Photos: Savage Gear · supplied retailer imagery
Predator tackle · Fixed-spool reels · Our take
Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD Reel
SG6 2500 FD
A smart, light 2500-size predator reel with a sealed carbon drag, spare spool and enough grunt for proper lure fishing.
- 2500-size fixed-spool predator reel weighing 222 g.
- 5.2:1 gearing with 69 cm of line retrieved per handle turn.
- Sealed carbon drag rated to a maximum of 12.5 kg.
- Supplied with a spare aluminium spool for quick line changes.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD spinning reel, not the larger SG6 sizes or baitcasting versions.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A well-equipped, lightweight predator reel with useful versatility and a strong feature set.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9/10
- Performance8.9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.8/10
- Ease of Use9.1/10
- Value for Money8.8/10
Price alerts are coming soon — we don't track live retailer prices yet, so we'll never guess one.
If you buy through our links, we might get a small kickback, but it won’t cost you a penny extra. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The full story
Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Perch, chub and light-to-medium predator anglers. The compact 2500 format keeps a lure outfit balanced and comfortable while still offering useful line capacity.
- Anglers running more than one line setup. The included spare aluminium spool makes it easy to keep braid on one and mono or another braid diameter on the other.
Maybe skip if
- Heavy pike anglers using thick braid and big lures. A larger reel will generally offer more spool capacity, better leverage and a more suitable platform for genuinely heavy tackle.
- Anglers who only want a basic budget reel. The SG6’s extra features and materials make more sense if you’ll use the reel regularly rather than just dabble.
The lowdown
Introducing the Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD Reel
A smart, light 2500-size predator reel with a sealed carbon drag, spare spool and enough grunt for proper lure fishing.
- 2500-size fixed-spool predator reel weighing 222 g.
- 5.2:1 gearing with 69 cm of line retrieved per handle turn.
- Sealed carbon drag rated to a maximum of 12.5 kg.
- Supplied with a spare aluminium spool for quick line changes.
Quick verdict
Verdict
The SG6 2500 FD looks a cracking choice for perch, chub, zander and general light-to-medium predator work. It’s light in the hand, nicely equipped and has a proper sealed carbon drag rather than a bargain-basement washer arrangement.
The spare aluminium spool adds genuine flexibility, while the braid-ready main spool keeps setup simple. It’s not aimed at heavy pike gear or huge distances, but for mobile lure fishing and everyday predator work, it’s a very tidy bit of kit.
A well-equipped, lightweight predator reel with useful versatility and a strong feature set.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9/10
- Performance
- 8.9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.8/10
- Ease of Use
- 9.1/10
- Value for Money
- 8.8/10
CRC construction, an aluminium spool, stainless bearings and a sealed carbon drag give it a properly considered build.
The 5.2:1 gearing, 69 cm retrieve and controlled drag suit a broad range of lure presentations.
Its light weight, braid-ready spool and versatile retrieve help you fish actively and stay comfortable for longer.
The compact size, screw-in handle and spare spool make setup and day-to-day lure fishing straightforward.
The included spare aluminium spool and quality-focused features add meaningful value in this reel bracket.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Savage Gear
Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD Reel (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD Reel
If you’re after a light predator reel that doesn’t feel like a bare-bones bit of kit, the Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD is well worth a proper look. This is the compact 2500-size version, weighing 222 g, so it sits nicely on the sort of lure rod you’ll be carrying from swim to swim.
That matters when you’re hopping between pegs, firing lures at the far bank and picking apart the margins. A heavy reel soon turns a lively lure outfit into a bit of a slog. The SG6 keeps things nippy without looking like it’ll fold when a decent fish decides to bosh off into the snags.
The gearing is 5.2:1, with 69 cm of line coming back per turn. That’s a useful all-round speed. You can work a soft plastic steadily, keep a spinner moving properly or pick up slack quickly after a lure lands. It’s not daft-fast, and it’s not painfully slow either.
That middle-ground retrieve makes sense for mixed predator fishing. Perch often need a controlled presentation, while chub can be twitchy little so-and-sos around shallow cover. With zander or pike, you’ll appreciate being able to take up line without the lure racing back like it’s late for the bus.
The drag is another strong point on paper. Savage Gear gives the SG6 a sealed carbon drag system, with a maximum rating of 12.5 kg. You won’t be cranking it anywhere near that for perch, of course. The real benefit is having smooth, progressive control when a fish changes direction or uses the current.
That sealed design is handy around wet, mucky fishing. Predator work can mean rain, spray, damp hands and reels being put down on a bank that’s less than showroom tidy. It’s not an excuse to neglect cleaning, but a sealed drag is reassuring when the rods are off and a fish starts making a proper bid for freedom.
Inside, you get 8+1 stainless-steel ball bearings, while the body and rotor use Savage Gear’s Carbon Reinforced Composite. The result is a reel that aims to balance low weight with useful rigidity. It’s not trying to be a giant brute of a reel; it’s built around carrying less and fishing more.
The spool is aluminium, braid-ready and fitted with a non-slip surface. Capacity is 150 m of 0.20 mm line, which is sensible for a 2500-size outfit and plenty for most perch, chub and general lure fishing situations. For heavier braid and serious pike work, you’ll want to think carefully about how much line you need.
The spare aluminium spool is a proper bonus rather than a throwaway extra. Keep braid on one, perhaps with a leader ready, and use the other for a different diameter or a mono setup. That’s dead handy when conditions change or you fancy switching from open-water searching to working tight cover.
There are some neat practical details too: a screw-in aluminium diecast handle, a T-shaped line clip and a cone-shaped bail holder. Dura Grease is used for lubrication. None of that guarantees fish in the net, naturally, but it adds up to a well-equipped reel for anglers who want a tidy, versatile predator setup without loads of faff.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Model
- Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD
- Weight
- 222 g
- Gear ratio
- 5.2:1
- Bearings
- 8+1 stainless-steel ball bearings
- Line capacity
- 150 m of 0.20 mm line
- Retrieve and drag
- 69 cm per turn; maximum drag 12.5 kg
Specs checked with Savage Gear, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The angle
This is a reel for anglers who want a lightweight setup without feeling like they’ve bought something a bit flimsy. The 2500 size sits neatly on modern lure rods, and the 69 cm retrieve gives you a useful middle ground for working soft plastics, spinners and hardbaits.
The big practical win is versatility. Run braid on one spool and a thinner mono or fluorocarbon-friendly setup on the other, then swap depending on the water, cover and target. Dead handy when the fish are mooching between open water and snaggy margins.
What you’re buying
A compact reel with a genuinely useful spec
The SG6 2500 FD is built around low-weight lure fishing. At 222 g, it won’t drag your wrist down while you’re casting, retrieving and moving along the bank. The Carbon Reinforced Composite body and rotor help keep the weight sensible, while the aluminium spool and screw-in handle bring a more purposeful feel.
Its 5.2:1 gearing and 69 cm retrieve per turn are nicely versatile. You’ve got enough speed for taking up slack after a cast, but enough control for slower presentations. Add the 8+1 stainless-steel bearings and sealed carbon drag, and the package looks properly sorted for regular predator work.
Worth knowing. The supplied spare aluminium spool is one of the SG6’s most useful extras. Set one up with braid and a leader, then keep the second for another line option. That can save a surprising amount of faff on a day when the fish move from open water into cover.
Match it to your fishing
Best used as a mobile predator outfit
This reel makes most sense on a light-to-medium lure rod for perch, chub, zander and lighter pike work. It’ll suit anglers who cover water, fish a mixture of lure styles and want a balanced setup that stays comfortable through a long session.
For braid, the non-slip braid-ready spool gives you a straightforward starting point. Use a suitable leader for the target and cover, keep the drag sensible, and let the reel do its job rather than locking everything solid. Around snags, side strain and sensible rod work still matter more than a huge drag number.
It’s less of a natural fit for heavy pike fishing with big lures, thick braid and hard-pulling retrieves. Likewise, carp anglers looking for a big pit reel or coarse anglers wanting a traditional float setup should look elsewhere. This is a predator tool first and foremost.
Quick answers
The stuff you’ll want to know
The 2500 size gives you a compact platform with enough capacity for typical lure fishing. The stated capacity is 150 m of 0.20 mm line, so it’s sensibly matched to lighter and medium setups rather than extreme-range or heavy-duty work.
The drag’s 12.5 kg maximum is more than most light lure fishing needs. That’s no bad thing, but smooth adjustment is the key. Set it to suit your line, leader and cover, and avoid treating the maximum figure as a target.
Worth knowing. Keep the reel clean after wet or gritty sessions, especially around the line roller, bail and spool lip. A quick rinse or wipe and sensible drying will help keep the retrieve feeling bob on for longer.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Light 222 g body and rotor for mobile lure fishing.
- Sealed carbon drag offers smooth, controlled pressure.
- Spare aluminium spool makes braid and mono setups easier to manage.
- Braid-ready spool and screw-in aluminium handle keep the package practical.
- Strong feature list for a quality mid-to-upper-price predator reel.
Worth knowing
- A 2500 spool won’t give the same line capacity or cranking power as a bigger reel for heavy pike work.
- The 12.5 kg maximum drag is more headroom than most light lure anglers will ever need, so the reel’s real appeal is smooth control rather than brute force.
- The T-shaped line clip may not be everyone’s favourite if you’re constantly clipping up and changing lure distances.
Want one?
Add it to your Wanted list or join a Group Buy — shops see anonymous totals only.
Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What sort of fishing is the Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD suited to?
What sort of fishing is the Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD suited to?
It’s aimed at predator fishing with lures, especially perch, chub, zander and lighter pike work. It’ll suit soft plastics, spinners, small crankbaits and similar lure styles on a balanced spinning outfit.
02Can you use braid on the SG6 2500 FD?
Can you use braid on the SG6 2500 FD?
Yes. The aluminium spool is braid-ready, so it’s well suited to a braided main line with a suitable leader. The spare spool also lets you keep a different line setup ready to go.
03Is the SG6 2500 FD suitable for carp or coarse fishing?
Is the SG6 2500 FD suitable for carp or coarse fishing?
It isn’t a typical carp or float-reel choice. The 2500 size and fixed-spool design could handle light general coarse work, but its feature set is clearly geared towards mobile predator and lure fishing.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: verdict. The strongest reasons to choose it are light 222 g body and rotor for mobile lure fishing. and sealed carbon drag offers smooth, controlled pressure.; the main trade-off is a 2500 spool won’t give the same line capacity or cranking power as a bigger reel for heavy pike work..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Light 222 g body and rotor for mobile lure fishing.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Perch, chub and light-to-medium predator anglers: The compact 2500 format keeps a lure outfit balanced and comfortable while still offering useful line capacity.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “A 2500 spool won’t give the same line capacity or cranking power as a bigger reel for heavy pike work.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD Reel
No angler score yet — nobody's reviewed Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD Reel here. Be the first and get the score started.
Owner reports
Own this? Help the next angler.
Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Savage Gear SG6 2500 FD Reel. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
No owner reports yet.
Alternatives & go-withs
