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Fixed spool reel sizes. Sizing system

Paul Collins

Paul Collins

Senior Member
I use centerpins or multipliers for 99% of my fishing but am in the market for a new fixed spool for casting 1/4 - 1 oz lures, Salmon fishing when the water is not suitable for fly fishing. Ideally something about the size of a Mitchell 300/410. As long as it will hold 200 yards of 0.25mm braid that will be fine.
Almost certainly going to go down the unknown brand Chinese route, having been well pleased with everything I've got that way recently. Any recommendations of such would be very welcome.
The question I've got is about the sizing system that seems to have been introduced. Fixed spools now seem to be sized as 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 etc up.
Can anyone throw any light on this system please?
I got a very nice, good quality one last year, a Silstar, 11bb job, 4000 size, the stated line capacity was 260m of 0.25mm line but it was just too small, something around the size of the old Mitchell Prince, so it would seem the capacity charts are not to be trusted.
 
Hi Paul, I was just filling a 4000 size spool before reading this, and it said that it held 260mts x 0.25mm. I have had a look at one or two others of similar size and the least amount of 0.25mm line they held was 220mtrs:) Hope this helps and you get things sorted out.

Stephen

P.S. How accurate this is i have know idea:eek:
 
Watch out for the reels supplied with shallow spools - these contain less line than normal.
The Shimano Twin Power SRA had the same line capacity in 3000 and 4000 sizes namely 180yds of 6lb, 120 8lb and 100 of 10lb.
For comparison the Shimano Sustain 4000FG 240yds of 8lb, 200yd of 10 and 160yds of 12lb mono.
The Shimano 4000 D baitrunner has similar capacity as the Sustain. So has the Shimano 4000 Aero FA Baitrunner and most other Shimano 4000 sizes.
Shimano apparently 'standardised' the capacities for their models some years back. I don't think that you can get new model 5000 sized reels anymore, the old 5000 having broadly the same capacity as the new 4000's.....ish.
6lb mono is approximately the same diameter as 20lb braid (0.23mm) and 8lb at 0.28mm is around 30lb braid.
 
for casting 1/4 - 1 oz lures which i take you will be using a spinning rod 2500 sized reel should tick the boxes. 2500 spinning reels often have quite deep spools. I do a lot of lure fishing in the Canal near me. I found out anything larger upset the balance of the outfit on a 10 to 45g rod i was using. My other rod i use is a 0.2 to 5g spinning rod and the 2500 size reel suits this as well. I can get 300meters of 20lb braid on the spool.
 
My Shimano Ci4 Rarenium 2500 FA Cap 6lb 200, 8lb 140, 10lb 120yds.Reel weight 7.1oz or 200g.

The Ci bodied reels are quite a bit lighter in weight.
 
Paul,do you think it could be the braid you are using stating 0.25mm and then being more like 0.30 mm?.I have used braid and see massive changes in diameter over the breaking strains . Like our other replies 4000 should be a good size reel
 
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