Predator reels · Spinning reels · Our take
Savage Gear SG6 2500H FD Reel
2500H FD
A sharp, fast little predator reel with a cracking drag, sensible spool design and enough refinement for lure work without turning your kit bag into a tackle shop.
- 2500H FD high-speed predator spinning reel with a 6.2:1 gear ratio.
- Sealed carbon drag system with a maximum drag setting of 12.5kg.
- Carbon Reinforced Composite body and rotor with 8+1 stainless-steel ball bearings.
- Supplied with an aluminium spare spool for quicker line changes.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Savage Gear SG6 2500H FD, the high-speed 2500-size front-drag spinning reel, not another SG6 size or baitcasting model.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A strong, well-specced compact predator reel with a useful fast retrieve and good setup flexibility.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9/10
- Performance9.1/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.8/10
- Ease of Use9/10
- Value for Money8.8/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Perch and zander lure anglers. The compact 2500 format and quick retrieve suit small hardbaits, jig heads, dropshot-style work and soft plastics.
- Predator anglers who switch line setups. The spare aluminium spool makes it easier to keep different braid or leader arrangements ready to go.
Maybe skip if
- Dedicated big-lure pike anglers. A 2500-size reel is better matched to lighter and medium lure work than repeated casting with oversized baits.
- Anglers who prefer very slow retrieves. The 6.2:1 gearing favours quick line pickup and active lure control rather than ultra-slow winding.
The lowdown
Introducing the Savage Gear SG6 2500H FD Reel
A sharp, fast little predator reel with a cracking drag, sensible spool design and enough refinement for lure work without turning your kit bag into a tackle shop.
- 2500H FD high-speed predator spinning reel with a 6.2:1 gear ratio.
- Sealed carbon drag system with a maximum drag setting of 12.5kg.
- Carbon Reinforced Composite body and rotor with 8+1 stainless-steel ball bearings.
- Supplied with an aluminium spare spool for quicker line changes.
Quick verdict
A proper predator workhorse
The SG6 2500H FD looks a very capable choice for perch, zander and lighter pike lure fishing. The 6.2:1 gearing gives you plenty of line recovery, while the sealed carbon drag and smooth bearing setup should make it a composed reel when a fish suddenly changes direction.
It’s not a dainty little canal reel built only for tiny jigs, though. The carbon-reinforced body, aluminium spool and 12.5kg maximum drag give it a useful bit of backbone. If you want one reel for a broad spread of predator jobs, this one looks bob on.
A strong, well-specced compact predator reel with a useful fast retrieve and good setup flexibility.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9/10
- Performance
- 9.1/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.8/10
- Ease of Use
- 9/10
- Value for Money
- 8.8/10
The CRC construction, aluminium components, sealed carbon drag and stainless-steel bearing package look properly well considered.
A 6.2:1 ratio and 8+1 bearings should give it the speed and smooth control modern lure fishing demands.
Fast line pickup, sensible spool details and a controlled drag can make lure presentation and fish control easier.
The compact format, soft-touch knob, T-shaped line clip and spare spool keep everyday fishing straightforward.
The feature mix is generous, especially with an aluminium spare spool included, making it a versatile choice in its class.
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 2500H 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 2500H FD Reel
There’s a lot to like about a reel that just gets on with the job. No faff. No daft gimmicks. Just a tidy bit of kit that sits nicely on a predator rod and lets you concentrate on finding fish. The Savage Gear SG6 2500H FD is very much in that camp, with a quick retrieve and a useful spread of practical features.
The 2500H FD tag tells you what sort of animal this is. It’s a compact spinning reel, but the ‘H’ points to the high-speed gearing. At 6.2:1, it pulls line back smartly with every turn of the handle. That’s dead handy when a perch follows a lure right to the net, or a zander gives you a sudden belly of slack line.
For lure fishing, that speed can make a proper difference. You can pick up slack after a twitch, keep contact with a jig as it drops and get a lure away from a snag before things go a bit pear-shaped. It also helps when you’re covering water and need to bring a cast back briskly before firing into the next likely-looking spot.
The flip side is that fast reels aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. If your favourite session involves crawling a lure painfully slowly across the bottom, a lower-geared reel can feel more natural and offer a little more winding grunt. The SG6’s character is livelier: quick hands, active retrieves and plenty of line control.
Build-wise, Savage Gear has used a Carbon Reinforced Composite body and rotor. That keeps the platform purposeful without making it feel like an old-school lump of metal. The aluminium spool adds a reassuring bit of solidity, while the non-slip spool design should help keep line sitting where it ought to during repeated casts.
The sealed carbon drag is another strong part of the package. Predator fishing can go from quiet to total bosh in a heartbeat, especially around weedbeds, boat moorings or snags. A drag that starts smoothly and stays predictable is far more useful than one that merely boasts a big number.
That number is 12.5kg maximum drag, which is a serious amount for a reel in this sort of compact predator role. Don’t go cranking it down like you’re winching a barge, mind. Set it sensibly for your braid, leader, knots and the cover you’re fishing. A controlled fish is better than a popped hook or straightened split ring.
The 8+1 stainless-steel ball bearings suggest a smooth, refined feel, and the Dura Grease lubrication is another nod towards keeping the mechanism working nicely over time. The screw-in aluminium diecast handle and soft-touch knob should make long lure sessions more comfortable, particularly when you’re doing hundreds of casts rather than waiting for a float to bob.
There are some properly handy details around the spool and bail, too. The T-shaped line clip gives you a clear place to secure the line, while the cone-shaped bail holder is designed to help line flow cleanly onto the spool. Add the aluminium spare spool and you’ve got a flexible reel for changing tactics without bringing half the tackle cupboard down the bank.
Overall, the SG6 2500H FD looks like a cracking all-rounder for the angler who likes to stay mobile. It has the speed for covering water, the drag control for sudden lunges and enough sensible design work to make a busy lure session feel less of a faff. For perch, zander and lighter pike jobs, it looks properly on the money.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Size
- 2500H FD
- Gear ratio
- 6.2:1
- Bearings
- 8+1 stainless-steel ball bearings
- Drag
- Sealed carbon drag; maximum 12.5kg
- Body and rotor
- Carbon Reinforced Composite (CRC)
- Spools
- Aluminium main spool plus aluminium spare spool
Specs checked with Savage Gear, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Fast retrieve, proper control
The big talking point here is the high-speed 6.2:1 gearing. That’s handy when you need to pick up slack quickly, keep a lure moving at pace or get a soft plastic back to the boat before it drifts into snags. It suits active lure fishing rather than a slow, ponderous retrieve.
The SG6 also brings the bits that matter when you’re fishing all day: an aluminium handle, soft-touch knob, non-slip spool design and a sealed carbon drag. Add the spare aluminium spool and it becomes a more flexible option for switching line setups without carrying another reel.
What you’re buying
A quick, well-equipped predator reel
The SG6 2500H FD combines a compact 2500-size format with fast 6.2:1 gearing. That makes it a natural partner for lure rods used with small to medium predator baits, where rapid line pickup and good contact matter more than slow, heavyweight winding.
Its Carbon Reinforced Composite body and rotor keep the design practical, while the aluminium spool and screw-in aluminium diecast handle add a more solid feel to the working parts. The soft-touch handle knob should be welcome on long roving sessions when your hands are doing plenty of work.
The sealed carbon drag is the key bit when a fish turns nasty. Alongside 8+1 stainless-steel ball bearings, Dura Grease and the non-slip spool design, it points towards a reel built for smooth control rather than just flashy numbers.
Worth knowing. The 12.5kg maximum drag is useful headroom, not a target setting. Keep the drag matched to your braid, leader, knots and swim. That’s how you land more fish and avoid a bit of heartbreaking tackle failure.
Find your fit
Best for mobile lure anglers
Perch and zander anglers should find the fast retrieve especially useful. It helps you stay in touch with jigs and soft plastics, clears slack after a sharp twitch and gets the lure back quickly when a swim goes quiet.
It also makes sense for anglers who like having options. Load the main spool for one setup and keep the spare aluminium spool ready for another line choice. That could mean different braid strengths, or a change in leader and lure style when the conditions shift.
For dedicated big-lure pike fishing, I’d look at a larger reel matched to the rod and bait weight. The SG6 2500H FD has useful backbone, but its sweet spot is lighter, more mobile predator fishing rather than launching huge lures all day.
Quick answers
The bits anglers usually want to know
Is it only for lure fishing? It’s clearly designed with predator lure work in mind, and the fast gearing, compact format and line-control features all point that way. You could use it for other spinning jobs, but that’s where its personality really shines.
Will it handle a surprise lump? The drag capacity gives you plenty of control when a better fish turns up, provided the rest of your tackle is up to the job. Keep your knots fresh, check your leader and don’t fish a tight drag just because the reel can handle one.
What’s the spare spool good for? It saves a fair bit of faff. Keep one spool ready for your everyday setup and the other for a different line choice, so a change of water or tactic doesn’t mean stripping and respooling at the bank.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Fast 6.2:1 retrieve is excellent for modern lure work and picking up slack.
- Sealed carbon drag and 8+1 stainless-steel bearings give it a refined, controlled feel on paper.
- The spare aluminium spool adds useful versatility for different braid or leader setups.
- Aluminium handle, soft-touch knob and T-shaped line clip are all practical bank-friendly touches.
Worth knowing
- A fast gear ratio isn’t ideal if you mainly fish slow, methodical retrieves and want maximum low-speed winding power.
- The feature list is generous, but the high maximum drag doesn’t mean you should fish light lines at anything like that setting.
- A 2500-size reel may feel a bit small for regularly casting big pike lures or hauling hard from snaggy swims.
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What type of fishing is the Savage Gear SG6 2500H FD suited to?
What type of fishing is the Savage Gear SG6 2500H FD suited to?
It’s aimed at predator lure fishing, especially perch, zander and lighter pike work. The fast gearing is useful for soft plastics, hardbaits and any situation where you need to pick up slack quickly.
02Does the SG6 2500H FD come with a spare spool?
Does the SG6 2500H FD come with a spare spool?
Yes. It includes an aluminium spare spool, which is handy for keeping different braid or line arrangements ready for changing conditions.
03Is the 12.5kg maximum drag suitable for heavy pike fishing?
Is the 12.5kg maximum drag suitable for heavy pike fishing?
It gives you plenty of drag headroom, but maximum drag isn’t the same as a licence to bully fish. Match the setting to your line, knots, hook pattern and the snags in front of you.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a proper predator workhorse. The strongest reasons to choose it are fast 6.2:1 retrieve is excellent for modern lure work and picking up slack. and sealed carbon drag and 8+1 stainless-steel bearings give it a refined, controlled feel on paper.; the main trade-off is a fast gear ratio isn’t ideal if you mainly fish slow, methodical retrieves and want maximum low-speed winding power..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Fast 6.2:1 retrieve is excellent for modern lure work and picking up slack.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Perch and zander lure anglers: The compact 2500 format and quick retrieve suit small hardbaits, jig heads, dropshot-style work and soft plastics.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “A fast gear ratio isn’t ideal if you mainly fish slow, methodical retrieves and want maximum low-speed winding power.”
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 2500H FD Reel
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Owner reports
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