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Shimano Bantam MarkPlus Speedmaster BMP-250 SM, line size and manual?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:11 am
by bea413
I liked the way this reel when I recently got it on and estate sale with a 9 ft cabela's fish eagle rod. I could hardly force it to get a backlash, which is my usual problem with these type of reels. I decided I should change the line before using so I put on some Berkly 17lb Nanofil and now I cant cast it very good at all.

What is the recommended max line weight for this reel? Do you just fill the spool right to up to the edge or within 1/16 th or so? Don't have an owners manual.

I could use some help locating an owners manual for this reel also...... doesn't seem to be available on line? Was this model lower volume production run or something, as I cant find much about it on line?

I did manage to find a Exploded Part View on line,, but not an owners manual.

Appreciate whatever help you can give me on this reel. I would like to be able to teach myself to use this style reel. I have been mostly a spinning fisherman in the past.

Re: Shimano Bantam MarkPlus Speedmaster BMP-250 SM, line size and manual?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 4:02 pm
by DDG
EBAY

Re: Shimano Bantam MarkPlus Speedmaster BMP-250 SM, line size and manual?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:27 pm
by bea413
DDG wrote:EBAY
Thanks DDG. I looked there and on Shimano's site before I posted my question. Couldn't find anything except I did find the exploded parts view and I found a manual for the 100 200, 100EX. Still looking!.

Re: Shimano Bantam MarkPlus Speedmaster BMP-250 SM, line size and manual?

Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 7:58 am
by bantam1
This reel was discontinued in the late 80's. We no longer have any manuals for this model. This is way before we had scanners and pdf files. I suggest contacting Nutter Rod & Reel in White, GA. They specialize in the older model reels. He might have a manual that he can scan or photocopy for you. He will also be a good source for parts.

Re: Shimano Bantam MarkPlus Speedmaster BMP-250 SM, line size and manual?

Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 6:24 pm
by mark poulson
The reel might be backlashing because the nanofil is too thin. Take a look at the line that was on it before. It was probably mono.

Re: Shimano Bantam MarkPlus Speedmaster BMP-250 SM, line size and manual?

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 8:22 am
by bantam1
These reels were made in the days before braided line. This reel was made with 10-17# mono in mind.

Re: Shimano Bantam MarkPlus Speedmaster BMP-250 SM, line size and manual?

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 11:51 am
by bea413
Thank you for your comments Mark and Bantam1!

No wonder I couldn't find a manual!! I have a very rare Bantam..... ha, ha!

I will proceed to load the reel with 12 or 14 pound mono if I can get it back together....... Yes, I took it apart to clean up and remove old grease. Now I cant get back together. Troouble is with the little three loop retractor spring for the push button. Cant quite figure out where all three loops go.

I tried the reel some more before I took apart, with the 17 # Nanofil, and it wasn't as bad as I first thought, although not nearly as nice as it was with the Estimated 8 lb mono I took off the reel (that line just looked old.... I am sure it was).

Bantam 1, Is this reel similar enough to one of the other 80s models that that owners manual would give the basics of what I need to know for this one? Which one? I saw the Nuter Rod & Reel web site and maybe I will check with them too. This reel is not listed on their web site though.

I need to try to blow up the exploded parts view now to see it I can figure out how to reinstall the retractor spring. If I can get I back together, then I will experiment with different line.

Thank you again for your comments.

Re: Shimano Bantam MarkPlus Speedmaster BMP-250 SM, line size and manual?

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 12:59 pm
by bantam1
Send me a PM with your email and I will send you the schematic. The middle loop doesn't attach to anything. That is essentially what creates the spring pressure.

Re: Shimano Bantam MarkPlus Speedmaster BMP-250 SM, line size and manual?

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:37 pm
by bea413
Bsntam 1,

I think I sent you a pm just now.

I put the little metal spindle through the middle loop and one end on the push button and the other on the yoke pin. It creates a mighty lot of pressure that way...... ha ha. Thank you for your help.

Re: Shimano Bantam MarkPlus Speedmaster BMP-250 SM, line size and manual?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 7:20 pm
by bea413
Thanks to all for your help!

Special thanks to Bantam1 for helping me get the retractor spring back in correctly both with a schematic and a word description. Also for his help in determining the weight of line range for this reel.

Got the reel all cleaned up back together and loaded with 14 lb mono. After a little tweaking, this rod and reel casts very nicely with almost never getting a backlash and with good distance. I believe I will take this rig fishing next time I go, and see how it works to actually catch a fish instead of just gravel, grass, and asphalt.

If anyone has an owners manual for this reel, I would still appreciate having a scan of it. It looks like Shimano had many different similar models of the Bantam. I still wonder if there is model similar enough to this that has an avilable owners manual, that would give me the basics? Maybe one with switchable anti-rreverse, or......? Comments?

Thanks again.