Shimano Bantam Baitcast Reel

Built on 40 years of Bantam heritage, the latest Shimano Bantam delivers round-reel rigidity in a compact, palmable low-profile frame—casting further, cranking harder and lasting longer.

Engineered around Shimano’s one-piece CoreSolid aluminium body, Bantam keeps gears perfectly aligned under load so every turn stays smooth when you’re slow-rolling swimbaits, burning spinnerbaits or working hardbodies tight to structure. The MGL III spool lowers inertia for effortless startup and longer, more accurate casts, while the refined SVS Infinity braking makes quick adjustments when wind or lure weights change. Inside, InfinityDrive lightens rotation under load, MicroModule gearing raises tooth contact for a silky retrieve, and the dependable Cross Carbon Drag provides consistent stopping power without stick-slip.

Whether you’re targeting Aussie bass in impoundments, Murray cod around timber, or barra and jacks in snaggy estuaries, Bantam gives you the stout, connected feel of a round reel with the comfort and control of a low profile.

Product Technologies

• CoreSolid Hagane Body – One-piece aluminium frame resists flex for rock-solid gear alignment and power transfer.
• MGL III Spool – Lower spool inertia for faster startup and longer casts with a wide range of lures.
• SVS Infinity Braking – External dial fine-tunes spool control for changing lure weights and wind conditions.
• InfinityDrive – Reduced rotational resistance for lighter winding under load.
• MicroModule II Gearing – More contact points for a smoother, quieter retrieve and long-term durability.
• S3D Balanced Spool – Minimises vibration on the cast and retrieve.
• S A-RB Bearings – Shielded, corrosion-resistant bearings for extended life.
• Cross Carbon Drag – Smooth, consistent drag across the range to protect leaders and stop strong fish.
• SilentTune – Reduces bearing chatter for ultra-quiet operation.

Product Information

Body: One-piece CoreSolid aluminium (Hagane)
Spool: MGL III, narrow/wide profile for efficient line lay
Braking: SVS Infinity (external dial)
Drive: MicroModule II with InfinityDrive support
Drag: Cross Carbon Drag
Bearings: 8+1 S A-RB (model dependent)
Use cases: Barra, Murray cod, bass, jacks; spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, hardbodies, swimbaits

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Bantam model should I choose (150A vs 150HGA/151HGA)?
Pick 150A (6.2:1) for all-round use, slow-rolling and deep cranking. Choose 150HGA/151HGA (7.1:1) when you want faster line pick-up for spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and working structure efficiently.

What lure weights does Bantam cast best?
With the MGL III spool and SVS Infinity brakes, it comfortably handles ~7–40 g (¼–1⅜ oz) lures. Heavier is fine; for ultra-light BFS work, use a finesse-specific reel.

Is Bantam suitable for saltwater?
Yes—occasional inshore use is fine thanks to S A-RB bearings and corrosion-resistant design. Rinse with fresh water, dry, and re-lube after every salt session.

What line and leader do you recommend?
For bass/cod/barra: 20–50 lb braid with 20–60 lb fluoro/mono leader depending on cover. Match leader to lure style and structure.

How should I set the SVS Infinity brakes?
Start mid-dial, set spool tension so the lure falls slowly with minimal side play, make a test cast, then fine-tune one click at a time for wind and lure weight.

What rod pairs well with Bantam?
Medium to medium-heavy 6’6”–7’4” baitcast rods rated 6–12 kg cover spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, hardbodies and swimbaits; step up power for big cod/barra lures.

How do I reduce spool noise and vibration?
Ensure the spool bearings are clean and lightly oiled; SilentTune and S3D already minimise vibration, but dirty bearings or over-tight spool tension can add noise.

Product Specification: