The fishing lover uses a spinning reel to catch the fishes that make the finishing process incredibly easy. Although many spinning reels are available on the market, most fishing lovers remain confused about How To Choose The Right Spinning Reel Size. Choosing the right spinning reel becomes a challenging task for them.
How to choose the right spinning Reel size
If one does not know what to look for when buying a spinning reel, buying becomes problematic, and one must fear that it will not be suitable for fishing. Every angel has their own opinions related to both fishing and casting reels.
An angler uses a spinning reel to catch fish with long, lightweight, and heavy lures by spreading it out into the water and then shooting it into the fish. Moreover, the spinning setup is easy to use, comfortable, needs less effort, and ideal for everyone to catch the fish inside both fresh and saltwater.
On the contrary, casting rods are attached to the casting reel to make the casting setup, and it isn’t easy to use compared to the spinning reels. In addition to that, the casting setup is no doubt hard to use, but at the same time, it is precise, reasonable control, and can support heavier lures.
Essentially, the significant difference between a spinning reel and a casting reel is that a spinning reel uses bail to release the line, whereas the casting reel has a button to press to release it. Please read our complete article to upgrade your knowledge in purchasing reels for information about choosing the right spinning reel size.
Spinning Reel Breakdown
To learn about how to choose the best spinning reel size, you must know all about every part of the Spinning Reel. Let us examine each part closely.
Reel Handle:
A reel handle helps to in line the spool and the Reel.
Drag Adjustments:
A drag adjustment system is used to stop the fish. It is better to make the system strong so that it can control it easily.
Bail:
Traditionally, wires used to wrap around the spool without resistance if they were open. As soon as the bail is closed, the spool gets back in line.
What Size of Reel Do I Need?
Spinning reel sizes explained
- 1000 to 3500 (or 10 – 35)
This class reels are small reels likely to be used for a lightweight 6 – 7ft rod targeting small fish species. Typically the monofilament line weight range for these smaller reels is 2-10lb (1-5kg) or 4-14lb braid. - 4000 to 5500 (or 40 – 55)
These type of reels are medium sized reels likely for a 6-7ft snapper or barramundi style rod. Typically the monofilament line weight range is 8-14lb (4-7kg) or 8-25lb braid. - 6000 to 9500 (or 60 – 95)
Reels belongs to this class are large spinning reels that suit varied rod sizes including heavy-weight boat roads or surf / rock fishing rods. Typically the monofilament line weight range is 6-15kg+ or 12-30lb braid.
There are much larger spinning reels which are suitable for surf / rock fishing and game / offshore boat fishing classed from 10000 to 30000 with line weight classes suiting 10-30kg monofilament line or 30-80lb braid. These big reels are also good for lure fishing using big poppers for giant trevally and other pelagic sport fish.
When you decide how to choose the suitable spinning reel sizes, the size of the Reel is one of the prime factors you must keep in mind while deciding. You must match the size of the Reel with your existing spinning rod to get an ideal result.
It is not good to attach the big size reel with a light spinning rod or the small-sized Reel with a powerful rod. We have mentioned below some compatibility of spinning reel and rod w.r.t reel size.
| Spinning Reel Size | Compatible Rod | Recommended Catches |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 to 3500 (10 to 35) | Suitable for very light to fair power rod | For Small Fishes |
| 4000 to 5500 (40 to 55) | Ideal for the medium power rod | For Small & Medium Fishes |
| 6000 to 9500 (60 to 95) | Enough for medium to little heavy rod | For Large/Heavy Fishes |
| 10000 and up | Perfect for the super heavy rod | For Heavy Fishes |
Pair of Size Line with Reels?
As the rod’s power, line size is another important factor in choosing the spinning reel size. You must be careful while deciding the line and the setup. Furthermore, must balance the line with the setup.
The lighter setup on a heavy line or a heavy setup on a lighter line is terrible. In this way, you could not get fruitful results, and every time, the line breaks off.
Furthermore, a heavy setup will create heavy pressure on the lighter line, and then that pressure will transfer to the lighter rod as well. In this manner, there is also a fair probability of damaging the lighter rod.
If you don’t have the balance idea, check the below-provided pairs of lines and Reel and buy them according to your need.
| Reel Size | Recommended Mono Line Strength | Recommended Braid Line Strength | Recommended Applications | Recommended Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 (10) | 1Kg-2kg (2-4lb) | 4-8lb | Medium fishing in freshwater and saltwater | Trout, Bluegill, Crappie |
| 2000 (20) | 2kg-3kg (4-6lb) | 4-8lb | Medium fishing in freshwater and saltwater | Bass, Trout, Crappie, Yellow Perch |
| 2500 (25) | 2.5kg-4kg (5-8lb) | 5-12lb | Medium fishing in freshwater and saltwater | Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch |
| 3000 (30) | 3kg-5kg (6-10lb) | 6-14lb | Medium fishing in freshwater and saltwater | Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Catfish |
| 3500 (35) | 3kg-5kg (6-10lb) | 6-14lb | Medium fishing in freshwater and saltwater | Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Catfish |
| 4000 (40) | 4kg-6kg (8-12lb) | 8-20lb | Medium fishing in freshwater and saltwater | Catfish, Muskie, Walleye, Snook, Redfish, Snapper |
| 4500 (45) | 4kg-6kg (8-12lb) | 8-20lb | Medium fishing in freshwater and saltwater | Catfish, Muskie, Snook, Redfish, Snapper |
| 5000 (50) | 5kg-7kg (10-14lb) | 10-25lb | Medium fishing in freshwater and saltwater | Catfish, Muskie, Snook, Redfish |
| 5500 (55) | 5kg-7kg (10-14lb) | 10-25lb | Medium fishing in freshwater and saltwater | Catfish, Muskie, Snook, Redfish, Snapper |
| 6000 (60) | 6kg-8kg (12-16lb) | 12-30lb | Medium inshore & offshore fishing | Bass, Salmon, Snook, Redfish, Snapper |
| 6500 (65) | 6kg-8kg (12-16lb) | 12-30lb | Medium inshore & offshore fishing | Bass, Salmon, Snook, Redfish, Snapper |
| 7000 (70) | 7kg-9kg (14-18lb) | 15-40lb | Medium inshore & offshore fishing | Bass, Salmon, Snook, Redfish, Snapper |
| 7500 (75) | 8kg-10kg (16-20lb) | 20-50lb | Medium inshore & offshore fishing | Bass, Salmon, Snook, Redfish, Snapper |
| 8000 (80) | 8kg-10kg (16-20lb) | 20-50lb | Medium inshore & offshore fishing | Roosterfish, Dorado, Barracuda, Amberjack |
| 8500 (85) | 9kg-11kg (18-22lb) | 30-50lb | Medium inshore & offshore fishing | Roosterfish, Dorado, Barracuda, Wahoo |
| 9000 (or 90) | 9kg-11kg (18-22lb) | 30-50lb | Medium inshore & offshore fishing | Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Amberjack |
| 9500 (95) | 10kg-12.5kg (20-25lb) | 30-50lb | Medium inshore & offshore fishing | Wahoo, Roosterfish, Barracuda, Amberjack |
| 10,000 (100) | 10kg-12.5kg (20-25lb) | 30-60lb | Medium/Heavy fishing in inshore & offshore saltwater | Tuna, Wahoo, Dorado, Shark |
| 10,500 (105) | 11kg-13.5kg (22-27lb) | 30-60lb | Medium/Heavy fishing in inshore & offshore saltwater | Tuna, Wahoo, Dorado, Shark |
Types Of Reels Specific For Water & Species
If you catch the small species and fishes, then a small spin reel is perfect for catching the bass, trouts, panfish, bream, and smallmouth.
You can easily do it at any lakes, bays, ponds, or small rivers. Similarly, a medium-level setup is enough for the smaller salmon, cod, largemouth, and walleye.
But if you have a reasonable budget and a big working space, then a large setup is perfect for you. In this way, you can easily catch the big fishes and are ideal for large lake fishing, surf fishing, rock fishing, and boat fishing.
Additionally, if you want to target the big giant like sharks, marlin, halibut, tuna, you have to set up a massive setup that needs more money and effort.
Different Between Freshwater Reel and Saltwater Reel
The saltwater reel is much better than a freshwater reel, but it is expensive too. The reason is that the saltwater reel is made up of corrosion material that keeps it rust-free at every stage. Another difference is that the price is too high as compared to freshwater Reel.
For that purpose, if you want to buy a new reel and you know you use it frequently for fishing purposes, then you should go with the saltwater reel that is much durable and lasts longer than freshwater reels.
Worth Buying
As we discuss how to choose the right spinning reel size, we never ignore the factor that gives worth to our money. Our prime purpose is to provide the best information based on our personal experience about spinning reels.
We have not ignored the cost of spinning reels while writing about spinning reel size. If you buy a spinning reel for saltwater, it can end up being quite costly for you, but, at the same time, it will become your best companion in the following years of fishing.
Another factor that affects the price directly is the material used in the spinning Reel and the number of bearings. Besides, the line’s capacity will also affect the price if you intend to cover an area over a hundred yards.
Final Thought
Well, suppose you are a beginner and don’t have previous experience about choosing the right spinning reel size. Read the complete information attentively and get what exactly you want. If you are still confused about what exactly you purchase, you may ask any questions in the comments section.
