Are you finding it difficult to comprehend and interpret the spinning reel sizes that would best suit your angling requirements? Well, most people have been there at some point when tasked with fishing.

Spinning reels are currently the most popular of all the types of fishing reels available.  They can be used by both newbies and experienced fishermen.

Most times, you decide to get a new spinning reel, only to get to the reel stores and become spoilt for choice. The multitude of size variations that are usually on offer overwhelm you and you might end up not getting the fishing reel sizes that you require.

All about fishing hooks sizes, or Treble hook size charts – click the links

Spinning Reel Size Chart

Spinning reels are categorized as either small, medium fishing reels, or large. The sizes are determined by the forms of fish targets and this ultimately determines the monofilament that you use. The types of fishing reel can be a wide range depending on target sized reel or the target species and the type of fishing. There is a range of sizes and personal preference will help one to choose an informed decision of their personal choice. 

It is important to conduct pound tests. For example, you conduct a 2-to 4-pound test monofilament line. The pound test would mean that (the fishing line strength in terms of pounds) can hold 2-4lbs without breaking. A 20-pound test monofilament means that the spinning reel can hold up to 20 lbs without breaking.

Small Sized Spinning Reels (1000-3500)

These reels are suitable for light line applications in the 6-7 foot range.

These are used when targeting small fish species which weigh up to 15 pounds.  They work best with 2-10lb monofilament. You can also use a 4-14lb braid.

These are used both for freshwater fishing and in protected coastal waters.

Medium Sized Spinning Reel Types (4000-5500)

Ideally, they utilize the 7-8 foot range rods.

They are mostly used to target medium fishing species weighing approximately 30 pounds.

They work best with the 8-14lb monofilament or the 10-25lb braid.

They are used for catching large freshwater fish or during inshore saltwater fishing.

Large Sized Spinning Reels (6000-30000)

Their large size range makes them heavy and thus, they are ideal for heavy rods.

You can use them for offshore boat fishing, surfcasting, or rock fishing.

You can also use them to target large fish species weighing about 150 and above pounds.

They work best using the 12-60lb monofilament or 24-100lb braid which can hold a 10-30 kg monofilament line.

Ideally, you can use them for heavy saltwater applications. Often, the largest models are used for catching the pelagic big game species such as sailfish.

The recommended fishing rod to use is dependent on the weight rating of the lines

Why is it Important to Choose the Right Spinning Reel Sizes?

Choosing the right size spinning reels is as important as getting the right model.

It needs you to first figure out your purpose and the best-sized reels for it.

The different models usually have a model size associated with them. The number is indicative of the fishing reel sizes.

The main concept used is that the smaller the number, the smaller the reel. Easy, right?

Although there are many factors that should be considered when choosing new reels, you might get tempted to ignore the complexity of this exercise.

So, What Size Spinning Reel Do I Need?

The answer to this question is tied to the fishing you plan to do.  The most important factors you need to be keen on include:

• The fish type- whether you will be fishing in freshwater or salty water.
• The size of fish you are planning to catch.
• The line strength you will use.

In general, the freshwater reels are usually smaller in size as compared to the saltwater spinning reels. The saltwater reels are often larger because they handle larger fish. A larger fish would result in a heavy fish. The fish in saltwater tend to make long ‘runs’ even after being hooked. If you use a small reel for this, then the fish would pull the line off the reel.

Intuitively, you would use a larger spinning reel when pursuing larger fish. For example, if you want to catch crappie, it would make sense if you used a size 100 spinning reel. How about if you wanted to catch a tuna, you would use a larger-sized reel, probably a size 10,000. Do not worry about these sizes as mentioned above. Read on to get more information on the fishing reel size chart below. You will get what works best for you.

Spinning Reel Sizes Explained

When making decisions about fishing reel sizes, you need to understand that there are two different size classifications.

Often, size reels vary from size 10,20, 30, and so on. Depending on the reel manufacturer, there are1000, 2000, and 3000-labeled models that you can choose from. There are types of fishing reels which include lighter reels, class reels, series reels, and game reels  You actually do not need to stress over the two systems of reel classifications. The systems are basically the same. For example, a reel size 10 would correspond to a reel size 1000, a size 20 would correspond to a reel size 2000, and so on.

What this means is that you need to pay close attention to the first two numbers of the reel size without being so conscious about the zeros following. You then compare the number across all brands and models to know what you need.

Having understood that, you need to be conversant with the size ranges to better understand what you have to choose from.

How to Match a Spinning Reel with a Rod

It might be difficult for you as a first-timer to correctly match a spinning reel to a rod. However, you do not have to worry. It is not as difficult as you may imagine. The most important thing specifically for spinning rods is to understand that their designs are different from those of baitcasting rods. It is also important to note that a baitcasting reel cannot be used with a spinning reel and vice versa.

The rods also contain numbers listed above the grip. The numbers identify the length of the rod and the monofilament line weight range as recommended by a manufacturer. For example, a line strength of 6-10lbs would mean that the recommended weight it can hold is 6 to 10 pounds. Upon knowing the recommended line strength on your rod, then you can come back to our reel size chart and choose a spinning reel that matches the line strength- and there you go, you will have matched the rod to the right reel. Finally, put the fishing line on the larger reels and the correct baits.

To get the most out of a spinning reel, you need to understand how to spool a reel correctly. First, lay the spool of fishing line on your working area and hold your reel over the spool.  Fasten the reel onto the rod handle and lay it back on the working area with the bail arm open. Lastly, start spooling the line onto the reel. Understanding this avoids many spooling hassles.

We recommended that you use the aluminum spool as compared to the plastic one. The aluminum spools come as one piece as compared to the plastic spools which have two sharp-edged internal spools that cause your line to rub thus weakening it

Conclusion

Their versatility allows them to be adapted to almost any kind of fishing.

Remember, this is a guide that gives recommendations on the most common applications and therefore, you are free to use the reels with any other applications.

Here, we conclude our fishing reel sizes guide. We hope it helps you choose the perfect size reel that suits your purpose.

How about you reeling in some trophy-sized fish!

Do not forget to leave a comment in case of any questions.

Picture in this post by Zab Consulting on Unsplash

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