Spinning Reel Size

[zelmo]

How do you choose the size spinning reel to put on a rod for bass fishing?

 

 I have many baitcasting rigs but only two spinning.  I have a 2500 Stradic on a 3 power rod and a 2000 Certate on a two power rod.  I rarely use either because I prefer using the baitcasters, even for light baits.  I have four BFS reels on 1 power rods that I use for baits down to 3 grams.   
 

There are times when I would like to get more distance with the lighter baits than I can with the BFS rigs.  Accuracy is not terribly important in that situation.  To achieve that I am thinking about getting a 1 power spinning rod. 
 

The question is what size reel to put on it.  I recently discovered that I can get the larger size (2500 or 3000) reels with shallow spools. I am assuming that would help with finesse applications but I just don’t think those “go” with the lower power rod, but that’s probably old school thinking.  
 

Any suggestions?

[papajoe222]

To me, spool diameter is what is most important in choosing a spinning reel. Second most is drag and weight is close behind it.  A wider spool diameter allows for both longer casts and faster retrieve over a smaller diameter spool, given the same gear ratio.  It also incorporates a larger drag washer(s). The problem that arises when choosing a wide spool spinning reel, is pairing it to a rod that isn't designed to handle the larger loops coming off that spool.  For a good match, talk to a knowledgeable associate at your LSG if you aren't sure how well a particular reel pairs up with a rod you're interested in purchasing.

[JustJames]

1 hour ago, zelmo said:

 I rarely use either because I prefer using the baitcasters, even for light baits.  I have four BFS reels on 1 power rods that I use for baits down to 3 grams.   
 

There are times when I would like to get more distance with the lighter baits than I can with the BFS rigs.  Accuracy is not terribly important in that situation.  To achieve that I am thinking about getting a 1 power spinning rod. 
 

There are many way to achieve further casting distance beside spool size and softer rod. 
#1 and most ignore fact is casting motion, then how to load the rod, rod length and line size and type. 
I’m not sure what 2 power and 1 power compare to but my guess is 2 power is ML 1/16oz and 1 power is L 1/32?

Im not claim to be an expert but one of my crappie expert friend has open my eyes from his ability of casting. We casting the same weight 1/16 oz crappie jig, he used ML power 7’ rod and 500 size Stella and 4lb mono line. I used 6’6 Light power, 750 size Sahara 8lb braid. He cast at least 30% further than me (more than 100 feet compare to me at 50-60 feet). He showed me the proper way of casting motion (lob easy cast like golf swing) and how to load the rod properly with lure hanging about 2-3’ of rod tip. I felt like noob that day (and just like you I don’t use spinning as often). I always swing with whipping motion and never feel the lure weight on my index finger while casting. 
Since then I have been practicing, lob easy cast startup, make sure I feel the lure weight loading on my index finger every cast. Now I can cast 1/16oz head on ML power rod further than a guy next to me using L-UL but not to my friend level. I also got 7’3” rod switch the line to Nanofil and I can even cast 1/32oz head even further.

Bottom line is before investing in a whole setup, you might be able to add distance by adjusting your casting motion or get not just a softer rod but longer instead. If 2 power is lower end lure rated at 1/16oz, it should be able to load 3 grams lure easily. Most of my reel are 2000 size which balance perfect with 3-3.5oz rod. 
My rig for both bass and super slab, crucial 6’8 ML 1/16-1/4oz Vanford 2000s.

[jbsoonerfan]

Bass = 2500

Crappie = 1000

[jimmyjoe]

   I have one 1000-size reel. It has .008" nylon line, and has an extra spool with 4 lb. test braid. I also have two 2500 reels, one with .007 nylon and one with .009" nylon. My 2 rods are 7'-02" L/MF and 7" ML/F.

   The 2500 reels do everything I want to do, so I no longer use the 1000 size reel.  What @papajoe222 said explains it perfectly.   jj

[bulldog1935]

no offense to OP, but from 1000 to 5000, all Shimano share the same spool/drag tension knob and the same diameter drag washers - the drag composition changes in the mid-size reels, and the number of drag washers increases in the large frame reels. 

Guess there's some aesthetic to how the reel frame reels look on light rods, but the fishing factor that matters is the weight of the reel.  You could probably get by with a mid-or large-frame Vanford on a light rod. 

 

For distance, while spool diameter is a factor (even in baitcasters) rod length is the biggest factor - speed of the line and lure at the start of the cast decides how far it's going to go.  The ballistics is every 20% increases in initial velocity doubles cast distance.  Certainly that's limited by friction on the line at the spool end. 

Japanese shore game and light game rods are 8' to 10'

The light game rods are made to cast light lures as far as you can fish them, and protect light line, so they never need more than 2 lbs drag. 

My best is 8'3", high-grade Yamaga Blanks, and it fishes great with light braid and 1000 or 2000 reel.  This one has landed snook (and also broke off a couple bruisers on the shock of the strike). 

I can duplicate the cast distance on 8'2" BFS version and (1000 size) Daiwa baitcaster with Roro-X spool.  Fighting fish with the rod low and using the reel drag, both set-ups have the ability to turn big fish in the rod butt. 

 

If a cost effective spinning version interests you, I can recommend Korean made NS Black Hole 8' ML

[MickD]

The best thing you can do with spin for longer casts is to use premium (8 strands or more) braid no heavier than 15 pound test, better about 10.  With line like that the spool size doesn't matter-all will cast just fine.  Then the decision is more about line retrieval per handle rev and reel weight/balance on the rod + price.  Most have drags adequate for this line (most fishermen set their drags a lot lower than the breaking strength of the line.)

[zelmo]

So for clarification, 1 power is ML and 2 power is M.  I do know how to load the rod.  I was on the water today and tried throwing 4 grams on my M rod with the 2000 certate.  Line wasn’t optimal for this at 20lb braid, but the bigger problem was that the rod didn’t load well.  I was able to get a few good casts but it wasn’t what I want.  That rod is 6’9” Kistler Helium LTA.  
 

Based on what I experience with the ML casting rigs that is what I am looking at in 7’.