What Size Spinning Reel Do I Need? [Size Chart]

To choose the right spinning reel size, consider the fishing line weight and the target fish species. Smaller reels with lower line capacities are suitable for light tackle and smaller fish, while larger reels with higher line capacities are better for heavier tackle and bigger fish.

A rule of thumb is to pick a 1000-sized reel for panfish, a 3000-sized reel for bass, and 5000-sized reels and above for offshore fishing.

Knowing which size spinning reel to purchase comes down to a few simple factors that any angler can identify. If you want to gather more information on spinning reel sizes and find out which size is right for you, we’ve compiled this simple guide to help anglers understand more about each size spinning reel. 

This comprehensive guide will help you understand the factors to consider when choosing a spinning reel size, explain different reel sizes, and provide recommendations for targeting specific fish species.

Size Chart

How to Start

The first thing you should do when looking for a new spinning rod in the right size is take into consideration a few simple factors that will help distinguish certain sizes over others. These factors involve a few things experienced anglers already know while searching for a new fishing rod. 

Start by identifying what size fish you’re planning to catch with your spinning rod and reel. This is easily the most important factor that will help you pick out a right size reel and usually eliminate the potential for selecting anything that might be too big or too small. We’ll cover this in greater detail later in the article, but an easy way to understand the different sizes is that the lower numbers represent something better suited for going after small species while the larger numbers are indicative of something you would use for big species. 

Another thing you should consider is what size and type of fishing line you plan to use. This often ties in with the size reel you need, but many fishing line sizes are found in fluorocarbon, monofilament and braided line styles. Be sure to research and determine the type of line needed for the fish you plan to catch before you pull the trigger to purchase your spinning reel. 

It’s also smart to consider whether you will fish in saltwater or freshwater. If you overlook this step, you might run into major problems resulting from using a spinning reel in saltwater environment that isn’t equipped to handle the corrosive properties of saltwater. In some cases, saltwater will quickly diminish the quality and performance of your reel. If you’re going to be saltwater fishing, be sure that the reel you’re looking at has corrosion-resistant material and is designed to handle the rigors of saltwater. 

Naming Convention

Most fishing reel manufacturers will identify the size of their reels using a simple numeric system. The vast majority of the most popular brands operate using a system that begins with 1000, 2000, 3000, etc. However, a few other brands indicate the size of their reels using two digit numbers of 10, 20, 30, and upwards as you increase. 

These two different systems might seem to be confusing on the surface, but you can easily alternate between the two as a 10 size reel is equal to a 1000 size and any other corresponding numbers also coincide. You can identify the reel size using the first two digits in each numeric system to eliminate any potential confusion. 

Small Sized Spinning Reels 

If you’re planning to fish for small species like trout, panfish, or anything else that’s less than one or two pounds, you’re most likely going to need a small sized fishing reel. These sizes generally range from 1000 on up to 3500, with the 3500 size being considered a small-to-medium reel size capable of handling any small fish, as well as most medium-sized fish. 

Using a small reel means you’ll need to pair it with a small sized rod as well. In most cases, it’s acceptable to go with a rod no larger than 6’ or 6’6 when using anything from 1000 to 2500 and up to a 7’ rod for anything from 2500 to 3500. This is usually what most bass anglers start out with as it allows them to target younger bass that are easier to catch. 

There are a variety of different size and style fishing lines that can be used with small sized fishing reels. Most anglers will typically go with monofilament or fluorocarbon line depending on what type of fish they plan to target or the specific lure they’re using. A select few might opt for smaller sized braided line, which also works well with these reels. 

Medium Sized Spinning Reels 

Medium sized reels generally include anything in the 4000 range that extends up to a 5500 in most makes or models. This is also a very popular reel size for bass fishing as it allows you to have a light enough line to cloak your approach and not spook the fish while giving you enough power to handle trophy-sized largemouth or smallmouth bass. 

When using a medium sized fishing reel, you can also use a slightly larger fishing rod. Most anglers recommend using a rod that’s no longer than 7’ in length while some might go with anything up to 8’ depending on what type of lure presentation they want to use the rod for. The medium reel size might also present you with the greatest variety regarding gear ratios, which often allows you to select the one that’s just right for your personal needs. 

You can feel comfortable going after heavier fish with these reels as they are equipped to handle fishing line sizes ranging from 10 to 25 or even 30 pound test. This is an ideal size for anyone looking to catch big largemouth, pike, walleye, or catfish in most lakes and rivers worldwide. 

Suppose you’re looking for a reel better suited for the smaller varieties of fish you might find in saltwater environments. In that case, we recommend going with a saltwater-resistant medium size rod as it will allow you to use a lighter line while still offering enough power if you hook something bigger than expected. 

Large Spinning Reel Sizes 

A large fishing reel size is virtually anything bigger than a 6000 size. This can go all the way up to as much as a 30000 size for serious anglers who are looking to target behemoth tuna and other monster fish that lurk in the depths of the ocean. 

Large spinning reels are generally made for anglers that know what they want and what type of fish they’re after. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to stick with a small or medium size reel until you get the hang of using it and reeling in your catch. 

As you might expect, the large size fishing reels are made to handle the heaviest fishing line as well. Some anglers might spool their large sized reel with anything as low as 15 pound monofilament all the way up to 60 pounds. Anyone using braided line might even spool their reel with as much as 100 pound test to go after giant fish species. 

Most competitive and professional catfish anglers will utilize large spinning reels in some cases, but the most common use for these reels is surf fishing and offshore angling for marlin and other massive predatory fish. 

You can feel free to use a larger, heavier rod with a large sized fishing reel as they obviously aren’t compatible with smaller sizes. It’s a good idea to pay close attention to what size reel the manufacturer recommends pairing the reel with, or the general sizes that most anglers typically use. 

Size Chart by Species

If you are targeting a particular species, please see our recommended reel sizes below:

Conclusion 

If you’re just getting into the sport of fishing, we hope this simple guide will help you navigate the seemingly confusing world of fishing reel sizes and other gear and equipment. Once you understand the type of fish you plan to catch and where you’ll be fishing, you can usually experiment with a few different sizes until you find the one you prefer. 

You can also expect to pay a much higher rate for high-performance spinning reels that the most popular brands make. However, if you’re starting, you shouldn’t feel overly pressured to purchase an expensive reel. It’s better to start with something more affordable until you get your bearings and know what you want in your next spinning reel. 

Different rules of thumb also exist regarding sizes for different reels, such as conventional or baitcasting reels.