Shimano reel sizes

[Can't Catch Bass]

I'm thinking this is kind of self explanatory, but just to make sure... The lower the number = the smaller the size of the reel (for the most part)?

 

How are reel sizes calculated? Is it something like the size of the spool or line capacity?

[3crows]

Yes, more or less. But you could go to the Shimano website and see for yourself the line capacities, speeds etc. 

 

Most people consider something like the Curado 200(X) as a standard "bass" and very light saltwater (and the Curado is saltwater rated). The primary difference in size on these small, low profile BC reels is the spool capacity, larger capacity generally resulting in a slightly wider spool and thus a modestly wider frame and a tinsy little bitty bit more weight. 

[Can't Catch Bass]

I have a Shimano 71XG, I'm looking for something with a similar profile that has a lower gear ratio for large spinners and chatterbaits. I'm thinking a 71HG or maybe a CH51E would be my best best.

[The Bassman]

I'd just stay with the 71HG. 50's are going for way too much $$ and in truth they're no better. But that's another discussion.

[lmbfisherman]

Personally I like a 6 ratio for those techniques.  My pick would be get a Chronarch MGL.

[OnthePotomac]

Shimano has a basic three category sizes as I see it:  50/70 small, 150/200 medium, 300 large.  Just talking regular bass fishing reels, not the big guy salt waters.  I have not seen the new Curado K, so I don't know where it fits in their size categories.

[kickerfish1]

From memory there have been 50, 70, 100, 150, 200 and 300 sized reels that Shimano has made that are popular among bass fisherman.

 

Size of reel is normally determined by the size of the frame. So yes, a 50 or 70 sized reel will be smaller in size and usually weigh less. 150 and 200 sized reels are considered pretty averaged size in the industry and sort of all around use reels for most general bass apps. 300 sized is designed for large baits or even bigger game fish like striper or muskie.

 

Personally for what if typically throw and where I fish, any 50/70 sized reel will cover about 75% of my bass fishing. For the remaining 25% I will go up to a 100 or 200 sized reel. I don't fish swimbaits and A-rigs so need for me to own a 300 sized reel at this point.

 

Also some reels have aftermarket spools with more or less line capacity. For example need more line capacity for crank baits...swap a deeper spool. Want to covert a 50 sized stock reel to something for throwing small baits...swap a BFS shallow spool.

[bigfruits]

On ‎8‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 0:59 AM, James Baur said:

I have a Shimano 71XG, I'm looking for something with a similar profile that has a lower gear ratio for large spinners and chatterbaits. I'm thinking a 71HG or maybe a CH51E would be my best best.

 

 

check out the scorpion 71 (6.3:1)

https://www.digitaka.com/item.php?item=839171

 

 

 

[MGEOD]

One thing to look at in reels depending on what you doing is how much line it picks up . A smaller spool reel with a higher speed gear set may not pick up as  much lines as a bigger reel with a bigger spool and you can also get more leverage with the bigger reels . I use Shimano reels for most everything . I recently picked up a couple of Revo winches for deep cranking . It amazes me how much difference there is in a lower ratio reel on deep cranking . 

[MDbassin]

I have a couple chronarch MGL's (150 size)and a couple curado 200i's.

 

The spool on the chronarchs are narrower and hold less line but the overall size to me is not smaller.

 

The chronarch itself is narrower then the curado and lighter but it seems to be taller then the curado it feels chunkier to me then the curado because of the extra height.

 

From a performance standpoint I'll take the Chronarch but from a ergonomic standpoint the curado feels more "low profile" and comfortable to me.

[WRB]

No standard exists with bait casting reel size. Generally speaking the smaller the number the smaller the spool line capacity is; 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300 and 400 fresh water reels. Within the reel mfr (Shimano) you can't see much of a difference between 50, 75, 100 and 150  except width of the reel. You can see differences between 200, 300 and 400 reels width and frame sizes.

Tom