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How much line does your spinning reel hold?

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Looking to get a new spinning reel but Im not sure on which line capacity would be best for basic LM fishing?

Any help?

Thanks!

  • Super User

I don't know and don't care. I only put on about 30 yards of the line that I use for fishing. The rest of the spool is just filler with some junk line I have. The reel size I use the most for bass fishing is the 2500.

get something 100 or so yards of 12 lb. That's all i use for bassin. Mono btw, braid sucks on spinning reels. I don't care to have a huge spool because of the term of fishing the line underneath gets dinged and dented and sucks. So the less line the better. If you buy a 220yd spool of 12lb you'll get two changes out of it.

btw, braid sucks on spinning reels.

False. :)

I've often wondered why so many spinning reels have deep spools with a lot of line capacity. It costs the manufacturer no more to make shallower spools. A 2500 sized reel should hold no more than about 100 yds of 8 lb mono, and less would be OK :)

  • Super User
btw, braid sucks on spinning reels.

False. :)

I've often wondered why so many spinning reels have deep spools with a lot of line capacity. It costs the manufacturer no more to make shallower spools. A 2500 sized reel should hold no more than about 1100 yds of 8 lb mono, and less would be OK :)

That's a big *** reel :)

  • Super User

12# mono on a spinning reel.....ehhhh, I'll pass, unless its a 5000 class or larger, LOL. That diameter line is meant for baitcasting.

I've used several braided/superlines on spinning gear, from 14# Crystal to 20# Power Pro. Braid is a nice match for spinning. Yes, it can get twisted, but that's minimal. I've got a Daiwa 1500 size reel with 4 year old 15# Power Pro on it that is showing no signs of needing replacement.

As far as how much line it holds? Look at the reel's capacity specs on the spool itself. Most have ratings for both diameter and average test pound sizes.

I use Daiwa 1500, 2000, and 2500, and Shimano 2500 for bass.  I do have a Shimano Stradic 1000, but that's simply a dock skipping rod, and not much more than 20' casts.  Hods plenty of line for fish that run.

  • Super User
btw, braid sucks on spinning reels.

False. :)

I've often wondered why so many spinning reels have deep spools with a lot of line capacity. It costs the manufacturer no more to make shallower spools. A 2500 sized reel should hold no more than about 100 yds of 8 lb mono, and less would be OK :)

Not everyone uses a 2500 or 2000 series reel for freshwater, I use my cardinal 802 and tierra 3000 in salt nearly everyday with 15# braid, I need the capacity.  My freshwater spinning reels are spooled up entirely with braid and Francho is right 15-20# max for 6-8000 spinning reels.

i have an abu 602 on my light spinning rig. 8lb/140yds. i use 20/6 power pro with almost no management issues.

i also have an abu 801 which holds 4lb/140yds (or 6lb/110yds). if i could find a braid that this little reel likes , i would fish with it all day.

personally , i dont see myself using anything over a 2500 size spinning reel for bass fishing.

I don't know what kind of reel sizes you guys use for bass fishing, but most of mine take 10-12 mono. Shimano mind you. I prefer mono on my spinning and braid on my casting.

Right now i have 8 fluoro on my spinning rig cause i use it for light gear work like shakey head, drop shot, and most things weightless. It is sort of a shallow spool but im not sure the exact amount i use on it.

My personal opinion is that if you want to fish light use a spinning rig and if you want heavy go baitcast. I like spinning rigs i just find it easier to deal with baitcast when it comes to heavier gear

Few thoughts on this:

1) I have never owned a reel that line capacity from the manufature was right. (Shimano, Diawa, Quantum, Abu,  and Mitchell.)

2) Only time I really need the spool filled with the main line is if I am fishing salt or where a striper might hit. So I dumby up my reels.  100yrd is a LONG CAST!!

3) JDM reels have shallow spools. ::)

While we are on it.   6lb braid dia. WILL NEVER spool to 6lb mono dia.

  • Super User

Depends on the size.

Depends on the test.

Balance spinning reel with your rod's specifications.

Don't be concerned about the amount of line. With the twist, you need to change out your line often.

Use the same pound test as "backing" if you want or just re-spool the reel.

I check for nicks and cracks in the line constantly so I cut off lots of line when I fish. I therefore spool all of the new line on the spinning reel, knowing that I will not use it but also not be concerned about running out of the line I am using.

Just a suggestion.  :)

Personally I don't throw bigger than 10 lb mono or flouro on my spinning reels (and mostly this is all I use). I do however have one that that has a spidercast spinning real (specifically meant for braid) that holds about 75 yards of 50 lb test. Believe it or not I pull LM out of lily pad beds on frogs with this reel....actually surprised I haven't stripped it yet (hoping to though, i need some more baitcasters).

  • Super User

Make sure you fill up that spare spool that came with your reel and carry it with you. It doesn't do you any good sitting in the basement.

It won't take up that much room in your tackle bag either. Just ditch a couple of those non producing baits to make room :)

  • 1 month later...
  • Super User

When the spool is empty I try and make a mark about 1/2 way down. I fill it up with some cheap backing to the mark and then put my line on.

Wow, people really get side tracked, don't they?

To answer your question, I'd say most people use spinning reels for LM Bass that holds about 160- to 180-yards of 8-pound mono.

I see a few that use ones that only hold about 100-yards or so, and no wonder they have line twist issues - those sized reels are better used with 4-pound mono (or thin superline).

The exception would be if they are the newer wide spool reels.

I mostly use larger reels than that, but I fish where longer casts can be a key to getting bit at all.

My reels are all in the 2000 size and thinking they hold around 150-175 yrds of line. If I'm using braid I will go upto 20 or 30 Braid with no problems. If I'm using Mono,Flouro or a Co-Poly I stick right around 8# because I find that anything bigger tends to have lots of line twists and memory.

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