Line capacity consideration for new spinning reel?

[pauldconyers]

I am looking at getting a new spinning reel. Looking mostly at either the Lews MH2-200 or MH2-300. Only real difference is the line capacity. The 200 is a 120/8 and the 300 is a 145/10. I'm going to put Sufix 832 braid on it, just not sure what strength line yet. Is there any "performance" difference between the two sizes of reels? I will never be on the water and "need" that extra 25 yards of line on the reel. Just wondering what all I should be considering here.

[WRB]

Never be on the water? Do you mean you are fishing from shore?

Tom

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, pauldconyers said:

I am looking at getting a new spinning reel. Looking mostly at either the Lews MH2-200 or MH2-300. Only real difference is the line capacity. The 200 is a 120/8 and the 300 is a 145/10. I'm going to put Sufix 832 braid on it, just not sure what strength line yet. Is there any "performance" difference between the two sizes of reels? I will never be on the water and "need" that extra 25 yards of line on the reel. Just wondering what all I should be considering here.

Realize that braid is thinner than the equivalent strength mono.

My Garcia Avocet RZ-2000 holds 120 yards of 8#mono, but 160 yards of 10#braid. So factor that into your consideration.

[pauldconyers]

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

Never be on the water? Do you mean you are fishing from shore?

Tom

I meant I'd never be fishing sun up to sun down, specifically with just this 1 rod where I'd potentially use or waste a ton of line in a single day where having 25 yards more would be something I need.

I guess is the ONLY difference is does the 300 hold more line and that's it or do they some how "fish" or perform differently compared to each other

[WRB]

The 200 is a smaller size reel weighing less then the 300 size reel. Using braid the 200 is a good choice, you don't need more line then the distance you are casting for bass fishing, 120 yards is enough with 70 yards to spare.

Tom

[fin]

I don't know about this particular brand, but on some brands the smaller reels have lower drag ratings and less washers. The drag max should be listed in the specs, and/or you could download the parts diagram to check the washers. Other than that, I would go with the smaller reel - no need to waste line.

[TOXIC]

I have 2 factors to consider when choosing what size reel.  First, I always use backing to eliminate wasting line.  I respool often.  So, "normally" for me, I get the larger reels for line capacity on setups where I will be making long casts.

[tkunk]

The 300 actually has a bigger spool, which means you'll cast farther with it.

[Djohn]

Agree with the previous comment on casting further. Also slightly more line retrieved with each turn of the handle.

[pauldconyers]

Sounds like the 200 or the 300 would both suffice. Sounds like the 200 would be slightly lighter and with the 300 would probably cast further having a bigger spool. Does that mean with a smaller spool the 200 would be able to cast "more accurately?" A buddy has one of each and owes me a favor and will give me either one I want so I want to make the right choice here. Again going to put 832 Sufix braid on this reel, not sure what test I will go with and could probably use some help with too. Mostly going to use it for finesse stuff like wacky rigging or T-rigging Senkos, shaky heads, possibly some straight down vertical fishing too.

[Deleted account]

The smaller one.

[pauldconyers]

On 12/13/2018 at 10:09 PM, WRB said:

The 200 is a smaller size reel weighing less then the 300 size reel. Using braid the 200 is a good choice, you don't need more line then the distance you are casting for bass fishing, 120 yards is enough with 70 yards to spare.

Tom

Tom, originally I was thinking 10 or 20 pound braid. Now I'm wondering with concerns about "wind knots", getting wrapped around the top guide and such a small braid digging into th eline on the spool of I should go with 30 perhaps. Again, mostly going to use it for finesse stuff like wacky rigging or T-rigging Senkos, shaky heads, possibly some straight down vertical fishing too. Thanks

[livin2fish]

15 lb. Fins Windtamer and KaskKing 15 lb. 4 strand braid have both worked well for me with no digging into spool line and very few wind knots.  Used on 100, 200, and 300 size spools, Shimano, Pflueger, and the 100 reel an Abu.  

With concern regarding wind knots, for me a couple of things cause wind knots which have nothing to do with the braid.  One being throwing way too hard, and the other when the line does not wind tightly back on the reel after a cast (example when "walking" a bait like a light weight spook).  No knock on other braids, just personal experience.  

[Bankbeater]

I'd go with the 300.  I like to have a little extra line on the spool.

[The Bassman]

With 832 nothing over 15 and preferably 10. 30 is way overkill. 832 is thick for its stated strength. Also, drag ratings aren't important with spinning and way oversold for BC as well. Single digit settings suffice just fine.

[WRB]

Wind knots are a sign the braid is twisted severely. Spinning reels twist every line 1 twist per spool revolution if the end of the line can't untwist. The softer lighter weight braid tends sail during the cast allowing the twist to knot loose line. 

Braid line conditioner helps, line Like FINS Windtamer is designed to be slightly stiffer braid with a polyuerathane coating and wind knot as easily as other brands. 

The only way to prevent line twist using acspinningvreel is allow the line to untwist or untwist the line by running about 100' of line without anything ties on behind a trolling speed boat for a few minutes. Untwisting line is essential with mono or FC line often, occasionally with braid.

Reeling against a fighting fish pulling drag puts very tight twist in the line with spinning reels.

Using larger size spinning reels also requires larger size rod guide that is near the reel to gather in the larger coils of line. Little advantage using larger size spinning reels using braid. The drag quality is far more important then force pounds, if the drag operated smoothly at 3 lbs to 4 lbs of drag, that's all you need for 99% of your bass fishing applications using a spinning reel IMO.

Tom