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Most baitcasting reels are available in sizes from 100 to 400, however there are these on the market with sizes between 10 and 40.
When choosing your reel, you need to have a look at the primary digit to make sure you make the perfect buy for your self. It’s value noting that baitcaster sizes will not be massively standardized, so there is usually a massive distinction between producers.
Some producers don’t even comply with a sizing conference! As an alternative, some producers will use their line capability score that you should utilize to decide on your measurement.
Fortunately a lot of the main manufacturers use the 100 to 400 measurement score, so after getting mastered that, you may comply with alongside to search out out which baitcaster is finest for you.
Baitcasting Reel Sizes Chart
| Baitcaster reel measurement | Retrieve price | Max drag | Advisable use | Weight | Line capability (lb/yd) |
| 50 | 23” to 29.” | 10lb | Ultralight fishing for bass and trout | 5oz | 12/65 |
| 70 | 23” to 32.” | 10lb | Finesse Fishing for bass | 6oz | 12/85 |
| 100 | 26” to 34.” | 11lb | Most bass fishing | 7oz | 12/120 |
| 200 | 26” to 36.” | 12lb | Heavy bass fishing | 8oz | 12/200 |
| 300 | 26” to 36.” | 22lb | Inshore saltwater fishing | 11oz | 12/260 |
| 400 | 26” to 38.” | 25lb | Inshore saltwater fishing | 12oz | 12/330 |
Whereas the specs can fluctuate between the fashions, the traits on the desk can be utilized. We will see that smaller baitcasting reels are typically lighter and include decrease retrieval speeds, drag strain, and line capability.
That is normally attributed to the lighter weight of the reel. These smaller reels may even naturally have much less room for line, therefore the decrease line capability. However why are we noticing decrease most retrieval charges and drag strain on the smaller reels?
First, let’s have a look at the retrieval price. The retrieval price is set by each the diameter of the spool and the gear ratio. The gear ratio exhibits what number of instances the spool rotates whenever you flip the deal with as soon as.
This determines the velocity of your retrieval price, with increased gear ratios translating to quicker retrieval charges. Together with this, the spool diameter additionally impacts retrieval velocity. When you flip a big spool as soon as, it should wrap extra traces across the spool than in case you turned a smaller spool as soon as.
The quantity of line spooled per flip of the deal with will fluctuate relying on how huge the spool is, and it’ll additionally fluctuate relying on how a lot line is already on the spool too!
You probably have a small reel and solid your lure far out, you’ll discover a decrease retrieval price in the beginning quite than on the finish of your retrieval.
Larger spools additionally present extra floor space for the drag system to use strain and generate friction. It’s due to this that we see greater reels include increased most drag strain.
100 Dimension Baitcaster
Transferring up in measurement, we’ve got the 100 baitcaster. That is thought-about the perfect all-round choice for low-profile baitcasters. It’s one of the crucial widespread sizes used for bass fishing and can work nicely with most bass fishing purposes.
A few of the hottest fashions are:
- KastKing Pace Demon
- Daiwa Tatula 100
- lew’s Pace Spool
Some producers additionally provide a 150 measurement baitcaster which sits bang in between a 100 and 200. The Tatula 150 and Shimano SLX are positive examples for casting heavier lures or utilizing stronger traces.
Bass anglers typically select to make use of a 150 measurement reel when fishing near cowl as you may spool a heavier braid, serving to to struggle via cowl and get your fish!
If you’re pitching jigs or flipping close to heavy cowl, then an extra-strong line might be a good suggestion! And a 150 reel permits you to spool extra of this reel with ease.
200 Dimension Baitcaster
Transferring up in measurement, we’ve got the 200 baitcaster, which is right on your heavy bass fishing wants! We suggest this measurement if you wish to spool a 65 or 85lb check braided line. So what are among the higher 200 baitcasters?
Nicely, you might select from any of the next:
- KastKing Royale Legend II 200
- Shimano Curado 200
- Daiwa Tatula 200
So what’s so good about these reels? Nicely, they’ve a far larger line capability than smaller fashions, which means you may anticipate longer casting distances.
Now, casting distances may not appear overly vital for these trying to do some bass fishing, however in case you are fishing massive flats or open water bass, then the lengthy line capability is bound to come in useful!
Some anglers additionally like to make use of this measurement reel when fishing topwater frogs on prolonged grass flats. These 200 measurement baitcasters will permit you to obtain larger casting distances, masking extra floor!
300 Dimension Baitcaster
Subsequent, we’ve got the 300 sizes, that are generally used for saltwater fishing. It incorporates a a lot increased line capability and most drag strain than the smaller fashions we’ve got checked out.
What does that imply for you? It means you may spool stronger check traces and throw greater lures over longer distances, permitting you to struggle greater fish!
Does that sound like the scale reel for you? Nicely, select from considered one of our three selections under!
- Shimano Tranx 300
- Shimano Curado 300
- Daiwa Lexa 300
Just like the 200s we simply checked out, a 300 reel will ship additional lengthy casting distances ideally suited for a spread of various fishing conditions the place you want the additional size.
400 Dimension Baitcaster
Lastly, we’ve got the largest measurement right now, the 400 measurement reel. These are solely used for saltwater fishing and usually function an all-metal building.
400 reels normally include shielded ball bearings too, which assist to stop corrosion we frequently see brought on by saltwater fishing. Into saltwater fishing? Then select from considered one of these reels:
- Shimano Calcutta 400
- Shimano Tranx 400
- Daiwa Lexa 400
These greater reels are constructed to deal with the additional stress casting and retrieving greater rigs and baits may give, particularly in stronger currents.
However ensure that they’ve shielded ball bearings to make sure they’ll deal with the salt water and sand publicity with out getting broken or jammed.
Ultimate ideas
And there you might have it! The completely different sizes of baitcaster reels can be found, and a few useful suggestions that will help you determine which is the perfect measurement for you!
You’ll want to spend a while contemplating the perks of all these sizes earlier than choosing the right match for you.
Keep in mind, you want loads of line capability and casting distances to struggle bigger fish, however smaller ones can get away with extra light-weight and smaller reels.
