Bait Cast Reel Sizes You Use Most ?

[ChrisD46]

*I believe bait cast reels for bass come in : 100 , 150 , 200 & 300 sizes for bass - which size(s) do you use most , line sizes  and for what tactic for bass ? 

My reels are all in that 120 yards of #12 lb. mono capacity size which I believe are in the 100 or 150 size ... I recognize now that they are OK for smaller line diameters but when you step up to #15 lb. or #20 lb. mono - that 7:1 reel gear ratio becomes more like a 6:3:1 after making a long cast !

[Bluebasser86]

Mine are mostly in the 150-200 size. The smaller sized reels are too small for me to comfortably hold for a long time with the 100 size being the smallest size I can really fish all day. My hands start to hurt after a while of trying to grip a 70 or 50 sized reel though.

[Hammer 4]

100 to 200. This would depend on conditions also, so 1 day I may use mostly a 200 size, could change the next day though.

 

I kinda like a larger reel, a few years ago I had a Shimano Curado 301 E that I used A Lot..

[nascar2428]

100 is the most comfortable for me.

[mrpao]

I usually use 50 to 150 size.

I use core 50's and aldebaran 50's.  I also use bantam mgl 150's but their frame is pretty small. My conquest 100's and Core/metanium 100mg7's  have slightly larger taller frames. The new metanium also have a pretty small frame with a 150 size spool. I do have another metanium ordered from Japan with the 70 size spool.

I prefer smaller framed reels and spools most of the time since i usually dont need to make bomb cast often.

[Jig Man]

Right now I am using my 70s mostly.  They are my shaky and Ned setups and that is what is working now.  The 150 and 200s are patiently waiting for their time to come.

[A-Jay]

I have & use 100, 150, 200 & 300 sized reels.

Preference wise, the low profile 150's  and the round 200's seem the right mix of size & line capacity for me.

I'm not the hugest midget around and super "Big" reels don't suit me. 

The 300's only speak Spanish . . . 

A-Jay

 

[JustJames]

I’m Asian 5’7 with small hand. Mostly I use small size reel, shimano 50/70, Daiwa Alphas, Abu ALX used for everything from Ultra Finesse all the way to frog and 1oz top water. The biggest reel I have is curado 200ipg only used for medium swimbait and spinnerbait. I have 2 of 150 but still considered small Bantam and SLX mostly for Jig and topwater.

[Mike L]

Of the 7 I have all are 200 except for one older 100 (Chronarch SF) which is about the same size. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

My absolute favorite is a Calcutta 50 A, it fits my hand comfortably, the 5.0:1 gear ratio could be faster.

 

Which reminds me I need to send it to @Delaware Valley Tackle for overhaul.

[ChrisD46]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

I have & use 100, 150, 200 & 300 sized reels.

Preference wise, the low profile 150's  and the round 200's seem the right mix of size & line capacity for me.

I'm not the hugest midget around and super "Big" reels don't suit me. 

The 300's only speak Spanish . . . 

A-Jay

 

*Good to know - I don't plan any trips to Mexico any time soon , so the 200 size would be as big as I would ever need to consider .

[Teal]

100 and 150 I like the best.  I have aCore 50  I fish it on a pitching rod(Dx 744) ,prob should at least be a 100 or 150 but it makes a difference when you are make super quick flips and pitches to mats and holes all day. I almost forget it's there.  I like it alot.

[Manifestgtr]

Shimano 50-70 on almost all of my rods. 99% of my fishing happens less than 100 feet out so I just don’t need more. Plus, I like the advantages offered by smaller spools and smaller frames.

 

i do keep one or two 150-200s around though. They come in handy here and there. 

[Tywithay]

Those numbers are all different between manufacturers, so I really don't know. Tatula is a 100, Curado is a 200. Reels are the same size. They're plenty comfortable. 

[LCG]

3 hours ago, Tywithay said:

Those numbers are all different between manufacturers, so I really don't know. Tatula is a 100, Curado is a 200. Reels are the same size. They're plenty comfortable. 

X2. This was confusing while researching, but when you look at the line capacity of each reel, you kind of get an idea. When you go to check them out in person, most similar capacity reels feel them same. My Shimano Curado k is about the same size as my Daiwa Fuego. I find them both comfortable to hold being average hand size. 

[WRB]

Would someone define the difference between 100, 150 and 200 size baitcasting reel?

I don't believe there is a standard that reel mfr's use.

I agree a sizes 50, 70, 80 smaller narrower frames then sizes 100, 150 and 200. Size 300 is wider than size 400 for increase line capacity.

Tom 

[J Francho]

The only standard I care about is my comfort, and how much line I need on the spool. The rest of the numbers are either marketing or specs. I’d look at capacity and IPT before the “size” designation. 

[MN Fisher]

11 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I’d look at capacity and IPT before the “size” designation. 

This is all I care about - how much can it hold and how fast can it bring the line in. I don't even know what 'size' my five BCs are - their capacity and IPT are what I wanted...so it doesn't matter if they're 100s or 300s.

[RoLo]

 

On average. 150 low-profile

In freshwater, line capacity is a nonissue

 

Roger

[Bankbeater]

I like the 150 to 200 size.

[ChrisD46]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Would someone define the difference between 100, 150 and 200 size baitcasting reel?

I don't believe there is a standard that reel mfr's use.

I agree a sizes 50, 70, 80 smaller narrower frames then sizes 100, 150 and 200. Size 300 is wider than size 400 for increase line capacity.

Tom 

*The "gold" standard I see is : 120 yards of #12 lb. Mono line capacity on a bass bait cast reel  . I assume that is the typical 100 size reel ?

[WRB]

23 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

*The "gold" standard I see is : 120 yards of #12 lb. Mono line capacity on a bass bait cast reel  . I assume that is the typical 100 size reel ?

That would be fools gold. We can't determine 12 lb mono diameter, average may be .013 to .014D. Daiwa Size 80 holds more 12 lb line then Shimano SLX 150, etc, etc.

How a reels feels to the angler is important but you can't use size to determine it.

Tom

[Catt]

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Would someone define the difference between 100, 150 and 200 size baitcasting reel?

I don't believe there is a standard that reel mfr's use.

I agree a sizes 50, 70, 80 smaller narrower frames then sizes 100, 150 and 200. Size 300 is wider than size 400 for increase line capacity.

Tom 

 

Weight ?

[islandbass]

Since my reels have to serve dual purpose I prefer 200 sized reels in general. However, if a sale comes up for which I can’t refuse a smaller reel, I just might bite. 
 

The conditions I face make anything smaller than a 100 sized reel useless so I will not go smaller than this. 
 

I have a 300 Cardiff for saltwater fishing but it’s 5.x gear ratio is awesome for cranking so I use it occasionally for crankbait fishing. Its bigger spool also helps getting slightly farther casts for the same effort too. 

On 6/22/2020 at 3:43 AM, A-Jay said:

 

The 300's only speak Spanish . . . 

A-Jay

 

I take it Mexican Spanish, lol? ??
 

[A-Jay]

2 minutes ago, islandbass said:

I take it Mexican Spanish, lol? ??

sí ~

 

 

113 Days & a Wake Up

A-Jay