5-20

The Bantam MGL reels are awesome. But they're 150 sized. For pike I think a 200 sized reel would be better. Just for the larger spool and faster pick up of line on a long cast. Maybe the new JDM Shimano Scorpion 200 reel would be something you'd want to look at. Only downside is that it might be difficult or a bit of a hassle having the reel returned or serviced under warranty if anything goes wrong. Shimano USA does not service JDM reels. But then again, it's really quite rare to get a defective Shimano reel.

Straight #17 Inviz is good. It really helps if you can tie to a split ring so that is what pivots instead of tying directly to the lure eye which will fray the fluoro faster as the knot pivots and rubs against the eye on every cast. Some baits are just better without a split ring tho. Check your line frequently and cut off anywhere from 1' to 3' often and retie. Also, fluoro goes bad really fast. Don't overfill your reel. Less is more. Make smooth casts without backlashing and your spool of fluoro might last a month or more. But once you get a couple of backlashes, that whole section of fluoro will become rough, kinked and go bad really fast. If you're already backlashing or getting loose coils of line on your spool with fresh fluoro, cut off however much excess line you need to immediately until you see the line staying tight on your reel. #20 Inviz is even better if you have multiple set ups. Works great with a lot of 2-3 oz glides. It's too heavy for the TK tho.

Send it to Shimano. $38 and they will make it feel like it’s new.

Not sure how you have your boat set up but I think what you may need is a rear rudder. I'm gonna assume that you have the trolling motor mounted on the bow and that you have your weight positioned up on the bow to be near the trolling motor. Had a small Jon boat that I'd take the outboard off from time to time. Without the outboard/rudder, the drift would be really bad. It'd be swinging in all directions. With the outboard on, it was just fine. If you have your TM on the bow, try to add some extra weight to the stern to offset your weight up on the bow and a makeshift rudder, whatever that is. It can be a flat piece of wood sticking in the water. That should fix your problem.

Mmmmm... totally true. If a bunch of ninja turtles can have their own show and become a massive success and totally iconic in American culture, fish are way overdue.

The Antares DC MD I guess.

I have several of the Bantam MGL 150's. It's an awesome reel. I'd like to see Shimano come out with more of a 175 sized reel just for the increased line capacity when fishing mono or fluoro and the faster line pick up with a larger spool at the end of a long cast. As nice as the smaller Shimano reels are, line capacity is a real issue with the 150 reels. Braid isn't always the best line to use.

Thought some pictures and video would help give a better idea of the Shimano Bantam 168XH’s characteristics for anyone curious about this rod. I’m also sort of curious about the Legit Design and Major Craft rods you guys use. If any of you wanted to post similar pics that would be cool. IMG_8861.MOV