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Predator tackle · Fixed spool reels · Our take
Savage Gear SG6 4000 FD Reel
4000 FD
A smart, feature-packed predator reel with a sealed carbon drag, spare spool and enough grunt for serious lure work.
- 255 g body weight keeps the reel manageable for casting lures all day.
- 5.2:1 gearing brings in 81 cm of line per handle turn.
- Sealed carbon drag delivers a serious 15 kg maximum setting.
- A spare aluminium spool is included, alongside an aluminium screw-in handle.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Savage Gear SG6 4000 FD fixed-spool reel, not another SG6 size or baitcaster variant.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A versatile, well-equipped predator reel with a strong feature set and very few obvious compromises for its intended fishing.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9.1/10
- Performance9.2/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.9/10
- Ease of Use9/10
- Value for Money8.8/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Pike and zander lure anglers. The capacity, gearing and drag give you a useful balance for medium-to-heavier predator work.
- Anglers wanting one reel with two line options. The spare aluminium spool makes braid changes far less of a faff.
Maybe skip if
- Ultra-light perch specialists. A smaller reel will generally feel neater with tiny lures and finesse rods.
- Anglers after the cheapest possible fixed spool. You’re paying for the sealed drag, spare spool, CRC construction and upgraded hardware.
The lowdown
Introducing the Savage Gear SG6 4000 FD Reel
A smart, feature-packed predator reel with a sealed carbon drag, spare spool and enough grunt for serious lure work.
- 255 g body weight keeps the reel manageable for casting lures all day.
- 5.2:1 gearing brings in 81 cm of line per handle turn.
- Sealed carbon drag delivers a serious 15 kg maximum setting.
- A spare aluminium spool is included, alongside an aluminium screw-in handle.
Quick verdict
A proper all-round predator reel
The SG6 4000 FD brings together a light CRC body, strong drag and smooth stainless-steel bearing setup in a very fishable package.
It’s a cracking choice for pike, zander and general lure work, especially if you want one reel that can handle braid, heavier leaders and the odd proper lump.
A versatile, well-equipped predator reel with a strong feature set and very few obvious compromises for its intended fishing.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9.1/10
- Performance
- 9.2/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 9/10
- Value for Money
- 8.8/10
CRC construction, an aluminium handle and spool, stainless-steel bearings and a sealed carbon drag give it a properly well-equipped feel.
The 5.2:1 gearing, 81 cm retrieve and generous drag capacity cover a broad range of lure work.
Smooth control, braid-ready hardware and useful line capacity help you fish confidently and stay connected during a scrap.
The 4000 format is versatile, the line clip is practical and the spare spool cuts down on line-change faff.
The spare aluminium spool and predator-focused features add meaningful value, provided you’ll use the extra capacity and drag.
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 4000 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 4000 FD Reel
The Savage Gear SG6 4000 FD is aimed squarely at predator anglers who want a proper workhorse without bolting a huge, clunky reel to the rod. It’s a fixed-spool model for lure fishing, with enough capacity for pike and zander work but still light enough to keep casting enjoyable when the rods are off all day.
At 255 g, the weight is one of the first things that catches the eye. A 4000-size reel can easily start feeling like a lump after a few hours of twitching, cranking and searching the margins. The SG6 keeps things more manageable, which should help when you’re covering water rather than sitting back waiting for a bite-time.
The gearing is set at 5.2:1, giving 81 cm of line retrieve per turn. That’s a useful middle ground. You’ve got enough speed to pick up slack quickly after a cast, yet it shouldn’t feel daftly fast when you’re working a soft lure slowly through a likely spot. For pike and zander, that balance makes plenty of sense.
Line capacity is 150 m of 0.28 mm line. In real bank terms, that gives you a reassuring amount of room for long casts, a bit of trimming and the occasional energetic run. Most lure situations won’t need every metre, of course, but spare capacity is comforting when a fish turns and heads off across open water.
The drag is a sealed carbon system with a maximum setting of 15 kg. That’s serious pulling power for a lure reel. You won’t be winding it up to the max for every pike, but the extra headroom is handy when you’re fishing near weed, snags or awkward cover. The important bit is being able to set it sensibly and let it give line smoothly when a fish lunges.
Savage Gear has used a Carbon Reinforced Composite body and rotor, or CRC. That keeps the reel’s weight down while aiming to provide the stiffness needed when you’re putting pressure on a fish. It’s not just about chasing a big drag number; a solid-feeling reel helps keep everything controlled when a take turns into a proper scrap.
The bearing package is 8+1 stainless-steel ball bearings, and the reel uses Savage Gear Dura Grease for lubrication. That should appeal if you like a smooth, refined feel rather than something that sounds a bit agricultural. As ever, keep grit, slime and dirty water out of the moving parts and give the reel a sensible clean after a hard session.
The aluminium screw-in diecast handle is another welcome touch. Screw-in handles tend to feel direct, with less of that vague, rattly sensation you can get from cheaper arrangements. The aluminium spool is braid-ready and uses a non-slip design, so it’s set up for modern predator fishing rather than making you fight the reel before you even reach the first chuck.
Then there’s the spare aluminium spool, which adds genuine practical value. You can keep one line choice ready for heavier pike work and another for a different venue or lure approach. The T-shaped line clip and cone-shaped bail holder are small details, but they show the reel has been designed around repeat casting and everyday fishing rather than just a shiny spec list.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Size
- 4000 FD
- Weight
- 255 g
- Gear ratio
- 5.2:1
- Line capacity
- 150 m of 0.28 mm line
- Retrieve
- 81 cm per turn
- Drag and bearings
- Sealed carbon drag, 15 kg maximum; 8+1 stainless-steel ball bearings
Specs checked with Savage Gear, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Where it earns its keep
The standout here is versatility. The 4000 size gives you useful line capacity and retrieve without becoming a brick on a lure rod.
The spare aluminium spool is a dead handy bonus, letting you swap between braid setups or keep a different line choice ready for changing venues.
The reel itself
A light 4000 with serious predator credentials
The SG6 4000 FD sits in that useful middle ground between finesse tackle and brute-force pike gear. The 255 g weight keeps it lively on the rod, while the 150 m capacity and 15 kg maximum drag give you plenty of confidence around bigger fish and snaggy water.
Its 5.2:1 ratio and 81 cm retrieve suit a broad mix of lure styles. You can pick up slack quickly, keep contact with a moving lure and still crawl a presentation without constantly racing it back to the bank.
Worth knowing. The headline 15 kg drag figure is a reserve of power, not a target setting. Start with a smooth, sensible drag and adjust for the lure, leader, cover and fish in front of you.
On the bank
Built for busy lure sessions
This is a strong fit for anglers fishing pike and zander venues with medium-to-heavier lure rods. The braid-ready spool, solid line capacity and spare spool make it especially handy when your fishing changes from open water to weed, snags or deeper swims.
It also makes sense if you want one reel that can do a bit of everything. The 4000 frame won’t be the neatest option for tiny perch lures, but for larger soft plastics, hardbaits and general predator searching it looks properly versatile.
Worth knowing. Match the reel to a balanced rod rather than choosing it in isolation. A reel can be light on paper but still feel awkward if the rod and handle don’t sit comfortably in your hand.
Quick answers
The bits anglers usually want to know
Can it handle braid? Yes. The aluminium spool is braid-ready and non-slip, so it’s suited to modern predator setups. Use the correct backing or spool fill and keep your line level just below the lip.
Is it only for pike? No. The size and gearing work for zander and heavier perch lure fishing too, although dedicated ultra-light anglers will probably prefer a smaller reel. It’s best viewed as a versatile predator option.
What’s in the box? Alongside the reel, you get a spare aluminium spool. That’s a proper practical bonus, especially if you like keeping two line choices ready to go.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Lightweight 255 g construction for a 4000-size reel.
- Sealed carbon drag with plenty of headroom for predator fishing.
- Spare aluminium spool included.
- Braid-ready, non-slip spool design.
- Strong 8+1 stainless-steel bearing layout.
Worth knowing
- A 15 kg maximum drag is more than most normal lure work needs, so smooth adjustment matters more than headline grunt.
- The 4000 size may feel a touch large for tiny lures or ultra-light perch tackle.
- All those features make it less of a stripped-back budget reel.
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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.
01Is the Savage Gear SG6 4000 FD suitable for pike fishing?
Is the Savage Gear SG6 4000 FD suitable for pike fishing?
Yes. Its 4000 size, 150 m capacity of 0.28 mm line and powerful sealed carbon drag make it well suited to regular pike lure fishing. Pair it with a proper wire or hard leader setup.
02Can you use braid on the SG6 4000 FD?
Can you use braid on the SG6 4000 FD?
Yes. The aluminium spool is braid-ready and has a non-slip design. Fill it sensibly, avoid overfilling, and use backing if needed so the braid sits bob on.
03What does the spare spool add?
What does the spare spool add?
It lets you keep two line setups ready. For example, braid on one spool for open-water casting and a different braid or line choice on the other for a change in venue or lure style.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a proper all-round predator reel. The strongest reasons to choose it are lightweight 255 g construction for a 4000-size reel. and sealed carbon drag with plenty of headroom for predator fishing.; the main trade-off is a 15 kg maximum drag is more than most normal lure work needs, so smooth adjustment matters more than headline grunt..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Lightweight 255 g construction for a 4000-size reel.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Pike and zander lure anglers: The capacity, gearing and drag give you a useful balance for medium-to-heavier predator work.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “A 15 kg maximum drag is more than most normal lure work needs, so smooth adjustment matters more than headline grunt.”
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 4000 FD Reel
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Owner reports
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Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Savage Gear SG6 4000 FD Reel. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
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