Reels

[Gremlin2009]

Daiwa bg4500 or shimano spheros spinning reel for jigging blacks. Family buying one for Christmas gift

[260SEAVEE]

Go with Daiwa have had issues with Shimano anti reverse at times

[Gerry Zagorski]

Heard good things about the Diawa BGs but the Ballistic is specially designed for salt water.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Go with Daiwa have had issues with Shimano anti reverse at times

I've had issues with the anti reverse on my Shimano Stradic CI4 Plus as well and so have others I know. They eliminated the anti reverse switch on the Stradic (not sure about the Sphereos) and there is no way to turn it on/off. From what I've observed and read, a lot of times it fails in cold weather.. The anti reverse mechanism has several small bearings in it and if there is any oil or grease on them, when it gets cold and the oil or grease thickens, it restricts the movement of the bearing causing the reel to slip out of gear..

Last spring I sent mine back to Shimano since it was less then a year old and under warranty. It had some other "self inflicted damage" that I would have had to pay for, so they offered to send me a new one at basically their cost... It looks to be redesigned so hoping I no longer have the issues but won't be able to tell until I fish it this winter when it's cold...

Hard to beat the Daiwa BGs for the money and you'd be hard pressed to find a better reel in that $100 or so price range. If I intended to fish it a lot in the salt, I might consider spending another $100 and moving up the the Ballistic since they are sealed an less prone to damage from salt water.

[Skolmann]

I still use some BGs that I bought back in the late 80’s-tough as nails. Also have a few newer models that I purchased within the past year and love them.

I have an older Ballistic 3000 that has given me nothing but trouble..from the anti reverse crapping out to the shaft the spool sits on bending while fighting a nice sized fish. That being said, I heard the newer versions are nice.

If you’re set on getting a Daiwa, then looking into a Saltist.

[Jigman13]

the Ballistic since they are sealed an less prone to damage from salt water.

Hey Gerry...they're not really sealed. The "Magseal" term they use is a marketing gray area and is a bit misleading. The Magseal oil has magnetic properties that essentially "pushes" bad stuff away from and out of the important stuff. It's not infallible and cannot be dunked in saltwater by any means. Boat use is fine with a good rinsing afterwards.

I have 3 Ballistics--one older EX 2500 and 2 newer LTs. Great reels. I've used them for mostly sweet water applications. I use the older EX back bay fluking and used it for jigging blackfish. It seized this September after 4 or 5 years of abuse, several blackfish, countless fluke and a few husky cow nose rays that smoked the reel proper. Sending it in to be re-built this winter.

The newer LTs i havent put any salt water heat on yet. They've been whipped on by hybrid stripers and a few 20+ lb carp and are no worse for wear. Time will tell.

Also note, the newer LTs are smaller in size so you can likely get away with a 4000 or even a 5000 for jigging blackfish without adding too much weight to your set up. It'll also handle tank stripers, shallow and deep water fluking, albies, bones and mahi offshore.