Skip to content

4000 reel too large for 15 lb braided line?

Featured Replies

Hi!

 

Would a 4000-series reel be too large for a 15 lb braided line?  According to specs, a 2500-series reel should be more appropriate, but are there any benefits or downsides to using a larger reel?

 

Specific reel in question is Okuma Ceymar A, although I'm considering Daiwa Exceler LT as well.

 

Thanks!

 

 

  • Super User

Do you need over 500 yards of 15 lb braid? The line cost are more then the $50 reel!

Tom

Line pickup on the 4000 should be higher.

  • Author
1 hour ago, WRB said:

Do you need over 500 yards of 15 lb braid? The line cost are more then the $50 reel!

Tom

I do not.  Good point.

  • Super User

I use 15# braid on a 2500 and 3000 reels.  The 3000 is overkill for me.

  • Author
57 minutes ago, PaulVE64 said:

Line pickup on the 4000 should be higher.

On the Ceymar A, yes.  But interestingly on the Exceler LT, it's the 2500 that has a higher line pickup compared to their 4000.

  • Author
13 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

I use 15# braid on a 2500 and 3000 reels.  The 3000 is overkill for me.

Thanks.  Do you use a leader with that braid?

  • Super User
26 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

I use 15# braid on a 2500 and 3000 reels.  The 3000 is overkill for me.

Heck, I'm running 15# and 20# braid on 2500 reels...no issues with either of them...I don't even use my one 3000 reel.

  • Super User
1 hour ago, e2m said:

Thanks.  Do you use a leader with that braid?

Yes.  I use a 10# fluorocarbon leader.

  • Super User

Braid that diameter is the purpose of a shallow braid spool, which Shimano Yumeya offers for 4000 worm-drive (Stradic to Stella).  

cIwjQiW.jpg

The reel and braid is a great match on St. Croix Legend Glass

iTTW69M.jpg  B7w7II9.jpg

  • Author
1 hour ago, garroyo130 said:

Why are you set on 4000? Surf fishing? 

I'm not really set on 4000.  I bought one without considering all the pros and cons.  I've read somewhere that larger reels cast further.  I'm still within a return period, so I'll send it back if it's not the right fit.

 

 

  • Author

Just realized there are models of Daiwa Legalis with shallow spools:  LT2000S-XH and LT2500S-XH.

 

Thinking the 2500 one might be the one to get...

 

spacer.png

  • Super User
2 hours ago, e2m said:

I'm not really set on 4000.  I bought one without considering all the pros and cons.  I've read somewhere that larger reels cast further.  I'm still within a return period, so I'll send it back if it's not the right fit.

Use the 4000 if you like. It will allow for farther casts because spool-lip friction as line is paid out is less of a factor with a larger diameter spool. And don't worry about a shallow or deep spool either. If it's a deep spool or a shallow spool, use backing plus about 200-225 feet of mainline braid.

 

Measure out the braid mainline, wind it onto the reel's spool. Tie some cheap mono to the braid with a connection knot, then wind that on to fill the spool. Reverse all of that off the spool onto a spare filler spool, then again onto another spool which leaves the mono backing's tag end at the top. A bolt, nut, some washers, and a drill gun makes this fast and easy. Tie the backing onto the reel's spool and wind it all on. Now you have permanent backing on your spool for 200 feet or whatever footage you prefer of braid mainline. I do this on my shallow spools as well as my deep spools as to not waste braid mainline. Even a shallow spool will gobble up way too much thin braid that'll never be paid out even on the longest cast, so why waste it? 

  • Super User

capacity calculator for stacking lines on spools - it's quite good:  

https://www.pattayafishing.net/advanced-fishing-reel-line-capacity-estimator/

 

What's not good is the typical result stacking threadline braid on deep spinning spools.  

The hour-glass or cone line lay result is what causes wind knots - multiple loops of line dragging each other off the spool simultaneously.   (The reason I didn't fish braid for 2 decades, until the quality of both reels and braid caught up).  

Hour-glass and cone line lay is caused by the reel's line lay error adding up as you stack more line deeper.  (basically, any reel stacks mono fine - the error shows up in threadline).  

 

This is the line lay result you get with a good reel and shallow spool:  

FLRRMqs.jpg pp6eoh4.jpg

Stradic is the entry-level Shimano worm-drive - probably should consider it the entry-level braid reel.  $140 w/ free express shipping from Japan

 

Back to Legalis - either of these will do nicely

image.png.3eb78021e37a7ee80d0ec5569ba6fb9d.png

On Japan silk-thread scale, your target is PE#1 to #1.2 (go by diameter - lb-test is a USM absurdity).  

  • Super User

There is no functional reason why a 4000 size is inappropriate for any kind of fishing unless you find its size/balance/weight unpleasant.  I use two Stradic 4000's for bass fishing all the time.  By using them regularly I know they will be OK to take to salt for my annual trip, and they fish just fine for everything I do.  

  • Super User

budget understood - sent you a pm

  • Super User

Some people like the larger spool because you can pick up line faster and get a better hookset.

 

That said I would use a 2000 or 2500 siE reel for 15# braid myself.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.