Fantastic reel. Smooth as butter. Worth every penny. Would have thought such quality would cost more. Before I bought this I must have researched at least 30 reels.

Beautiful reel, both to look at and to use. I use mine (the 3000 model) for inshore saltwater fishing, and to date they have handled 20-pound fish with no problem. Nicest drag I have ever used!

Picked up this reel as a replacement for a bass pro saltwater reel I had to trash after less than a year. Locked up and I didn't feel like dealing with it. That said, this BG is one of the smoothest casting reels I've used on a 7 foot crowder rod. I have the 4500. Landed a big bass, drag was butter, landed a 30in snook, the drag alone could have earned this review. The line capacity is great. I fish 15lb test braid and I'm pretty sure I have 270yd + backing. So I decided to test the durability. I went wading in the surf and then on the kayak, let it sit in the sun for a few days, took it back out on kayak. Dunked it in the sand and the waves surf casting, dried it out for a few days, still as smooth as out of the box. Well Done diawa. Will update once I finally shut ... MorePicked up this reel as a replacement for a bass pro saltwater reel I had to trash after less than a year. Locked up and I didn't feel like dealing with it. That said, this BG is one of the smoothest casting reels I've used on a 7 foot crowder rod. I have the 4500. Landed a big bass, drag was butter, landed a 30in snook, the drag alone could have earned this review. The line capacity is great. I fish 15lb test braid and I'm pretty sure I have 270yd + backing. So I decided to test the durability. I went wading in the surf and then on the kayak, let it sit in the sun for a few days, took it back out on kayak. Dunked it in the sand and the waves surf casting, dried it out for a few days, still as smooth as out of the box. Well Done diawa. Will update once I finally shut the reel down. Got a feeling it will be a while.