the reel is interesting.  first thing, i gotta assume Japanese people all have awesome eyesight, because they use the tiniest font on their reels...and thin font.  hahah..

 

the reel is sweet.  smooth, quiet and it is a long range bomber.  a 3/16 bullet sinker and adjacent soft plastic flies really well.  even on a stiffer fast action rod.  it aint "Zillon" quiet and smooth, tho.  no way.  where i love it, is the Drag.  if i get a fish, i can loosen drag and it responds well.  no suprises.  i dial out some drag, the fish pulls some.  intuitively.  the other Z-reel is more sudden, and less predictable in my hands.

 

i am running four brake weights out and the dial at 60%, and the spool on the loose side.  my baits drop really quickly.  

 

i need more time with it, and it will be a great addition to my pile of stuff.  i like how i can transition from it to my 150MGL without a thought.  no need to recalibrate my thumb.  

 

the Bantam and i started our relationship the same as all my other Shimanos.  with an epic backlash.  hahah..it was pitch black and i couldnt see a thing.  i should have ease on the thumb in an abudance of "Whoa".   for the record, picking out a 'lash in the dark is FUUUNNN!

What I really like is how those 1 piece shimanos feel in hand.  The Met exceeded my expectations in every aspect, but the way it feels in hand and how solid it is on a hard hookset, has really made a versatile reel IMO.  Ive not had as much experience with Bantam other than holding a couple, but I can imagine as long as Bantam has enough line capacity its stout enough for just about anything.

26 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

What I really like is how those 1 piece shimanos feel in hand.  The Met exceeded my expectations in every aspect, but the way it feels in hand and how solid it is on a hard hookset, has really made a versatile reel IMO.  Ive not had as much experience with Bantam other than holding a couple, but I can imagine as long as Bantam has enough line capacity its stout enough for just about anything.

GREAT point.  it feels beyond solid.  the hookset is fantastic.