2026.10.15 2026.10.18

Daiwa 26 BG SW: Saltiga Power Drive Design, Specs and How It Differs From the 23 BG SW

minagiman

When people start shore jigging or offshore fishing in Japan, a huge number of them buy a Daiwa BG SW as their first saltwater reel. Tough for the price, a safe bet – that was its reputation.

In October 2026 the BG SW gets a full model change, borrowing the design thinking of Daiwa’s flagship Saltiga, and it has become a much more serious reel. But the spec sheet also shows some points you need to think about before buying. I will cover those honestly too.

This article covers specs and features, the differences from the 23 BG SW, and comparisons with the Shimano Stradic SW and 26 Miravel.

Contents

26 BG SW specifications

Size	Weight	Gear ratio	Retrieve / turn	Max drag	PE capacity	List price (excl. tax)
5000-H	420 g	5.7	96 cm	12 kg	2.5 – 300 m	25,900 yen
6000-P	455 g	4.9	86 cm	12 kg	3 – 300 m	25,900 yen
6000-H	455 g	5.7	101 cm	12 kg	3 – 300 m	25,900 yen
8000-P	680 g	4.9	97 cm	15 kg	4 – 300 m	31,100 yen
8000-H	680 g	5.7	113 cm	15 kg	4 – 300 m	31,100 yen
10000-H	690 g	5.7	121 cm	15 kg	5 – 300 m	31,100 yen
14000-H	700 g	5.7	122 cm	15 kg	6 – 300 m	31,100 yen
20000	965 g	5.3	137 cm	20 kg	10 – 300 m	36,300 yen

Sizes 5000-14000 are released in October 2026, the 20000 in November. All sizes have 5 ball bearings + 1 roller. “P” is the power gear, “H” high gear. PE sizes are Japanese gō numbers.

Features

1. Power Drive Design from the Saltiga

The headline is Power Drive Design, taken from the flagship Saltiga. It has two parts:

Power Drive Engine – an “oversized Power Digigear”, larger in diameter and thicker, for more efficient winding.
Power Drive Rotor – a spherical rotor and the Crank Power Bail, which resists flipping closed unexpectedly.

When a big pelagic is on, whether the gears can keep winding without giving way decides the outcome. In big-game fishing, a reel that “can wind” turns directly into fish landed.

2. Full-metal aluminium body

An aluminium full-metal body that resists deforming under heavy load and transfers power to the gears without loss.

3. ATD TOUGH drag

The drag uses carbon washers rather than felt – “ATD TOUGH” – for better durability and a smoother start. Whether the drag releases smoothly on a pelagic’s first run is crucial for avoiding break-offs. (See how to set your drag.)

4. Water sealing and trouble prevention

Newly designed waterproof packing between body and cover, for fishing where you get soaked by spray.
Stopper-less body – fewer paths for water and debris to get in.
Manual return – stops the bail flipping over on its own during the cast.
Perfect Line Stopper (5000 and 6000 only) – clip the line from above or below.
High Grip Egg Knob – non-slip even with wet hands.

Compared with similar reels

1. 23 BG SW (previous model)

	26 BG SW	23 BG SW
Smallest size	5000-H (420 g)	4000D-CXH (285 g) / 5000D-CXH (290 g)
6000	455 g	385 g
8000	680 g	605 g
14000	700 g	620 g
Largest size	20000 (965 g)	18000 (820 g)
List price (excl. tax)	25,900-36,300 yen	19,400-28,500 yen

This is the point I most want to get across. Every 26 size is heavier and more expensive than the previous model. In the small sizes especially: the 23 5000D-CXH was 290 g; the 26 5000-H is 420 g – 130 g heavier.

That is not a downgrade. Daiwa chose stiffness and winding power over lightness. The BG SW has shifted towards a proper, Saltiga-like big-game reel.

If you make full casts all day shore jigging, 130 g will definitely tell on your body. For hunting 10 kg-class yellowtail amberjack (hiramasa) from the rocks, the 26 is reassuring. But for medium yellowtail (inada, warasa) from breakwaters or beaches, buying the lighter 23 while it is still in stock is a smart choice too.

2. Shimano Stradic SW

The BG SW’s rival is the Shimano Stradic SW, one price bracket up, with a good balance of lightness and stiffness.

	26 BG SW	Stradic SW
Price	From 25,900 yen (excl. tax)	One bracket above the BG SW
Character	Stiffness and winding power	Balance of lightness and stiffness
Suits	Entry to big game, power-first anglers	All-day shore jigging, long-term use

My choice: BG SW if offshore or rock-platform power fishing is your focus; Stradic SW if you cast from shore all day. With the 26 BG SW now heavier, I feel the gap between them for shore jigging has widened.

3. Shimano 26 Miravel C5000XG

For anyone who wants to start shore jigging but finds the BG SW too heavy, the Shimano 26 Miravel is an option. Its CI4+ body is light, and the range goes up to C5000XG – enough for light shore jigging.

But the Miravel is a general-purpose reel. For a power battle with big pelagics, or the constant load of jigging, the full-metal BG SW is far more reassuring. My line: Miravel for light shore jigging with 20-40 g jigs for small yellowtail and Spanish mackerel; BG SW for anything beyond that.

Choosing a size

Size	PE guide	Recommended fishing
5000-H	1.5-2	Shore jigging, offshore casting
6000-P	2-3	Power-focused jigging
6000-H	2-3	All-round: shore jigging, jigging, casting
8000-P / 8000-H	3-4	Offshore jigging for medium to large pelagics
10000-H / 14000-H	4-6	Big pelagics, casting for yellowfin tuna
20000	6-8	Tuna, GT and other big game

From shore, it is a choice between the 5000-H and the 6000-H. Up to yellowtail on PE 2 or less: 5000-H. Big yellowtail amberjack and large yellowtail from the rocks: 6000-H.

For offshore jigging, choose P for lighter winding and H for faster pick-up. Deep water and heavy jigs: P. Shallow water and fast retrieves: H.

Where the 26 BG SW shines

Yellowtail amberjack and big yellowtail from the rocks

From a high rock platform, stopping a big pelagic diving for the rocks takes a stiff reel and a stable drag above all. With its full-metal body and Power Drive Design, the 26 BG SW feels made for exactly this. I recommend the 6000-H with around PE 3 and a strong shore jigging rod.

Offshore jigging

Jigging from a boat – lifting heavy jigs over and over – is the hardest work a reel does. The 8000-P’s light winding makes a big difference in deep water. For shallow water and fast fishing, the 8000-H.

Casting for yellowfin and tuna

For the increasingly popular yellowfin casting: 10000-H to 14000-H. For bigger tuna or GT: the 20000. Getting a tuna-capable reel at this price is something only the BG SW offers.

Maintenance for a long life

However good the sealing, salt is the enemy. After fishing, tighten the drag, rinse off the salt with lukewarm water, dry it thoroughly, then back the drag off. That alone makes a big difference to its life. Oil the moving parts – handle knob, line roller – regularly. A saltwater reel is not something you buy and forget; it is a tool you look after. Rinse it every time and overhaul it once a year, and a BG SW will fight big fish for years.

Who it is for

Anglers who want to start offshore jigging and casting at a reasonable price.
Anglers who want to go toe-to-toe with big pelagics from rocks or offshore.
Anglers who find the Saltiga too expensive but want a reel close to its design thinking.
Anyone looking for a very tough saltwater reel that will last.

If lightness is your top priority for shore jigging, compare it with the 23 model and the Stradic SW before deciding.

Things to note

Every size is heavier and more expensive than the previous model.
The light 4000 class is gone; the smallest is now 5000.
Perfect Line Stopper only on the 5000 and 6000.
The 20000 arrives in November, later than the other sizes.

Summary: from “entry reel” to “serious reel”

Full model change with Saltiga-derived Power Drive Design.
Eight sizes from 5000 to 20000, 25,900-36,300 yen (excl. tax).
Aluminium full-metal body and ATD TOUGH for stiffness and durability.
Heavier and pricier than before – now more of a big-game reel.
If lightness matters, compare the 23 model and the Stradic SW.

The 26 BG SW has changed from a “just get this to start” reel into a reel for seriously landing big fish. That makes it more important to think about whether it matches your fishing. For anyone who enjoys fighting big fish, getting the Saltiga’s ideas at this price is very attractive.