Legendary Masterpiece That Laid the Foundation of Baitcasting Reels

Shimano had a significant impact on the baitcasting reel market in and outside Japan with the development of the BB-1 and BM series. As in the case of the bicycle components business, Shimano took on the next challenge to establish Shimano as a global brand in the fishing tackle field as well. Shimano dispatched engineers to the U.S., where bass fishing started, to conduct a field survey for about a year. Technology was developed based on the survey results. This led to the development of Bantam. After its release, the series became popular among various users, from beginners to experienced anglers. The impact on the industry was so significant that it was even rumored that fishing tackle manufacturers around the world were copying Bantam. Shimano’s reputation in the baitcasting reel market was boosted immediately.

STORY
SERIES

STORY

BM Series

Improving Technology Used for the Previous Model, Which Grabbed a Large Market Share, by Conducting an Additional Field Survey

Shimano’s Fishing Operations Division took on a new challenge to achieve ever higher quality for a global flagship baitcasting reel. Through the development of the BB-1 and BM series, Shimano learned the importance of listening to what users had to say and acquiring practical experience at fishing sites. Shimano dispatched engineers to the U.S., the main market where bass fishing started, to conduct a field survey for about a year. The survey found that users needed a more lightweight, compact and precise reel. To meet such users’ needs, Shimano thoroughly reviewed the structure of BB-1, which was the conventional product, to seek a simple but stronger structure. The development concept focused on user-friendliness, joy and presence. Shimano was committed to developing a reel that would allow users to spend a pleasant time.

Evolution while focusing on user friendliness, joy and presence

Bantam was finally developed and was released in the U.S. in 1978 and in Japan in 1979. It was highly acclaimed in both markets. The spool rotation and gear precision were enhanced to a level equivalent to that of precision devices, and the frame strength was also dramatically improved. The spool diameter was reduced from 39 mm (conventional product) to 35 mm, achieving a significant reduction in size and weight. Backlash, a problem peculiar to baitcasting reels, was also reduced. The gap between the body and the spool was reduced to prevent the line from becoming caught. The smooth curved shape relieved fatigue and pain in hands of the user, who held the rod and reel together. Functionality focused on user friendliness and joy for users. The shiny silver body featuring a metallic texture was called the “Bantam shape,” and had an overwhelming presence at fishing sites and stores.

After its release, the series gained broad-based popularity, from beginners to experienced anglers. For export, the mode of shipment was changed from sea to air to meet the demand. Bantam rapidly established Shimano’s reputation in the baitcasting reel market. Subsequently, Shimano actively expanded its product lineup and achieved growth. Bantam gradually ended its role as a strategic brand from the latter half of the 1990s, but it remained popular among users. In 2016, it was revived with the release of a new series. This was welcomed as good news by both old fans and new users. The sales of Bantam MGL, which was released in February 2018, grew steadily. In December 2019, Shimano launched the splatter design series for rods and lures characterized by colorful designs. It proposed joy and fashionability to coordinate tools that matched contemporary values. The Bantam brand has been popular for decades while opening up new frontiers.

SERIES

※Based on the year of release in Japan, some of series are listed.

1979

Bantam 100/100EX

The first model was released with the slogan “ultra-precision compact baitcasting reel.” It featured an ultra-precision design spool, which prevented even a No. 2 line from becoming caught, and a fine-adjustment drag mechanism, which prevented seizure. It was equipped with a spool release button, which allowed only the spool to rotate freely, and other functions. 100EX was also equipped with a lure control function, which enabled anglers to make braking adjustments depending on the weather and location.

1980

Bantam 1000L/2000L

For the second Bantam model, Shimano released a rod for boat fishing (1000L) and a large reel (2000L). 1000L was equipped with a level wind system, which was capable of winding the line automatically and neatly. 2000L featured a function to enable attachment and detachment by simple operation for easy maintenance. It was also equipped with a convertible handle, whose length could be adjusted depending on the weight of the hook rig and the target fish.

1982

BANTAM GR

Shimano developed the Colfor Handle for the Bantam baitcasting reels. This aluminum grip was designed to be attached to existing rod products. This was a compact and high-strength product whose reel seat (for mounting a reel) was finished with cold forging. BANTAM GR, equipped with the Colfor Handle, had a strong presence due to its aluminum luster.

1982

Bantam MAGCAST

As its name implies, MAGCAST was equipped with a magnetic control system, which was capable of adjusting the spool’s braking force by using magnetic force adjustable between 10 levels. The lineup comprised four types. Specifically, 20SG focused on cost effectiveness. 21SG was designed for the left handle to enable winding immediately after the hook rig came into contact with the water. 100SG was characterized by lightness and high precision, while 200SG significantly improved the casting distance.

1983

Bantam Mag Plus

At the time of development, it was common to cast a rod while holding the baitcasting reel in both hands. This caused difficulties in taking quick action and posed safety issues on unstable ground. The one-handed cast mechanism enabled anglers to hold the spool concurrently with disengaging the clutch using the thumb. This significantly improved convenience and safety during casting. Bantam Mag Plus also featured the V converter, which enabled anglers to use U/V type spools depending on the situation, and the XHS (extra high speed), which achieved high-speed winding.

1984

Bantam Magnumlite/Bantam Magnum Lite GT Rod

While inheriting high functionality from the previous model, including the spool release button, the level wind system, the magnetic control system, and the one-handed cast mechanism, the reel pursued a beautiful form by introducing full-face integrated forming, which became the industry standard for subsequent baitcasting reels. Shimano showed commitment to detail while taking full advantage of the properties of materials, such as titanium alloy, cemented carbide duralumin, and carbon. The product was released concurrently with Bantam Magnum Lite GT Rod based on a coordinated design.

1986

Bantam BRUSHBUSTER

The product was developed based on advice from top professionals, including Mr. Roland Martin, who was considered the No. 1 professional bass angler in the U.S. It featured functions such as the backlash prevention one way brake, which was designed to be applied only when the line was released by activating a flipping button, and a fighting lever, which was provided to lock the drag. Specialized for pitching, this was an authentic reel for bass fishing.

1988

Bantam Scorpion FIGHTIN’ ROD

As the Bantam series expanded, Shimano deployed products with specifications for fishing sites in Japan, focusing on specific targets. Intuitive blanks were used for the product. The blanks, reel seat and grip were integrated to dramatically increase sensitivity. The lineup consisted of 15 types of specifications in total. Shimano fine-tuned its products for Japanese anglers who required a more delicate feel. This new product was given the middle name “Scorpion.” It marked the launch of a series with Japanese specifications.

1989

Bantam Bass One Mag

This was a simple model focused on weight reduction. The body was made from a carbon material. Like other products in the lineup, the reel was lightweight but highly resistant to rust and impact. It was equipped with a one-handed cast mechanism and a “magneting control” system.

1989

Bantam Beast Master

The product was equipped with a shifting system, which enabled easy manual switching between high speed (6:1) and low speed (4:1). Stability was enhanced by supporting the handle, main gear, pinion gear and spool shaft with ball bearings. The “magneting control” system and the one-handed cast mechanism, which had long been popular functions, were also added.

1989

Bantam Black Magnum

This was a high-grade model that reflected Shimano’s commitment to both functionality and form, like Black Magnum released in 1984. The reel was equipped with a shifting system, which enabled switching between high speed (5.2:1) and low speed (3.8:1) depending on the usage. It also featured functions that were popular with the conventional models, including the quick and tough clutch system, which was designed for retrieval to allow a lure to swim immediately after the lure came into contact with the water, as well as the flipping mechanism and “magneting control” system.

1989

Bantam Speed Master

A high speed gear (6:1) was used for the reel to enable winding at a relatively high speed even for long casting. Ball bearings were arranged for the five drive units to achieve stable fishing. The reel was equipped the fighting star drag, which was designed to cope with unexpected big fish. The body featured a compact design to enable full palming regardless of hand size.

1990

Bantam Scorpion

The product was released as a reel for bass fishing for Japanese anglers and fishing sites in Japan. It featured the novel color red. The centrifugal brake and greaseless bearing achieved light and smooth casting and a delicate winding feel. The reel enabled quiet and accurate casting with a range up to 40 to 50 m even for a small lure.

1991

Bantam Scorpion BSR

The blanks featured the color red to match the reel. The shape of the reel seat was changed. The product featured an injection-integrated-molded handle, which attained high sensitivity even for skinny blanks. High sensitivity was attained thanks to a design that took into account the vibration transmission through the reel. This rod led the second bass boom in Japan in combination with the reel of the same brand released in the previous year.

2016

Bantam

While numerous kinds of rods, including entry-level models and models used for tournaments, were available on the market, the comfort and joy of bass fishing were undermined depending on the selection. Market analysis found that classic products were needed to demonstrate performance in every situation. This led to the revival of historically renowned products. Shimano released 14 rods and 6 lures by reflecting the opinions of professional anglers. The specifications were formulated with commitment to detail.

2017

Bantam MGL

The product successfully overcame the weakness of conventional low-profile baitcasting reels, whose rigidity was slightly inferior to that of round reels. Backlash during palming was eliminated by using a core solid body, which was derived from integrated molding of a level wind protector, side plate, and main frame. The reel featured a proprietary structure to directly transmit vibration by using a highly rigid aluminum material and reducing size through the use of metal processing technology, at which Shimano excels.