I'm getting ants in my pants since there is ice where my water used to be. Tinkering with my gear lead me to throwing spools on my scale which got me thinking. How much does spool weight really matter? MGL is praised for throwing light lures but my Curado 71 MGL has a 12.7 g spool, while my Lew's Tournament Pro (40 bucks cheaper and not advertised for light lures) has an 11.5 g spool. Is it the spool size that makes the bigger difference? Any thoughts? 

You need to subtract the bearing's weight from the total weight because it's not part of the equation once the spool is installed in the reel's frame. The TP's spool is actually closer to 10 grams, and yes lighter spools definitely have advantages within a certain range of bait weights. Spool diameter is also a factor, at least during the initial part of a cast which typically results in greater distance compared to a smaller diameter spool. Lighter spools matter more with light baits though. The fact that they start and stop quicker due to their lower weight combined with bearing friction helps here.

 

On the other hand, and all things being equal, with a properly calibrated cast a  heavier spool is generally more effective with heavier aerodynamic lures as its rotational mass overcomes bearing friction and line guide friction which helps pay out line without dragging down the heavier lure's acceleration toward the apex of the cast. Increase the diameter of the heavier spool and it starts really walking away from a lighter spool with regard to distance.

 

If you look at all the offerings from Daiwa's high end you'll find spool diameters for ranging from 28mm to 36mm with several sizes in between. Each has its specific wheelhouse and spool weight plays a factor. The smaller and lighter the spool the narrower the useful range. General use reels are less specific with 32mm-34mm diameter spools being the norm. They mostly work well with baits of average weight above 1/4 oz.. All spools in that range will have a sweet spot, but typically have a wider useful range than smaller, lighter spools. Different braking systems have different influences on the whole though. You need to find what fits you best with the baits you typically throw on the rods you use.

3 hours ago, PhishLI said:

You need to subtract the bearing's weight from the total weight because it's not part of the equation once the spool is installed in the reel's frame. The TP's spool is actually closer to 10 grams, and yes lighter spools definitely have advantages within a certain range of bait weights. Spool diameter is also a factor, at least during the initial part of a cast which typically results in greater distance compared to a smaller diameter spool. Lighter spools matter more with light baits though. The fact that they start and stop quicker due to their lower weight combined with bearing friction helps here.

 

On the other hand, and all things being equal, with a properly calibrated cast a  heavier spool is generally more effective with heavier aerodynamic lures as its rotational mass overcomes bearing friction and line guide friction which helps pay out line without dragging down the heavier lure's acceleration toward the apex of the cast. Increase the diameter of the heavier spool and it starts really walking away from a lighter spool with regard to distance.

 

If you look at all the offerings from Daiwa's high end you'll find spool diameters for ranging from 28mm to 36mm with several sizes in between. Each has its specific wheelhouse and spool weight plays a factor. The smaller and lighter the spool the narrower the useful range. General use reels are less specific with 32mm-34mm diameter spools being the norm. They mostly work well with baits of average weight above 1/4 oz.. All spools in that range will have a sweet spot, but typically have a wider useful range than smaller, lighter spools. Different braking systems have different influences on the whole though. You need to find what fits you best with the baits you typically throw on the rods you use.

Yes, but where is the discussion about spool bearing lube viscosity? ...  

Reducing the loaded spool mass and inertia reduces the need for start-up brake, and gives the same mid-cast brake result with less mag force,

That means more of your cast goes into casting. 

You get distance with less effort, which improves both reliability and accuracy. 

 

these are ZPI Alcance magnesium spools, 7 and 11 g. 

This simple mod to a Revo impresses me more than any other reel I own. 

The two spools represent a braid spool and a mono spool. 

There's nothing BFS about this reel, it's all bass, but it will throw the fool out of 1/8 oz. 

 

If you note the rave reviews on recent Okuma Haikai, most of those probably stem from the new 9.5-g low-mass spool.  You gain more than light end with low inertia.  Low mass and inertia with big weights reduces the need for start-up brake - I hope this thing is on. 

Inertia only matters when the spool turns.  That’s why so many of us use spinning reels for light baits.

51 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Inertia only matters when the spool turns.  

Or at a red light with a steep hill when driving stick...

1 minute ago, Deleted account said:

Or at a red light with a steep hill when driving stick...

Been there - my '98 Chevy 1500WT had a 5-speed manual...always fun on hills.

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

Been there - my '98 Chevy 1500WT had a 5-speed manual...always fun on hills.

I smell clutch...

Just now, Deleted account said:

I smell clutch...

Owned it for 16 years - went through 3 clutches in that time...so ya.

So in theory (since I can’t get it out on the water right now) which reel would you use for say a light jerkbait rod, the Curado 70 mgl with a 12 oz spool but smaller line capacity OR the Lew’s TP LFS with 10 oz spool and larger line capacity? Did I mention I’m getting antsy? Lol 

37 minutes ago, Cody28 said:

So in theory (since I can’t get it out on the water right now) which reel would you use for say a light jerkbait rod, the Curado 70 mgl with a 12 oz spool but smaller line capacity OR the Lew’s TP LFS with 10 oz spool and larger line capacity? Did I mention I’m getting antsy? Lol 

You mean grams! 28.35 grams = 1 ounce.

The spool weight should be weighed with the line spool full like you use it. Braid is very light,FC is heavier then mono for examples. A skilled thumb doesn’t on brakes.

The aerodynamic shape of the lure drastically affects casting distance. 

Tom

51 minutes ago, Cody28 said:

So in theory (since I can’t get it out on the water right now) which reel would you use for say a light jerkbait rod, the Curado 70 mgl with a 12 oz spool but smaller line capacity OR the Lew’s TP LFS with 10 oz spool and larger line capacity? Did I mention I’m getting antsy? Lol 

The TP loaded with 10lb Sufix Advance copoly weighs in at just under 20 grams. Let's assume the 70's weight is similar when loaded offsetting nearly 3 grams difference in nude weight. The only thing left is for you to spool both with the same line, use the same rod and baits, then find out which one you prefer. Their braking profile behave differently, so you'll just need to see for yourself.

35 minutes ago, WRB said:

A skilled thumb doesn’t (rely) on brakes.

Tom,

 

I understand you have strong feelings about this subject, and you may be right in theory, but you do realize the vast majority of us learn to optimize our casting while using at least some of the available brake? Zero guys I fish with can pick up any one of my rods with my reels set to how I use them and not blow up on the first cast, but I'm still using at least some braking. I'm quite determined, so it's possible I could pull off casting without brakes, but why in the world would I want to fish like that? I imagine this would divert a lot of mental energy constantly minding the spool when I simply want to fish. Maybe in a casting contest, but that's not fishing. These new reels are fast, and life's too short, IMO.

 

Peace

2 hours ago, Cody28 said:

So in theory (since I can’t get it out on the water right now) which reel would you use for say a light jerkbait rod, the Curado 70 mgl with a 12 oz spool but smaller line capacity OR the Lew’s TP LFS with 10 oz spool and larger line capacity? Did I mention I’m getting antsy? Lol 

Either will do fine, flip a coin.

It means everything, lighter spools cast lures farther than heavier spools, heavier spools are more durable. 17-20 grams is average for most mag track style breaking systems, 19-22 grams is average for centrifugal, 12-16 is really good for a low profile reel, one cdm reel I got for 20$ on sale has a 14 gram centrifugal breaking system spool and is amazing. 

2 hours ago, Cody28 said:

the Curado 70 mgl with a 12 oz spool but smaller line capacity OR the Lew’s TP LFS with 10 oz spool and larger line capacity? Did I mention I’m getting antsy? Lol 

The lews will cast farther if you don't fill up the spool that much, but it will screw with your retrieve rate/gear ratio, both will handle a 1/4-1/8th oz jerks fine, however which reel has better bearings, nmb is good and is usually lews, shimanos are also good, nmb bearings can come thick with grease at times depending on where the reel was made

13 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Inertia only matters when the spool turns.  That’s why so many of us use spinning reels for light baits.

This ^^^^ I love bfs but really only use it for the high gear ratio and accuracy spinning is primarily dominant, especially If you are hucking a jerk in open water or are on a middle class budget and don't want to pay 20-30 for a spool.

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

Tom,

 

I understand you have strong feelings about this subject, and you may be right in theory, but you do realize the vast majority of us learn to optimize our casting while using at least some of the available brake? Zero guys I fish with can pick up any one of my rods with my reels set to how I use them and not blow up on the first cast, but I'm still using at least some braking. I'm quite determined, so it's possible I could pull off casting without brakes, but why in the world would I want to fish like that? I imagine this would divert a lot of mental energy constantly minding the spool when I simply want to fish. Maybe in a casting contest, but that's not fishing. These new reels are fast, and life's too short, IMO.

 

Peace

I am not advocating casting without brakes! What I am advocation is learning to cast minimum braking, exactly what you are doing.

Tom

2 hours ago, WRB said:

You mean grams! 28.35 grams = 1 ounce.

The spool weight should be weighed with the line spool full like you use it. Braid is very light,FC is heavier then mono for examples. A skilled thumb doesn’t on brakes.

The aerodynamic shape of the lure drastically affects casting distance. 

Tom

Yes I do lol. My bad.