500 size spinning reel?

[Brendan Duffy]

Is a 500 size spinning reel too small for largemouth bass fishing? I'm looking to get into an ultralight setup and am trying to pick between a 500 and 1000 size reel.

[Marty]

You can catch bass on ultralight gear using, say, 4# test line, as long as you're not dealing with heavy cover. It's loads of fun, but the downside is the increased chances of line breakage, leaving the fish swimming around with a lure in its mouth, not to mention the loss of the lure.

But with good line, a sound knot and proper drag setting, you can fight and land large fish in open water.

As to the choice between those two reel sizes, I'd go with the 1000 because there will be fewer line problems because of the larger spool.

[bigfruits]

i have a 1000 symetre on my ultralight and i wouldnt want to go smaller. i think the 1000 is almost the same size as the 500 with a bigger spool but i may be incorrect. im using green 4lb Yo Zuri ultrasoft.

[21farms]

i think you'll be happier with the 1000-size. i've had 500-size reels and i had a lot more line twisting and coiling problems. besides line capacity and physical size, you need to consider max drag too...most 500-size reels max out at 4 lbs. and if you have a bass pulling out line against that drag, you're only gonna have worse line twisting.

[ChiCityBasser]

I agree with the other guys on you going with the 1000 size. I have a Sahara 1000 that I have 10# test/4# Mono braid on and it is as small as I would go as well.

[Grey Wolf]

Go with the 1000 size.

[Raul]

Larger spool means larger drag discs and when fishing with very light line you need larger discs to protect the line. Smaller spools also mean smaller surface, tighter coils and lots of line manageament problems.

Marty mentioned something important, yes you can catch, fight and land a large fish with very light line if the drag setting is the right one, the line is in good condition but also with the right fighting technique.

[trevor]

just get a 2000! With a 500 you might as well wrap your line around a spool of thread. Alot of cast distance loss and MANY coils.

[DaveT63]

For the most part, I would agree with what everyone says about the 1000-size reel.  The biggest issue I have with a 500 over a 1000 is the weight.  The 1000 Stradic I bought as an "upgrade" seems considerably heavier, and the whole combo now seems unbalanced.  However, I also would not dissuade you from the 500.  As stated previously, they are capable.  I recently caught a 6lb LM on a Mitchell Avocet II Gold 500.  Fought it for what seemed like 5 minutes on 6lb test.  It was a blast. 

Dave

[Jake.]

If you want a true ultralight, go with a 500 size reel. I don't have many line management issues at all with mine, just make sure the line isn't too slack when you flip the bail.

[21farms]

just one more thing to consider if you're concerned about the well-being of the fish should you plan to release her: the longer a fish fights against you, the higher the fishes' mortality rate.

[SouthwestBassHunter]

I know this is an older post. Not sure is anyone is still following it but figured I would post my 2 cents.

 

Ive never had any issues with my 500 size reel. I fish a Shimano 500 Vanford with a St Croix Ultra Light 7’ Rod and never had an issue.

 

I use 6 lbs braid with 6 lbs of 18” fluorocarbon leader. 
 

Ultra Light as it comes and when fishing in open waters I’ve punched plenty of basses ticket. 
 

Fish On!

 

[bulldog1935]

Note that USM 1000-size Shimano is JDM C2000.  

In Japan, 1000 is the same body with slightly smaller diameter spool (same pitch).  

In Vanford 500 (which is made for USM only), you give up worm drive for smaller-pitch locomotive drive.  

I've caught doubles with mixed snook, redfish, and seatrout on my 500 Tica Cetus with 4-lb copolymer (heck of a $45 reel if you want to fish mono), but I'm much happier with C2000S and threadline braid in the same niche.  

 

[SouthwestBassHunter]

Nice reels ?

[T2DM]

Another vote on the 1000 size.

[SouthwestBassHunter]

Love it. Nice job ?