Is reel weight an issue for you? 2025

senile1 reply :

I've read numerous posts about the weight of reels. Many seem to have issues with a reel that is, let's say 8.9 ounces, as compared to one that is only 7 ounces. I thought it would be interesting to get everyone's input. Some people say the heavier reel will tire you out quicker. Maybe some have troubles with it balancing with their rod. I can't say I've ever noticed that an ounce or two has made any difference in my fishing day. I mean, we're talking mere ounces here. What do you all think? 8-)

roadwarrior reply :

It doesn't mean a thing to me as long as the package seems balanced.

My heaviest rig is a St. Croix EC70MHF/ Shimano Calais 200; my

lightest St. Croix AS66MLF/ Stella 1000. These rigs are complete

opposites and used for different applications. I don't notice anything

good or bad about the weight of either.

8-)

Raul reply :

For people that cast with both arms reel weight shouldn 't be an issue, it isn 't an issue when I fish with swimbaits because I cast with both arms, but the rest of the time I cast with one arm and the shoulder not being what it used to be it is reel weight is an issue specailly with baitcasters, can 't cast for extended periods of time with a 8.5 or more ounces reel or the shoulder begins to whine, then it 's the neck and later is the right side of the back. With spinning reels is not that much of an issue, maybe it has to do with the reel hanging from the rod instead of on top of it.

Daniel My Brother reply :

The only time I notice is when I switch reels. I can fish all day with a an Abu C4 and be happy as a clam. But if I switch to a lighter, low-profile reel, I don't enjoy going back to the heavier reel.

senile1 reply :

Thanks for the responses. I can understand that when one has shoulder or wrist problems (compounded by aging ) that a lighter reel could possibly make a difference. I want to see what some of the younger guys say, as I have seen posts from all ages that favor the lighter reels.

Raul reply :

Quote
I can understand that when one has shoulder or wrist problems (compounded by aging ) that a lighter reel could possibly make a difference.

I 'm getting OLD !!!!!!! :- , I mean in years, in spirit I 'm just a toddler ( well, that 's what the significant other says ), too bad the skin wrinkles. :-/

hawgchaser reply :

I will notice the difference in a lightweight vs. a heavier but it doesn't make any difference to me. I fish allday with extreme combos and they aren't nearly as light as some of my Loomis rigs. But I still like them.

Pencil Pusher reply :

I'm older'n dirt and I really don't like the lightweight reels. They just don't feel, for want of a better term, "substantial" to me. On the other hand, I like a light rod. Go figure.

FishTank reply :

It did use to be an issue for me but after purchasing a Shimano Core and putting it on a Loomis BCR803, I am starting to change my mind. There is just something about fishing a light weight set up. Maybe it is just a little more fun or maybe it is just in my head......

Jeff H reply :

It is a concern for me but to a lesser degree than a well balanced combo. Still, ain't never going to own a beefy Curado/Citica when I can fish a Castaic, Revo, TD-A HSTA etc. 1 oz can easily be felt in a reel, if that mass was spread out over 6' it's little different but when it's in the palm of your hand you can feel it, at least I can.

flippin4it. reply :

After suffering a elbow injury, weight of the entire combo has become really important. I had do down size the weight of any combo that I use for pitching a jig, tube or any other soft plastic for that matter. If I could afford it I would buy all Chronarch MG's.

KevO reply :

It is not that big of a deal to me. I have two curado 200 D's 1 on a shimano crucial rod and the other on a St. Croix premeire. The weight of these setups is not that important to me and I do not find them to be uncomfortable in any way. I also have a Carrot Stix/ Core 100mg and compared to the other two rigs its like holding a feather, but switching back and forth between them makes no difference to me. Then again I work for a moving company and I have to carry heavy furniture all day so a couple ounces here or there is no biggy...

burleytog reply :

Nope.

Alpster reply :

It's a real big deal for me. I have rheumatoid arthritis and heavy equipment wears on me pretty quickly. I have 5 Mgs on custom built rods (built them myself) so I could balance them to my liking. The only two spinning rigs I use regularly are a GLX dropshot rod with a Stella 1000 and a SJR782 IMX custom with a Twin Power 2500. I have surf rods, swimbait rigs and many flyrods, but I have to be careful how long I use them. My situation is not typical.

Ronnie

Georgia Jeff reply :

I can use both the heavier reels and the lighter ones but I find myself always wanting to use the lighter ones. They do make a difference and are more fun to fish in my opinion. I have a chronarch 50mg on a bass pro shops finesse rod. It is crazy light and weighs less than many reels alone.

Jeff H reply :

Quote
My situation is not typical.
Ronnie

Possibly, but you might be surprised how common arthritis is and it isn't just an "old man" thing. I'm 45 (soon to be 46) and this crap started to rear it's ugly head on me 10 yrs ago! Started with my knees, and it's now in my wrists and shoulders. Doc said I had it long before I knew it and it just creeps up on you. I figure by 60 ( if I live that long) I'm really gonna be in trouble. I bet there are a lot of guys on this site that have it in their future (to some degree) if they don't have it already. My wrists really started to bother me quite bad last year and I know lighter stuff helps but that balance thing is really a great quality, as well as Ibuprofen. I feel your pain Ronnie

5bass reply :

Having tedonitis in both elbows, the lighter weight rods and reels help my situation tremendously.

South FLA reply :

Lighter is better to a degree, taking balance into account, so yes to answer your post.

Chad. reply :

Nope, but im still young and gunnin

Raul reply :

This thread has become "we the hadicapable ones vs you healthy guys." ;D

Chad. reply :

Quote
This thread has become "we the hadicapable ones vs you healthy guys." ;D

It's ok as long as you think your young

Bassn Blvd reply :

I'm healthy and 40 yrs young. I prefer light over heavy. If your making a thousand casts a day in the heat then you want all the help you can get. So to me, lighter is nicer.

Catt reply :

All I have to do is pickup my old Abu Garcia Ambassaduer 5000 on a Heddon Mark Special Purpose #6277 to remind me how light my Calcutta is.

skillet reply :

"older 'n dirt" pretty much describes my age also! Have 2 Citica 200Ds and an older (real older) ABU Garcia. Have never used the lighter reels so maybe I don't know what I'm missing. After a long day of fishing I sure notice things (arms, elbows, wrists and back, I guess that pretty much covers the whole gosh durned package)more than it used to . Don't think an ounce or so would make that much difference ...

As Ever,

skillet

bassdocktor reply :

Could partly be because I am still young (21) but weight isn't an issue. I am using some of the new Quantum enerygy baitcaster which are some of the heavier reels.

However, for me it is about the fit of the reel in my hand. I always have the reel kinda palmed so the feel/size/fit is more important. I'd rather have a little heavier reel right now that feels right rather than a light one that doesn't. I do usualy try to balance it out with a slightly lighter rod.

The_Natural reply :

I feel that lighter weight reels/combos have a decisive advantage in jig and worm fishing. For me, it's not necessarily the extra weight of holding the rod at the 10 o'clock position all day, but making my jig dance and hop with my wrist. I can make my jig breakdance when I am holding a featherweight combo. Couple that with the hypothesis of mine that a lighter weight in your hand will allow your hand to feel and absorb more vibrations (nothing scientific here!). For moving baits however, it doesn't make a difference...and it may even pay to have a heavier reel. It seems to me that my aluminum framed reels are smoother under load and have more definite cranking power. I'm holding them in a downward postion so the weight really doesn't affect me working the bait.

senile1 reply :

Quote
I feel that lighter weight reels/combos have a decisive advantage in jig and worm fishing. For me, it's not necessarily the extra weight of holding the rod at the 10 o'clock position all day, but making my jig dance and hop with my wrist. I can make my jig breakdance when I am holding a featherweight combo. Couple that with the hypothesis of mine that a lighter weight in your hand will allow your hand to feel and absorb more vibrations (nothing scientific here!). For moving baits however, it doesn't make a difference...and it may even pay to have a heavier reel. It seems to me that my aluminum framed reels are smoother under load and have more definite cranking power. I'm holding them in a downward postion so the weight really doesn't affect me working the bait.

You're touching on something here that I was wondering about when I made the original post: Does an extra ounce or two in the reel decrease the vibrations we feel from the fish?

The_Natural reply :

Quote

Quote
I feel that lighter weight reels/combos have a decisive advantage in jig and worm fishing. For me, it's not necessarily the extra weight of holding the rod at the 10 o'clock position all day, but making my jig dance and hop with my wrist. I can make my jig breakdance when I am holding a featherweight combo. Couple that with the hypothesis of mine that a lighter weight in your hand will allow your hand to feel and absorb more vibrations (nothing scientific here!). For moving baits however, it doesn't make a difference...and it may even pay to have a heavier reel. It seems to me that my aluminum framed reels are smoother under load and have more definite cranking power. I'm holding them in a downward postion so the weight really doesn't affect me working the bait.

You're touching on something here that I was wondering about when I made the original post: Does an extra ounce or two in the reel decrease the vibrations we feel from the fish?

Well...it sure feels like my 6.2oz TD-Z's make a more sensitive combo than my other GLX's paired with say...even my alphas. Maybe it's just that magnesium framed reels transmit vibrations better. So maybe it is a combination of weight and frame material? I'd like to hear from anybody else who owns a few aluminum framed casting reels as well as a few Magnesium framed reels and have fished with them for a while. Like I said though, aluminum framed buttery smoothness feels better to me when retrieving spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and any other moving bait that pushes water. I've got to have my ultralight magnesium reels for worms and jigs though...I'm spoiled.

Catt reply :

I use Shimano's Calcutta 100A, Calcutta 50A, Cardiff CDF100A & Chronarch 50Mg; don't feel any advantage with either.

All my rods must have exposed blanks with fast to extra fast actions; to me sensitivity is in the rod not my reel. With my reel palmed I have two fingers on the blank which I think allows me to feel the bite before it is transmitted to the reel. When fishing a Texas Rig or Jig-N-Craw I never lower my rod below 10 o'clock except when moving my bait. When paused between movements my rod is at 11 o'clock leaving me 11-12 o'clock to take up slack without turning the reel handle.

fishfordollars reply :

Weight is a big factor to me. a few ounces can make or break the way I feel at the end of the day. For all you young bucks it probably doesn't matter, but it will when your old bones and muscles start feeling their age.

.RM. reply :

Only when trying to balance up a system.....

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