What do you guys think? I have decided on a new spinning reel, but can't decide between a 3000 size and 2500 size. Most of my fishing is for bass, but I catch other fish occasionally. What do you think a better size would be? 

Depends on the techniques you're going to use the reel for.

My current spinning rigs run from a Pflueger President-20 (500 size) on a UL/F rod for light drop/split shots and Ned to a Pflueger Trion-35 (3000 size) on a MH/M rod for shallow cranks, smaller jerks and wacky rigs.

2500 is so close to 3000 in size, I would imagine the way that you use either would not be extremely different

3 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

2500 is so close to 3000 in size, I would imagine the way that you use either would not be extremely different

My four spinners for the canoe run 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 in size. My 'backup', which is my panfishing rod is a 2000.

Ah ok I have a better picture now

2500

Additional line capacity is worthless.

 

The gear cases and stems in my 3000's are the same as a 2500 series.  The spool size, being larger aids in casting distance and some reduction in line twist. My spinning reels are all 3000 models.

2500 size.  My understanding the only difference between the 2500 and the 3000 size (in the Shimano line) is the 3000 has greater line capacity which I've never used all the line anyway.

12 minutes ago, Randy Price said:

2500 size.  My understanding the only difference between the 2500 and the 3000 size (in the Shimano line) is the 3000 has greater line capacity which I've never used all the line anyway.

3000 has bigger spool which will come into play with line twist depending on line used.

thank you guys this is good info

I’m sure the difference is minimal but if you’re running straight fluoro or mono I’d go with the 3000 since in theory, the larger diameter spool should reduce line twist. Fluoro and mono do seem to twist more on spinning reels.
 

With braid the 2500 is fine since I also believe the extra capacity is a waste. Then again if you want the 3000, there would be no disadvantage with the braid. I know for Shimano’s the only difference between a 2500 and 3000 is just a larger spool (and maybe higher gear ratio, or IPT?). So the total weight of a 3000 might be a fraction more of what a 2500 is. I highly doubt it is even noticeable.

 

edit: forget to mention for other brands there may be a significant difference in weight between a 2500 and 3000.

Edited April 17, 20206 yr by Finessegenics

33 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

I’m sure the difference is minimal but if you’re running straight fluoro or mono I’d go with the 3000 since in theory, the larger diameter spool should reduce line twist. Fluoro and mono do seem to twist more on spinning reels.
 

With braid the 2500 is fine since I also believe the extra capacity is a waste. Then again if you want the 3000, there would be no disadvantage with the braid. I know for Shimano’s the only difference between a 2500 and 3000 is just a larger spool (and maybe higher gear ratio, or IPT?). So the total weight of a 3000 might be a fraction more of what a 2500 is. I highly doubt it is even noticeable.

 

edit: forget to mention for other brands there may be a significant difference in weight between a 2500 and 3000.

yeah, exactly, and I must not be paying attention but line twist? lol is this still an issue with the technology of spinning reels these days? ?

I have been using my low/mid range spinning reel from Okuma the past few days and apart from the lure spinning rapidly from left to right when its already reeled in, I don't notice and issues with the mono itself on the reel. Think I purchased it 4 years ago. I thought line twist is when you put new line on the reel incorrectly?

2 hours ago, Randy Price said:

2500 size.  My understanding the only difference between the 2500 and the 3000 size (in the Shimano line) is the 3000 has greater line capacity which I've never used all the line anyway.

 

2 hours ago, Bird said:

3000 has bigger spool which will come into play with line twist depending on line used.

 

8 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

yeah, exactly, and I must not be paying attention but line twist? lol is this still an issue with the technology of spinning reels these days? ?

I have been using my low/mid range spinning reel from Okuma the past few days and apart from the lure spinning rapidly from left to right when its already reeled in, I don't notice and issues with the mono itself on the reel. Think I purchased it 4 years ago. I thought line twist is when you put new line on the reel incorrectly?

Line twist definitely still happens with spinning reels for a variety of reasons, incorrect spooling is only one of them. Low memory line helps as does application of a line conditioner when using Mono/FC/Hybrid lines (I prefer KVD).

 

Couple videos on how to prevent/fix line twist

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/line-twist-fix.html

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/line-twist-spinning-reel.html

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/line-twist-fix-how-to.html

Yeah, I remember one of my bonehead moves several years ago. 

 

Friend invited me to go trout fishing so grabbed my tiny little Pflueger president but was out of 4# test so found some 10# vanish in the gun cabinet. 

 

Spooled the reel and off I went,  on very first cast...EXPLOSION.

Looked like an alternator blew up. Lol

 

 

I've used size 2500 spinning reels for as long as I can remember, which is longer than some of you have been alive..haha

Never had an issue where I needed anything larger. 

1 hour ago, BassSteve said:

is this still an issue with the technology of spinning reels these days

Improper spooling is one way, as you already mentioned. Another way is when you crank the reel handle while the drag is slipping. For some reason, some bass anglers don't understand how to properly tighten their drags...but I digress.

I use size 2500 for daiwa and size 30 for pflueger presidents

30 size Pfluegers match well with medium light and medium bass rods.  35 for a medium heavy

3 minutes ago, Allen Der said:

30 size Pfluegers match well with medium light and medium bass rods.  35 for a medium heavy

My rigs

Pres-20 - UL

Pres-25 - ML

Trion-30 - M

Trion-35 - MH