Shimano Saragosa SW A Saltwater Spinning Reel

If you're like me, you watched a hundred videos on the internet about this reel. You may be wondering if you should get this 6k or an 8k. I ordered both and put side by side on my rod. My rod is a 7'9" XH-F. The 6K was way too small and the 6k has a tiny spool. I bet it holds max of 275 yards of 20# braid. You must use a mono back as this reel does not have the rubber on the spool like Penn. If you're fishing inshore for reds, snook, trout, I suggest a 4k Stradic or any 4k; a 5K max. Saragosa has a 5K that would work great, but just a bit over kill. My 4k Stradic holds right at 290 yards of 20# with a mono back. All of that said, I sent the 6k back and got the 8k. Matched my rod well, holds enough line. Good for tarpon, but still small enough to use as a big inshore reel. IE- pulling snook off structure. Or it doubles as an off shore reel. I lined my 8K with 30# braid. Also, if this is your first Shimano, know they are small frames. Meaning, if you put a 4,6,8K reel beside a Penn 4,6,8K reel, they are smaller. So for example: a 6K shimano is the same size as a 4k Penn sargus, battle, spinfisher 4.5K. The 8K shimano is the same size as a 6K Penn. I know because I put them directly beside my Penns. On that note, if I am being honest, the Shimano (at a much higher price) does not feel any better than my cheap Penns. They also do not reel my red fish in any better. However, the stradic 4K is smoother reeling, MUCH lighter, and a excellent red reel. When I say smaller, - i mean the body of the reel is physically smaller and the spool accordingly holds less line than the equal sized penn. Hope my experience helped some of you.

Smooth casting and reeling in. Very high quality reel as expected for the Shimano brand. I have used this reel under very harsh/demanding saltwater surf conditions and have not had any issues with it. Flawless operation! I am very happy with this purchase!

Perfect size that I was looking for, it’s a little bigger than a stradic 5000. Works great on black fish.

Formidable reel when you’re going after the big trophy fish. Red snapper’s in the 16 Lb range were no match and the wahoo that was hooked up would have been landed with this powerful drag reel if the 40 LB braided line wouldn’t have been cut off.

I use this reel strictly for vertical jigging! The 6k holds at least 600' of 30# braid while the 8k holds at least 600 of 50# braid. The retrieve and drag is perfect for how I jig! I added a power knob to it and have hauled in 60# plus giant trevally with it! I have the 6k and 8k for all of my saltwater fishing spinning rods which I use on my kayak and boat. Both reels are light enough so I don't get tired while jigging off the kayak.

Same manufacturer you would think size would be consistent. Bought a 5000 size Ultegra and love it. Got this Saragossa 5000 size thinking it would be the same. Nope, 10% bigger and 20% heavier. Granted this Saragossa is for salt water and the Ultegra is not. Saragossa has more seals and built for salt. So, a little heavier is expected, but not 20%. Smooth but not as smooth as the Ultegra.

It looks good but I did not use it yet. Waiting for my 40lb Suffix 832 line.

Extremely disappointed. First, the box arrived opened, which already raised concerns — but I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Then I drove over an hour to fish at an open beach, only for the reel to literally break apart on my first cast and go flying into the ocean. I ended up losing a $150 glide bait, money spent on braided line, and wasted gas. Worst of all, this was a $300 reel that clearly arrived defective or possibly used. For that kind of money, I expect brand-new, functioning gear not a faulty product that ruins an entire trip. Of course I did request a replacement, I will give update on August 6th and reel will be personally inspected