Reel Size Question

[pfishing]

Hey Everyone

 

I have recently started loving berkley lightning rods, both shock (for braid) and 2017 regular version. I know that they are not the most expensive rods, but they get the job done for me and work really well. My only question (not so much a problem) is if I have these rods paired up with the correct reels. The Shock rod is 6'6" medium power, moderate fast action, and the regular lighting rod is 7' medium power, fast action. They are both spinning, and I have the Shock paired up with a Shimano Siena 4000FD, and the regular lightning rod with a Pfluger president 4000.  The Siena is spooled up with 15LB Daiwa J Braid, and the President with 12LB Trilene XL. Are these reels too big for the rods? All advice is greatly appreciated.

 

P Money

[Darren.]

21 minutes ago, pmoneyfishing said:

Hey Everyone

 

I have recently started loving berkley lightning rods, both shock (for braid) and 2017 regular version. I know that they are not the most expensive rods, but they get the job done for me and work really well. My only question (not so much a problem) is if I have these rods paired up with the correct reels. The Shock rod is 6'6" medium power, moderate fast action, and the regular lighting rod is 7' medium power, fast action. They are both spinning, and I have the Shock paired up with a Shimano Siena 4000FD, and the regular lightning rod with a Pfluger president 4000.  The Siena is spooled up with 15LB Daiwa J Braid, and the President with 12LB Trilene XL. Are these reels too big for the rods? All advice is greatly appreciated.

 

P Money

4000 size reels are too big for me, but that doesn't mean

they are for you. Actually, I'd use a 4000 for saltwater as

opposed to fresh. But my pref is 1000 size for both.

 

That said, if the setups feel good in your hands (balance, etc.)

then they are fine. Braid is my preferred line, and I would

think 12lb XL may be a tad too big, and could be a coil headache

when the weather is colder. Would help to use some Line & Lure

conditioner on it to keep it supple.

 

There's a FLW pro who uses nothing but spinning reels and I 

believe they are all 4000 size.

[burrows]

4000 is to big for me, way to big . 

66 you might want to pair with a 2000,2500 reel .And the 7 you might want to pair with 2500,3000 size reel. 

[Scott F]

I use spinning reels most of the time and I've never owned a 4000 size reel. I once bought a 3000 before I started using more baitcast reels for pike. Any spinning reel I have on a medium power rod is a 2000 or 2500. 

[J Francho]

You're not going to find fishing with 12# mono very fun using anything less than a 4000 or 5000 size reel.  FOr the braid, you can definitely downsize to a 1000-2500 size reel.

[new2BC4bass]

Agree with the above.  One reason I wanted to try baitcast reels when I got back into fishing was because of 1) reel weight and 2) reach to the line. I have 2000/2500 size reels on what few spinning rods I have with the exception of a Light rod which carries an older 1500CU Daiwa that doesn't hold much 4# mono size equivalent braid.  It will be getting 2# equivalent braid next time the line needs changing.

 

Your rods will do you well.  ww2farmer is a fan of the Shocks.  A search should yield some good reading on them. Personally I have a hard time getting past their color scheme.  On the other hand I have an old Lightning spinning rod that has caught more fish than all my other rods combined.

 

I think it was 14# mono that I once tried on a spinning reel.  Didn't like it.  However, what I (and others) like means nothing.  Use what you like and are comfortable with.

[LCG]

15 hours ago, Burro said:

66 you might want to pair with a 2000,2500 reel .And the 7 you might want to pair with 2500,3000 size reel. 

X2

 

mono 6-10 lb. I prefer braid personally. 

[BrackishBassin]

A good way to tell if a spinning rod and reel are matched well is to look at the line between the reel and the first guide. Ideally, you want the line to go straight from the reel through the first guide without a severe bend in the line. Meaning the line isn’t touching that first guide. Any angle means your line is constantly under tension and rubbing against that guide, which will damage the line over time. 

 

It’s hard to explain verbally, but I can throw up a picture later, if you’d like. 

[Crestliner2008]

As usual, JFranco nailed it!

[MickD]

The reels are too big if you think they are too big.  You can use smaller reels with braid, especially braid below about 20 # test.  I've never heard of that test for rod/reel match before.   I don't think I have ever seen a combination where the line goes through the first guide without touching the guide either on the cast or the retrieve.   I have three Stradic 4000's and use them on a variety of rods, all with braid.  Yes, since I have been moving to lighter braids I've been buying smaller reels when I need one.  They work well with the lighter braids.

[OnthePotomac]

I only have four medium spinning rods ( two 6'6" and two 7') and all I have ever used is 2500 reels on all four and all four spooled with 8lb mono.  It has worked for bass for 17 years anyway.  My grandson bagged a 5lber one summer on one of the 7' rods and pulled it out of a huge grass bed with I swear as much grass on it.