Test Line capacity

[Pkfish49]

I'm having a ton of fun with this hobby and appreciate all of you guys answering my beginner questions.  I have another:

 

If a reel's specifications list a maximum test line, is is safe to spool it with a higher test line and just get less line on the spool, or is this definitely not recommended?

 

For example, I have a Shimano Sienna 2500 and on the box, it states that I'll get 140 yards of 8 LB Mono on the reel, but it does not have a listing for any higher test line.  Is it OK to spool this up with 10 LB mono, or will this damage the reel or degrade the performance?

 

Thanks

 

 

[Dtrombly]

No it will not be a problem at all. You can spool up 20lb line if you wanted to. 

[LxVE Bassin]

What's listed on the reel is suggested. Just know that the bigger the line diameter the less line can be spooled on. 

[Damn Yankee]

Larger dia. lines will behave differently on the reel.on a 2500 size I prefer 8lb. test. If you can manage it, spool with what you  you like.

[frosty]

You will lose a bit of casting distance with larger diameter lines. Is there any particular reason you're using mono? I switched to braid on my spinning reel and I doubt I'll ever go back!

[AC870]

I spooled most of my spinning rods with braid and got a really long leader of Yozuri Ultrasoft 12 lb "just in case" I tie into the big one. My reels are all 2500s. I had a 4000 briefly this spring but just didn't care for the larger size. 

In my limited experience with them, Siennas are solid little reels. Inshore guide we went out with in March used them. 

[Pkfish49]

2 hours ago, frosty said:

You will lose a bit of casting distance with larger diameter lines. Is there any particular reason you're using mono? I switched to braid on my spinning reel and I doubt I'll ever go back!

 

A few years ago I shore casted with Braid for a few outings and tore a hole in my casting finger.  I've never had any issues with mono, but being that so many experienced anglers here praise Braid, I had asked my local bait and tackle shop guy to spool up one of my reels with 10 LB test braid, but he talked me out of it.  He told me that any braid less than 20 LB test is so thin it is impossible to see.

 

 

[frosty]

6 hours ago, Pkfish49 said:

 

A few years ago I shore casted with Braid for a few outings and tore a hole in my casting finger.  I've never had any issues with mono, but being that so many experienced anglers here praise Braid, I had asked my local bait and tackle shop guy to spool up one of my reels with 10 LB test braid, but he talked me out of it.  He told me that any braid less than 20 LB test is so thin it is impossible to see.

 

 

No, there's plenty of guys on here using 10-20. I've got 6lb test on a spinning rod for panfish and it's fine. I personally use 20lb just because Walmart didn't have any lighter power pro. Go with a high vis line if you want, or just spool up 20, it won't hurt anything. 

[WRB]

any mono or FC line over .012 diameter will have too much memory and tend to come off a  2500 size spinning reel in coils. You can use 30 lb test braid is .011 dia for example without any issues because it's smaller diameter per lb test without memory issues.

Tom

[Falkus]

11 hours ago, Pkfish49 said:

 

A few years ago I shore casted with Braid for a few outings and tore a hole in my casting finger.  I've never had any issues with mono, but being that so many experienced anglers here praise Braid, I had asked my local bait and tackle shop guy to spool up one of my reels with 10 LB test braid, but he talked me out of it.  He told me that any braid less than 20 LB test is so thin it is impossible to see.

 

 

 

Tell him to buy better glasses ...I can see with 10 lbs sufix 832 ghost braid line.  

 

The only color that i cant really see is green. Its like Rambo coming out of the mud wall.  

You cant really see the line until they start attacking your lure   

 

[J Francho]

On 6/19/2017 at 11:03 PM, Dtrombly said:

No it will not be a problem at all. You can spool up 20lb line if you wanted to. 

 

You *can* but I don't think you'll like fishing with 20# mono. 

 

The general recommendation for 2500 size reels is 4 to 8# mono, or similar diameter braid and other super lines.  10# braid is very light diameter, but you can still see it.  I like the way 20# braid or 6# fluorocarbon handles on spinning gear.

[Deleted account]

I sometimes use 10 lb mono on a 2500 sized reel. It will work ok if you pick a soft, limp line, and don't try to cast light or wind resistant lures. As others have said 8lb is the sweet spot.

[Pkfish49]

On 6/21/2017 at 9:08 AM, WRB said:

any mono or FC line over .012 diameter will have too much memory and tend to come off a  2500 size spinning reel in coils. You can use 30 lb test braid is .011 dia for example without any issues because it's smaller diameter per lb test without memory issues.

Tom

I learned this the hard way last season and it took me a while to figure out the cause of the tangles.  Thanks for the confirmation:

 

I got a 2000 size spinning reel spooled up with 15 LB mono and it was literally unusable due to tangles. The line went anywhere but back to the reel and it came off in big clumps.  I'm probably fine with 8 LB test mono for what I catch, but I have no problems with 10 LB test mono on the 2000 and 2500 size reels.  I tried 6 LB test, but I couldn't tie an improved clinch knot to a swivel because the line kept breaking, so for what I do, 8 is the minimum.

 

I'm having a good season, but I just picked up freshwater fishing after a long absence and am continuing to learn about technique and equipment.  Many thanks to to all of the experienced anglers here for the advice.