In this Accurate Valiant BV-300 / BV-400 / BV2-400 review we will take a look at why the Accurate name has come to mean high-tech, high-quality and durable over the last 29 years.
Home of the patented twin drag system Accurate has produced several reels for both light-tackle and blue water. Today, we look at a few of their versatile models. The Boss Valiant BV-300, BV-400, and the BV2-400 a 2-speed version.
These American-made reels can take you from inshore to offshore, and more. The BV-300 is a smaller lightweight option (9.9 oz) ideal for live bait coastal fishing, or snapper fishing around reefs, while still offering you versatility in target school-sized tuna or yellowtail.
The BV-400 and the BV2-400 (a two-speed version of the 400) weigh in about 50% more than the BV-300 while remaining lightweight (around 14 oz). They fall perfectly into the emerging market for small reels that can tackle the big fish.
These workhorse reels offer a rugged aircraft-grade aluminum body along with sturdy construction to offer durability akin to larger reels and the power to bring in your next trophy.
The Bottom Line
- This is one of the nicest compact conventional-style reels around.
- Extremely lightweight and strong
- High level of manufacturing quality throughout, Made in the USA
- Very durable aircraft aluminum body and stainless steel gears
The Accurate Valiant conventional reels are excellent workhorses.
Features
6061 T6 Aircraft Aluminum body
The rugged aircraft’s aluminum body has a unique curvature that is accurate based on the Roman arches and domes, granting it thinness for weight while maintaining strength. This makes the reel appreciably stronger while using less material.
Anodized for increased corrosion resistance
Normally you need special care to prevent corrosion at the hands of the salt air and saltwater in our favorite offshore fishing environment. However, the Anodization process adds a protective layer to the body of this reel protecting it from the elements longer.
Smooth, Easy Find Cam Stop Strike
Rather than having buttons at free-spool and strike the BV series has the easy find cam stop strike. This unique feature has a secure indent in the drag cam that stops the drag lever before it goes into full. Valid in the heat of battle when going too far into drag would cause more harm than good.
Sleeved spool for more excellent Free spool
The sleeved spool design on the BV series allows for improved casting and improves your control when live baiting.
Precision-cut 17-4 Heat Treated Stainless Steel Gears and Gear Shaft
These gears are designed to last. Not as soft as the brass gears you find in other reels, the strength of the teeth helps prevent slippage allowing you to bring in that lunker steadily.
The strength these gears offer is only matched by how light they are. Accurate designed them with strategic cutouts to offer a reduction in weight without compromising strength.
Patented Twin Drag
This system is Accurate’s own patented design. The twin drag system has become very popular over the life of the company and incorporated into all the designs we are looking at today (BV-300, BV-400, and BV2-400).
The system works by having two stainless steel friction washers on either side of the spool allowing a whopping 23 lbs of maximum drag off of the BV-300 alone and slightly more off of the larger models.
Accustop Calibrated Drag Lever
The lever drag on the BV series differs from those of other drag reels. The lever has graduated points where you can place it without fear of it moving afterward. This system gives you a way to increase drag incrementally.
It also has stops at the free-spool and maximum drag settings. You can exceed both settings if you need to however, the stops are a safety feature to prevent you from losing a fish from slipping into free-spool or max drag.
Lever Drag Recessed Ergonomic Thumb Plate
The recessed ergonomic drag lever thumb plate ensures that you can comfortably manipulate your drag settings even in the midst of battle. There are no buttons to fumble with, only this easy-to-use thumb plate.
Patented Direct Shift 2-speed mechanism
Another amazing patented design from Accurate the direct shift 2-speed mechanism on the BV2-400 allows for a quick and easy change in the gear ratio with the push or pull of a plunger button. If your prey goes deep on you, you can switch to low speed quickly.
Likewise, if it takes a run at the boat you can put the reel in high speed and retrieve the line quickly.
2 Stainless Steel ARB bearings with seal washers for improved corrosion resistance
These reels feature a pair of sealed anti-reverse bearings for smooth operation at high drag settings.
2 – Year Free Service Program
Accurate offers a 2-year free service program on the BV Series reels. Ship the reel to the Accurate postage paid along with your sales receipt or other proof of date of purchase. Make sure you include a description of the issue you are having. Accurate will correct the problem and send it back to you.
Made in the USA
With quality parts made in the USA, you know they’re made to last.
Features at a Glance
- 6061 T6 Aircraft Aluminum body
- Anodized for increased corrosion resistance
- Smooth, Easy Find Cam Stop Strike
- Sleeved spool for greater Free spool
- Precision-Cut 17-4 Heat Treated Stainless Steel Gears and Gear Shaft
- Patented Twin Drag
- Accustop Calibrated Drag Lever
- Lever Drag Recessed Ergonomic Thumb Plate
- Patented DirecShift 2-speed mechanism
- 2 Stainless Steel ARB bearings with seal washers for improved corrosion resistance
- 2 – Year Free Service Program
- Made in the USA
Overall these are powerful reels, with a smooth drag system. The corrosion-resistant, sturdy, carefully engineered construction of these reels say they are in it for the long haul. They have a 1-year limited warranty in addition to the 2-year service plan.
Accurate recommends performing some maintenance to the reel at least once per year to keep it in top shape. If you do then I assure you these reels will last for years and perform beautifully while doing so.
The versatility offered by these reels will open up a broad range of species for you to target from bottom fishing to high-speed pelagics, and allows you to lighten your load when going out as you can use one reel instead of a few reels.
I have targeted everything from big red snapper, grouper and sea bass on the bottom to yellowfin, yellowtail, striper, mahi-mahi, barracuda, and cobia. These reels will handle fish up to the 50-60 lb range. One that I have not gotten on the other end of the line yet is a nice-sized sailfish, but I will keep on trying.
While Accurate reels have become popular in the last few years the company is still relatively unknown to many. I will tell you that once you have used a reel from Accurate you’ll account for their products from then on when choosing your gear.
The reels are definitely on the more expensive side, but as you know we like to fish lightweight gear and in this case, you get a nice lightweight reel that is designed with strength in mind.
I strongly recommend you try these reels for yourself and discover the power and strength behind the Boss Valiant series of reels.
For those who do not see the left-handed option on the table below do not fear. Accurate states that left-handed models are available upon request. After checking places like TackleDirect, the left-handed options are simply the model number with an L placed after it. For example BV-300L.
Field Test
On a recent trip out of San Diego, we put the Accurate Valiant BV-300 to the test on some yellowfin. We were primarily fishing with live bait and the action was hot. The schools were thick with most fish in the 10-20 lb range.
The BV-300 was super smooth to retrieve and the twin drag system was very easy to adjust. I appreciated the large what I would refer to as a power handle. The know is large and gives you a great grip even when your hands are slimy from catching one fish after another.
Later in the day, I decided to try a few topwater lures to test out the 38″ retrieve rate and I was not disappointed. I was able to get an excellent topwater bite and there is nothing I like more than watching a fish just crush my lure as it skips across the surface of the water.
Overall I will say that the reel performed flawlessly and I would give this 5 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Super lightweight and strong
- High-end materials throughout
- Powerful, easy-to-use twin-drag system
- Versatile for a wide range of fishing
Cons
- No bait clicker on the BV-300
- A little on the pricey side
Alternatives
If you want this particular conventional style of a reel, and want to try and save a few dollars then I would have you take a look at the Avet SX Single Speed which will run about 2/3 of the cost but you do sacrifice something in overall quality and weight.
Also from Avet is the SX 2-Speed Lever Drag which again is a good reel at about 2/3 of the price but is also heavier and made with slightly lower quality materials.
From Shimano, look at the Tekota A Levelwind in the 500 as an alternative to the BV-400. You will save a few dollars here and get Shimano quality. What you do not get is the twin-drag system. Drag and line capacity are pretty close.
Last but not least I would have you take a look at the offering from Penn, the Penn Fathom Lever Drag which is available in both a single and 2-speed model. This is a lower price point reel and has a die-cast vs machined body, lower grade aluminum and is quite a bit heavier. However, the price point is about half of the Accurate Valiant BV series.
In Conclusion
Overall this is an excellent series of reels. The BV-300, BV-400, and BV2-400 are worth the asking price if you have it in your budget. The sturdy construction and well-engineered design help them outperform other reels in their weight class.
The smooth operation and easily manipulated drag allow for an enjoyable experience when using these reels. Accurate’s reels live up to their reputation as high-tech and powerful tools in your arsenal.
If you’re looking for a versatile reel for offshore and some nearshore fishing that will last you years, the Boss Valiant series from Accurate is an excellent choice.
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