SouthernWake Posted April 2, 2018 Report Share Posted April 2, 2018 Have a teramar XH currently with a Daiwa BG 6500. This reel feels too large for the rod and slightly cumbersome for casting. Almost always fish the beaches and rarely passes/structure. Am I safe to downsize to the same reel in a 5000 series? Not sure why I’m second guessing myself on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vapor Trail Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 I’m not sure how Daiwa reels compare in size to Shimano but I use 8000 size Shimano reels for my boat and casting rods. Never felt too cumbersome and the rods are 7 feet to 8 feet. I have 5000 also but it feels too small next to the others. I’m sure it would have sufficient drag to do the job and generally anything you can get 200 yards of line on will be fine as long as you’re fishing from a boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 X2 on the 8000 Shimano if we are talking big tarpon.. Mine was a sargosa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 I've hooked a few large tarpon on a Shimano Stradic 5000 and thought I didn't have enough rod and reel. Like Vapor Trail and Wayne, I recommend a 8000 size reel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DonV Posted April 3, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 A tarpon fishing fact, if you go with a 5000 series rod/reel the first tarpon you hook will be 120+ pounds and you will be over matched, you go with an 8000 series the first tarpon you hook will be 40 pounds. I think tarpon can see this......that's how tarpon fishing is. 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 I only had an #8 when this guy showed up.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernWake Posted April 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 All good points, thanks. Just feels off balance, I’m probably just bored and overthinking this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackacre Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 My go to setup for sight casting artificials at tarpon is a Shimano Stradic 5000 on an 8' Teramar spooled with 30 lbs. braid. Casts a hogy much further than a heavier setup. I feel like it is plenty of reel if you know how to fight a fish and can quickly chase down a fish with the boat. Now if you are floating live bait then by all means go with a 6000 or 8000 reel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Compton Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 FWIW, I have a similar rod Gloomis E6X Inshore Mag Heavy - 15-40lb and paired it with a Saragosa 10,000. The setups purpose is to stop tarpon near structure, not the best setup for making lots of casts. I also have a more casting friendly setup with a Saragosa 5,000 on a Gloomis E6X Heavy - 10-20lb, I use this setup for beach fishing and jigging the inlets/ports. You may consider a smaller weight option if money allows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWoodham Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 A 6500 bg is much much bigger than a 10000 sarigosa. I have both reels on xx heavy jigging rods for bottom fishing. 8000 shimano or 5000 bg would be ideal. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Dupree Posted July 31, 2021 Report Share Posted July 31, 2021 The BG reels are miss sized compared to the Shimano reels. For instance the BG 5000 holds 360 yards of 50 lb braid and the Shimano Saragosa 8000 holds 265 yards of 50 lb braid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 Your 6500 sounds just right. I use a 5000 Quantum Iron. JMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplec Posted August 13, 2021 Report Share Posted August 13, 2021 A lot of the difference is only in line capacity so my pref is look for reels with plenty of drag, carbon fiber washers and spool with quality braid. The techie so improved the days of having to use big super sized reels are long gone. Some of our 1000's have 22 pounds of drag these days. Not that those have enough cap for tarpon but the technology is good for downsizing from the old norms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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