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Most baitcasting reels come in sizes from 100 to 400, but there are those out there with sizes between 10 and 40.
When selecting your reel, you want to look at the first digit to ensure you make the best purchase for yourself. It’s worth noting that baitcaster sizes are not massively standardized, so there can be a big difference between manufacturers.
Some manufacturers don’t even follow a sizing convention! Instead, some manufacturers will use their line capacity rating that you can use to choose your size.
Thankfully most of the major brands use the 100 to 400 size rating, so once you have mastered that, you can follow along to find out which baitcaster is best for you.
Baitcasting Reel Sizes Chart
Baitcaster reel size | Retrieve rate | Max drag | Recommended use | Weight | Line capacity (lb/yd) |
50 | 23” to 29.” | 10lb | Ultralight fishing for bass and trout | 5oz | 12/65 |
70 | 23” to 32.” | 10lb | Finesse Fishing for bass | 6oz | 12/85 |
100 | 26” to 34.” | 11lb | Most bass fishing | 7oz | 12/120 |
200 | 26” to 36.” | 12lb | Heavy bass fishing | 8oz | 12/200 |
300 | 26” to 36.” | 22lb | Inshore saltwater fishing | 11oz | 12/260 |
400 | 26” to 38.” | 25lb | Inshore saltwater fishing | 12oz | 12/330 |
While the specifications can vary between the models, the trends on the table can be used. We can see that smaller baitcasting reels tend to be lighter and come with lower retrieval speeds, drag pressure, and line capacity.
This is usually attributed to the lighter weight of the reel. These smaller reels will also naturally have less room for line, hence the lower line capacity. But why are we noticing lower maximum retrieval rates and drag pressure on the smaller reels?
First, let’s look at the retrieval rate. The retrieval rate is determined by both the diameter of the spool and the gear ratio. The gear ratio shows how many times the spool rotates when you turn the handle once.
This determines the speed of your retrieval rate, with higher gear ratios translating to faster retrieval rates. Along with this, the spool diameter also impacts retrieval speed. If you turn a large spool once, it will wrap more lines around the spool than if you turned a smaller spool once.
The amount of line spooled per turn of the handle will vary depending on how wide the spool is, and it will also vary depending on how much line is already on the spool too!
If you have a small reel and cast your lure far out, you will notice a lower retrieval rate at the start rather than at the end of your retrieval.
Bigger spools also provide more surface area for the drag system to apply pressure and generate friction. It’s because of this that we see bigger reels come with higher maximum drag pressure.
100 Size Baitcaster
Moving up in size, we have the 100 baitcaster. This is considered the best all-round option for low-profile baitcasters. It’s one of the most popular sizes used for bass fishing and will work well with most bass fishing applications.
Some of the most popular models are:
- KastKing Speed Demon
- Daiwa Tatula 100
- lew’s Speed Spool
Some manufacturers also offer a 150 size baitcaster which sits bang in between a 100 and 200. The Tatula 150 and Shimano SLX are fine examples for casting heavier lures or using stronger lines.
Bass anglers often choose to use a 150 size reel when fishing close to cover as you can spool a heavier braid, helping to fight through cover and get your fish!
If you are pitching jigs or flipping near heavy cover, then an extra-strong line can be a good idea! And a 150 reel allows you to spool more of this reel with ease.
200 Size Baitcaster
Moving up in size, we have the 200 baitcaster, which is ideal for your heavy bass fishing needs! We recommend this size if you want to spool a 65 or 85lb test braided line. So what are some of the better 200 baitcasters?
Well, you could choose from any of the following:
- KastKing Royale Legend II 200
- Shimano Curado 200
- Daiwa Tatula 200
So what is so good about these reels? Well, they have a far greater line capacity than smaller models, meaning you can expect longer casting distances.
Now, casting distances might not seem overly important for those looking to do some bass fishing, but if you are fishing large flats or open water bass, then the long line capacity is sure to come in handy!
Some anglers also like to use this size reel when fishing topwater frogs on extended grass flats. These 200 size baitcasters will allow you to achieve greater casting distances, covering more ground!
300 Size Baitcaster
Next, we have the 300 sizes, which are commonly used for saltwater fishing. It features a much higher line capacity and maximum drag pressure than the smaller models we have looked at.
What does that mean for you? It means you can spool stronger test lines and throw bigger lures over longer distances, allowing you to fight bigger fish!
Does that sound like the size reel for you? Well, choose from one of our three choices below!
- Shimano Tranx 300
- Shimano Curado 300
- Daiwa Lexa 300
Like the 200s we just looked at, a 300 reel will deliver extra long casting distances ideal for a range of different fishing situations where you need the extra length.
400 Size Baitcaster
Finally, we have the biggest size today, the 400 size reel. These are only used for saltwater fishing and generally feature an all-metal construction.
400 reels usually come with shielded ball bearings too, which help to prevent corrosion we often see caused by saltwater fishing. Into saltwater fishing? Then choose from one of these reels:
- Shimano Calcutta 400
- Shimano Tranx 400
- Daiwa Lexa 400
These bigger reels are built to handle the extra stress casting and retrieving bigger rigs and baits can give, especially in stronger currents.
But be sure that they have shielded ball bearings to ensure they can handle the salt water and sand exposure without getting damaged or jammed.
Final thoughts
And there you have it! The different sizes of baitcaster reels are available, and some helpful tips to help you decide which is the best size for you!
Be sure to spend some time considering the perks of all these sizes before selecting the best fit for you.
Remember, you will want plenty of line capacity and casting distances to fight larger fish, but smaller ones can get away with more lightweight and smaller reels.