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In terms of selecting the dimensions of your spinning reel, it’s going to rely on what sort of fishing you’re planning on doing. Some questions you may ask your self embrace:
- What measurement fish are you attempting to catch?
- What line power are you pondering of utilizing?
- Will you be going saltwater or freshwater fishing?
The final rule of thumb is that saltwater spinning reels should be bigger than freshwater reels. It is because they sometimes have to deal with stronger traces and larger fish.
Saltwater fishing additionally requires longer line capability, as saltwater species are inclined to make longer ‘runs’ as soon as they’ve been hooked. Frequent sense-wise, if you’re going after bigger fish, you will have a bigger spinning reel.
For instance, should you’re after bluegill, you’ll solely want a measurement 1000 spinning reel. Nevertheless, should you’re desirous to catch one thing as huge as a tuna, you will have one thing like a measurement 10,000 spinning reel.
Totally different Spinning Reel Sizes Defined
In terms of spinning reel sizes, it will possibly get a bit of complicated as there are two totally different measurement classifications which might be each utilized by reel producers.
For instance, some reel producers will use sizes beginning with 10, 20, 30, 40, and so forth, as their measurement classification. Nevertheless, different producers will classify sizes utilizing 1000, 2000, 3000, and so forth.
These two programs are mainly the identical. To assist restrict confusion, a measurement 10 reel measurement is equal to 1000. Equally, measurement 35 is identical as 3500.
To simplify, you solely really want to concentrate to the primary two numbers of the reel measurement. This may make it simpler to match the dimensions throughout totally different manufacturers and fashions that you just’re taking a look at.
Small Spinning Reels (1000-3500 / 10-35)
These smaller spinning reels are excellent for light-weight rods that are within the 6 to 7-foot vary, and are nice for concentrating on species that weigh as much as 15 kilos.
Small spinning reels work finest with 2-10 pound monofilament traces, or 4-14 pound braided traces. Small-sized spinning reels are sometimes used for freshwater fishing, it’s also possible to use them on some coastal areas.
| Reel Measurement | Mono Line Power (lbs) | Really useful Fishing Sort | Really useful Species (Based mostly in North America) |
| 1000 or 10 | 2-4 | Ultralight fishing in freshwater, harbors and bays. | Yellow Perch, Trout, Bluegill, and Crappie. |
| 2000 or 20 | 4-6 | Ultralight fishing in freshwater, harbors and bays. | Yellow Perch, Trout, Bluegill, and Bass. |
| 2500 or 25 | 5-8 | Mild fishing in freshwater, harbors and bays. | Northern Pike, Walleye, and Bass. |
| 3000 or 30 | 6-10 | Mild fishing in freshwater, harbors and bays. | Northern Pike, Walleye, Bass, and Catfish. |
| 3500 or 35 | 6-10 | Mild fishing in freshwater, harbors and bays. | Northern Pike, Walleye, Bass, and Catfish. |
Medium Spinning Reels (4000-5500 / 40-55)
In case your rod is someplace in between the 7 and 8-foot vary, then a medium sized spinning reel is ideal for you.
Medium sized spinning reels work finest with both 8-14 pound monofilament traces, or 10-25 pound braided traces, and are one of the best sized reels for concentrating on mid-sized species as much as 30 kilos.
Skilled anglers have a tendency to make use of medium spinning reels for heavier freshwater fishing, or for inshore saltwater fishing.
| Reel Measurement | Mono Size Power (lbs) | Really useful Fishing Sort | Really useful Species (Based mostly in North America) |
| 4000 or 40 | 8-20 | Medium fishing in freshwater or inshore saltwater fishing. | Snook, Snapper, Redfish, and Catfish. |
| 4500 or 45 | 8-20 | Medium fishing in freshwater or inshore saltwater fishing. | Snook, Snapper, Redfish, and Catfish. |
| 5000 or 50 | 10-25 | Medium fishing in freshwater or inshore saltwater fishing. | Snook, Snapper, Redfish, and Catfish. |
| 5500 or 55 | 10-25 | Medium fishing in freshwater or inshore saltwater fishing. | Snook, Snapper, Redfish, and Catfish. |
Giant Spinning Reels (6000-30,000 / 60-300)
Bigger, heavier sized spinning reels are perfect for heavy rods that are used for rock fishing and offshore boat fishing.
When you’re concentrating on massive species that may weigh as much as or greater than 150 kilos, you would possibly need to think about using a big spinning reel. These reels work finest with a 12-60 pound monofilament line, or a 24-100 pound braided line.
Usually, massive spinning reels are used for saltwater fishing and are utilized by anglers who’re after the massive recreation species.
| Reel Measurement | Mono Line Power (lbs) | Really useful Fishing Sort | Really useful Species (Based mostly in North America) |
| 6000 or 60 – 6500 or 65 | 12-30 | Medium inshore fishing and offshore saltwater. | Snook, Salmon, Striped Bass and Redfish / Crimson Drum. |
| 7000 or 70 – 7500 or 75 | 15-50 | Medium inshore fishing and offshore saltwater. | Snook, Salmon, Striped Bass and Redfish / Crimson Drum. |
| 8000 or 80 – 8500 or 85 | 20-50 | Medium inshore fishing and offshore saltwater. | Amberjack, Barracuda, Dorado, Roosterfish, and Wahoo. |
| 9000 or 90 – 9500 or 95 | 30-50 | Medium inshore fishing and offshore saltwater. | Amberjack, Barracuda, Dorado, Roosterfish, and Wahoo. |
| 10,000 or 100 – 10,500 or 105 | 30-60 | Medium / Heavy inshore fishing and offshore saltwater. | Dorado, Tuna, Shark, and Wahoo. |
| 12,000 or 120 – 14,000 or 140 | 30-70 | Medium / Heavy offshore saltwater fishing. | Dorado, Tuna, Shark, and Wahoo. |
| 16,000 or 160 – 18,000 or 180 | 40-70 | Medium / Heavy offshore saltwater fishing. | Dorado, Tuna, Shark, and Wahoo. |
| 20,000 or 200 – 25,000 or 250 | 50-80 | Heavy offshore saltwater fishing. | Big Trevally, Giant Species Tuna, Tarpon, and Sailfish. |
| 30,000 or 300 | 80-100 | Heavy offshore saltwater fishing. | Big Trevally, Giant Species Tuna, Tarpon, and Sailfish. |
Greatest Measurement for Totally different Makes use of
Bass Fishing
| Reel Measurement | Mono Line Power (lbs) | Braided Line Power (lbs) |
| 2000 or 20 | 4-6 | 5-10 |
| 2500 or 25 | 5-8 | 5-12 |
| 3000 or 30 | 6-10 | 6-14 |
| 3500 or 35 | 6-10 | 6-14 |
The precise measurement of the spinning reel you will have for bass fishing often depends upon the approach you can be utilizing. For instance, should you’re utilizing ultralight lures when finesse fishing, you’ll need to use a 2000/20 measurement spinning reel.
Alternatively, should you’re utilizing bigger lures you’ll need to go for a bigger reel measurement like a 3000/30 or 3500/35. A standard false impression amongst anglers is that you just want a bigger fishing reel measurement if you wish to catch bigger bass.
Nevertheless, this isn’t essentially true, as bass don’t are inclined to make lengthy ‘runs’ like most saltwater recreation fish. Due to this, it is possible for you to to tire out an 8 pound bass utilizing a 2000/20 sized spinning reel, with out encountering any issues.
When you’re uncertain, it’s finest to make use of a 2500/25 or 3000/35 sized spinning reel, as that is someplace in the course of the vary.
Surf Fishing
Surf fishing features a very massive vary of fishing purposes and methods. It will probably embrace going after something from small snappers to massive and robust fish.
Surf fishing may even embrace catching sharks which have come near shore. Due to this vary, it may be troublesome to make a suggestion for a sure reel measurement that’s excellent for surf fishing.
With that being stated, surf casting reels are inclined to lie someplace within the vary of 5000/50 to 8000/80 measurement spinning reels. Most anglers will use a 6000/60 sized spinning reel for surf fishing.
Surf fishing reels are someplace in between medium to massive sized spinning reels. They will typically be on the bigger facet, as they usually require a big spool or line capability as you want a higher casting distance.
Inexperienced persons
When you’ve solely simply begun fishing, it’s extremely probably that you just’re not solely certain what sort of fishing you can be doing. Most inexperienced persons wish to strive just a few totally different fishing types to seek out which one they like essentially the most.
Nevertheless, if you’re a newbie, you don’t need to spend an excessive amount of cash on totally different fishing reels.
Usually, one of the best (and most secure) choice is to purchase a medium measurement reel, as this can mean you can fish with a lighter sort out in freshwater and use heavier tackles in saltwater.
For inexperienced persons, we advocate getting a 3000/30 to 4000/40 sized reel. These sizes will mean you can catch all kinds of fish utilizing various totally different fishing methods.
Conclusion
In terms of selecting a spinning reel measurement, there isn’t any precise science to it, nevertheless, we hope that this information may also help you discover the proper measurement reel for the kind of fishing you plan to do.
Simply bear in mind to just be sure you use a spinning rod with a spinning reel, as baitcaster reels or rods gained’t work with both (and vice versa).
