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Daiwa Seaborg 500J: How It Differs From the 100J, and Which Boat Fishing It Suits
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I have covered Daiwa’s Seaborg 100J, one of the lightest compact electric reels in its range. The same Seaborg series also includes the Seaborg 500J, a step up in power. They are both electric reels, but they are built for completely different fishing and target species. Based on Daiwa’s official specs, here is what the 500J is for and how it differs from the 100J.
Every Seaborg is a boat reel
The Seaborg series is not for shore fishing. All of them are electric reels for boat fishing. You need an electric reel when you repeatedly raise and lower heavy rigs from depths where hand winding would wear you out, which is a completely different style from casting from the shore. Think of the 100J as the light-tackle option for boat fishing, and the 500J as the one for heavier loads.
Seaborg 500J specs
| Item | Seaborg 500J |
|---|---|
| Weight | 750 g |
| Max drag | 23 kg |
| Max winding power | 90 kg (99 kg with a Super Lithium battery) |
| Power supply | DC 12–16.8 V |
| Price in Japan (ex. tax) | ¥119,300 |
A new aluminium JOG power lever allows one-thumb, one-hand control. The high-output MAGMAX-G motor is rated for four times the durability of earlier motors and comes with a 3-year/300 km warranty. It also has a jigging mode with three auto-jerk patterns and settings linked to a smartphone app.
Why so much power? In live-bait fishing (nomase) and mid-depth mixed-bag fishing, you raise and lower heavy rigs and sinkers again and again, and when a big fish bites you need the drag and winding power to bring it up. A light reel like the 100J can run short of power depending on the size of fish and depth.
100J vs 500J
| Item | Seaborg 100J | Seaborg 500J |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 375 g | 750 g |
| Max drag | 7 kg | 23 kg |
| Max winding power | 18 kg | 90 kg |
| PE line guide (Japan no.) | PE 1–2 (150–300 m) | PE 6 (300 m) |
| Price (ex. tax) | ¥102,200 | ¥119,300 |
The 500J is about twice the weight and has five times the winding power. The 100J is built for lightness and sensitivity, for lighter boat fishing such as ribbonfish tenya fishing and light jigging in shallow to mid-depth water. The 500J has much more drag and winding power, and really comes into its own in heavier boat fishing with thick braid. The price difference is only about ¥17,000, but the performance difference is bigger than the numbers suggest. Choose it because your fishing needs that power, not because it is the higher model.
What the 500J is good for
- Live-bait fishing: enough power for nearshore yellowtail and big offshore yellowtail amberjack (hiramasa) and greater amberjack (kanpachi). When a live bait swims for a long time, you need power in reserve for a sudden big fish
- Drop fishing (otoshikomi): a fall-brake dial controls how fast the rig sinks, which affects how bites come
- Squid: multi-hook rigs for Japanese flying squid and spear squid, where weight and water drag add up
- Mid-depth mixed bag: light kinmedai (splendid alfonsino), akamutsu (rosy seabass) and onikasago (scorpionfish) around 100 m, where you lift and drop rigs constantly
If your boat fishing is mainly ribbonfish tenya and shallow light jigging, the 100J is enough. For live-bait fishing or mid-depth mixed-bag fishing, the 500J becomes the option.
Tackle and power supply
- Rod: choose a rod made for, or clearly rated for, electric reels
- Battery: batteries are usually sold separately, and a 500J-class reel draws more power, so get one with enough capacity
- PE line: PE 6 for the 500J is a completely different strength from 100J light tackle, so match your line to the reel class
Which one?
- Mainly light boat tackle (ribbonfish, shallow jigging): Seaborg 100J
- Live bait, mid-depth fishing, big yellowtail: Seaborg 500J
If you fish on a party boat with set target species, check with the captain, and whether rental tackle is available, before you buy.
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ABOUT ME
Born in 1994. Originally from Hyogo Prefecture, I moved to Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture in search of the sea. I am an Enshunada surf angler who enjoys surf fishing. I am also active on YouTube, and my fishing grounds range from Irago to Iwata.
