Reel Capacity

[pete]

I am thinking about buying a spinning reel but am confused about reel capacity. I know they differ on line weight, but why are there so many different makes with so many models. I'm looking for a general purpose walleye reel and found one for a good price with a reel capacity of 80 yds (240 ft). Is this going to serve my purpose? How much line does a person need to have and for what? Please respond as to I am just trying to learn a thing or two.

[fisherman]

For riggin and jiggn you don't need a reel with anything over 140 or 150 feet of line capacity. Next thing past an ultralite reel will balance real well with you're rod and will not fatigue you're arm and wrist. Line capacity meaning 6 lb. test line..and you don't need to spend tons of money doing it. A 100 dollar reel is super nice, but a 40 dollar reel will do it for you..Learn to backreel a heavy fish and you can land a bigun' with any cheap reel. I got a 30 lb. grass carp to the hole ice fishing/ took me 30 min./ on 4 lb.test line last winter. Was useing a cheap ultra lite reel.

[cisco]

Be honest now -- How often do you get walleyes that will strip off yards of line?

Let's face it, we don't hunt walleyes because of their savage fighting abilities. 80 yards of line will do just fine.

[Chad]

Most of the reels made today come in all different sizes because not everyone fishes for walleye. Some fish for specis which require heavier line and therefore need more line capacity. For walleye usually the two smallest sizes will do. I sometimes opt for the 2000 series rather then the 1000 if I plan on putting the reel on a more stout rod or one that is longer to have better balance.

Line capacity is usually only a problem when looking for a reel for trolling and leadcore. Lead is very thick and needs a big reel. These both would need a casting type reel which is off the subject you were talking about.

Happy fishing.

[AquaMan]

I agree with Cisco. If you typically fish in 20-40 feet of water and the fish makes a run of another 20 feet, you should be fine with 80 feet. Most spring fishing is in 5-20 feet and few fish I have ever reeled in ran more then a few feet.

However, those guys that fish deep water in lakes like Erie will spool 200+ feet on bigger reels especially of they are running boards and down riggers.

If you spool too much line onto a spinning reel the first 20 feet will come off in a rats nest everytime, so run with the 1/8" from the top.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"