: Daiwa BG8000 Fishing Reel - Powerful and Durable Big Game Spinner

Published on May 24, 2023, 6:26 p.m.

The Daiwa BG8000 spinning reel is a rugged and powerful big game fishing reel designed to handle large saltwater species like tuna, sharks, and billfish. Part of Daiwa’s newer generation BG series, the BG8000 combines the renowned strength and durability of the previous BG reels with some key upgrades making it lighter and smoother than ever.
Daiwa BG8000 BG Saltwater Spinning Reel

Overview

With its black and gold styling, oversized body, and 33 lb max drag, the BG8000 oozes power and performance. It retains the same durable, rigid aluminum housing as the previous BG models, now with a sleek black anodized finish. The Digigear system provides robust gearing while the ultra-smooth drag can stop the hardest fighting fish in their tracks. A powerful 5.3:1 gear ratio gives fast line retrieval while the deep aluminum spool has ample capacity for heavy braided lines.

Features

Black anodized aluminum housing and side plates
Over-sized Digigear system
Aluminum screw-in handle
Air rotor for reduced weight
Dynamic cut aluminum ABS spool
Carbon ATD drag system
Max drag: 33 lbs
Line retrieve per crank: 53.3”
Gear ratio: 5.3:1
6BB + 1RB bearings
Infinite dual anti-reverse

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the BG8000’s all-metal construction shows it’s built like a tank. The housing, side plates, and rotor are made of Daiwa’s HardBodyz aluminum which is highly rigid and corrosion resistant. Large oversized Digigear gears provide robust cranking power while the machined aluminum screw-in handle is designed for comfort and leverage when fighting big fish. From the precision cut ABS spool to the stainless steel main shaft, high-end materials are used throughout this reel for maximum durability.

Performance

The BG8000 combines strength and silky smooth performance. The Digigear system and quality bearings mean the reel operates with zero slop or play even under heavy loads. The composite drag system delivers an extremely smooth 33 lbs of max drag that can stop even the hardest charging fish. The 5.3:1 gear ratio is a good balance of power and speed - fast enough to quickly take up slack line but with enough torque for big baits and heavy current.

Drag System

Daiwa’s Carbon ATD drag on the BG8000 might be the best feature of this reel. It has an astounding 33 lbs of smooth, continuous max drag to subdue the most powerful fish. The drag maintains perfect consistency with no jittering or surging, an essential feature when fighting powerful gamefish over long battles. Even after repeated dunkings the sealed system maintains flawless performance.

Retrieval and Gear Ratio

A middle-of-the-road gear ratio of 5.3:1 gives the BG8000 a good blend of cranking power and line recovery speed. While not lightning fast, each turn of the handle retrieves over 53 inches of line, efficient enough to take up slack line when casting or fend off line-stealing predators. The abundant torque can muscle big baits, heavy current, and bulldogging fish.

Spool

The BG8000 is designed for modern braided lines which require a larger, deeper spool. The precision machined aluminum ABS spool is lightweight yet strong, and has a line capacity of 550 yards of 20 lb test. The spool lip is rounded to reduce friction and prevent line snags when casting.

Bearings

6 stainless steel ball bearings plus 1 roller bearing provide smooth performance under heavy loads. The anti-corrosion bearings keep the reel spinning like silk after years of saltwater abuse.

Anti-Reverse

A dual anti-reverse system uses dogs on both sides of the gear for instant hooksets and completely eliminates any handle backplay.

Line Capacity

Spooled with 20 lb mono the BG8000 holds 550 yards, enough line for chasing tuna offshore. But where this reel excels is with modern superlines - it packs a full 730 yards of 50 lb braid. This large line capacity is a must-have for chasing powerful pelagic gamefish.

Braid Ready

The BG8000 is designed for modern superlines. The deep spool prevents braided line dig-in under heavy drag pressure. Line-on stickers for popular braids make spooling easier.

Usage and Applications

With its substantial drag system and line capacity, the BG8000 is ideal for chasing large, powerful species offshore like tuna, marlin, sharks, snook, or grouper. It has the backbone to battle these hard fighting fish yet is smooth enough for finesse fishing. The sealed drag and corrosion resistant build allow use in any saltwater environment.

Brand Reputation

Daiwa has a reputation for bomb-proof durability and high-end performance going back decades. Their spinning reels like the BG8000 embody quality construction with advanced materials and technology. Daiwa is a trusted brand used by discerning anglers around the world.

Usage Scenarios:

The BG8000 is designed for offshore and heavy saltwater fishing applications:

Tuna - Has the drag strength and line capacity for giant bluefin
Sharks - Can stop hard charging bull, mako, and hammerhead sharks
Billfish - Ideal for trolling offshore for marlin and sailfish
Bottom Fishing - Handles grouper, snapper, and other bottom species
Surf Fishing - Great when soaking big baits for powerful surf species

Customer Feedback:

With over 900 reviews on Amazon, the BG8000 scores an excellent 4.7 out of 5 stars. Here’s an analysis of the most common feedback:

Pros

Smooth drag system - Many mention how smooth and consistent the 33 lb carbon drag is. No jittering or surging.
Built like a tank - Users love the rigid aluminum housing and say it holds up to constant saltwater abuse.
Huge line capacity - The deep spool has room for 700+ yards of heavy braid, perfect for offshore fishing.
Great value - Anglers feel the quality and performance rivals reels costing twice as much.

Cons

Heavy - The most common complaint is the weight. At nearly 1.5 lbs, it’s heavier than some other reels.
Manual bail - A few dislike the manual bail closure when retrieving line.

Conclusion

Despite some minor complaints about weight and the manual bail, nearly all agree the BG8000 delivers incredible performance and durability for the price. The robust build and super-smooth drag make it a workhorse reel that can handle the toughest fish.

Price and Value:

With an MSRP of $159.99, the BG8000 offers tremendous value for an American-made offshore reel. Reels with comparable strength and quality easily cost $300+. Daiwa’s excellent construction and materials along with overseas manufacturing result in a highly capable offshore reel at a fraction of the price of competitors.

Conclusion

With its rock solid build, silky smooth 33 lb drag, and massive line capacity, the Daiwa BG8000 is a purpose-built big game spinning reel ready for monster tuna and sharks offshore. Anglers needing a powerful yet refined reel that can stand up to brutish saltwater species will appreciate the robust performance and quality construction of this reel. The BG8000 continues Daiwa’s legacy of excellence in a rugged, offshore-ready package.