When you want to buy a spinning reel, the first thing that comes to mind is what size reel you want. The size of your spinning reel will depend on your demands and where you want to use it. What works for riverbank fishing may not work for saltwater fishing from a boat, for example.
Accordingly, a reel’s price varies a lot based on its features, usefulness, style, and warranty. Keeping in mind that obtaining the correct size spinning reel is just as crucial as getting the right type, deciding what suits you best might be daunting.
We’ve got you covered with a step-by-step tutorial that explains all spinning reel sizes so you can make an informed decision.
Some of the most crucial factors to consider before buying a spinning reel:
- Are you going to fish in freshwater or saltwater?
- What kind of fish do you intend to catch?
- What is the line strength that you intend to use?
Spinning Reel Sizes Explained
Fishing spinning reels are segregated into small, medium, and large spinning reels according to the kind of species you wish to target.
- Small reels in 1000 to 3500 (or 10 – 35) class are likely to be used with a lightweight 6 – 7ft rod targeting small fish species. For these smaller reels, the monofilament line weight range is often 1-5kg.
- Medium-sized reels in the 4000 to 5500 (or 40 – 55) class are suitable for a 6-7ft snapper or barramundi rod. Monofilament line weights typically vary from 4-7kg.
- Large spinning reels of the 6000 to 30,000 (or 60 – 300) class are designed to fit a variety of rod sizes, such as heavy-weight boat rods or surf/rock fishing rods. Monofilament line weights typically vary from 6-15kg or above.
Spinning Reel Sizes Chart:
Small Size Spinning Reels (1000 to 3500)
[table id=1 /]
1. Spinning reel size: 1000 or 10
- Recommended mono line strength: 1-2 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 4-8lb.
- Recommended applications: Freshwater, estuaries, bays, and harbors ultralight fishing.
- Fishing rod required: Because the 1000 or 10 sized spinning reel is relatively little, you’d usually match it with a rod that’s approximately 6-7 feet long and has a fishing line rating of 1-4 kg.
2. Spinning reel size: 2000 or 20
- Recommended mono line strength: 2-3 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 5-10 lb
- Recommended applications: Freshwater, estuaries, bays, and harbors ultralight fishing.
- Fishing rod required: Because a 2000 or 20 sized reel is relatively small, it should be used with a fishing rod that is between 6 and 7 feet 6 inches long and has a line class rating of 2 to 5 kg.
3. Spinning reel size: 2500 or 25
- Recommended mono line strength: 2.5-4 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 5-12 lb
- Recommended applications: Freshwater, estuaries, bays, and harbors ultralight fishing.
- Fishing rod required: Anglers that use a rod with a line rating of approximately 2-5Kgs and a length of between 6-7ft prefer 2500 or 25 size reels.
4. Spinning reel size: 3000 or 30
- Recommended mono line strength: 3-5 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 6-14 lb
- Recommended applications: Freshwater, estuaries, bays, and harbors ultralight fishing.
- Fishing rod required: Spinning reels in the 3000 or 30 size range are usually best paired with a rod that is approximately 6-7ft 6 inches long and has a line class of 3Kg-7Kg.
This sized reel may potentially be used as a lightweight blackfish reel on rods rated to 4Kg that are approximately 9-10 feet long.
5. Spinning reel size: 3500 or 350 or 30
- Recommended mono line strength: 3-5 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 6-14 lb
- Recommended applications: Freshwater, estuaries, bays, and harbors ultralight fishing.
- Fishing rod required: If you’re pursuing blackfish or whiting, a 35/350/3500 reel should be paired with a 6-7ft rod with a line class rating of 3-7kg.
However, if you’re targeting blackfish or whiting, you may use this site on a light 10ft rod with a line class rating of approximately 4kg.
Medium Size Spinning Reels (4000-5500)
1. Spinning reel size: 4000 or 40
- Recommended mono line strength: 4-6 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 8-20 lb
- Recommended applications: Medium fishing reels, best for fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, and modest offshore boating.
- Fishing rod required: This sized reel will suit medium action rods in the 6ft-7ft (barra/snapper style rod) with a line class of approximately 4Kg-10Kg or in an 8ft-10ft (light surf) rod with a light line class rating of around 3-5Kg.
2. Spinning reel size: 4500 or 450 or 45
- Recommended mono line strength: 4-6 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 8-20 lb
- Recommended applications: Medium fishing reels, best for fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, and modest offshore boating.
- Fishing rod required: The 45/450/4500 versions are excellent mid-size reels for 6-8ft rods with a middle class of 4-10Kg.
3. Spinning reel size: 5000 or 50
- Recommended mono line strength: 5-7 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 10-25 lb
- Recommended applications: Medium fishing reels, best for fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, and modest offshore boating.
- Fishing rod required: 5000 or 50 size reels are medium in size and will work well with 6-7ft barra or snapper rods rated up to 10Kg, as well as light-medium 10-11ft surf rods rated up to 6Kg, or even an 8-9ft general purpose rod.
4. Spinning reel size: 5500 or 550 or 55
- Recommended mono line strength: 5-7 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 10-25 lb
- Recommended applications: Medium fishing reels, best for fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, and modest offshore boating.
- Fishing rod required: These sizes are often acceptable for pairing with 6-7ft snapper fishing rods rated up to 10kg, as well as middle-class 10-11ft surf/rock rods rated up to 6kg. On top of that, these reels are also suitable for use on an 8-9ft general purpose spin rod.
Large Size Spinning Reels (6000-30,000)
1. Spinning reel size: 6000 or 60
- Recommended mono line strength: 6-8 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 12-30 lb
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: This size fishing reel will generally suit 5-8ft boat fishing rods, 8-9ft general purpose spinning rods, or 10-foot rock/surf fishing rods with a line rating of anywhere between 6-15kg.
2. Spinning reel size: 6500 or 650 or 65
- Recommended mono line strength: 6-8 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 12-30 lb
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: These sizes are commonly used in conjunction with 5-7 foot ocean boat fishing rods, as well as 8ft, 9ft, or 10ft shore-based fishing rods, with most fiberglass rods rated between 6-15kg.
3. Spinning reel size: 7000 or 70
- Recommended mono line strength: 7-9 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 15-40 lb
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: Appropriate for boat fishing rods, 10 or 12-foot beach rods, or even 8-9 foot general purpose rods. In terms of the rods line rating, normally if using monofilament you should be looking for a rod that is rated approximately in the region of 6-10Kg and if you are going to use the braided fishing line you can usually use rods rated anywhere between 6-20Kg.
4. Spinning reel size: 7500 or 750 or 75
- Recommended mono line strength: 8-10 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 20-50 lb
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: These are big sizes that may be used on hefty 9 foot, 10 foot, or 12-foot fishing rods for shore-based angling, and search for a rod with a line rating of 10kgs or higher in terms of the line class.
5. Spinning reel size: 8000 or 80
- Recommended mono line strength: 8-10 kg
- Recommended braid line length: 20-50 lb
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: This size range is developed particularly for surf, rock, and ocean boat fishing. So, if you’re going surf fishing, you’ll want a rod that’s approximately 12 feet long or more, but if you’re going boat fishing, a rod with a rating of 10kg or more should suffice.
6. Spinning reel size: 8500 or 850 or 85
- Recommended mono line strength: 12 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 30 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: When fishing from the beach or rocks, you’ll most likely use an 85/850/8500 spinning reel with a rod that’s at least 10 feet long. This size would also work well on a 5ft or longer heavy action deep-sea boat rod. When it comes to rod line class ratings, seek a rod that is rated for 10kg or heavier line.
7. Spinning reel size: 9500 or 950 or 95
- Recommended mono line strength: 14 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 30 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: Ideal for heavy-class fishing or people who enjoy huge line capacity. If you can locate a surf rod with a length of 12 feet or more, or a heavy boat rod with a line rating of 10-15 kg or more, you’ve found the proper rod for the job.
8. Spinning reel size: 10,000 or 100
- Recommended mono line strength: 10-12.5 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 30 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: Provides you a huge capacity fishing reel that will frequently fit nicely on any 10 foot or longer fishing rod. You may also use it with a jigging rod or a spin-type boat rod rated above 10kg.
9. Spinning reel size: 10,500
- Recommended mono line strength: 20 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 50 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: While it is feasible to use this reel on a shore-based rod, it is more probable that you will use it from a boat. As a result, you should match this beast of a reel to rods that are rated to take lines up to 24 kg.
10. Spinning reel size: 12,000
- Recommended mono line strength: 12 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 30 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: When it comes to the most typical uses, the 12,000 size spinning reel is designed for serious med-large capacity fishing.
If you’re fishing from the beach, you’ll need a rod that’s at least 10 feet long, and if you’re fishing from a boat, you’ll need a rod that’s at least 5-8 feet long. In terms of line class, depending on your planned target species and fishing technique, you should look for a rod with a rating of at least 10-15Kg+.
11. Spinning reel size: 14,000
- Recommended mono line strength: 14 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 30 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: You should pair this reel with a beach rod of 12 feet or longer, a strong 8-foot gt rod, or a boat rod (spin type). The line class you choose is entirely up to personal discretion, although we typically recommend a rod rated over 14kg.
12. Spinning reel size: 16,000
- Recommended mono line strength: 16 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 40 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: A rod that is 12ft or longer for land base fishing techniques and a size between 5-7ft for boat fishing would be a great choice in rods to go with a 16,000 spin reel for bottom bouncing or jigging or for usage for shore-based beach and rock fishing.
13. Spinning reel size: 18,000
- Recommended mono line strength: 18 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 40 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: This reel is also popular for targeting GT, and it pairs nicely with a GT popper rod. Ocean-going boat anglers or jiggers will appreciate the big capacity when paired with a 15Kg+ spin-type boat or jigging rod.
14. Spinning reel size: 20,000
- Recommended mono line strength: 20 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 50 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: Anglers using a 20,000-size spinning reel are most likely to utilize it for beach and boat fishing. When looking for a fishing rod to match this size, seek one that is between 12-16 feet long and rated at 10-15 kg or more for strong surf fishing.
15. Spinning reel size: 25,000
- Recommended mono line strength: 25 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 50 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reels are frequently used for boat fishing, beach fishing, and rock fishing.
- Fishing rod required: When it comes to choosing a suitable rod, look for one that is at least 12 feet in length with a line rating of 15kgs and above for beach fishing, or a rod that is between 5-7ft in length with a line rating of 24kgs and above for boat fishing.
16. Spinning reel size: 30,000
- Recommended mono line strength: 30 kg+
- Recommended braid line length: 80 lb+
- Recommended applications: Large reel used for boat fishing.
- Fishing rod required: It’s a monster-sized fishing reel designed for serious boat anglers looking for monster-sized fish. Use this reel with a boat spin rod rated at 24 to 37 kg.
Choose the Right Reel Size
We realize how difficult it may be to choose the correct spinning reel sizes from the many options available. As a result, we’ve put up a spinning reel sizes chart that we think will be of the most useful to you. It will be simple for you to make a selection based on the specs provided above. Rather than spinning reel sizes also read about baitcasting reel sizes for a better clearance about all fishing reels.
Also Read:
- Baitcasting vs Spinning Reel: Which One is Better?
- Spinning Reel Parts & What To Look For When Buying A Reel
- Common Spinning Reel Problems & How to Fix Them
- How to Choose the Right Kind of Fishing Line
Contents
- Spinning Reel Sizes Explained
- Spinning Reel Sizes Chart:
- Small Size Spinning Reels (1000 to 3500)
- Medium Size Spinning Reels (4000-5500)
- Large Size Spinning Reels (6000-30,000)
- 1. Spinning reel size: 6000 or 60
- 2. Spinning reel size: 6500 or 650 or 65
- 3. Spinning reel size: 7000 or 70
- 4. Spinning reel size: 7500 or 750 or 75
- 5. Spinning reel size: 8000 or 80
- 6. Spinning reel size: 8500 or 850 or 85
- 7. Spinning reel size: 9500 or 950 or 95
- 8. Spinning reel size: 10,000 or 100
- 9. Spinning reel size: 10,500
- 10. Spinning reel size: 12,000
- 11. Spinning reel size: 14,000
- 12. Spinning reel size: 16,000
- 13. Spinning reel size: 18,000
- 14. Spinning reel size: 20,000
- 15. Spinning reel size: 25,000
- 16. Spinning reel size: 30,000
- Choose the Right Reel Size