Quote Originally Posted by doggone View Post
I got one on a long pole I just use for dippin into holes in the grass and around timber and such. It works okay for that. Just something to control the line. I was dippin in some grass back in January,there was some ice still on the water and I was looking for fish that might have moved shallow into the grass. I caught two big bass I dunno 5 or 6 lbs each. But I just sorta use it like a flyrod reel,pull the fish up and reel just used to take up the line. I got an old Shimano mini baitcaster (Bantum maybe?) I don't remember the name of it...but man that thing will cast. If you find one at a yard sale pick it up.
I have a Bantam 100 that I bought when they first came out. Was in a tackle sop in Oregon a couple of years ago and saw a display case on the wall with several 100s in it. I asked the store keeper what the story was and he said they had become a collectors item. I still use mine. It could stand a good clean and rebuild but Shimano does not have parts for them or so I was told.