Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel Review

Last Updated on 3 November 2024 by James Bevan

Overall Rating

8.0
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Score derived from the average of these ratings:

Build Quality - 8.0

Cast & Retrieve - 7.5

Drag / Clutch - 7.5

Value For Money - 9.0

Quote Marks

The Black Widow range of Daiwa’s products resonate with many Carp angler thanks to it’s renowned reliable performance at an affordable price. 

The Baitrunner reel is no exception and is yet again testament to the quality that Daiwa brings to it’s fishing tackle. 

Compare Prices

£61.19
in stock
8 new from £61.19
1 used from £61.62
as of 11 February 2025 09:16
Amazon.co.uk
£74.99
in stock
£59.99
£79.99
out of stock
Total-fishing-tackle.com
£47.50
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out of stock
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Features & Specs List With An Explanation

Features and SpecsExplanation
Gear Ratio: 4.6:1This means the spool turns 4.6 times for every one turn of the handle. This is a pretty standard gear ratio.
Weight: 478gThis is lighter than most reels of this type, making it easier to handle.
Line Capacity: 0.30mm/270mAmount of line the spool can hold, important for casting distance. The capacity here is average to similar reel types.
Drag System: Rear dragControls resistance on the line. This reel offers a lovely smooth drag.
Number of Ball Bearings: 3+1Number of bearings in the reel, affecting smoothness and performance. This reel has an average amount of bearings in comparison to its competition.
Construction Material: Aluminium spool and handleLightweight and durable materials offering strength and corrosion resistance.
Handle: Single handleProvides a balanced and comfortable grip.
Anti-Reverse System: Infinite anti-reversePrevents handle from moving backward, providing better hook sets and control.
Spool Type: Aluminium spoolDurable and lightweight spool.
Bail Arm: Air BailReduces line twist and ensures smooth line lay on the spool.
Twist Buster TechnologyReduces line twist during retrieval, ensuring smooth operation.

How The Reel Compares To Its Competitors

Here’s how the Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel compared to other budget Carp reels we have reviewed:

NameOverall RatingPrice
Fox EOS 100008.1£62.99
Shimano Baitrunner ST 10000 RB7.9£84.99
Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel8£57.77
Wychwood Riot Big Pit7.6£46.95
Daiwa Regal BR Reel7.9£39.99

Build Quality

Build Quality
8.0
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What Does This Mean?

When we assess the build quality of a fishing reel, we test and review the materials used in manufacturing the reel and how it all comes together in the finished product.

The first thing you notice about the Black Widow Baitrunner is how light it is. At 478g it is one of the lightest Carp reels I have reviewed.

It’s made primarily of high-quality graphite for the body, with an aluminium spool and handle. The graphite body offers a good balance between strength and weight, making the reel durable yet lightweight.

It features three ball bearings and one roller bearing that helps with its smooth operation and reduced friction. It also includes a lifetime bail spring, which enhances its longevity and reliability.

The Black Widow has a sleek, all-black design, making it a good-looking addition to any fishing setup and sits proudly in our list of top budget Carp reels.

Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel 2
This reel looks sleek and great on the bank

Cast And Retrieve Performance

Casting & Retrieve
7.5
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What Does This Mean?

This part of the review is fairly self-explanatory and focuses on how well the reel casts and how smooth the retrieve is.

Distance isn’t a factor in this assessment whereas accuracy and efficiency is.

On top of the actual, physical performance of the reel we also look at the number and type of ball bearings, the spool, line lay and the gear ratio in comparison to its required use.

Scoring 7.5, the Daiwa Black Widow Baitrunner reel performs well in the cast & retrieve category.

I put this down to its Airbail and Twist Buster features that reduce line twist and ensure smooth line lay. The 4.6:1 gear ratio is well-balanced and allows for efficient line retrieval, making it suitable for various fishing conditions and methods.

Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel 8
Airbail and twistbuster technology help reduce line twist

Drag / Clutch

Drag / clutch
7.5
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What Does This Mean?

When reviewing the drag system on a fishing reel we are testing how smooth the drag is and how convenient it is to use.

There is no bias as to whether a reel has a front or rear drag system, it is solely judged on how smooth it can take out line relative to the amount of pressure that it is being applied.

The Baitrunner function was beautifully smooth on all of my runs in testing. The drag was all good as well providing a smooth and consistent resistance when playing fish with adjustments easy to make. 

Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel 5
A lovely smooth Baitrunner function

Value For Money

Value For Money
9.0
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What Does This Mean?

Self-explanatory in terms of an assessment but yet an important part of the review process. This is because it creates more of a level playing field.

Of course, the more expensive a reel is the more quality components it will have and as such will generally score higher.

Having value for money as a criterion allows us to judge how well a reel performs vs its price point and in turn allows us to recognise good-performing reels at bargain prices.

Scoring an exceptional rating of 9.0 in this category, the Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel offers excellent value for money, combining Daiwa’s high-quality construction and performance features at an affordable price.

It is a cost-effective choice for anglers seeking reliability and versatility without breaking the bank and is particularly recommended to those just starting out in the sport.

The Pros & Cons Of The Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel

Here is a list of pros and cons anglers have found with the Daiwa Black Widow BR Reel

Pros

Cons

£61.19
in stock
8 new from £61.19
1 used from £61.62
as of 11 February 2025 09:16
Amazon.co.uk
£74.99
in stock
£59.99
£79.99
out of stock
Total-fishing-tackle.com
£47.50
£94.99
out of stock
Fishingtackleandbait.co.uk

If you would like to see more fishing tackle reviews as well as compare prices with various tackle shops then you can do so here.

Additional Experts & Resources Used In This Review

Here is a list of resources we have used as part of putting this review together:

Daiwa’s Official Specifications – https://www.daiwasports.co.uk/product/specialist/black-widow-br

 

About Me

About the founder

Hi, I’m James

And I have to make a confession: I am addicted to fishing and have been for over 30 years!

As part of my therapy, I’ve started to write about all things angling.

Learn more about me and my company on the about page.