besides weight and line capacity, what are the advantages and disadvantages of 20-40 size spinning reels?

 

What do you guys prefer and why?

Longer reach to line on bigger reels.  Bigger coils on larger reels so it should help with casting.  I switched to baitcasting gear when I got back into fishing because I didn't like the long reach to the line on my brother-in-law's bass spinning reels.  I had been fishing ultralight gear when I quit.

 

EDIT:  Only you can determine if the change in rod balance with the different weight reels is objectionable or not.

A 2500 series (Shimano) is all you need for freshwater fishing.

The only issue someone might bring up is coilling, but I have

no problems using Yo-Zuri Hybrid #4 or #6. Currently I am 

experimenting with Tuf-Line SuperCast #10 and Seaguar InvizX

#10 leader. This eliminates any coiling or twist issue. This may

become Mr.Yo-Zuri's new rig!

 

 

The only disadvantage of a smaller reel would be if you like to use a heavier mono/flouro on your reels. I only use 10lb braid so its very managable on 1000 size reels.

 

But i agree with roadwarrior, a 2500 series shimano/daiwa can handle anything.

 ^^ agreed. Iaconelli has been known to push this as well. On spinning reels where you are running a straight fluoro mainline, a bigger spool helps a lot in terms of memory and coiling. Smaller spools tend to let the line jump off a lot more. However, 8 lb and under tend not to produce many issues at all for me so I use it on any reel I want. Anything heavier I usually go to a casting setup

 ^^ agreed. Iaconelli has been known to push this as well. On spinning reels where you are running a straight fluoro mainline, a bigger spool helps a lot in terms of memory and coiling. Smaller spools tend to let the line jump off a lot more. However, 8 lb and under tend not to produce many issues at all for me so I use it on any reel I want. Anything heavier I usually go to a casting setup

Me too. 8 pound or less on spinning reels. I use a 2500 size Shimano but I do also like the smaller sizes as well. I think a lot of cast distance problems come more from the stripper guide on a rod being too small. My spinning rods all have the first guide large enough for my thumb to fit through. Up to now, I would not buy a rod without this, but it now seems its becoming harder to find so I might have to rethink things. Until now, a thumb sized first guide with a 2500 size reel has been a good combination. Use KVD L&L spray with the line and its even better.

besides weight and line capacity, what are the advantages and disadvantages of 20-40 size spinning reels?

 

What do you guys prefer and why?

Keeping in the spirit of the initial post, brand being irrelevant, IMO the reel should match the rod.  Being a 100% spinning user and using spinning gear of many sizes I would be using a rod better suited for the weight of my lure.  Even equating that to bass fishing, although this would not exclude other species, I mostly likely would use a heavier rod say for a larger swimbait or heavier spoon.  I would prefer a reel that balanced better on the rod, I think in that scenario a 4000 reel may be my choice.  Most of the time the extra line capacity and more horsepower of the reel is not needed and the drags are probably set to the line anyway.  Each step down with the rod my size my reel follows suit.

As a braid user line management is not a concern but it may be to a mono user and I think larger spools do a better job. 

I think casting distance improves slightly with the bigger spool for the same amount of casting effort. A larger spool in theory should "dish" out more line "per coil", thus making a longer cast. However it probably isn't going to be too much farther.  I also subscribe to 2500 size being perfect for bass fishing.

To me it is all about the balance in your hand on your rod. Whenever I buy a new reel I take in the rod I am going to mount it on and see how it feels.

A 2500 series (Shimano) is all you need for freshwater fishing.

The only issue someone might bring up is coilling, but I have

no problems using Yo-Zuri Hybrid #4 or #6. Currently I am

experimenting with Tuf-Line SuperCast #10 and Seaguar InvizX

#10 leader. This eliminates any coiling or twist issue. This may

become Mr.Yo-Zuri's new rig!

I am also a fan of the 2500 size Shimano reels. I have used that setup with 8 lb mono for wacky rigs, flick shakes, shaky heads, even drop shots.

Like RW, I recently got my Supercast in as well. Actually spooled it up last night. Mine is 20lb with a 12lb suffix siege leader.

Finally tried Yo-Zuri for the first time recently as well, 8lb test on my 50e. If I don't like the braid setup, that will be the next line to fill my spinning reel. That stuff has some strength to it... Nothing like 8lb Stren or XL.

I personally don't think you would need over a 2500 size class reel while freshwater fishing. But, on some rods I will go a bit larger just for balancing the setup. Otherwise the line capacity on a 2500 is plenty.

I'd like to see some slow motion video of how different lines play out as they jump off of a spinning reel's spool.  I wonder how hard and how often the line hits the rod and whether it stacks up in front of the first guide.

 

When I "over throw" a limp rod with a spinning reel, I can hear the line wrapping/conflicting with the rod out in the last third because the rod is wiggling around and interfering with the line as it tries to make a straight shot out of the guides.

 

I also wonder if a bait caster's spool, having been energized with inertia, sometimes  spits out line faster than the guides can accept it, sometimes it seems like the line is stacking up somewhere.  That is, in some backlashes, maybe it is not the spool that is going to fast but the rod that can't take what it is fed?