question about spinning reels?

[shootermcbob]

For some manufacturers, they list the line the reel will hold such as 140/4, 120/6, & 100/8. Others list only one number such as 170/8. My question is this, If you have say a shimano symmetre 2500, can or should you not fish it with line heavier than 8 lb test??? Thanks.

[grimlin]

All those numbers are is the amount of line that spool can hold. Say it says 120 yards/8# test...which means that spool will hold 120 yards of 8# test line...so the higher up the pound on line the less line you will fill the spool with.Look on the box of the diameter of the line on different brands and you'll notice some diameters are smaller and larger than others.That also plays a role on how much line you can get on a reel.

The higher up in line test the less line you will get on a spool.

Also i have a crappie spinning reel which is really small,no way would i put anything over #6 on it...i couldn't get but many 30 yards if i doubled that test line.  

[shootermcbob]

So, Grimlin, if I am hearing you right, I can really fish with 10 lb. line on an 8 lb reel, but I would have to make do with less line? What about casting, would it be the same? would the reel be damaged in any way??? Thanks for your help.

[Tin]

Yup or you could go to braid. 30 lbs line with the diameter of 8lb line. 10 with the diameter of 2lbs line. Just for a few examples, but it can be very visible in clearer waters.

[grimlin]

So, Grimlin, if I am hearing you right, I can really fish with 10 lb. line on an 8 lb reel, but I would have to make do with less line? What about casting, would it be the same? would the reel be damaged in any way??? Thanks for your help.

Yep,just a little less line.I use 14#-15# in mono and fluorocarbon line on baitcasters.Then again i don't need to cast clear across the lake...just far enough to land in structure where fish might be. Nope it shouldn't effect the reel.Least it hasn't for me.I do however try to match the rod for whatever i'm using.If the rod specs say 8-17 pounds  i try to stay within that limit.

Like tin2win said,if you use braided line like fireline,power pro 30# test is actually only 8# test diameter size as mono or fluoro.Personally i like braid on my spinning reels with a fluorocarbon leader.You get more line on spool with a higher pound braid than you would with mono or fluorocarbon lines.    

[islandbass]

So, Grimlin, if I am hearing you right, I can really fish with 10 lb. line on an 8 lb reel, but I would have to make do with less line? What about casting, would it be the same? would the reel be damaged in any way??? Thanks for your help.

As already mentioned, those figures are a gage of how much line the reel's spool will hold of that test.

As a rule of thumb for spinning reels and mono, the higher the 3 test, the thicker the line and the chances of the line being less manageable on the reel increase. A 2500 sized reel can and should easily handle 10# mono line. I've put 10# mono on mine before without a problem. I wouldn't go any higher than that on a reel that size. Not because the reel would break or anything. Line manageability would probably become an issue then.

As for casting, here is a general rule of thumb:

All things being equal, the thicker the line's diameter, the less the casting distance will be.

Ex: On a 2500 sized reel, again all things being equal, 8# line will probably yield you a farther cast for the same effort. Maybe not too much more, but more.

Remember, not all lines are equal either. One company's mono might not fair well on a 2500 sized reel but another's mono could.

[roadwarrior]

To cut through the numbers, line capacity is not an issue for bass fishing. What is important is line managability, memory and twist. Higher line diameters are stiffer than smaller diameters and tend to "jump" off the spool. Fluorocarbon can be particularly difficult to deal with.

I recommend Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test). In use, this line has virtyually no memory. Hybrid is a bonded (not coated) fluorocarbon/ nylon copolymer. It is exceptionally strong, highly abrasion resistant, impervious to water & UV light, stealthy and it floats!

[RobbyZ5001]

Personally I hate braid on spinning set ups. Anyone else out there like me? You can spool up 10 or 12 just watch the spool.

[Raul]

To cut through the numbers, line capacity is not an issue for bass fishing. What is important is line managability, memory and twist. Higher line diameters are stiffer than smaller diameters and tend to "jump" off the spool. Fluorocarbon can be particularly difficult to deal with.

Nothing more to add.