FINALLY! The ULTIMATE SHIMANO!? [Shimano Bantam 2022 Review]

Today, we unbox and talk about the brand new 2022 Shimano Bantam. This reel is what Shimano calls, "Strong versatile tile that penetrates."
Buy the new Shimano Bantam here:
www.digitaka.com/items/5/4/2/...
Use Discount Code from Digitaka 39B
The rod I will pair this reel with:
old18.com/collections/suppres...
Use my discount code RXANGLER20 for 20% off at Old 18!
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[@RXAngler]

New Discount Code from Digitaka 39B Also, use my discount code at Old18 for a nice new rod for the holidays. RXANGLER20

[@patrickzajdel]

This became my favourite reel in the lineup very quickly! Super impressed with the castability. Pairs really well with the new Expride B's

[@hankthetank12]

Ive been waiting for this video. Love the Channel!

[@ManRod555]

Gotta get a tranx 150! Been using mine for a few months now and it’s fantastic!

[@benbjamun2129]

I just picked one up and this reel is butter! I don’t mind the weight, it’s a tank and feels smoother than the metanium

[@devinh342]

Easily the smoothest reel I’ve fished in ages. Zero loss of torque pulling 4lb+ bass out of grass and pads, and stays buttery smooth the entire retrieve.

[@RXAngler]

That’s nice to hear on how smooth it is. I’m assuming it’s because of the core metal body? What do you think?

[@devinh342]

@@RXAngler I think it’s due to a combination of the core solid body and infinity drive. Core solid helps a bit since there’s zero flex/twist but infinity drive keeps things from slipping up during a fight in thick cover. Definitely noticed great sensitivity as well from the core solid body while I was using the Bantam on a St. Croix Victory. Its reel seat doesn’t allow your finger to contact the blank but I could still feel every bite and the bottom structure through the reel on fluorocarbon.

[@Brian-xb6bx]

Nice channel. Glad to know your a Texas boy like me. I appreciate the break down on the Bantam and the discount code. I am, however, a Metanium guy. Its not fair for me to say that since I have never used a Bantam. The main reason I got the JDM Metanium is because of the much cheaper price compared to the US market. Seems the more expensive the reel is in the US the more of a bargain with the JDM because of the Yen to Dollar ratio. Plus free shipping with digitaka.

[@RXAngler]

100% agree

[@GwenStefaniGuild]

The reason it's cheaper when you buy the reel from Japan has to do with the warranty. Since you live in the USA and purchased a reel from Japan, you have zero warranty from Shimano USA. If something breaks on your reel, all the replacement parts will cost you money out of your pocket, if it's something you can't fix on your own, you'll have to ship it back to the store you purchased it from in Japan or try Shimano Japan. Also, you could be hit by import duties and taxes by Customs, it doesn't happen often, but for example, a guy ordered a Daiwa Saltiga 8000P from Japan because that version isn't offered in the US. It was $850 or so, and a week later he got hit with a bill from FedEx for $340 worth of import duties and taxes. I've purchased two reels from Japan myself, and have lucked out in that regard. I had both Metanium's, the older silver version and the new darker gray colored one. The older one was too long from back to front for my liking, and the new one's spool release or clutch made a noise that drove me crazy, I ended up getting rid of both of them. The Bantam is an amazing reel, that's insanely smooth, and would be a perfect reel for frog fishing, small & medium-sized crank baits, lipless crank baits, square billed crank baits, Carolina rig's, Flipping and Punching. Any power fishing technique, this reel should be in your arsenal, especially the new one because it has the Infinity drive system added to it. My favorite reel from Japan in Shimano's line-up is the SLX DC 70 HG XT (Extra Tune). That reel is the best reel for the money you could ever buy, it has all the tech from the most expensive reels in Shimano's line, DC-5 Braking, MGL3 spool, Silent tune, X-Ship, Micro Module Gearing, 12.5pound drag rating, all aluminum frame and side plates, 6.8oz weight, etc. It's like the old Scorpion DC with a new color and upgraded parts! Being a 70 sized reel, it's super small for a DC reel, and is able to cast lightweight baits better than any other DC reel due to the MGL3 spool. ALL of that for only $209

[@michaelkolbe5963]

I'm loving this reel !

[@kennylove188]

Very good looking, super high quality reel. Sure you’ll enjoy it for Wadefish if for those big bruiser Specs & Reds !

[@RXAngler]

Thank you. I’m looking forward to using it this winter.

[@up2specks978]

I’m getting one soon. I was going to go back with a Tranx 151 after losing mine, but honestly I was kind of disappointed with it. I prefer my Curado 151 over the Tranx. Have a few Chronarch G’s that I love and wish they would come out with a new Chronarch already.

[@oslo7457]

nice video man. how it feels compare to metanium ? this year i did choice for calcutta dc 101 for salmon fishing. will wait review on water. cheers

[@MrWhiteboy573]

I plan on getting on tomorrow from digitaka gunna use it for frogging and punching or heavy jigs! Gunna throw it on my expride B 7’2 heavy

[@RXAngler]

Nice!

[@Larseyful]

Drive gear is bigger the higher you go on gear ratio, but 2.8gram difference between 7.1 and 6.2, cant hardly see that anyone would notice that much of a difference... I bought the 7.1 version, but would prefer the longer handle. It was suprisingly generous on line capasity, could fit 150m of sufix 131 pe3.(european marking on spool) Really looking forward to your on the water impression!

[@RXAngler]

Nice. Thanks man.

[@dylantello124]

The handle is bigger on the 8.3?

[@mikesFishingReelrepairs]

I like it a lot love the new look

[@philipfalco7304]

The only problem I have with the Bantam is the weight. I already own the 19 Antares and love it, but you need to use a 7' and longer rod to balance it out. I see that Bantam being an excellent reel for flipping/pitching, heavy spinnerbaits etc.(Power Fishing)

[@charlesgurnea2004]

I own three I love them on my kistler and old 18 rods love them

[@tonylim6017]

I’m not sure isit me, I bought aldebaren 22 and bantam 22 both casting 3g jig head aldebaren with 6lbs line, bantam with 20lbs line both cast around the same distance, but not sure isit that aldebaren not dual in yet, but infinity drive does make the reel feel much smoother compare to the old 18 bantam which I only use a few time, don’t think I’ll use the 18 model again. I got it cause I’m able to use in saltwater, that is the 1 set back for the 18 bantam.

[@dvangfishing]

I have one and I love it. It’s so freaken smooth. I use it for my jig, flip and pitch.

[@RXAngler]

Nice! I’m glad to hear it’s working for you. I’m excited to use it soon.

[@RedGalaxyFishbone]

Which weights?

[@dvangfishing]

@@RedGalaxyFishbone if this question is for me, I’m using 3/8 to 1/2oz jigs. I have it paired up with a Megabass Valkyrie 7’2 Heavy.

[@dvangfishing]

@@RedGalaxyFishbone and mine is the 8.1, has the bigger handle.

[@RedGalaxyFishbone]

@@dvangfishing sorry should’ve clarified! I’ll be fishing 1/8 lowest and 1/3th of an ounce! Would this reel work?

[@charlesgurnea2004]

I have 4 and the new metanium 100 have 4 and love them all

[@paddling_fisherman5171]

I have all JDM reels. The only issue I have run into is getting them serviced. Where do you send your if you do? Love the channel!

[@lovenlife4203]

You can order drive gear and pinions from plat from Japan but your going to pay 20 dollars for shipping. Or you can order from shimano usa but it's a little trickier. And for servicing them just Google fishing reel service near me. I use a place in Chicago and they charge 35 dollars for an internal cleaning and lubing

[@garymclin5975]

Awesome looking reel

[@RXAngler]

Thanks 👍

[@shannonhughes9515]

considering this JDM Bantam 2022 for inshore or the Tranx 150. How is the Bantam holding up in salt for those using? For servicing JDM reels are folks just ordering same part from schematics and servicing themselves?

[@lukesmith981]

My favorite bait caster but still waiting for a DC version.

[@rdo075]

Looks awesome but pass because of the weight. Still rocking my aldebaran51 with my ul suppressor rod light as a feather 🪶 great video though 👌

[@instantjizz]

I wish all bait casters had clickers. Its so satisfying to hear it go off. Love my 2018 might get this one as well.

[@RXAngler]

I agree!

[@instantjizz]

@@RXAngler does the 2022 cast further?

[@mcl560]

i owned few metaniums, curado, conquest bfs and micromodule is not as smooth or became rough pretty fast. sold them all. i love shimano but not micromodule. some faster than others like metanium rough gears and conquest bfs last longer but still.. anyway i just ordered 22 bantam today and if the gear smoothness doesn't last it will be my last shimano. thought of getting 22 zillion hd but bantam a little cheaper and why not gv shimano one more try.

[@christinesaukam714]

Unfortunately a fact lots of Shimano loyalists won't want to hear, speak, or admit. I had the gears in my 14 Conquest 200 4.8 go buzzy in about two years. It was my least oft used reel, babies, and meticulously cleaned and maintained annually. I will try this 2022 Bantam but it's a no go for the Mets and any other MM Shimanos. It seems that only the Aldebaran MM alloy has lasted because it is usually made for smaller lighter lures with less resistance. So sad the extremely smooth, tough, and reliable HEG gears were discontinued and not just improved upon.

[@muskyvictim]

Wow I was thinking about possible micromodule failure / durability this last Spring while thinking about buying the 23 Antares DC MD ( read about the 18 MD being geary . ) , but I still bought it , in fact I bought the 21'Antares DC also , and Scorpion DC , and of course Daiwa also . Let me say the Antares 21 DC is smoothest real that I have used . I fish EVERY DAY , swimbaits , 200 casts a day lol.. Now , I also have the Daiwa Zillion HD 22 in 8.1 and seriously thinking about buying the 7.1 also . The Steez HLC ? Unfortunately too much headache with the lousy spring. ,lost a riser jack Jr on it 😅. Indeed , I'm afraid of investing in micro gears 😢, but so far Antares 21 is truly the Star of stars , apropos it's smoother than the MD

[@leoaguiar6776]

Oops let’s not forget to mention that the Bantam is designed specifically for power fishing techniques that require more torque/reeling force. Seems like a lot of folks in these comments need this info.

[@user-hk4pm1wn1x]

No es tan así porque yo lo tengo y lanza señuelos livianos de 4 gramos tan bien como un metanium 2023 hize la prueba por eso lo digo

[@fdiazb1]

Thanks for the video!! Do you think the bantam is worth the price difference over the Curado 150 MGL?? thx

[@RXAngler]

Yes

[@theolovaj4844]

Which do you prefer the 2018 bantam or the latest? Also, on digittaka. Is the antares the same as the one here in the US? It's only 300 on digitaka vs 600 here in the US. Need to know to decide. Pls lmk.

[@RXAngler]

New bantam. Yes, Antares is same.

[@RedGalaxyFishbone]

Hi! What is the best weight range? I’m a rig guy. Mostly c rig/t rig/ned rig between 1/8 to 1/3th of an ounce. Will the bantam suffice or is a other reel a better choice?

[@RXAngler]

I think the Bantam would work nicely for you in those weight ranges.

[@ETuss713]

I think I recall you mentioning ypu have Korean heritage. Where's the hometown Doyo love? We going to see a liger soon?

[@RXAngler]

Maybe in the future. Who knows.

[@bestiadelaoscuridad961]

Sirve para salmón chinook?

[@michaelbrooks6976]

Have you ever had to deal with any brokerage fees when ordering from digitaka?

[@RXAngler]

Never

[@SamNguyenV]

don't order from them.

[@ETuss713]

Just my take.... At this cost, I see no need for this reel. It costs the same as a new 21 jdm metanium. Does it perform better? It weighs more for sure. There maybe a niche need for it, but when compared to the metanium I don't see it.

[@RXAngler]

Yea man, I understand. The Metanium is a fine reel. One of my favorites. The Bantam is a different animal with different materials for a different application. No wrong choice honestly.

[@ETuss713]

@@RXAngler maybe if I was putting it on a medium or medium heavy rod and going after just reds in a tournament setting or frogging for bass. It's heavier than a lews custom, custom pro, tournament mp, tournament pro, custom lite..... It's also heavier than a curado 150 mgl. With all the fancy reels I've bought lately (lots of thanks to you and digi) I have a hard time not recommending people just get the curado 150 mgl. It does everything very good, not great, but it doesn't lack in any department I need a reel in.

[@bestiadelaoscuridad961]

@@ETuss713 tengo curado 150 mgl es lapeor compra el arrastre se arruinó con un salmón king de 20 lb

[@luvporpo2370]

Hello dude.. i am from malaysia.. this is bantam bfs?

[@RXAngler]

No sir

[@yurhighness2843]

Honestly, they need new colors. Sick of slightly lighter/darker grey. All the reels have the same design. Bantem looks like the metanium shallow edition.

[@davidsnider4090]

Bantam was first American Shimano baitcast reel 1978 why Bantam oil ,,Brass gear is why weight different, higher ratio bigger main brass gear dear watson.

[@dubbrx]

Caught this video late and the code is invalid 😔

[@RXAngler]

Try 72Y

[@am7b51]

Compare the bantam to a shakespeare axiom or sigma… low profile.

[@ernievegajr7058]

39B code is not working

[@RXAngler]

Use 72Y

[@ernievegajr7058]

Thx

[@shannonhughes9515]

@@RXAngler seems that code is disabled too

[@rubenwhitworth5352]

If its not a superfree it's not the best shimano reel made!!

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

228$ isn't that bad

[@RXAngler]

It’s cheaper with the discount code.

[@mayachapman1744]

Heavy and only 10 lbs drag, yuk

[@ThyBlackPentagram]

That cactus is lonely bro 😐