# Daiwa BG vs KastKing Sharky III: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Daiwa BG (Daiwa) and KastKing Sharky III (KastKing) among fishing reels. KastKing Sharky III is the cheaper of the two at $67.99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Daiwa BG | KastKing Sharky III |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $149.99 | $67.99 |
| Brand | Daiwa | KastKing |
| Released | — | 2018 |
| Reel type | spinning | spinning |
| Reel size | 2500 | 5000 |
| Gear ratio | 5.6:1 | 5.2:1 |
| Max drag (lb) | — | 39.5 |
| Line retrieve per turn (in) | 33.2 | — |
| Bearing count | — | 11 |
| Weight (oz) | 9.3 | — |
| Body material | aluminum | graphite |
| Line capacity mono | 8/170 | — |
| Is saltwater rated | Yes | Yes |

## Key differences

- Reel size: Daiwa BG 2500 vs KastKing Sharky III 5000
- Gear ratio: Daiwa BG 5.6:1 vs KastKing Sharky III 5.2:1
- Body material: Daiwa BG aluminum vs KastKing Sharky III graphite

## What reviewers say

**Daiwa BG** — Two whitelisted testers — Outdoor Life's five-season hands-on review and Field & Stream's expert saltwater roundup (where the BG is the 'Best Value' pick) — rate the Daiwa BG a standout value saltwater spinning reel: smooth, strong and reliable at a price just over $100. Neither published benchmark numbers. Flaws are largely single-source: not fully waterproof, a small handle knob, a switchable anti-reverse the reviewer dislikes, and some added weight. (2 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Daiwa BG: https://daiwa.us/products/bg-sw-spinning (daiwa.us, verified 2026-07-11)
- KastKing Sharky III: https://kastking.com/products/kastking-sharky-iii-fishing-reel (kastking.com, verified 2026-07-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/fishing-reels/daiwa-bg-vs-kastking-sharky-iii/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Daiwa BG ($149.99) vs KastKing Sharky III ($67.99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/fishing-reels/daiwa-bg-vs-kastking-sharky-iii/
License: CC BY 4.0.