Shimano SLX 70 MGL – Product Spotlight

Details/MSRP:

• Shimano SLX MGL Casting Reel
  • Offered in three gear ratios (6.3:1, 7.2:1, and 8.2:1) in the Right Handed Models and two gear ratios in the left handed models (7.2:1 and 8.2:1)
  • Bearings:  4+1
  • Weight:  7.1 oz.
  • Line Capacity (lb. – yds.): 
    • Mono:  10-105 <> 12-85 <> 14-70
    • Braid:  20-115 <> 30-105 <> 40-80
  • MSRP:  $149.99

Overview

• General Overview/First Impressions
  • This is the latest addition to Shimano’s successful family of SLX Casting Reels. Each reel has a nuance that fills a respective niche and price point.
  • The SLX MGL is built within the same frame as the SLX XT, therefore it features Shimano’s external braking system;  SVS Infinity. This feature is nice for making fine-tuned and/or “On the fly” adjustments if there is a change in the wind or you need to change your bait. The SVS Infinity braking is a luxury on any reel, but the highlighted feature of this particular reel is its MGL spool which, if you recall our Product Spotlight on the Chronarch MGL, is a feature we’re a huge fan of.
    • In previous years, at $279.99, the Chronarch MGL was the entry level for this feature. Now the MGL spool is offered in the Curado MGL 70K at $229.99 and obviously the product with the spotlight on it today, the SLX MGL 70 at $149.99.

Applications

• What makes the MGL spool such a desirable feature? Simply put:  It makes casting easier. More specifically it makes casting lighter baits, pitching, and skipping easier than a traditional spool. 
  • The MGL Spool excels in these specific casting scenarios due to the reduced weight of the spool (MGL is an abbreviation for MagnumLite). This reduced weight requires less startup inertia to get the spool moving therefore it requires less effort to get the line moving off of the spool and keep it coming off of the spool smoothly.
• Casting Lighter Lures
  • Do you find yourself avoiding spinning reels to throw lighter baits? While this issue may pertain to the level of comfort you have with your own masculinity, which I’m not sure this reel can fix (I’d suggest some form of counseling for that), I amcertain that this reel will help mitigate the issues which do exist with a spinning setup.
    • Issues such as line management, lack of control (Refer to the aforementioned counseling recommendation), casting accuracy, and things of that nature are a real problem that people encounter with spinning gear. Pairing this reel up with something like the Zodias or Expride 7’2″ ML+ Casting Rod will allow you to toss around lighter lures with ease and the comfort of using casting gear.
• Pitching & Skipping
  • These are both techniques that no doubt take practice to be competent performing. Just as using a shiny new Taylormade driver won’t automatically result in you hitting every fairway on the golf course, this reel will not turn you into a pitching & skipping machine without putting in practice and picking through many… many backlashes.
    • BUT… The MGL spool WILL make learning much easier. The low start up inertia I referenced earlier makes it easier to keep the spool moving at a consistent speed through the entire cast. Without going too in depth on skipping specifically (Maybe we’ll have a guide for that down the road), you want to keep the cast low while also slightly raising your rod tip as your bait nears its target. Doing this smoothly, consistently, and confidently is much easier with a reel that has an MGL spool in it.

Final Thoughts

• This is the new entry level to the best spool on the market. Pick one up and cast it to feel what sets it apart.