THIS Is My New Favorite Reel For Nearshore Fishing
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
After a bunch of nearshore and offshore fishing trips this summer, I found my favorite reel for nearshore fishing!!
This reel has proven to pack a punch and it also is very lightweight which makes throwing artificial lures all day a piece of cake.
Learn more right here in this video!!
My New Favorite Reel For Nearshore Fishing [VIDEO]
Click here to check out my last Nearshore Fishing Trip (10 Species caught on ONE lure!)
Lately, I’ve been using strictly artificial lures only on my nearshore and offshore fishing trips.
This means it is critical to have a lightweight reel I don’t mind holding all day so I can make a lot of casts without getting tired.
In the past, I would always use no less than a 5000 or 6000-sized reel for nearshore and offshore trips.
But they are bulky and heavy.
However, I have been pleasantly surprised by the strength and performance of smaller reels out in deeper water for bigger fish.
On a recent trip not too long ago to Marco Island, I hooked into the two biggest red groupers I have ever caught before.
And even managed to reel in an over slot snook without a single hiccup in the reel.
Even though the fish were big and powerful, this small reel got the job done.
This small reel was responsible for the biggest fish of the day as well as the most fish caught.
It is worthy to note everyone else in the boat was using nothing less than a 6000-sized reel.
If you haven’t picked up on it already, I’m talking about the Daiwa BG MQ 3000.
This is what I’ve found to work the best for me and my fishing scenarios since I caught the nearshore fishing bug!!
Daiwa BG MQ
Even though this is a smaller reel, it will hold over 200 yards of 20lb braided line.
If you are targeting kingfish, snook, cobia, etc., then this outfit can get the job done.
This reel is just around 9 oz. in weight which is huge because a long day of casting can be a toll on the arms.
It is also worth noting that the BG MQ is Daiwa’s lowest-priced reel in the monocoque body design with strategically placed seals inside the reel itself.
Conclusion
My objective is to start a conversation and to show you that you don’t NEED a giant reel to catch big fish nearshore or offshore.
The gear we use for inshore saltwater fishing is no doubt applicable in a nearshore setting.
If you fish nearshore or offshore and cast lots of artificial lures, then you definitely should give the Daiwa BG MQ 3000 a try.
What nearshore or offshore fishing reel do you use and why?
Let us know your answer down in the comments!
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Given either reel would provide more than enough drag and they are not significantly different in weight, is there a big advantage with the 3000 BG MQ vs the regular BG for this application?
I liked it better when the Fuego was your favorite
The Fuego is still my favorite for light tackle fishing… best value overall in my opinion. But it’s not as well suited for targeting bigger fish with stronger line.
It’s all about Application in use. I’d prefer a Fuego for open water scenarios like shallow grass flats & sandy pot holes for Redfish & Trout. But a more robust reel made from Aluminum Construction like the BG or the newer BG MQ is better suited for mangroves, docks, rocks & piers.
The term Favorite, just like the title “Best”, should be viewed behind the lens of practical application.
Awesome review Luke!!! Such a great reel!
Thanks Richard!
I’ve got the BG MQ 2500, 3000, and 4000. My problem is figuring out which rods I want them on. My 3000 is on the TFO PRO-S 7’6 M (popping cork setup). The 4000 is on the Bull Bay Salt Strong Custom 7’6 MH (Pier, Big fish rig). The 2500 is off right now, may go on old model TFO 7’6 M or Bull Bay Assault or Sniper ( both MH).
Looks like you have quite the selection of BG MQs! The 2500 is a great fit on the TFO Pro M rod as well as the Assaults (MH), so you’ll have a great setup either way for lighter tackle fishing.
Thanks for the input Luke!
I have much older Diawa reals. They are BG 10 and BG 20. I fish 8lb on the BG 10 and 10lb on the BG 15. I have caught fish up to 65lb using this equipment. All though these reels are older, they are in perfect condition. A good fishing reel should last a lifetime if properly maintained. As far as drag pressure, my reels are set to 1/3 of the line weight. If additional pressure is needed, you never adjust the drag; instead, you should learn how to palm the spool. The real trick is making sure the rod you are using has enough backbone to be able to apply the pressure you need to fight the fish. Tight lines.
How cool that you have kept your reels in such great shape! Great tips on the drag… a huge mistake many fishermen make is to over-tighten the drag.
I’ve been using that one lately as well in combination with y’alls Salt Strong Bulls Bay rod and really liking that setup. It has been perfect for a range of fishing like you said. Good stuff Luke!
Thanks so much for making time to post the nice comment Anthony!
we fish a lot. got one of these from your promo last year…anti reverse broke in the first season. We had it repaired and will see how it does this year…after burning up 3 Penn Battle’s/Battle III, I’m comfortable in calling those junk. The Penn Spinfishers seems to be the best bang for the buck so far. Our other best preforming light spinners? Offshore Anglers generic reels from Bass Pro! Crazy.
So sorry to see that the anti reverse broke on your BG MQ… this is the first that I’ve heard that situation happening before. Please keep us posted on how it handles after getting fixed.
How crazy that the generic Offshore Angler reel has done so well!
Hey Luke, what rod did you pair that with?
I paired it with a prototype rod we are developing for targeting upper/over slot redfish and snook around docks and bridges… it’s a 7’6″ MH Fast action rod with great feel and a solid backbone.
Luke, do you know if the original BG has a zinc or aluminum main gear? That may be a serious consideration when doing nearshore fishing for larger species. Do you know if the main gear in the new BG MQ in larger sizes has an aluminum or zinc main gear?
Both the original BG and the BG MQ both have zinc main gears. But the MQ main gear is ~20% larger than the original BG main gear. I do not believe there is much to consider when it comes to long-term performance (2-3 Years+) by comparing Zinc to Aluminum. I’d be happy to discuss my thoughts on Zinc Vs. Aluminum Main Gears if the topic arises.
I have been experiment with DAM QUICK reels and am very impressed. – from the 1950’s thru the 1980’s. ” DAM” impresses. A 330 series and a 3000 series have been great off the Skyway bridge. Even the220 has worked well. A little heavy but very smooth.
Thanks for sharing the helpful intel Thomas!