[Chris Smith]

I am looking to match a Ross Big Game to a 14' 9 weight spey rod. I'm having a tough time deciding between the BG 7 and BG 8. I'll initially have a windcutter on it, but also see myself going to a midspey in the future. Does anybody have an opinion on which reel would be the better match?

 

[sean]

In the spey world bigger is usually better when it comes to reels.

Get the BG8 which will balance well and give you enough capacity for mid belly lines. I have the 7 and only ever use it for big shooting heads and windcutters. I can just fit an 8/9 midspey with adequate backing on it unless I use gelspun.

-sean

 

[Feiger]

have the BG-7....

on my Sage 9140-4 greenie... Casting the 8/9/10 windcutter with tips and Airflo's Delta Long (65' head - mid-spey head length equivelant) on BG-7 spools, with 200+yds of 30lb dacron backing... no problem fitting either lines on there. if you're willing to spend the extra money, can't go wrong with the BG-8, and will certainly have plenty of room, but even the BG-7 will work for you.... note, the differences in taper, etc. may allow me to fit the Delta long in the 8/9, while i wouldn't be able to fit Rio's mid-spey in the 8/9, at least with the amount of backing... something to think about... still, I think if you can get 175 yds of backing on there, you should be fine, unless you're talking about BIG waters like the Thompson, etc....
The BG-7 balances the 9140 well to... and yes, i'm talking about the balance on the swing!!! :chuckle: :chuckle:
feiger

 

[Rick J]

I have both the BG 7 and 8 and if you ever want to go to a long belly line you will most certainly need the 8. I have a 9/10 xlt on the 8 and had to go to gelspun. On the 7 I have the xlt 7/8 and close to 200 yds of 30#.