BG series

[jgp12000]

I been going down the Gold Series
Rabbit hole awhile & wondered when the BG series began?The early versions seem to have gold spool black bodies with a wood handle.

[MACflyer]

James, I believe Daiwa started the BG series in US around 1981. Great looking and working reels. Other than the decals falling off and the handle collars cracking, they seem pretty bulletproof to me.

[drumbum]

Just had the collars make a cracking noise on my 13 and 15 when trying to fold. Plenty of lube and still wanted to be stuck.

[bushleague]

I been going down the Gold Series
Rabbit hole awhile & wondered when the BG series began?The early versions seem to have gold spool black bodies with a wood handle.

 Not sure if they pre-date the BG's, but the GS models that with internal bail trips were the identical reel. The DXXXX series, not to be confused with the XXXXD series which are different, are very similar but have bushings on the main gear. Once switched out with bearings, on the water there is no difference.

 I have a BG15 that I purchased new in the late 90's and fished hard, its been a great reel and still works just like the day I purchased it. I cant see ever parting with it.

029-2 by , on Flickr

[jgp12000]

Is the BG15 & GS15 considered a size 1500,please Correct me if not?

[MACflyer]

Line capacity of old BG15 is about the same as the new BG3000. However, new BG has a much better, stronger drag.

[bushleague]

Line capacity of old BG15 is about the same as the new BG3000. However, new BG has a much better, stronger drag.

This is true, but the line capacity of both reels is 200 yards of 10 lb mono, since the world seems to mostly use the Shimano system as the standard these days, I would call them both 4000 size reels.

The new BG is a worthy successor IMO, but IMO its major flaw is that the spool shaft must come out through the body of the reel. So while the reel body is metal much of the reel cannot be serviced without removing the rotor, which is plastic. On this alone, the new reel will never last as long as the old one, even if it was as robust it simply cannot be serviced indefinitely. When the plastic threads for the AR retention screws wear out, short of getting a new rotor the new BG is toast.

 The addition of carbon drag washers to the original BG offers as good of a drag as one would ever need, short of chasing large pelagics.

[bushleague]

Just had the collars make a cracking noise on my 13 and 15 when trying to fold. Plenty of lube and still wanted to be stuck.

 Just wondering if you could clarify this for me, but do the 13 and 15 share the same sized body? IIRC that was the case on some of the Daiwa series from that era, but I cant remember if that was the case for the BG's and finding specs on them is a bit tricky because you often just get the specs for the new version.

[drumbum]

Just had the collars make a cracking noise on my 13 and 15 when trying to fold. Plenty of lube and still wanted to be stuck.

 Just wondering if you could clarify this for me, but do the 13 and 15 share the same sized body? IIRC that was the case on some of the Daiwa series from that era, but I cant remember if that was the case for the BG's and finding specs on them is a bit tricky because you often just get the specs for the new version.

Yes,...the 13 and the 15 share the same body, with the 15 having a larger rotor and spool.

bg13
6/270 8/200 10/125 12/100...12oz...5.1:1...29.1ipt...13.2 max drag

bg15
6/400 8/270 10/190 12/150 14/120...12.3oz...5.1:1...32.7ipt...max drag 13.2

pro tip
the line rollers on the 13&15 can be upgraded to the 2 piece (sleeve and SiC roller) from a Whisker SS1600.

I hope this helps.

[quang tran]

"the line rollers on the 13&15 can be upgraded to the 2 piece (sleeve and SiC roller) from a Whisker SS1600."

This is very good information , may be GS 13 can do that too .

[drumbum]

Since I recently picked up my first BG10,...I am also wondering if the roller from the ss700 will fit the 10.......

Hmmmmmmmm......