Shimano Biomaster 2500FB vs Shimano Sustain 2500FG

[jgarner447]

Hey guys help me out here , what reel do you think is better? i have been looking at the biomaster for a while now and have been told they are basically a twinpower which i already have and love, is this true? the only thing that is causing some concern is the 5.0:1 gear ratio, the sustain has 6.0:1, will it make much difference?
please people who own these reels give me some feedback

Thanks again
Jase..

[scott1987]

The sustains a great reel. Ive run everything from 6lb to 16lb on it. I've got 12lb toray radius on it ATM and it performs great. Drag is super smooth. I've caught jacks to 47cms on it. Countless number of bream. Tarpon to 60cms and hasn't missed a beat. I do notice a difference with x ship though. Not a bad thing just feels different compared to reels without it. Overall can't rate the sustain highly enough. Plus I reckon it looks pretty cool with the black paintjob.

[BrizVegasBretto]

Originally Posted by jgarner447

Hey guys help me out here , what reel do you think is better? i have been looking at the biomaster for a while now and have been told they are basically a twinpower which i already have and love, is this true? the only thing that is causing some concern is the 5.0:1 gear ratio, the sustain has 6.0:1, will it make much difference?
please people who own these reels give me some feedback.

The difference in ratio between the two translates into a line retrieve difference of 73cm to 88cm. This difference is noticeable on the water. The Biomaster is better suited than the sustain for slow rolling cranks. However with the slower ratio, you can find yourself winding like a madman sometimes if a hooked fish runs towards the boat and you're trying to keep a consistent pressure on the line.

They're both nice reels, however the Sustain is just an FJ with a couple of more bearing, a touch more drag and a slick black paint job. I wouldn't say one is better than the other. They're different and it would depend on your intended application.

Originally Posted by scott1987

I do notice a difference with x ship though. Not a bad thing just feels different compared to reels without it.

They both have X-Ship.

[Spoolin]

There basically the same apart from the retrieve rate and the bio comes with the extra spool. I just got a new sustain today and it does look and feel nice.

Originally Posted by BrizVegasBretto

They're both nice reels, however the Sustain is just an FJ with a couple of more bearing, a touch more drag and a slick black paint job. I wouldn't say one is better than the other. They're different and it would depend on your intended application.

The sustain have rapid fire drag, same washers and clicker setup as the stella fe,magnumlite (ci4) rotor, extra bearing on the shaft where the spool sits and an extra 2 bearing in the handle.

[Green Hornet]

Jase, I recently switched a couple of shimanos over to exists so I've gone from 6:1 reels to 4.8:1 and don't notice a lot of difference really.
Great for hards and the subtle type of plastics bream prefer.
With blades I've been using much shorter hops than I used to with really good results, so the 4.8:1 goes well there too.
I have kept a 6:1 for the more aggressive plastics that are better suited to flathead though.

[jgarner447]

Originally Posted by Green Hornet

Jase, I recently switched a couple of shimanos over to exists so I've gone from 6:1 reels to 4.8:1 and don't notice a lot of difference really.
Great for hards and the subtle type of plastics bream prefer.
With blades I've been using much shorter hops than I used to with really good results, so the 4.8:1 goes well there too.
I have kept a 6:1 for the more aggressive plastics that are better suited to flathead though.

thanks mate , i wonder if the 5.0:1 gear ratio will effect my flathead fishing? i normally work my plastics pretty slow anyway

[HB tragic]

There's a nice Fg for sale on here at the moment with a spare spool as well. Good luck with your choice. Regards. HBt.

[jgarner447]

In all honesty im leaning more towards the Biomaster i think

[mitchmcm]

daiwa???

[jgarner447]

i have used a few daiwa in the past but did have a few probs with them ,Im sure the Higher end daiwas are really good tho ,but pretty happy with shimano gear

[mitchmcm]

Originally Posted by jgarner447

i have used a few daiwa in the past but did have a few probs with them ,Im sure the Higher end daiwas are really good tho ,but pretty happy with shimano gear

Fair enough shimano are tough and reliable that's for sure

[Green Hornet]

Originally Posted by jgarner447

thanks mate , i wonder if the 5.0:1 gear ratio will effect my flathead fishing? i normally work my plastics pretty slow anyway

I think you're pretty right mate.
The only time I reach for a 6:1 is when I'm whipping a squidgy fish, or something like that.
Even then the 5:1 is OK, the 6:1 is just a little better.
If I could have 1 reel only it would be a 5:1 for sure.

[jgarner447]

Originally Posted by Green Hornet

I think you're pretty right mate.
The only time I reach for a 6:1 is when I'm whipping a squidgy fish, or something like that.
Even then the 5:1 is OK, the 6:1 is just a little better.
If I could have 1 reel only it would be a 5:1 for sure.

yeah seems like a good all round gear ratio

[lukereneeseth]

i have both.. and i would say the bio has a smoother drag. the drag responds smoother on the big hits and 1st runs, which at the end of the day "may" help in weather your braid cuts through the leader if you happen to get a big fish strike your plastic...

on the other hand i went out an bought the sustain because i like to get out for a fish when its hell windy or been raining because i get to walk all the banks when everyone else cant be assed fishing... this is very noticable on the gear ratio... by the time i throw out a plastic 30/40 meters ive got to furiously wind to keep in check and well you know how it goes.

from my experience there is a touch more play in the bio. but thats just comparing my 2 reels.

make your choice solely on gear ratio requirements and weather you will actually you the spare spool or not... because either way you will be happy with the reel and it will handle any fishing requirements no worries.
its not a matter of one being better than the other, its which one is more suited for what you intended fishing.

to put the gear ratio into persective... ive a stella and lately ive been taking the sustain out purely on line retrieve... it does become a pain with a bit of wind when throwing plastics from the banks with the stella.

[tug speedman]

Jase It would appear that my lessons on over thinking are falling on def ears. The difference between 73cm and 88cm per wind equates to about a quatre turn of the handle. You won't notice the difference so just choose the real that you like best regardles of ratios. Unless you plan on chasing fish that require ultra fast retrieves like mackeral which neither of those reels are fast enough for.