Daiwa Dendoh Seaborg SB500Fe, Opinions Please?

TWB · 05-29-2007, 09:47 PM

I am considering buying one of these new Diawa electric reels. I know some of you have them, so I'm looking for a report, good or bad?

I was a little concerned about the line capacity with 80lb. They say 240 yds of 80. But, then I read that if you wind it tight they will take 300+ yds? I like to have at least 300 yds for our halibut fishing. What's your experience. And, how about the power? How do they handle a 48oz lead from 600ft? Slow or fast?

I saw them at the Convention and decided I wanted one. Englund's is sold out and waiting for more, but that's been awhile. Anyone else selling them? I checked with Fishermen's, they don't have the SB500Fe. They did have a sale on the Tanicom Bull, but that is a bigger reel then I want.

Anyone have a report?

Thanks

Nalu · 05-29-2007, 10:29 PM

I have my entire boat decked out with these. I am planning to do a full review after this first season ends, but here is the basics.

I loaded with 65# tuff line XP. Wound to the gills they can hold 350-365 yards.
48oz from 700 feet in less than 2 minutes.
lightweight and small
Plenty of drag, though I feel you have to crank them down a little tight
Easy to use.
Durability? Not sure yet.

It is important to keep in mind that the 600's and 750's will be coming out shortly. For my use, the 1000's are too big for "normal fishing" where you would actually use it to crank a fish up like a regular reel.

Every customer so far this year has loved the reels.

Beefcake · 05-29-2007, 10:36 PM

Nalu- Do you have the rechargeable battery packs, or are they plugged in?

iptmike · 05-30-2007, 04:24 AM

I have the 750 Tanicum Bull from Japan that I've used on two recent trips. I was also concerned about the capacity of the 500 but didn't want the larger size of the 1000. Everything is in Japanese. There is set of instructions translated onto copy paper that has been included. I've got to get around and read these one of these days. This hasn't been issue so far as the basic operation is pretty simple. The manipulation of the power lever is different than the Electramates and Dolphins I've used previously. I've been used to pressing a button to reel down, let off of the button to disingage power, lift with the rod and repeat. The location of the power button was such that I could grab the rod in hand and operate the button with my thumb. With the new Diawa the power control is a lever that has to be pushed/pulled to engage and control speed. The location of the power lever is on top and forward on the reel. Due to the location of the power lever I have to grab onto the reel, not the rod, to be able to engage the lever with my thumb. This operation does not feel as natural to me but maybe that is just me. I think I'll get used to it with more use.

I used battery packs on the two trips I fished this reel. These packs are not the Diawa battery but packs Rick Anderson on the Triton made up. These are larger batteries than the Diawa. They are connected to the reel by a length of wire. I just put the battery in my pocket and could move around the boat. It was nice not to have a cord to trip over. I'm not sure how long the batteries will last. We only got chickens on our trips and one battery worked for the entire trip. The key will be how well the battery performs if you hook up to a larger fish. This may be an advantage to having the hand crank on the reel. I've ordered a second battery as backup and will also put together a power cord to fit my downrigger power supply. The cost for two of these batteries and a charger will be about $140. I think this is about half the cost of one of the smaller Diawa batteries. I know Key West has fished with this battery set-up. Maybe he will give his opinion also.

Overall I'm pretty happy so far. I would get a size larger than the 500 though. I think I'll get another (in English).

Anyone interested in a Dolphin electric reel freshly serviced by Ollie Damons?

KeyWest · 05-30-2007, 06:09 AM

I have the 600's. I felt the 500's were a bit small, the 750 a bit large and pricey - the 1000 - way large. I have both the battery packs referred to by Mike (also purchased from Rick), a small motorcycle battery, plus I have my boat wired with Scotty plugs. My first try with the battery pack - they lasted about 3 hours. The motorcycle battery should last days.

I like a bit heavier line - I use 80# spectra. I believe the 600 holds 400 yards (thats what I was charged for last time I had it filled at Englunds).

In terms of bait checks - I don't even remove the rod from the holder - I just flip the switch and go about my normal duties (running the boat, rebaiting, etc) and the reel does the rest - it stops just below the surface. Tracker may wish to chime in here - he was flipping me some stuff our last trip. He was doing the hand crank thing and watching our bait checks.

Largest fish we've landed so far is around 50# - the reel handled it fine but as Nalu said, you have to crank down on the drags..

Mike - I have a copy of the 550 manual - all in english. The controls are the same (or nearly so) for the 600. But really you only need to know 4 things:

1) The lever causes the reel to engage and retrieve line.
2) The upper right button sets the top of the water
3) The lower right button sets the bottom
4) Don't ever mess with the buttons on the left (the top left is program mode, the bottom left is the "arm" button - so the reel will autostart after a certain amount of time, after a certain amount of line has been pulled out, or will cause it to jig retrieve, etc).

Let me know if you want a copy.

HarpMan · 05-30-2007, 06:38 AM

Coming soon, likely end of June will be two addtional Daiwa electrics called the Seaborg Megatwin. There will be a SB750MT which has a size between the 500 and 1000 and another 500 size, the SB500MT. Both these reels will be two speed electrics.

750-60lb/770yds, 80/550
500-60lb/330 yards, 80/240

give or take a few yards.

Mark and Dean at Englunds have all the spec's etc.
suggested Retail $850-900

Nalu · 05-30-2007, 07:09 AM

I do not currently use the battery packs. I do have one of the small ones that plugs directly into the bottom of the reel, but I have not wanted to use it with customers. In my opinion, it is not a good design as once attached it sticks out the bottom of the reel 90 degrees to the rod. I can very easily see someone breaking it off, or damaging the reel due to the way it mounts.

I am in the process of making up some batteries for these units. You can very inexpensively buy 12 volt 8 amp hour or 5 amp hour batteries. Place these in a fanny back and you are set. I also have Scotty plugs for these on the boat, but I think the battery in the fanny pack is the ticket.

We have brought fish up to 100# up this year with the reels and had no problem. All fish of size were cranked up. Some chickens, cod, and arrowtooth were powered up.

On the 500 there is a orange "jig/pickup" button on the bottom left of the reel. For power pump and retrieve you could lift with your right hand in front on the rod, and push the button with your thump to retrieve line.

TWB · 05-30-2007, 08:13 AM

Thanks everyone for the information, great stuff! I am however a bit confused? When I look at the Diawa web page the following reels are listed:
Dendoh MP3000
Tanacom Bull 1000
Dendoh SB500FE
Dendoh SB300FB

So, my question is, are there other reels on the market now that I am not seeing, ie: IPT Mike has a 750 Tanacom Bull from Japan and Key West has a 600? Where did you find those reels. I would think that a 600 size would be about the perfect reel for our halibut fishing.

I have used 65lb test and it is fine, but there are times at the Ranch and the Pile that you snag up and I have had 65lb break in the middle of the line. Then you have to respool the reel. Where as 80lb usually pulls free, or bends the hook out without breaking the line in the middle.

I was planning on using my Scotty downrigger pulgs, but it sounds like Nalu is onto something with the 12 volt batteries?

I don't mind at all landing a fish the conventional way, by cranking it up. It's those 600' bait checks and retrieves to reset that make me not enjoy the day. I like the idea of leaving the rod in the holder and pushing a button to wind it up.......a lot!

Once again thanks for the replies, great information!

KeyWest · 05-30-2007, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWB

Thanks everyone for the information, great stuff! I am however a bit confused? When I look at the Diawa web page the following reels are listed:
Dendoh MP3000
Tanacom Bull 1000
Dendoh SB500FE
Dendoh SB300FB

So, my question is, are there other reels on the market now that I am not seeing, ie: IPT Mike has a 750 Tanacom Bull from Japan and Key West has a 600? Where did you find those reels. I would think that a 600 size would be about the perfect reel for our halibut fishing.

I have used 65lb test and it is fine, but there are times at the Ranch and the Pile that you snag up and I have had 65lb break in the middle of the line. Then you have to respool the reel. Where as 80lb usually pulls free, or bends the hook out without breaking the line in the middle.

I was planning on using my Scotty downrigger pulgs, but it sounds like Nalu is onto something with the 12 volt batteries?

I don't mind at all landing a fish the conventional way, by cranking it up. It's those 600' bait checks and retrieves to reset that make me not enjoy the day. I like the idea of leaving the rod in the holder and pushing a button to wind it up.......a lot!

Once again thanks for the replies, great information!

600 and 750 should be available state side around July. They were purchased offshore (Japan).

Shimano has an entire line of electrics as well - all available only offshore.

I have mine rigged with Scotty plugs as well, as are all my batteries (you can get a 12V dry cell and wire it to a Scotty female - glue the female plug to the top of the battery).

Nalu · 05-30-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWB

Thanks everyone for the information, great stuff! I am however a bit confused? When I look at the Diawa web page the following reels are listed:
Dendoh MP3000
Tanacom Bull 1000
Dendoh SB500FE
Dendoh SB300FB

So, my question is, are there other reels on the market now that I am not seeing, ie: IPT Mike has a 750 Tanacom Bull from Japan and Key West has a 600? Where did you find those reels. I would think that a 600 size would be about the perfect reel for our halibut fishing.

I have used 65lb test and it is fine, but there are times at the Ranch and the Pile that you snag up and I have had 65lb break in the middle of the line. Then you have to respool the reel. Where as 80lb usually pulls free, or bends the hook out without breaking the line in the middle.

I was planning on using my Scotty downrigger pulgs, but it sounds like Nalu is onto something with the 12 volt batteries?

I don't mind at all landing a fish the conventional way, by cranking it up. It's those 600' bait checks and retrieves to reset that make me not enjoy the day. I like the idea of leaving the rod in the holder and pushing a button to wind it up.......a lot!

Once again thanks for the replies, great information!

TWB- Versions that are not available in the US have benn available in Japan for awhile. Either Ebay, or online Japan based retailers is where you can get the non-us versions.

Since the US versions with US warranty, English instructions, and markings will be out in the other sizes shortly, I would probably wait and look at those.

I have no problem recommending the 500 for 700 foot depths. I intend to go to bigger reels in order to do some more exploring, including fishing deeper depths.

old crow · 05-30-2007, 08:40 AM

i have a tanacom bull 750 fe -- never used , maybe tracker will want to try it out. he will have to learn how to read *** tho.

TWB · 05-30-2007, 12:09 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies, it's much clearer now. I did see the Shimano reel at the Sports Show in Portland. Gene from Tackle Time had one. As I remember it was very similar to the Diawa 500. Very nice, I still can't figure out why they are not marketing them in the States? Possibly not enough sales here?

I will do a little looking around and possibly wait for the new models to come out.

Thanks again
Jerry