Great reel, I only got to use it for a hour or so. When I was going through the manual I didn’t notice where to set the internal breaks at. When I was checking it out at the store the guy removed the side plates and all 4 breaks were on. He shut them all off while looking at it. Are they supposed to be all on, then use the dial. How do you guys have them set up. 

I run mine with all 4 on and then adjust externally. If it's calmer, I'll run 3 on and 1 off. 

My MGL is two brakes on and the outside dial on "3".  Actually, every Shimano I have is two brakes on.  It is on a 7' MH Carbonlite and spooled with 15lb Invizx to throw a KVD caffeine shad.  A perfect set up.

I just ordered a Chronrch MGL, not because I needed one, but because I couldn't pass up the deal. I will more than likely set it up with 2 on and go from there on the external dial. I used my Bantam this past weekend and tried it with all 4 on and the dial on 2 and was very underwhelmed. I changed it to 2 on and the dial on 2 and it made a HUGE difference. 

Great choice, I’m tearing my hair right now if I should get one or not.

I have my bantam 4 on and dial to whatever lure shape/weight. Just the other day I went out with LC LV500 with dial all the way down to 1 (4 brake all) and I think I can spool the reel (15” Abrazx) If I use my 7’2 rod. In the mean time I can just change dial to 4 and fish with 5/32oz Texas rig missile bait D Stroyer.

Shimano designed these reels to have all 4 brakes on and then be adjusted externally. Yes, the 2 on 2 off will increase distance but one has to be very conscious of what he's doing when casting. When I'm fishing I like to keep my focus on catching fish. Maybe others are more skilled than I am but this is what works for me.

3 minutes ago, The Bassman said:

Shimano designed these reels to have all 4 brakes on and then be adjusted externally. Yes, the 2 on 2 off will increase distance but one has to be very conscious of what he's doing when casting. When I'm fishing I like to keep my focus on catching fish. Maybe others are more skilled than I am but this is what works for me.

Where did you get this information that Shimano designed these reels to be used with all 4 brakes on? The reels are made to be adjustable according to the situation. I used my Bantam all summer with either 1 or 2 internal brakes and the dial set at 2 and could count on one hand the number of times I had issues.

2 hours ago, The Maestro said:

Where did you get this information that Shimano designed these reels to be used with all 4 brakes on? The reels are made to be adjustable according to the situation. I used my Bantam all summer with either 1 or 2 internal brakes and the dial set at 2 and could count on one hand the number of times I had issues.

Shimano's spokesman Dan Thorburn (Bantam 1) mentioned it in the Shimano forum on Tackle Tour. Also, Shimano's JDM website illustrates the braking profile with a graph. Shows minimal difference in braking on the low end of the dial between 1 and 4 brakes. Doesn't seem completely accurate in real world situations, though. I'm just more comfortable with 4 on and get plenty of distance.

2 hours ago, The Bassman said:

Shimano designed these reels to have all 4 brakes on and then be adjusted externally. Yes, the 2 on 2 off will increase distance but one has to be very conscious of what he's doing when casting. When I'm fishing I like to keep my focus on catching fish. Maybe others are more skilled than I am but this is what works for me.

That’s interesting, I’ll have to try it out. I was down to one break and just playing with the dial around three/four. That’s a good enough reason to get out play around.