Spinning Reel Sizes

The spinning reel has become one of the most popular types of fishing reels today. They are commonly used by young and beginning anglers. The reel is popular for its long distances casting. There are many sizes when it comes to spinning reels and most of these sizes are dictated by the fishing line it will hold. For instance, extremely light fishing with lightweight fishing line will have a much smaller spinning reel, as opposed to a bigger reel used for bass fishing. In spite of the size, the mechanisms of this reel remain the same.

Spinning reel sizes explained

The sizes of the spinning reel can be a bit confusing as there are two different size classifications in use. Some reel makers categorize their spinning reel sizes from 10, 20, 30, etc. While other producers categorize their size as 1000, 2000, 3000, etc. For instance, a reel size 10 corresponds to a reel size 1000; a size 25 corresponds to a size 2500, etc.

Spinning reel size for bass

When choosing a spinning reel size for bass fishing, the basic thing to have in mind is that at the end of the day, any size will still catch fish. It will depend on your personal preferences when deciding which reel size is right for you. With that said, let’s take a look at the five top options to choose from.

Reel Size: 10 (1000)

This is the lightest and the smallest reel use for bass fishing. Some people argue that the 1000 size the spinning reel can be used to fished any size of freshwater fish without any problem. Though this may be right, but there are drawbacks to this reel size, such as less storage capacity, this can at times mean a narrower spool. And small spool sizes can sometimes lead to tangling and the reel may not able to retrieve the line at the same speed as large reels.

Advantages

• The light weight gives the user more control
• Increased sensitivity
• It reduces stress on your wrist.

Disadvantages

• With this reel, the user is to some extent limited in the size of the fish to target.
• The capacity of the line is less in the spool
• Increased chance of line tangle
• The reels cannot retrieve as fast as larger reels.

Reel Size: 20 (2000)

The 2000 reel size is not as popular as the slightly larger 2500 size, but offer similar results with a lighter weight. Note that the 2000 size reel is the slight version of the multipurpose 2500 size reel. The truth is that a 2000 size reel from one manufacturer could be as large as a 2500 reel from another company, so make sure you pay attention to individual specifications for each reel size.

Advantage

• This is an ideal choice for those who value the flexibility of the 2500 size but desire a little bit of control over their rod.
• It less stress on your wrist

Disadvantage

• It is a little less versatile than the 2500 size reel
• It cannot reel as fast as bigger reels.

Reel Size: 25 (2500)

The versatility of this reel makes it one of the most popular spinning reel sizes. The reel is not too big to become cumbersome, but it is big enough to extend as long as you will need and is large enough to allow for a wide pool of line that will not tangle. The 2500 spinning reel is excellent for bass fishing, it is perhaps the best spinning reel size for bass as it strikes the balance between being lightweight and still having a good line capacity and drag system. The preferred fishing lines are the monofilament line of about 8 pounds and braid line of about 12 pounds, which are the best match to most light weight rigs and small baits.

Advantages

• It has the ultimate flexibility in spinning reel size; with this reel size you may not have to lose sleep about buying another reel.

Disadvantages

• It is not as light as 1000 or 2000 size reels.

Reel Size: 30 (3000)

The 3000 size is the beginning of the large size spinning reels for bass fishing. One of the advantages of a larger reel is that the bigger it is, the more it allows you to cast a distance. A wide spool is an important feature that bass fishing professionals are always looking for.  This is because a wider spool tends to offer a smoother overall feel with the reel and line; they are less prone to tangle and are very effective at casting a braided line with ease.

Advantage

• It comes with a larger spool and extra strength
• A larger spool makes it easier for the line to come out without tangling

Disadvantage

• It could be very large and uncomfortable in certain hands
• Those that prefer lighter-weight options may not like the size.

Reel Size: 35 (3500)

This is one of the perfect options if you do most of your fishing on large lakes. The 3500 reel size can hold rods up to 10 feet long and are the perfect choice for trolling larger fish in a big lake. This is not an ideal tool if you do a lot of your fishing on average-sized lakes. The following are some of the advantages and disadvantages of fishing this reel.

Advantage

• This reel is a little bit faster and has the ability to cast further
• There is less chance of the line tangling with a wider spool
• It allows a braided line to come out smoothly.

Disadvantage

• It could be too large for some hands.

The best spinning reel size Chart for bass:

One of the most common uses for spinning reels is to catch bass (both large-mouth and small-mouth). So, the best reel size for bass fishing cannot be given as a single size, but as a series of recommended sizes in the following chart.