I’m may be over thinking this but I’m suffering paralysis by analysis here.

I want to fish deep water structure at say 60’ max - deep for me anyway - and I want to spool a baitcaster with 14 lb mono, what’s the rule of thumb with line capacity for selecting a reel? Twice the depth? Three times? 

I never put a lot of thought into it.

Or is it just what I mentioned earlier; paralysis by analysis?

 

60' is deep for bass, at least where I fish.  Let's say you can cast 150' or so.  If you could get the bait to go straight down at the end of the cast (I know that's not what will happen in real life, even with you stripping it off the spool), you'd have about 162' of line out if your line was tight.  Of course you'd want a little wiggle room, so let's add another 50'.  We're only at 70 yard capacity of 14 lb mono.  That's all theoretical, of course.  If I were trying to hit 60', it would be with something with a lot thinner diameter than 14 lb mono, though.  Maybe 20 lb braid, or otherwise you'd need a heavy lure to get it down there in a reasonable amount of time.

OMG @CountryboyinDC, I went into total vapor lock! I’m looking at a reel with a 120 yd capacity with 12 lb test. I’m fishing 60’...only 20 yds. I never made the conversion until I read your post...?

 

No wonder why I was paralyzed! I was in vapor lock the whole time...?

1 hour ago, Jigfishn10 said:

...paralysis by analysis?

 

Yes.

This time of year it's easy to get that way, I'm glad it helped.

2 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

I’m may be over thinking this but I’m suffering paralysis by analysis here.

I want to fish deep water structure at say 60’ max - deep for me anyway - and I want to spool a baitcaster with 14 lb mono, what’s the rule of thumb with line capacity for selecting a reel? Twice the depth? Three times? 

I never put a lot of thought into it.

Or is it just what I mentioned earlier; paralysis by analysis?

 

So are you talking casting or vertical jigging.  Guys are already spooning bass over 40’ deep on Table Rock.

Vertical jigging @Jig Man.