

Remove the Bail Trip Strip instead, I think its removable and should disable auto close. When you open the bail, and depending on the bail arm position, the Bail Trip Lever makes contact with the Bail Trip Strip. That's why the bail arm won't fully open and sometimes you have to twist the bail arm rotation again to fully open it and to get that full open feel and click.

This is the correct link for the parts for your Metanium: METANIUM MGL B 150XG – Shimano US Fish Shop Part Number: 10T8V 10T8V – Shimano US Fish Shop Latest JDM Metanium comes with smaller knobs Handle assembly 84MM for 6,7 gear ratio. and 90MM for the XG 20 USDM Metanium comes with bigger knobs Handle assembly 90MM for 6,7 gear ratio 96MM for the XG

I'm pretty sure it's 96MM. I have the 20 USDM HG and it's not quite 90MM compared to 22 Bantam XG which comes with 90MM handle assembly for some reason, but the difference is so small that you can't even tell.

Don't get me wrong, there is a place and time using a DC reels, I myself own a few and use them as needed but you'll get a wide range in performance using MGL reels. After years of experimenting within Shimano line of reels and while there's nothing wrong with Shimano's reel line up, I've decided personally that from now on I wouldn't buy any Shimano reel unless it's based solely in their 'Solid Core' platform non-DC or DC reel, Extra money spent is well worth it in a long run IMO.

I'd go with the 24 SLX 70, you're not really missing out on SLX DC. Even though it's equipped with a new firmware based on the MGL3 spool, it's still an i-DC4 based reel IMO. the two more bearings you've mentioned are just in the handle knobs and not in the reel so there's that. I'd suggest not to get all caught up on the DC reels marketing stuff, it's just another reel with another braking system and it will backlash just like any other reel out there. If you are really itching to get a DC reel for some reason, then I would recommend the SLX DC XT, best value for a dc reel IMO.

Yeah, it's kind of a bit confusing and misleading if you think about it, I just thought about this, and I could be wrong, you often hear MD in the JDM market and not so much in the USDM market, the only MD reel we have in the States is the Culcatta Conquest MD as far as I know. You hear a lot of TRANX in the USDM though, but they're typically marketed for saltwater to big baits use and are built a little different with less bearing, no MM Gears, some have X-Ship and some don't, water repellent etc. I guess what I'm trying to say is it's a marketing thing for Shimano like MD=USDM and TRANX=USDM both saltwater OK. Still, It's a better buy than the Curado M though cause of the price IMO. I thought about buying one, but I feel like there's no need since I already have a handful of what I can easily call the "Sleeper MD/TRANX reel" to a point which is the solid core 18 or 22 Bantam. Even better for some that have issues with MM gears if some aftermarket parts supplier would produce a non-MM gearset kit for it. Only way to find out for sure is to ask the bait monkey for advice, if you know what I mean? 🤣

I was going to buy the Ship-0, but it wasn't available anymore and looks like it's been discontinued according to Shimano US website. I know it's available in other places and probably will look into that if needed. Is the ACE-2 the same thing as the A-DRAGGR - Star Drag Grease like the one you can buy at TW?

I only own Shimano reels and have been fascinated on how they are so smooth out of the box from the factory, I usually open one up when new just to inspect everything inside just to be sure they're not dry or anything then, I typically use them out of the box as is for about a year or so before a full teardown and maintenance during the wintertime but have been puzzled by the type of grease/lubricant they've used in the factory since I can easily tell there are different types inside and out the reels. Anyway, did a lot of digging lately and purchased few different types of Shimano grease to replicate that out of the box experience, I don't have all of them yet but have the PRERMALUB for a few weeks now and it's very familiar to me, looks and feel like it's the grease they use on plastic gears inside the reel, AR-B and handle knob bearings. All I've used in the past are their A-DRAGGR - Star Drag Grease ACE2/Bantam Oil which are good and Shimano claim it's all they used here in the U.S. I've also used Super Lube stuff but it's just not the same to me specially in the different area of the reels. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who've been in this rabbit hole, cause for some reason all the grease I've ordered are very popular around Europe and Asia including Australia as far as I can tell. I know it's a little overkill and that there are tons of different Oil/Grease for reels that I can easily get but hey, I need something to do and experiment on things when the weather gets pretty bad around my area this winter. LOL! All the grease I've got coming are below and for those who've wondered about the same things mentioned above, what are your thoughts? I hope DVT don't give me hell about all this. LOL!

I always liked my Chronarch MGL for jerk bait fishing specially during the cold months due to its CI4 construction but at the same time kind of hate it due to its size, I've always thought about guys with big hands would love the reel for winter jerk bait fishing but the price of it, not so much.