Predator reels · Baitcasters · Our take
Savage Gear SG8 BC 100 Reel
100-size baitcasting reel
A compact baitcaster with a cracking feature list, strong drag and useful retrieve choices. The SG8 BC 100 looks built for lure anglers who want quality without faffing about.
- 100-size baitcasting reel with left- and right-hand retrieve versions
- Available in 6.6:1, 7.3:1 and 8.1:1 gear ratios, depending on variant
- Approximately 184 g, with 9 kg / 20 lb maximum drag
- External centrifugal braking and a hinged folding side plate
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Savage Gear SG8 BC 100 baitcasting reel in its available left- and right-hand retrieve variants. Gear ratio, retrieve rate and handle side depend on the exact version.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A well-equipped high-value predator baitcaster with a strong feature set and sensible variant choices.
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 Use8.6/10
- Value for Money9.1/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Pike and predator lure anglers. The strong drag, aluminium construction and useful line capacity make it a capable partner for regular predator work.
- Anglers who like to tailor their reel to the retrieve. Three gear ratios let you choose between controlled winding, an all-round pace or quick line pick-up.
Maybe skip if
- Anyone wanting a reel for very light finesse lures. A baitcaster setup needs the right rod, line and lure weight, and this isn’t the obvious route for tiny offerings.
- Anglers fishing huge waters with very heavy gear. The compact 100-size format is handy, but a larger reel may be better when you need much more capacity or winching power.
The lowdown
Introducing the Savage Gear SG8 BC 100 Reel
A compact baitcaster with a cracking feature list, strong drag and useful retrieve choices. The SG8 BC 100 looks built for lure anglers who want quality without faffing about.
- 100-size baitcasting reel with left- and right-hand retrieve versions
- Available in 6.6:1, 7.3:1 and 8.1:1 gear ratios, depending on variant
- Approximately 184 g, with 9 kg / 20 lb maximum drag
- External centrifugal braking and a hinged folding side plate
Quick verdict
Verdict: compact, capable and nicely sorted
The SG8 BC 100 packs plenty into a small baitcaster. You get a lightweight aluminium build, an external centrifugal brake, a serious 9 kg drag and three useful retrieve speeds.
It’s a strong choice for lure anglers chasing pike, perch and other predators, particularly if you want one reel that can cover steady retrieves, faster work and heavier lures without feeling clunky.
A well-equipped high-value predator baitcaster with a strong feature set and sensible variant choices.
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
- 8.6/10
- Value for Money
- 9.1/10
The aluminium construction, stainless-steel reel seat and practical internal features give it a properly solid brief.
Three retrieve speeds, external centrifugal braking and a 9 kg drag cover a broad range of predator lure work.
Useful line capacity, fast line pick-up options and controlled lure presentation can make the fishing more efficient.
The folding side plate and external brake are handy, though baitcasting still needs sensible thumb control.
The feature list is strong for a compact, high-value reel, with meaningful choices rather than fluff.
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 SG8 BC 100 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 SG8 BC 100 Reel
The Savage Gear SG8 BC 100 is a compact baitcaster aimed squarely at predator anglers. Think pike, perch and lure fishing where you want a reel that feels tidy in the hand, handles proper line and doesn’t turn every cast into a faff.
It’s available in both left- and right-hand retrieve versions, which is a dead handy choice. Some anglers like to cast with the dominant hand and keep the rod there, while others prefer swapping hands after the cast. Pick the version that feels natural rather than forcing your fishing around the reel.
There are three gear ratios in the range: 6.6:1, 7.3:1 and 8.1:1, depending on the variant. That gives you a proper choice of pace. The slower option is more controlled, the middle ratio is the safe all-round bet, and the quickest version gets line back rapidly when a fish follows right to the boat or you need to clear slack in a hurry.
The SG8 BC 100 weighs approximately 184 g, or 6.5 oz. That’s a nicely manageable figure for repeated casting, especially when you’re walking the bank and covering water. A lighter outfit can make a long day of lure chucking feel less like hard graft, provided the rod and line are balanced around it.
Build-wise, you’re getting an EDP-painted aluminium frame and side plates, plus a separate stainless-steel reel seat. That gives the reel a purposeful feel without making it a great lump. It’s the sort of construction that makes sense when your fishing involves wet hands, lure changes and the odd bit of proper predator weather.
The spool capacity is useful for general predator work. The listed capacity is 105 m of 0.33 mm mono, or 114 yd of 12 lb mono, with 105 m of PE 4.0 braid also listed. In plain English, there’s enough room for sensible pike and perch setups, while the compact 100-size format keeps the reel neat rather than oversized.
Drag power is another strong point. The maximum drag is listed at 9 kg, or 20 lb. You won’t normally need to crank it up that far, of course, but having that headroom is reassuring when a lump kites towards snags or a big pike decides the margins look more exciting than open water.
The external centrifugal braking system is the bit that should interest anyone who wants straightforward casting control. Baitcasters always reward a bit of thumb work, but an accessible brake makes it easier to tune the reel as lure weight, wind and casting style change. Start sensibly, then back it off as your confidence grows.
There are some smart little touches too. The reel has 7+1 steel ball bearings, including two Japanese bearings, plus DuraGrease lubrication, an EVA handle knob and a brass worm shaft. You also get Line-ID and a drag clicker, while the 100-size model uses a hinged or folding side plate. That last detail is properly handy when you’re changing spool access or carrying out a quick bit of maintenance on the bank.
Overall, the SG8 BC 100 looks like a well-specced predator reel with a clear job to do. It isn’t trying to be everything for everyone. It’s a compact baitcaster for anglers who want a quality feel, useful retrieve choices and enough drag to stay composed when the rods are off and a proper fish is making a bid for freedom.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Reel size
- 100-size baitcasting reel
- Retrieve options
- Left-hand and right-hand versions
- Gear ratios
- 6.6:1, 7.3:1 and 8.1:1, depending on variant
- Weight
- Approximately 184 g / 6.5 oz
- Line capacity
- 105 m of 0.33 mm mono; 114 yd of 12 lb mono; 105 m of PE 4.0 braid
- Maximum drag
- 9 kg / 20 lb
Specs checked with Savage Gear, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The angle
This is a high-value predator reel aimed at anglers who want more than a basic baitcaster, but don’t necessarily need a flagship price tag. The practical details are the big draw: sensible line capacity, a folding side plate, drag clicker and separate reel seat.
Pick the ratio around the way you fish. The slower 6.6:1 version suits controlled retrieves and resistance-heavy lures, while the 7.3:1 and 8.1:1 options get line back quicker when you’re burning a lure or picking up slack.
Closer look
What you’re buying
The SG8 BC 100 is built around a lightweight 100-size format, with an EDP-painted aluminium frame and side plates. At approximately 184 g, it should suit anglers who cast repeatedly and want to keep the outfit feeling nimble. The separate stainless-steel reel seat adds a solid, purposeful touch.
The practical kit is strong. There’s an external centrifugal brake, 7+1 steel ball bearings, DuraGrease lubrication, a brass worm shaft and an EVA handle knob. Line-ID and a drag clicker are useful extras rather than daft box-ticking, especially when you’re switching between setups or fishing close in.
The 100-size model has a hinged folding side plate, making access to the spool less of a palaver. Line capacity is listed at 105 m of 0.33 mm mono, 114 yd of 12 lb mono or 105 m of PE 4.0 braid. That’s a sensible spread for mainstream predator lure fishing.
Worth knowing. The gear ratio changes the personality of the reel. Don’t just grab the first SG8 BC 100 you see. Match 6.6:1, 7.3:1 or 8.1:1 to the lures and retrieve speed you actually use.
Who it suits
A tidy partner for predator work
Pike anglers get the most obvious benefit from the SG8 BC 100’s strong maximum drag, useful braid capacity and compact body. Pair it with a suitable predator rod, reliable braid and a proper bite-resistant trace. The reel has the grunt, but the whole outfit still needs to be matched sensibly.
Perch anglers can also make good use of it where the lure weights and rod setup suit baitcasting. The 7.3:1 version is the easy all-round choice, while the slower ratio can feel more composed with lures that need a steady, deliberate pace.
The 8.1:1 model makes more sense when you’re fishing quickly, covering water or need to pick up line after a long cast. That speed can be cracking, but it’s not automatically better. A fast retrieve can make it harder to keep a lure crawling if that’s the presentation the fish want.
Worth knowing. A baitcaster rewards good setup. Fill the spool sensibly, use the centrifugal brake as a starting point and keep your thumb lightly involved. That’s the route to fewer bird’s nests when the wind gets cheeky.
FAQs in full
The questions anglers actually ask
The maximum drag is 9 kg / 20 lb, so there’s plenty of stated headroom for normal pike lure work. You’ll still want smooth control rather than simply tightening it right down, particularly near snags or when using lighter leaders.
Choose the side that lets you cast and fish comfortably. Right-hand and left-hand versions are available, so there’s no need to compromise. Think about which hand you naturally want holding the rod after the cast and which hand feels most coordinated on the handle.
It has the useful controls and practical features to make a good starting point, but no baitcaster removes the learning curve entirely. Begin with a sensible lure weight, use more braking at first and practise smooth casts before trying to bosh one miles across the lake.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Lightweight aluminium frame and side plates
- Strong 9 kg maximum drag for predator work
- Three retrieve speeds give you a useful choice of fishing styles
- External centrifugal braking is easy to reach and adjust
- Practical touches include a drag clicker, Line-ID and EVA handle knob
Worth knowing
- The correct gear ratio matters, so choosing the wrong variant can leave your retrieve feeling too slow or too rapid
- A 100-size baitcaster won’t offer the big-spool capacity of a much larger reel for extreme-range or very heavy-duty work
- Baitcasting still asks for sensible spool control and thumb discipline, especially with lighter lures
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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.
01Which SG8 BC 100 gear ratio should I choose?
Which SG8 BC 100 gear ratio should I choose?
Go for 6.6:1 if you prefer a steadier retrieve or fish lures that pull hard. The 7.3:1 is the sensible all-rounder. Choose 8.1:1 when fast lure work and quick slack-line pick-up are top of the list.
02Is the SG8 BC 100 suitable for pike fishing?
Is the SG8 BC 100 suitable for pike fishing?
Yes, it has the drag strength and line capacity for plenty of pike lure situations. Match it with suitable braid, a proper wire or bite-resistant trace and a rod that suits your lure weights.
03How does the external centrifugal brake help?
How does the external centrifugal brake help?
It gives you a handy way to control spool speed during the cast. Start with more braking while you’re getting dialled in, then ease it off gradually once your thumb control and lure timing are bob on.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: verdict: compact, capable and nicely sorted. The strongest reasons to choose it are lightweight aluminium frame and side plates and strong 9 kg maximum drag for predator work; the main trade-off is the correct gear ratio matters, so choosing the wrong variant can leave your retrieve feeling too slow or too rapid.
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Lightweight aluminium frame and side plates”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Pike and predator lure anglers: The strong drag, aluminium construction and useful line capacity make it a capable partner for regular predator work.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “The correct gear ratio matters, so choosing the wrong variant can leave your retrieve feeling too slow or too rapid”
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 SG8 BC 100 Reel
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Owner reports
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Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Savage Gear SG8 BC 100 Reel. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
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