Shimano Suggested Line # Test > Inches

[ABrugs]

Hey, All -

 

I’ve been doing a lot of research on Shimano’s spinning reels and am interested in eventually getting either a Stradic FL or a Vanford. I can only find the suggested line capacity for both in # test for mono. I would be considering using straight Tatsu fluorocarbon for this setup and I know it’s 0.09 inches in diameter for 8#. It also looks like a lot of 8# mono is around 0.11 inches in diameter. So, does anyone know the inches in diameter Shimano uses when they’re suggesting 8# mono? I’d love to get a feel for how much Tatsu I’d be able to spool as that will help me narrow down which models I’d be targeting. If not, I might reach out to Shimano directly, but thought others might be interested to know the inches in diameter they use as well on this forum. Thanks!

[garroyo130]

6# mono = .009"

 

Just go off their stated capacity for 6# mono

[jimmyjoe]

   I'd go with what @garroyo130 says, but you've touched on one of the big mysteries of reel and line usage. It's almost impossible to get customer service personnel to give you a spool capacity in line diameter. If you have the patience to keep working up the ladder, you'll eventually find someone who can give you accurate information. When you do, write it down or you'll forget it like I did.

 

  ? ? ?      jj

 

p.s. - you can also try it the old-fashioned way. Unroll your line to a measured distance that's more than you'll need, and then spool it up with your reel. Subtract what's left over.

[bulldog1935]

here's the best line capacity calculator for both English and SI units, based on line diameter. 

 

Here's the table that all Japanese line capacities are based on - 

 

 - silk thread diameter numbers the Japanese have used for centuries (PE#).  

 

it's real easy to google a mm to inch conversion or a m to yds conversion

 

The reality is no line capacity is based on pound-test - it's all based on line diameter.  

[jimmyjoe]

5 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

here's the best line capacity calculator for both English and SI units. 

 

Here's the table that all Japanese line capacities are based on

 

it's real easy to google a mm to inch conversion or a m to yds conversion

 

   If you could be sure that all manufacturers were consistent with each other in their ratings, that would be wonderful! However , you can't count on that. As the second link states when comparing test versus diameter for the American market:

   "  ..... But in this case, you cannot expect the same Goued line has the same strength, as the quality and manufacturing can be differed by brands. ...."

   So if you can be sure that the manufacturer used the Japanese diameter chart faithfully,  then your problems are solved.  Line test can be a secondary consideration.  Oh, happy day!

  

   Otherwise ......................  ???      jj

  

[JustJames]

Because you compare line for US market that usually using larger diameter to fault advertise the strength or abrasion resistance. When I look at diameter of line I usually base on Japanese line and I believe all the Japan reels do the same, sunline super natural is the one I always compare to. 
8lb = .009”.

if you plan to use Tatsu line, I think it would be safe to follow line capacity that show on the reel.
 

[WRB]

200 yard spool of Seaguar Tatsu 8# will fill the 2500 size Vanford.

Tom

[ABrugs]

20 minutes ago, WRB said:

200 yard spool of Seaguar Tatsu 8# will fill the 2500 size Vanford.

Tom

Thanks, @WRB! I’m actually interested in the Vanford 2000 as it’s 5.3 oz. The specs online show it can take 165 yards of 6# mono. Based on @garroyo130’s post, could I assume that I’d be able to fit about 165 yards of 8# Tatsu? I’m mostly interested in the Vanford 2000 or the Stradic FL 1000. I wouldn’t be opposed to the Vanford 2500, but like the idea of the lightest spinning reel possible.

[JustJames]

I think you might able to get about 100 yds of 8lb tatsu only on 2000 size. Just for the side note that is pretty plenty for regular bass fishing and you can use 200 yds spool to fill twice.

Here just for reference on my 2000S.

 

 

[roadwarrior]

47 minutes ago, ABrugs said:

Thanks, @WRB! I’m actually interested in the Vanford 2000 as it’s 5.3 oz. The specs online show it can take 165 yards of 6# mono. Based on @garroyo130’s post, could I assume that I’d be able to fit about 165 yards of 8# Tatsu? I’m mostly interested in the Vanford 2000 or the Stradic FL 1000. I wouldn’t be opposed to the Vanford 2500, but like the idea of the lightest spinning reel possible.

 

I recently purchased the Stradic 1000 FL and would HIGHLY recommend the reel.

 

[ABrugs]

@roadwarrior - I held one in a store up north a couple of weeks ago and thought it felt amazing. Also, I LOVE the aesthetics. My concern w/ it would be how much 8# Tatsu it can hold. If Shimano’s 6# mono guideline is truly around 0.09 inches, that means I’d be able to put about 110 yards of 8# Tatsu on. If this is the case, I’m going to highly consider it w/ the Vanford 2000.

[mrpao]

If you are going to use fluro, I would suggest at least a 2500 sized reel. Just for the larger spool to help with line coils. 

I love my 1000 and 2000 sized reels. I only use braid and mono on them.

For fluro, i went with 2500 sized reels. Most people would suggest going up to a 3000 or 4000 sized reel. But to me, thats just too big.

I am like you. I love the feel of an ultra light weight spinning combo. Thats why most of my combos are 1000 to 2000 size only.

[QED]

2 hours ago, ABrugs said:

Thanks, @WRB! I’m actually interested in the Vanford 2000 as it’s 5.3 oz. The specs online show it can take 165 yards of 6# mono. Based on @garroyo130’s post, could I assume that I’d be able to fit about 165 yards of 8# Tatsu? I’m mostly interested in the Vanford 2000 or the Stradic FL 1000. I wouldn’t be opposed to the Vanford 2500, but like the idea of the lightest spinning reel possible.

 

Good choice.  The Vanford 2000 weighs the same as the 1000.  The 2500 gains an extra ounce which defeats the purpose of getting a super light reel.

[The Bassman]

Just now, QED said:

 

Good choice.  The Vanford 2000 weighs the same as the 1000.  The 2500 gains and extra ounce which sort of defeats the purpose of getting a super light reel.

6.3 oz. is pretty darn light for a 2500/3000 reel. I have two 2000's and two 2500's. They're both feather light.

[NHBull]

I run mostly braid on my spinning  gear.

If I were using FC, I would loom to 3000 size for manageability 

[QED]

20 minutes ago, The Bassman said:

6.3 oz. is pretty darn light for a 2500/3000 reel. I have two 2000's and two 2500's. They're both feather light.

 

I have Vanfords in the 500, 1000, and 2000 form factors for 4/6/8 lb test mono, respectively.  An incremental 19% weight gain for the 2500 is a substantial penalty if you don't need the additional line capacity.  If you don't care about weight, then there's always the Stella series which are heavy, but super smooth and refined.  I use the former much more often than the latter.

[roadwarrior]

The Stella is an entirely different class. I recently bought the 1000HGFL,

but I also have a JDM 2000S, and 2500FD. I like them all!

[Boomstick]

8 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

6# mono = .009"

 

Just go off their stated capacity for 6# mono

I will attest that Shimano uses some fatter line diameters for their mono line ratings, at least with their casting reels.

 

I recently tried to put enough backing to take 70 yards of 16# fluorocarbon on a Curado K assuming they went by fluorocarbon diameters like Diawa, and the line (Sunline Shooter) is dyed blue as a halfway marker and it took well past that and didn't leave enough for a second respool.

[ABrugs]

Thanks for all the responses! This is really helpful. @QED - That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking and why the 2000 has been at the top of the list. I’m not 100% set on the rod I’ll be pairing this w/ yet, but it’s most likely going to be a St. Croix Legend X or a G. Loomis NRX+. I love the idea of pairing one of those rods w/ a 5.3 oz reel that could hold around 165 yards of 8# Tatsu, assuming it does actually have the same diameter as what Shimano suggests for 6# mono.

 

@The Bassman - I definitely see your point and will be considering the 2500 as well. I just didn’t think I needed that much line capacity. If it would really help w/ line management since I’m considering straight Tatsu, that’s an excellent angle to consider. Thanks!

 

@Boomstick - Very helpful! Thanks!

[ABrugs]

Alright, I have an update. I found a photo of the Vanford 2500 on the Tackle Warehouse website and it had the specs by mm/m listed! I took this information and plugged it into the awesome calculator that @bulldog1935 provided and I have the exact numbers for both 6# and 8# Tatsu on the Vanford 2500:

 

6# - 238 Meters > 260 Yards

8# - 181 Meters > 197 Yards

 

Shimano lists 200 yards of 6# mono for the 2500, so I think it’s safe to assume that 6# mono within Shimano’s line diameter ratings = 8# Tatsu, or 0.09”. Given this, here is what 8# Tatsu would look like on the Vanford 2000 and the Stradic FL 1000:

 

Vanford 2000 - 165 Yards

Stradic FL 1000 - 110 Yards

 

^ So it looks like I could choose any of these 3 great spinning reels and have plenty of line capacity w/ 8# Tatsu. I hope this is helpful for others as well and I once again appreciate all of the advice and help here!

[jimmyjoe]

   Leave it to someone younger to see what the old guy misses!

   I went to the TW site and looked up the Vanford. For the life of me, I couldn't find any reference to line capacity by diameter. I wondered what the heck you were seeing, and ...... what photo?

   Then I enlarged the photo on top of the listing, and I saw the "dia/m" listing! Thank you!

 

   BTW - I had to take off my glasses and peer intently to make it out. Old age ain't no fun.     jj

  

[bulldog1935]

again, '18 Stella, '19 Stradic, '19 Vanquish, '20 Twin Power, '20 Vanford, '20 Exscence - all interchange spools (all parts), and all have the same models and spool capacities - the trick is identifying your USM reel in the 2-1/2-times-as-many JDM model list.  

This list happens to be Stradic, but the only thing that changes for different reel series is the weight (and BB/bushings).  

Here's the JP Fishing Tackle News article on Vanford 

If you notice JDM doesn't have a Vanford 500, it's because they have the Soare.  

The new Vanford 500 is USM-only, and is the same short-stroke locomotive-drive Soare 500 with a facelift.  

[KontheJ]

Having fished with both reels, I’d vote for the Vanford , hands down!!! 
IMHO it is lighter,stronger and smoother than any other reel I’ve ever used. Drag is unbelievably smooth on the Vanford Al’s.