I've been collecting a few new rods this winter and re-purposing a few reels and I've ended up with a gap.  My favorite Junk rod is the DC 734C FH. This rod does everything well but I'm going to focus its use with spinnerbaits, soft Swimbaits (IE Keitech), smaller hard swimbaits/glidebaits, toads, buzzbaits, and swimjigs. I have dedicated pitching (DX 745C FH) and JMR (DX 743 FH) for T-rigs, etc.   I do NOT like using a crankbait rod for any of the aforementioned techniques :-).

 

Considering the 22 Bantam HG w/30# braid.  I hoping that the medium speed would work if I want to slow roll or burn a SP for example.

 

Thoughts?

 

P.

The bantam is a beautiful reel. Mine is on my big rod but it’s a great reel for what you mention.  I haven’t checked jdm availability and price lately but last I looked they were sparse. In that case you could consider the Metanium also. 

16 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

The bantam is a beautiful reel. Mine is on my big rod but it’s a great reel for what you mention.  I haven’t checked jdm availability and price lately but last I looked they were sparse. In that case you could consider the Metanium also. 

Thank you for the comment and I agree, they are in short supply, especially the HG. 

I use a 7'4 H LTB with a Bantam for similar baits. It works great for single hook reaction baits. It's buttery smooth while cranking all day.  I went even slower with a 6 to 1 reel. I have a Zillion and Met too and would for sure take the Bantam for cranking all day. 

The 22 Bantam is one of my favorite reels, and though I no longer have a 734, when I did, the 18 bantam was right at home on there.  One of my favorite things about dobyns rods, is that a 6-8oz reel feels nearly identical.  Allows for a lot of reel swapping with other rod companies less interested in balance.

 

scott