It is that time of the year to welcome back the Shimano Metanium Series. Shimano has released another newly improved casting reel which is the Metanium MGL series.
Manufacturers compete with one another, and they go the extra mile to design a one-of-a-kind product. Indeed, the Shimano Metanium series has outshined other brands.
It has been an ongoing debate that the products designed for the Japanese market are better than the US ones. From then on, buyers have opted to purchase through the internet directly to Japan. Well, not anymore, because the Shimano America Corporation has finally released their latest Metanium reels in the US.
Below, you will find all the information you need to know about the Shimano Metanium MGL reel. It has various product types, all with different functionalities. But before anything else, let us refresh our minds with what a Fishing Reel is all about.
Casting Reel Overview
A fishing reel is a casting device that comes in a cylindrical shape and is attached to a fishing rod. Nowadays, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing or fitting a fishing reel. Casting range, accuracy, and the retrieving line are essential elements for picking the perfect fishing reel.
Fishing reels can also be classified into two parts: Reel Mechanisms and Drag Mechanisms. Both mechanisms can also be broken down into smaller parts.
Reel Mechanisms consist of the Direct-drive reel and the Anti-reverse reel. The Direct-drive revolution is designed with the spool and handles being directly coupled. On the other hand, the Anti-reverse Reel can cast out a spool while the handle stays still.
Drag Mechanism is when pressure is applied to the fishing spool to give off abrasion to the brake that counterparts the spool. This ensures that the spool does not break upon catching a fish.
There are various types of fishing reels, all with different functions as well. Commonly known and used fishing reels are the Fly reel, Baitcasting reel, Spinning reel, and Spin-cast reel.
How To Choose A Casting Reel?
Choosing the perfect reel is a challenge, especially if you want to ensure a high-quality performing reel. You have got to check a few things before deciding to buy one. Many factors contribute to a reliable and impressive reel.
- The Frame
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- This is the foundation of the reel. It is already self-explanatory that choosing a bad frame will then result in a wrong reel.
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- Bearings
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- The number of bearings is essential to determine for your reel. An average of three bearings can be adequate to ensure a smooth operation. It can be as many as 11 bearings. One key point to remember is always to choose quality over quantity.
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- Spool
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- This is the fishing line that you are going to cast to catch a fish. There are a few variations of fishing spools. This will depend upon the fishing reel and fishing rod that you are using.
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- Brakes
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- This is one of the most important factors to determine a good casting reel. An effective braking system makes casting even more convenient than regular casting.
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Now that I have given you the guide on how to choose a casting reel. Let me introduce you to one of the most high-end and popular casting reels used by anglers, the Shimano Metanium series.
The Shimano Inc.
Shimano Inc. is a Japanese company that supplies cycling parts, fishing tackles, and rowing equipment. The company is famous around the world, especially for outdoor enthusiasts.
The company was founded in 1921 in Japan. It expanded and began to establish itself in Europe, other parts of Asia, and the United States through the years.
Meanwhile, Shimano has been known to produce quality spinning and baitcasting reels for many years.
It was first introduced to the spinning reels in 1971, which is the DUX series. It has developed its products for the next years and garnered awards from the authorities.
Then in 2014, it has introduced the Micro Module Gear System. This innovation features precisely produced gear teeth. It also enables both smooth reeling plus excellent power transmission.
One of their best reels is the Metanium MGL series.
Introducing The Shimano Metanium Series
The Metanium MGL has been the ultimate choice of professional anglers and average fishermen. It has now been improved to be 10% lighter and 20% longer than the previous products. The brakes cover a wide variety of casting conditions too.
It is a bait-casting reel that stands out when it comes to versatility and light-weightiness. Metanium MGL performs with a low moment of inertia. Hence, improving the casting distance by 20% and enhancing the handle’s turning into a light and smooth feel.
The product is built-in with high-end features following Micro-Module Gearing, X-Ship, and SVS infinity breaking. It comes with three different gear ratio classifications: 6.2:1, 7.4:1 and 8.5:1
Product Specifications and Features Of The Shimano Metanium Series
Shimano Metanium MGL Regular
The Metanium Regular has a line retriever of 26 inches per crank. It is available in a 6.2:1 gear ratio and a maximum drag of 11 pounds.
The Mono Line Capacity of the Metanium MGL regular is available in 10/120, 12/110, and 14/90 line tests per yard.
Meanwhile, the PowerPro Line Capacity test/yard is 20/150, 30/135, and 40/105.
Finally, its overall weight is 6.2 oz, and it has a ball bearing of 10+1 and retrieves on the right.
Features Of The Metanium MGL Regular:
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- CI4
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The CI4 is another lightweight carbon material of the Metanium MGL. With the use of this material, it has improved durability even under harsh fishing conditions. As such, the weight and volume of the rotor and the body have been reduced.
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- Hagane Body
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The MGL regular is made of highly rigid metals, which are magnesium and aluminum. The manufacturer has reduced the weight of the product. Meanwhile, it has eliminated the reel flexure, warp, and distortion. As such, it allows smooth reeling without reducing the power loss.
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- Micromodule Gear
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The Micromodule Gear System has gear teeth that are refined to the limit. It enables seamless system engagement plus power transmission. With this, anglers can be able to have eternal smooth reeling.
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- S-Arb
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The S-Arb or the Shielded Anti-Rust Bearings are just like the A-RB. However, the company added more shields to unleash ultimate protection for the product.
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- Super Free Spool
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The Super Free Spool can be able to eliminate friction on the spool shaft. With this, there is an increase in the free spool. Also, it produces a longer cast that requires less effort for the user.
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- SVS Infinity
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The SVS Infinity provides four to six settings on the product. It also includes an adjustable brake dial that can allow a wider and precise range for total maximum control. Also, it includes a consistent brake performance in all fishing conditions.
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- X-Ship
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The X-Ship is another feature of the Metanium upon which gives the user a smooth reeling even if it has heavy loads. The unique mechanism of the product enables robust gear engagement.
It also provides enlarged drive gear and optimum positioning of the pinion. Also, the bearings support the ends of the drive gears and the two-point support of the pinion gears.
Shimano Metanium MGL HG
Meanwhile, the Metanium MGL HG has a line retriever of 31 inches per crank. It is available in a 7.4:1 gear ratio and a maximum drag of 11 pounds.
The Mono Line Capacity of the Metanium MGL HG is available in 10/120, 12/110, and 14/90 line tests per yard.
The PowerPro Line Capacity test/yard is 20/150, 30/135, and 40/105.
Lastly, its overall weight is 6.2 oz, has a ball bearing of 10+1, and retrieves on the right.
Shimano Metanium MGL XG
Lastly, the Metanium MGL XG has a line retriever of 36 inches per crank. It is available in an 8.5:1 gear ratio and a maximum drag of 11 pounds.
The Mono Line Capacity of the Metanium MGL XG is available in 10/120, 12/110, and 14/90 line tests per yard.
The PowerPro Line Capacity test/yard is 20/150, 30/135, and 40/105.
Its overall weight is 6.2 oz, has a ball bearing of 10+1, and retrieves on the right.
Models Offered:
The Shimano Metanium comes in 6 model types.
The Metanium MGL 150, Metanium MGL 150 HG, Metanium MGL 150 XG, Metanium MGL 151, Metanium MGL 151 HG and Metanium MGL 151 XG.
The product specifications of these various models are already mentioned above. The only thing that differs is that the Metanium MGL 151 models do retrieve left.
The Construction And Quality
The Shimano Metanium series are magnesium-framed reels. It has a distinctive look of having shades of gray as a motif. Its top plate is colored dark gray, and the remaining parts are colored light gray, closing to a silver color.
It has a perfect tolerance when it comes to its frame and side plate quality. Although, there is a slight turn-off with the handles when turning it back and forth, also in and out. Nonetheless, the knobs on the reels are tight to their handle.
The reels of the Shimano Metanium improved its gearing system by featuring a new micromodule. The teeth of the pinion and primary gears have doubled in number from the previous Shimano Reel. Because of this, it has less noise when gearing. Also, it now has a better and improved performance in the handle.
Performance And Ability
It is time to take into account its drag capabilities. The Shimano Metanium series had a small alteration in its turns with a total range of two and a half. Although its maximum drag is 11 pounds, the average drag that it can sustain is 8.42 pounds.
It has been tested that the longer the line is cast out, the more each drag setting will increase. Rest assured, the Metanium series is going to bring quality and competent performance. The Shimano Metanium series promises a smooth and consistent lock-down drag.
As for the length of a millimeter handle, a standard Metanium reel with a 6.2:1 retrieve ratio is 84 millimeters in length.
The Metanium HG, with a 7.4:1 retrieve ratio, has an 84-millimeter handle.
Lastly, the Metanium XG, with an 8.5:1 retrieve ratio, comes with a 96-millimeter handle.
Power, Brakes, And Casting Range
The Shimano Metanium series offers a strong cranking power. Aaron Martens, BASS Elite Pro, can vouch for the extreme credibility of the Metanium series.
He uses the Metanium HG model, but they are all replicated from one another. Thus, you can expect the same power from the Metanium Regular and Metanium XG. They are also reliable for throwing deep diving crankbaits.
The Infinity SVS brake system is the new design brake feature of the Shimano Company. Although it is not user-friendly and takes time to understand its maneuvering, it has one advantage. The brakes can be set on the inside of the reel and adjusted with a dial tone on the outside.
The brake’s outer adjustment dial is located at the bottom of the side plate with no handles. The braking force of the reel depends on the extent of its dial adjustment. The more it can turn as it extends the brakes, the stronger the force of your brakes will be.
The Metanium series can best perform when using a 12-gram spool. Equipped with an Infinity SVS feature, the spools’ extreme light load can significantly improve the Metanium’s casting range. Generally speaking, the casting capabilities of the Metanium series is really first-rate.
The Basics Of Using The Baitcasting Reels
The baitcaster can be able to help the anglers to use heavy lures and heavy lines. With the help of these reels, it can provide users with accuracy and distances in casting.
Again, the baitcaster sits above the rod, and the spool sits perpendicular to the length of the rod. With this design, the line will come off in line with the rod and help in casting. Also, it helps improve the drag efficiency and the gearing of the reels with the spool.
Knowing The Parts
Also, you must be familiar with the essential parts of the bait caster. There are the side plates and the frame with the spool. In front of the spool is a level wind, which the line passes through an aperture.
When you cast and retrieve, the level wind will glide back and forth with the width of the spool so it can lay the line back down evenly.
Apart from this, you also have the reel handle, often known as the double arm model. The drag adjustment is often a star drag that can sit adjacent to the handle, between it, and the reel’s side plate.
In addition, there is the thumb clutch located behind the spool and at the back of the reel, which is near you. Pressing the thumb clutch to disengage the spool will allow you to do the cast.
Casting: The Basics
Casting a baitcaster takes experience and time. Unlike a spinning reel, the spool of the baitcaster can rotate freely on the cast. This will help to cast the distance. However, it can be problematic during windy weather and when the lure hits the water.
The motion and the mechanics of the cast using a bait caster is also the same as any rod and reel. However, the intricacies that work on the spool differ dramatically.
Baitcasters are designed to use heavy lines, and with that, it makes casting easy. The light line on the spinning spool can be an excellent tool to get some backlashes.
Meanwhile, wind can be a hindrance, especially if you are using light lures. This is because the speed of the spool is greater than the speed of the lure. With this, it causes the line to bunch up in the spool and give the birdnest.
When starting the cast, the reel must be in the palm of your hand, and your thumb must have full access to the top of the reel.
If you wish to disengage the spool, you can press the clutch down with your thumb. Keep part of your thumb placed lightly above the spool to keep the line from leaving because of the heavyweight of the lure.
Proceed with a standard overhead cast, and during the release point, reduce the amount of pressure on the spool using your thumb to make the line leave.
This will enable a good amount of pressure on the spool using your thumb.
Although the brake system produces pressure, there is nothing more special than the manual thumb control of the spool.
As the lure reaches the surface of the water, make sure to tighten the pressure using your thumb.
Casting: Spool Tension
The spool tension is another feature of the baitcaster, which is not properly utilized. It is different from the brake system, and it should not be used unless you wish to have quicker gear around the spool.
The spool tension is an actual force on the spool. You can use it to calibrate the spool according to the size of your lure. Make sure that you turn off your brake as you change the lures with various weights.
You can disengage, loosen, or tighten it until the lure falls directly to the ground. If the spool is calibrated accordingly with the lure weight, there will be fewer backlashes, and casting will be much smoother.
Casting: Brake System
The braking systems used on the baitcasters are often due to the friction or magnetic mechanism to place the resistance to the spool spin throughout the case.
Although the brake system can significantly reduce the backlash amount, you must not rely solely on the brake system. You can always control the spool speed using your thumb.
You can adjust the brake system to have less or more resistance to the spool. The amount you need will depend upon the lure weight and the condition of the water. You will need less brake on heavy lures. Meanwhile, you will need more brakes on lighter lures and windy conditions to prevent the spool from outrunning the lure.
Overall Review
The Shimano Metanium series is a bait-casting reel that is ultra-light in weight, impressively powerful, and incredibly smooth operation. It is a combination of carbon, magnesium, and aluminum to further its performance and quality. It is not that user-friendly but is practical and easy to understand.
Due to its Micro Module gearing system incorporated with the Shimano’s X-Ship feature, the Metanium series is now the smoothest and most stable baitcasting reel there is. Professional anglers popularly use it. This bait-casting reel can promise you a perfect catch.
Now that the Shimano Company has made this gear available to the US, we can now bask in the satisfaction of an awesome fishing experience. It is indeed a great investment!
