DaiwaBG2500 BG Saltwater Spinning Reel, 2500, 5.6: 1 Gear Ratio, 6+1 Bearings, 33.20" Retrieve Rate, 13.20 lb Max Drag,Black/gold

I like this reel. Smooth. But I don't think I'll buy another on-line. I bought bigger models of this reel and they had issues. Grinding when reeling it. So I don't know if these were returned items.

I suppose ordinarily, customarily, it would be prudent to wait to review a product until after you've really had a chance to use (and abuse) it. However, I got this reel in the mail today and got to using it nearly immediately. Now granted, I'm really not a huge gear head (the last reel/rod combo I bought was in 2005) but this is the nicest reel I've ever used. It has such a smooth, easy cast and a really nice drag with it that I'm just over the moon. No regrets whatsoever about this purchase. I would imagine that there's honestly better equipment out there - deals to be had, more bearings, less weight etc, but this reel fell just under $100. Not by much, but ce'est la vie, it feels like a steal at that price, it really does. I went freshwater fishing today in a large river and I caught nothing on it, as a caveat, but it didn't hardly seem to matter because all the other important dynamics were there as previously mentioned. One final note: while it's a bit vain and a little silly, this reel also just looks really nice. Once you open the box, you kind of get enough of a different perspective than the Amazon pics to kind of understand, it just looks nice. Solid reel, don't think you can go wrong with it!

Love these reels almost indestructible

Super far-casting. This is my new favorite reel, ever. I have been using it every day for a couple of weeks, coupled with an ugly stick (Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod 7' medium 2 pc). Perfect together. I went to cast my favorite bass lure from the boat towards the shore, which in this case was a rocky cliff wall. This was my first cast with this new rig. I was about 70 feet out, and intended to cast into the water a few feet from the wall. Instead, I hit the wall about eye level (about 6 feet above the waterline). I simply didn't think I could cast such a small lure so far. I am really impressed with this combo. Now that I'm used to it, I can put a jig in a hat at 50 feet all day. Very accurate. And it has improved my top distance by about 30-40 percent. It's a joy to use this thing. So smooth... Even the sounds it makes are just right, as strange as that may sound. Highly recommend it at any price. For the first time I don't feel like I was ripped off by a big name. This thing is worth every penny, and better than any I've used before.

I now own three different size Daiwa BG and I truly appreciate all of them a lot! Their price does not reflect their performance, they most absolutely feel and handle like a reel twice their price. My favorite is the 2500, it flat out handles any fish I've caught on it so far and it does so with style, I'm hoping to add some more heavy-weight fish for my 4500 to give it a reel run for the money ;)I recently got the 1500 to use for my ultra-light, haven't caught fish on it, but the reel it retired (not defect but garbage..) is in comparison not comparable, much smoother and I like the added weight! My only wish was that Daiwa made the BG's in 750 size, that would be really cool.As far as weight goes, they are a bit heavier, I personally like that, the reel feels solid and you know it's made of actual quality materials.Pairings:2500 -> 7' Light St. Croix premier, 10/104500 -> 7' Uggly stick, 7.5/101500 -> 6' UL St. Croix trout, 8.5/10

I just recently started fishing again after many, many years and chose this simply based on a “Best Setup for the Money”-type review in The NY Times. That being said I have nothing to compare it to.My newb experience has been positive so far. The setup was relatively easy with the help of YouTube and I have no complaints about the performance.If I could offer one tip it’s to make sure to flip the switch on the bottom of the reel when adding line to the reel. I didn’t see any mention of it in the instructions, but if it’s not in the “locked” position be prepared to drop some F bombs. Once I figured it out it was smooth sailing.

This is now my go to. I have Battle 3 DXs and Spinfishers but this 2500 BG is smooth as butter. Super light, great line lay out the box. Price is just right. We now own 3.

This reel is really smooth and well built. I love it. I added an aftermarket handle and looks great