Baitcasting reels · Low-profile multipliers · Our take
Shimano Bantam MGL Reel
BANTAM151A / BANTAM151HGA / BANTAM151XGA
A compact low-profile reel with an aluminium CoreSolid body, MGL III spool and enough grunt for serious lure and lighter predator work.
- Low-profile baitcasting reel with HAGANE body material and CoreSolid aluminium construction.
- MGL III spool made from ultra-duralumin for a light, responsive spool setup.
- Available in 6.2:1, 7.1:1 and 8.1:1 gear ratios across the Bantam 151 range.
- Maximum drag is 5 kg, with 0.33 mm / 100 m line capacity and no spare spool included.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Shimano Bantam MGL 151 family. The A, HGA and XGA versions mainly differ in gear ratio and weight, so check the suffix before buying.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A sturdy, versatile baitcaster with a strong build and useful ratio choice, held back slightly by its weight, non-waterproof drag and lack of a spare spool.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9.5/10
- Performance9.1/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.6/10
- Ease of Use8.6/10
- Value for Money8.5/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Lure anglers wanting a solid low-profile reel. The MGL III spool, compact format and choice of retrieve ratios make it a versatile partner for regular casting work.
- Anglers who prefer robust aluminium construction. The CoreSolid body gives the reel a planted, substantial feel rather than a lightweight, flimsy one.
Maybe skip if
- Anyone chasing the lightest possible baitcasting setup. Even the lightest 151 model weighs 215 g, so there are nimbler options if every gram matters.
- Anglers fishing constantly in very wet conditions. The drag isn’t waterproof, so it needs sensible care and drying after soggy sessions.
The lowdown
Introducing the Shimano Bantam MGL Reel
A compact low-profile reel with an aluminium CoreSolid body, MGL III spool and enough grunt for serious lure and lighter predator work.
- Low-profile baitcasting reel with HAGANE body material and CoreSolid aluminium construction.
- MGL III spool made from ultra-duralumin for a light, responsive spool setup.
- Available in 6.2:1, 7.1:1 and 8.1:1 gear ratios across the Bantam 151 range.
- Maximum drag is 5 kg, with 0.33 mm / 100 m line capacity and no spare spool included.
Quick verdict
A cracking little workhorse
The Bantam MGL is built around a proper aluminium body rather than a flimsy, overly plasticky frame. That gives it a reassuringly solid feel for repeated casting and general hard use on the bank.
It’s not the lightest option around, and the five-kilo maximum drag won’t be the headline choice for brutal snag fishing. But for controlled baitcasting, lure work and compact setups, it’s a bob-on bit of kit with very little faff.
A sturdy, versatile baitcaster with a strong build and useful ratio choice, held back slightly by its weight, non-waterproof drag and lack of a spare spool.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9.5/10
- Performance
- 9.1/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.6/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.6/10
- Value for Money
- 8.5/10
The HAGANE material, CoreSolid aluminium body and ultra-duralumin spool give it a properly premium-feeling foundation.
The MGL III spool, 8+1 bearings and three retrieve ratios offer a capable, adaptable casting setup.
Accurate bait placement and useful line pick-up can help you fish efficiently, though the 5 kg drag limits the most brutal work.
The compact shape, paddle knobs and ratio choice are user-friendly, but baitcaster setup still needs a bit of practice.
It offers serious construction and a useful feature set, although the missing spare spool and non-waterproof drag take a little shine off.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Shimano
Shimano Bantam MGL Reel (this one)
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Shimano Bantam MGL Reel
The Shimano Bantam MGL is the sort of reel that makes a strong first impression. It’s compact, low-profile and properly purposeful. No daft styling, no pretending it’s a featherweight finesse toy. This is a baitcaster built around a solid aluminium body, with enough presence in the hand to feel ready for some graft on the bank.
At the heart of it is Shimano’s CoreSolid construction. In plain English, the reel’s aluminium body is designed to bring the frame and body together into one stiff, reassuring unit. That matters when you’re casting repeatedly, working lures all day or leaning into a fish around cover. You want the reel to feel planted, not like it’s having a wobble when things get lively.
The spool is another big part of the Bantam MGL story. It uses an MGL III spool made from ultra-duralumin, giving the reel a light, responsive spool setup. That should make the start of the cast feel less laboured, especially when you’re trying to send a smaller or more awkward lure out without turning the session into a full-on faff-fest.
You still need to set any baitcaster properly, mind. Spool tension, braking and your thumb all play a part. Get those dialled in and the Bantam should offer a smooth, controlled casting experience. Leave everything wound up too tight and even a cracking reel will feel a bit naff. A few practice casts beside the swim can save plenty of swearing later.
There are three Bantam 151 versions to pick from. The BANTAM151A has a 6.2:1 gear ratio and weighs 215 g. The BANTAM151HGA steps up to 7.1:1 and 220 g, while the BANTAM151XGA gives you an 8.1:1 retrieve and weighs 225 g. That spread makes sense: choose based on how quickly you want to work a lure and pick up line, rather than simply grabbing the fastest one because it sounds flash.
For general use, the 7.1:1 HGA looks like the natural middle ground. It gives you a useful balance between a steady retrieve and the ability to recover line quickly after a fish turns or a lure comes back at you. The 6.2:1 version suits a more measured approach, while the XGA is the cheeky fast option for anglers who like to keep things moving.
The double handle with paddle knobs keeps the controls familiar and easy to manage. That’s handy when you’re making repeated casts, changing retrieve speed or trying to stay in touch with a lure through weed and margins. It’s a practical setup rather than a show pony detail, and that’s very much the Bantam’s vibe.
Line capacity is 0.33 mm / 100 m, which gives you a clear idea of the reel’s intended territory. It’s not pretending to be a giant spool for endless distance work. Instead, it suits compact baitcasting jobs where controlled line management, accurate placement and a tidy outfit matter more than launching half the lake.
The maximum drag is 5 kg. That’s enough for plenty of sensible baitcasting and lure applications, but it isn’t a licence to bully big fish out of the worst snags. The drag also isn’t waterproof, so don’t leave the reel sitting in a puddle or chuck it into the bottom of a wet carryall. Wipe it down, let it dry and it should stay much happier.
There’s no spare spool in the box, which is worth bearing in mind before you build a multi-line setup around it. Swapping from one line choice to another won’t be a quick, cheeky spool change. Still, if you want a compact baitcaster with robust construction, a responsive spool and a choice of retrieve speeds, the Shimano Bantam MGL is a proper contender rather than just another shiny reel on the shelf.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Type
- Low-profile baitcasting reel
- Models
- BANTAM151A, BANTAM151HGA and BANTAM151XGA
- Gear ratios
- 6.2:1, 7.1:1 and 8.1:1
- Weight
- 215 g, 220 g or 225 g depending on model
- Drag
- Maximum 5 kg; not waterproof
- Line capacity
- 0.33 mm / 100 m
Specs checked with Shimano, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Solid construction meets easy casting
The big story here is the CoreSolid aluminium body paired with Shimano’s MGL III spool. You get a compact reel that should feel planted in the hand, while the shallow-spinning spool design is aimed at keeping casting smooth and manageable.
There are three ratios to choose from: 6.2:1, 7.1:1 and 8.1:1. Go slower for a more deliberate retrieve, middle-speed for an all-rounder, or faster when you need to pick up line quickly after a take. Just remember, the faster options weigh a touch more.
What you’re buying
A compact reel with proper backbone
The Bantam MGL 151 range is a low-profile baitcasting reel built around Shimano’s HAGANE body material and CoreSolid aluminium construction. That gives it a reassuringly solid platform for repeated casting and controlled fish-playing, while the ultra-duralumin MGL III spool keeps the moving part of the casting system focused and responsive.
You get a double handle with paddle knobs, 8+1 bearings and a maximum drag of 5 kg. The 0.33 mm / 100 m line capacity places it firmly in the compact baitcasting bracket rather than the big-spool distance world. There’s no spare spool included, so plan your line choices before you head off.
Worth knowing. The drag isn’t waterproof. That doesn’t make the reel a poor choice, but it does mean wet-weather housekeeping matters. Keep it out of standing water, wipe it down after a soggy session and don’t let damp gear stew in the carryall.
Pick the right version
Match the ratio to your fishing
The 6.2:1 BANTAM151A is the slower option for a more deliberate retrieve. It weighs 215 g. The 7.1:1 BANTAM151HGA weighs 220 g and makes a cracking all-round choice if you want a useful balance of lure control and line pick-up.
The 8.1:1 BANTAM151XGA weighs 225 g and is the fast one. It suits anglers who work lures briskly or need to recover line quickly when a fish changes direction. For a general-purpose setup, the HGA is probably the least faffy place to start.
Worth knowing. This is a baitcasting reel, not a conventional carp workhorse. Pair it with a suitable baitcasting rod and matching line, and spend a little time getting the braking and thumb control sorted before going full bosh on the cast.
Quick answers
The bits anglers usually want cleared up
The Bantam MGL is best suited to lure and baitcasting applications where accurate placement, a compact profile and a solid frame matter. It can handle regular work, but the 5 kg drag and compact line capacity tell you not to treat it like a heavy-duty big-pit reel.
The three gear ratios aren’t just cosmetic differences. A slower ratio gives you a more measured retrieve, while the faster ratios help when you need to pick up slack or keep a lure moving. Choose for your style and the presentation, not simply because the biggest number sounds best.
Maintenance is straightforward common sense. Keep the drag and reel away from puddles, rinse or wipe off grime as appropriate, dry the reel properly and store it somewhere sensible. With no spare spool included, make sure the original line choice suits the fishing you do most often.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Properly solid aluminium CoreSolid body construction.
- MGL III ultra-duralumin spool should help keep casting smooth and responsive.
- Three gear ratios give you a useful choice of retrieve speeds.
- Double handle and paddle knobs offer a familiar, controlled grip.
Worth knowing
- At 215-225 g, it isn’t an ultra-light baitcaster.
- The drag isn’t waterproof, so wet-weather care matters.
- No spare spool is included, which limits quick line or setup changes.
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01Which Shimano Bantam MGL ratio should I choose?
Which Shimano Bantam MGL ratio should I choose?
The 6.2:1 version suits a slower, more controlled retrieve. The 7.1:1 is the sensible all-round choice, while the 8.1:1 picks up line fastest when you’re working lures quickly or need to catch up after a take.
02Does the Bantam MGL come with a spare spool?
Does the Bantam MGL come with a spare spool?
No. There’s no extra spool included, so changing between line types or breaking strains means a separate spool purchase or a bit more faff at home.
03Is the Shimano Bantam MGL suitable for carp fishing?
Is the Shimano Bantam MGL suitable for carp fishing?
It’s primarily a low-profile baitcasting reel, so it’s much more at home on casting and lure setups than on conventional carp rods. For specialist compact lure or close-range applications it can make sense, but it isn’t a typical big-pit carp reel.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a cracking little workhorse. The strongest reasons to choose it are properly solid aluminium coresolid body construction. and mgl iii ultra-duralumin spool should help keep casting smooth and responsive.; the main trade-off is at 215-225 g, it isn’t an ultra-light baitcaster..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Properly solid aluminium CoreSolid body construction.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Lure anglers wanting a solid low-profile reel: The MGL III spool, compact format and choice of retrieve ratios make it a versatile partner for regular casting work.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “At 215-225 g, it isn’t an ultra-light baitcaster.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Shimano Bantam MGL Reel
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Owner reports
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Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Shimano Bantam MGL Reel. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
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