GUIDE – How to Choose the Right Size Spinning Reel
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We’ve all been there at some stage in our fishing lives. We decide we want to buy a lovely new spinning reel, only to get to the store and become overwhelmed with the multitude of size variations on offer!
Deciding what size spinning reel you need can be a bit of a challenge for some, especially when new to fishing.
These reels come in a lot of different sizes, and choosing the right size for your needs should definitely be one of the main factors when you are looking at buying a new reel.
Choosing the right size spinning reel – Explained
When you start looking at the vast range of spinning reels available, you will see all of the different models will have a number associated with them. This number indicates the size.
The main concept is that the smaller the number, the smaller the reel is. Easy, right?
Now you know this, I will go through the size range so you can better understand what you have to choose from.
Here is a spinning reel size chart
| Spinning Reel Sizes | Recommended Line (Mono) | Recommended Line (Braid) |
|---|---|---|
| Small Size Spinning Reels: | ||
| 1000 | 2-4lb (1-2kg) | 4-8lb (2-4kg) |
| 2000 | 4-6lb (2-3kg) | 5-10lb (2-5kg) |
| 2500 | 5-8lb (2-4kg) | 5-12lb (2-6kg) |
| 3000 | 6-10lb (2.5-5kg) | 6-15lb (2.5-7kg) |
| 3500 | 6-10lb (2.5-5kg) | 6-15lb (2.5-7kg) |
| Medium Size Spinning Reels: | ||
| 4000 | 8-12lb (4-6kg) | 8-20lb (3.5-9kg) |
| 5000 | 10-15lb (4.5-7kg) | 10-25lb (4.5-11kg) |
| 6000 | 12-18lb (5.5-8kg) | 12-30lb (5.5-13.5kg) |
| Large Size Spinning Reels: | ||
| 7000 | 14-20lb (6.5-9kg) | 15-40lb (7-18kg) |
| 8000 | 15-25lb (7-11.5kg) | 20-50lb (9-22.5kg) |
| 9000 | 20-25lb (9-11.5kg) | 20lb-60lb (9-27kg) |
| Largest Size Spinning Reels: | ||
| 10,000 | 20-30lb (9-13.5kg) | 25-70lb (11.5-32kg) |
| 14,000 | 40lb+ (18kg+) | 30-80lb (13.5-36kg) |
| 20,000 | 50lb+ (22.5kg+) | 60lb+ (27kg+) |
| 30,000 | 60lb+ (27kg+) | 80lb+ (36kg) |
Note
One thing that should be explained is that most brands use either a two or a four-digit number to reference the size, but reels starting with the same number will be of the same size.
Example:
Brand A – spinning reel size 10
Brand B – spinning reel size 1000
Both 10 and 1000 equate to the same size reel. This is relevant throughout the entire size range of spinning reels.
Below is a bit more detail on the range of spinning reel sizes.
Starting from the very smallest of spinning reels up to the largest. This list also includes recommended line strength for each size and more detail on what each size is best suited for:
Small Size Spinning Reels:
1000 (or 10)
Recommended line strength = mono 2-4lb (1-2kg) or braid 4-8lb (2-4kg)
Detail = Very small ultralight spinning reel, best suited for fishing in lakes, streams, smaller rivers, bays, and harbor sand estuaries
2000 (or 20)
Recommended line strength = mono 4-6lb (2-3kg) or braid 5-10lb (2-5kg)
Detail = Small reel ideally suited for streams and smaller rivers, estuaries, lakes, harbors. Best paired with a light rod of 6-7ft in length that has a line rating of 4-8lb
2500 (or 25)
- Recommended line strength = mono 5-8lb (2-4kg) or braid = 5-12lb (2-6kg)
- Detail = Still a small-sized reel, but with more line capacity than the 1000 and 2000 sizes. Can be used for fishing anywhere from rivers to estuaries, and also suitable for small kayak and boat fishing if targeting smaller species too.
Should be paired with a rod of around 6-7ft with a 4-10lb line rating. It can also be used for longer rods when float fishing too.
3000 (or 30)
- Recommended line strength = mono 6-10lb (2.5-5kg) or braid 6-15lb (2.5-7kg)
- Detail = Reel size starting to get bigger now, so you can think about slightly heavier line and different fish species with this size reel.
Good for lakes, bays, estuaries, light surf, and harbors. Rod length can be 6-8ft for spinning, and up to 10ft for float fishing, with a line rating of 5-10lb
3500 (or 35)
- Recommended line strength = mono 6-10lb (2.5-5kg) or braid 6-15lb (2.5-7kg)
- Detail = Usually very similar in size to the 3000 models, but with just a bit more line capacity.
Much the same recommended specs for the 3500 as the 3000, but you can go slightly heavier on the line if you want to.
Medium Size Spinning Reels:
4000 (or 40)
- Recommended line strength = mono 8-12lb (4-6kg) or braid 8-20lb (3.5-9kg)
- Detail = Now we hit the mid-sized spinning reels, and you can start thinking about different species of fish again, and heavier line to target the bigger species with.
Great for fishing off kayaks and smaller boats, as well as surf fishing, harbors, and wharves. Look at pairing it with a 6-8ft rod for spinning, or up to a 10ft surf rod, with a line rating of 10-20lb
5000 (or 50)
- Recommended line strength = mono 10-15lb (4.5-7kg) or braid 10-25lb (4.5-11kg)
- Detail = Now we’re getting to the reels with quite a bit of grunt behind them, so can be used for targeting bigger species. Great for fishing off boats, whether spinning or trawling, as well as kayaks, harbor and wharfs.
Can be used for bigger river species too. Goes well with a 6-7ft spinning rod of around the 10-20lb line rating, or a 10-12ft surf rod with a line rating up to 15lb.
6000 (or 60)
- Recommended line strength = mono 12-18lb (5.5-8kg) or braid 12-30lb (5.5-13.5kg)
- Detail = Great size for rock fishing, as you have the power to tackle and lift heavy fish from the water, and use line strong enough to give you a chance against harder fighting fish that can be caught in these locations. Also great for boat fishing, and more heavy-duty wharf fishing.
Pair it with a more sturdy boat rod 6-8ft with a line rating up to 25lb, or 10-12ft surf rods. For rock fishing, 10ft is usually preferred, and a line rating of up to 20lb
Large Size Spinning Reels:
7000 (or 70)
- Recommended line strength = mono 14-20lb (6.5-9kg) or braid 15-40lb (7-18kg)
- Detail = Now we are into the larger sized reels, and the dynamic continues to change. Best suited for boat fishing, heavier surf fishing, and fishing off the rocks.
You can pair 7000 reels with shorter boat rods up to 8ft in length, with a line rating up to 40lb. For surf fishing, 11-12ft rods with a line rating up to 20lb, and for rocks a 10-11ft rod with a line rating up to 30lb
8000 (or 80)
Recommended line strength = mono 15-25lb (7-11.5kg) or braid 20-50lb (9-22.5kg)
Detail = Again, best suited for boat, surf, and rock fishing. Can be used with rods that range from 8ft for boat up to 12ft for surf, and line ratings from up to 50lb for boat and 25lb for surf.
9000 (or 90)
Recommended line strength = mono 20-25lb (9-11.5kg) or braid 20lb-60lb (9-27kg)
Detail = Same usage as an 8000, just look at line ratings of up to 60lb for boat, and 25lb for surf. Rock fishing you can go slightly heavier than surf if you feel it necessary depending on the locations you will be fishing and target species.
Largest Size Spinning Reels:
10,000 (or 100)
- Recommended line strength = mono 20-30lb (9-13.5kg) or braid 25-70lb (11.5-32kg)
- Detail = Now we get to the big-boy reels! These offer great sport for larger fish, and ideal to use from boats, rocks, and beach.
When you start getting into reels of this size, it is recommended that you only consider them once you have a bit of experience. They are quite bulky and will weigh quite a bit too.
14,000 (or 140)
Recommended line strength = mono 40lb+ (18kg+) or braid 30-80lb (13.5-36kg)
Detail = Boat, rock, and beach, and now you’ll be targeting species such as Tuna, GT’s, smaller sharks, Mahi Mahi etc.
20,000 (or 200)
Recommended line strength = mono 50lb+ (22.5kg+) or braid 60lb+ (27kg+)
Detail = Now we’re really into the bigger stuff, so bigger species and heavy-duty rock, beach, and boat fishing
30,000 (or 300)
Recommended line strength = mono 60lb+ (27kg+) or braid 80lb+ (36kg)
Detail = You won’t find much bigger than this when it comes to spinning reels. This size is usually reserved for the bigger pelagic fish such as Marlin, big GT’s, sharks, and bigger Tuna
**Please note, you may find some brands that will offer sizes not shown here, that sit in the middle of what is listed above.
An example would be the Penn Slammer 3 7500. But the above will give you a good understanding of the range of sizes available, from smallest to largest.
What type of fishing will you be doing?
An important question to ask yourself before you buy a new spinning reel is what type of fishing you intend to use it for?
The size of reel you choose should suit the type of fishing you intend to do with it.
Likewise, if you are going for bigger fish you will need a reel that has the strength to deal with the hard battles they provide, so an 8,000, 10,000, or even bigger could be ideal.
What size fishing reel should you get if you’re just starting out?
If you are just starting fishing, you probably won’t know exactly what type of fishing you will be doing, or you may want to try a few different styles to see which one you enjoy the most.
You don’t want to be spending a lot of money on several different fishing reels, at least not initially.
So the best option is to buy a mid-size reel that will allow you to fish lighter tackle in freshwater or estuaries or heavier tackle in the ocean.
Look at either a 3000 to a 4000 size reel and use line with a breaking strain of around 10 to 15lb’s.
This is a great place to start and will give you the ability to catch a wide range of fish and use a number of different fishing techniques.
To big or too small – how to get it right
I have seen many people fishing with much to heavy gear for the fish they are targeting.
For me, this dilutes the fun you have when you catch a fish, as it largely negates the fight of the fish, as you are able to haul it in without any use of the drag.
If you are new to fishing then I would advise that you air on the side of caution and go slightly bigger rather than smaller.
But as you get more skilled with your fishing, if you want to have more fun with the fish then going with smaller lighter reels and line can give you a lot of satisfaction and entertainment when you hook into that bigger fish.
The thing to remember when choosing your next spinning reel is that there is no exact science to it, but if you use the size guide I posted above you are going to be in the right ballpark.
Q & A’s
How do I know what size reel to buy?
To decide what size fishing reel you should buy you need to determine where you will be fishing, what type of fishing you will be doing, and how much you want to spend. There are good spinning reels available to meet all budgets and sizes for all types of fishing
What does a reel size 30 mean?
A 30 size reel is the same as a 3000 size reel. Some brands prefer to use ’30’ to state the size, while others prefer to use ‘3000’. A size 30 reel is classed as a smaller size spinning reel
What is a 1000 size reel used for?
A 1000 size reel is a very small-sized spinning reel and will be used for very light fishing. It would be used in small rivers and streams, or for very light lure fishing in an estuary or inshore fishing.
What is the best size reel for bass?
If you are using a spinning reel when bass fishing then you will want to use one of the smaller sizes. The best size reels for bass are 1000 up to a 3000 size
