Price &
Applications:
The weight reduction
of the Metanium's
Magnesium versus the
Bantam's aluminum
CoreSolid body and
use of Ci4+ drag
star is 1.3oz.
(6.3oz. versus
7.6oz.), and while
that may not seem
like a lot, it is one
that anglers can
absolutely feel when
they fish with the
new reel.
The Metanium's
magnesium frame
gives the reel a
completely unique
handling, and makes
it immediately seem
like it would be
well suited for
bait-finesse
applications, which
it is. But to
relegate the
Metanium to just
finesse
applications, or
sole use with light
fluorocarbon lines,
would be a waste.
The Metanium may be
light but it also
has very robust
internals including
a full sized brass
master gear, and a
bearing supported
pinion gear, which
combine to improve
both performance and
long term
durability.
Shimano's new
Metanium addresses
all the areas that
were minor gripes in
the Bantam, and even
adds some
performance and
refinement in the
process
One of the reasons
that the Metanium is
painted, versus the
raw metal look of
the Bantam, is that
the Magnesium frame
requires some
additional
protection. The reel
has tight
tolerances, features
shielded bearings,
and has a CI4+ drag
star which is
corrosion proof, and
all add up to a reel
that is saltwater
capable, but I'd
recommend it
primarily for just
fresh and brackish
water use. If you
want a compact reel
for inshore use the
Bantam will still be
the better choice.
The knobs are
supported by
bearings
The Metanium 150 B retails for $419
dollars, which is
$80 dollars less
than the Metanium
DC, and $70 dollars
more than the Bantam
MGL. As much as I
like the I-DC5
system the compact
form factor and
super solid feeling
magnesium
construction of the
new Metanium give
the new reel the
edge for me. When
compared with the
Bantam MGL things
are a little more
complicated. I think
the Bantam's styling
is more unique, and
for heavy cranking
and power oriented
applications like
punching, deep
cranking, or
full-sized swimbaits,
these are all
applications where
the Bantam excels.
If you are an angler
that puts a premium
on low weight, the
unique feel that
only magnesium
bodied reels offer,
or casting
performance across
all lure weights,
then the new
Metanium is
absolutely worth the
price premium.
While the Metanium
is a great
baitfinesse reel it
can easily handle
power fishing
applications
In terms of
competition from
other brands there
isn't anything quite
like the Metanium
150 B on the market.
There are other
reels that are
priced in this range
but none that offer
the blend of
refinement and power
that the Metanium's
unique combination
of the magnesium
CoreSolid design and
that exceptional
MGLIII + SVS
Infinity Braking
setup delivers.
We are seeing a
trend here in terms
of casting. Whenever
Shimano pairs the
MGIII Spool with SVS
Infinity braking and
silent tune (like in
the Antares A) the
reels are absolute
casting machines
Ratings:
(We've
re-calibrated our
ratings standard for
2008 and have
included a key at
the bottom of the
following matrix as
a guide):
|
Shimano
Metanium
150
B
Casting
Reel
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
Extremely
well
built
with
tight
tolerances
and
excellent
materials.
Hard to
believe
this is
a
magnesium
based
reel
based on
how
solid it
feels at
all
times |
9 |
|
Performance |
The
Bantam
was
already
a good
caster,
this new
Metanium
is a
great
one. It
is so
good
that it
feels
more
refined,
and can
even
cast
further
than the Metanium
DC. The
only
area
that it
really
could be
improved,
and
similar
to the
Bantam,
is the
inclusion
of a
more
robust
drag |
9.5 |
|
Price |
This
reel
isn't
cheap
but it
is
absolutely
worth
the
money.
With the
magnesium
CoreSolid
design
it
really
is a
unique
baitcaster
in a
crowded
market
|
8 |
|
Features |
The
Metanium
is more
like the
Bantam
than the
previous
generation
Metanium
and yet
it
delivers
the
refinement
and low
weight
that
Metaniums
are
known
for. Top
feature
is the
magnesium
based
CoreSolid
body but
another
notable
combination
of
features
is the
MGL III
spool,
SVS
Infinity
cast
control,
and
silent
tune
isolation
that all
add up
to make
this one
of the
best
casting
reels in
the
Shimano
lineup |
9 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
The
Bantam
with the
squared
off look
is still
the more
unique
looking
reel but
the
Metanium
does
look
sleek,
stealthy,
and
in-character.
The
Bantam
delivered
a great
palmable
form-factor,
the
Metanium
goes the
extra
mile by
doing
the same
at only
6.3oz.
|
8 |
|
Application |
While
the
Metanium
is
perfect
for
baitfinesse
applications
to use
it just
for
finesse
work
would be
a waste.
This
reel is
both
refined
and
powerful,
and can
be used
across
most
bass
applications.
The reel
capacity
is a bit
light
for the
longest
casting
lures
and we
wouldn't
recommend
it for
prolonged
use in
saltwater
but
everything
else is
fair
game |
7 |
|
Total
Score
|
8.41 |
Ratings
Key:
1 =
terrible
: 2 =
poor : 3
=
lacking
: 4 =
sub par
: 5 =
mediocre
: 6 =
fair : 7
= good :
8 =
great :
9 =
excellent
: 10 =
unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus |
Minus |
|
+
The
magnesium
CoreSolid
design
delivers low
weight and
rigidity |
- Magnesium
body still
not
recommended
for
saltwater
use over
long term |
|
+
Excellent
handling and
sensitivity.
Makes us
remember why
magnesium is
such a great
frame
material
when
implemented
well |
-
Drag is
smooth and
able to be
adjusted in
fine
increments
but doesn't
offer very
high max
pressure |
|
+
MGL III
Spool plus
SVS Infinity
plus Silent
Tune adds up
to make this
a beast of
caster in
distance and
control |
-
Hard to
procure
currently as
demand
is greater than
supply |
|
+
Excellent
ergonomics |
|
|
+
Tiny but
powerful.
Main brass
gearing is
smooth,
robust, and
durable |
|
|
+
Extremely
refined and
fun to fish.
So good it
rivals more
expensive
reels |
|
Conclusion:
With the Metanium 150 B Shimano
demonstrates their capabilities of constructing reels with an optimal blend of
strength and refinement, and when it comes to baitcasters nobody does this
better than Shimano. Similarly to how Daiwa currently reigns on the top of the
enthusiast spinning reel game with their Monocoque Body design. These type of
uni-body reels deliver more torque, performance, durability, and refinement than
competing reels, but also come with a price premium. In the case of the Metanium
that $419 dollar price is absolutely worth the price of entry.
In Shimano's current high-end
baitcaster lineup the Metanium 150B is the one to get. This reel is a
masterpiece, and belongs in every enthusiasts arsenal!
The Metanium may look like a souped up Bantam, and
while it may not scream "enthusiast" visually all it takes is a few moments in
hand, and handful of casts to appreciate just how refined, and well balanced, a
performer this compact baitcaster really is.
The Bantam ushered in a
very strong platform and the Metanium improves on it in just about every regard.
Where the Bantam wins anglers over with it's solid construction and brute power
the Metanium blends magnesium with the CoreSolid design and feels surprisingly
more refined with the MGLIII spool. Simply put the Metanium 150 B is a
masterpiece, and not only the best Metanium ever built, but also a sweet spot
within Shimano's own lineup when it comes to performance, ergonomics, and price.
While the Metanium
is a serious
investment this
latest version is
truly a special
reel, and there are
times where I even
find
myself putting down
the Antares A,
or my JDM Exsence DC
reels, just
to spend
a few more moments
appreciating just
how well this new
reel fishes. The
hype surrounding the
Metanium is
warranted, and if
you can find in the
ratio you want don't
hesitate to
grab it. The Metanium 150 B is
an Editor's Choice
Award winner, and a
masterpiece that
absolutely belongs
in every
enthusiast's
arsenal!
Looking for the
Metanium 150 B?
Try
Tackle Warehouse
