Shimano 20 Metanium 71HG

Lightweight High-Performance Baitcasting Reel for Bass, Jigs, Soft Plastics & Versatile Freshwater Fishing

The Shimano 20 Metanium 71HG is a premium JDM baitcasting reel designed for anglers who want a combination of lightweight performance, smooth operation, excellent casting control, and fast line recovery.

At just 175g, the Metanium 71HG is exceptionally light for a full-featured baitcasting reel. Its 7.1:1 gear ratio provides a fast 76cm line retrieve per crank, making it an excellent choice for quickly picking up slack line, working bottom-contact techniques, and keeping up with moving fish.

This left-hand retrieve model is in excellent condition, with a few minor scratches from use. Mechanically, it remains very smooth and feels like new.

Key Features

• Premium Japanese Domestic Model (JDM)
• Lightweight 175g construction
• Fast 7.1:1 gear ratio
• 76cm line recovery per crank
• Maximum drag: 5kg
• 10+1 ball/roller bearing system
• Excellent casting performance and spool control
• Smooth and refined retrieve
• Large enough line capacity for a wide variety of bass techniques
• Ideal for both moving baits and bottom-contact presentations

Specifications

• Model: Shimano 20 Metanium 71HG
• Type: Baitcasting Reel
• Retrieve: Left-Handed
• Weight: 175g
• Gear Ratio: 7.1:1
• Max Drag: 5kg
• Line Retrieve: 76cm per crank
• Ball/Roller Bearings: 10/1

Mono Line Capacity

• 5 lb – 110 m
• 6 lb – 95 m
• 8 lb – 70 m

Mono Line Capacity

• 0.16 mm – 150 m
• 0.18 mm – 120 m
• 0.20 mm – 95 m

FC Line Capacity

• 12 lb – 100 m
• 14 lb – 90 m
• 16 lb – 80 m

Best Fishing Applications

The Metanium 71HG is an extremely versatile reel and is particularly well suited for bass fishing and a wide range of freshwater applications.

Recommended Lures & Techniques

Jigs & Bottom Contact

• Football jigs
• Casting jigs
• Swim jigs
• Finesse jigs
• Approx. 7–21g

The fast 7.1:1 retrieve is especially useful when fishing jigs around structure, allowing you to quickly pick up slack and set the hook when a fish bites.

Texas Rig & Soft Plastics

• Texas rigs
• Free rigs
• Carolina-style presentations
• Creature baits
• Craws
• Stick baits
• Worms

A fast retrieve combined with the reel's lightweight body makes it comfortable for long periods of pitching, casting, and working soft plastics.

Jerkbaits

• Suspending jerkbaits
• Shallow-running jerkbaits
• Medium-sized minnow plugs

The 76cm-per-crank retrieve helps quickly recover line between rod twitches and maintain contact with the lure.

Topwater

• Popper
• Walking bait
• Small to medium-sized topwater plugs

The fast gear ratio is useful when a fish strikes a topwater lure and swims toward the angler, allowing you to quickly eliminate slack.

Spinnerbaits & Chatterbaits

• Small to medium spinnerbaits
• Chatterbaits
• Bladed jigs

The Metanium 71HG provides a good balance between speed and control for covering water with moving baits.

Recommended Lure Weight

For the best overall performance, we recommend using the Metanium 71HG primarily with lures in the approximate range of:

7–28g (1/4–1 oz)

It can handle lighter or heavier presentations depending on the rod, line, and technique, but this range makes particularly good use of the reel's balance of casting performance, speed, and versatility.

Recommended Rod Setup

All-Around Bass Setup

• Length: 6'8"–7'2"
• Power: Medium to Medium Heavy
• Action: Fast or Extra Fast
• Lure Rating: Approximately 7–21g or 7–28g

Finesse / Light Casting

For lighter jigs, small soft plastics, and smaller hard baits:

• Length: 6'6"–7'0"
• Power: Medium Light to Medium
• Action: Fast

Jig & Texas Rig

For heavier cover and bottom-contact fishing:

• Length: 6'10"–7'3"
• Power: Medium Heavy
• Action: Fast / Extra Fast

A Medium or Medium Heavy Fast-action rod is the most versatile pairing for this reel.

Recommended Line Setup

Open Water / Finesse Casting

• Fluorocarbon: 8–12 lb

Ideal for jerkbaits, smaller soft plastics, and clear-water bass fishing.

General Bass Fishing

• Fluorocarbon: 12–14 lb

A great all-around setup for jigs, Texas rigs, spinnerbaits, and general-purpose bass fishing.

Heavy Cover

• Fluorocarbon: 14–16 lb

Recommended when fishing around docks, grass, wood, and moderate cover.

Why Choose the Shimano 20 Metanium 71HG?

The 20 Metanium 71HG is an excellent choice for anglers looking for a premium, lightweight baitcasting reel that can handle a wide variety of bass techniques.

Its 175g lightweight body reduces fatigue during a full day of casting, while the 7.1:1 gear ratio and 76cm retrieve provide the speed needed for modern bass techniques. Combined with 10+1 bearings and Shimano's refined mechanical performance, the Metanium delivers an exceptionally smooth and enjoyable fishing experience.

Whether you're fishing jigs, Texas rigs, jerkbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, or topwater, the 71HG offers the versatility and performance expected from the Metanium series.

Condition

Excellent condition.

• A few minor scratches from use
• Mechanically very smooth
• Retrieve feels like new
• No functional issues
• Ready to fish

A great opportunity to own a premium Shimano JDM Metanium at a more accessible price than a brand-new reel.