Which Spinning Reel Size For Finesse Bass Fishing? 2025

loudcherokee reply :

So I'm looking at getting the new Lews tournament HS Spinning reel for my finesse applications, but I'm not sure what size to get. I never really put much thought into the sizes of spinning reels, and just bought what looked good for general purpose fishing.

The HS will come in the following sizes:

100-150yds 6lb test

200-140yds 8lb test

300-140yds 10lb test

400-160yds 12lb test

the 100 series is a 5.6:1 ratio, all others are 6.1:1. I plan on running 20lb braid with a 10lb fluoro leader.

I'm thinking I want the 300,cause I believe that's what my other spinning reels are.

Cgrinder reply :

I would pick the 200.

Felix77 reply :

I base it on the #test. For finesse I use a max of 8lb so the 200 would be the vote for me.

loudcherokee reply :

On 9/18/2013 at 10:18 PM, Felix77 said:
I base it on the #test. For finesse I use a max of 8lb so the 200 would be the vote for me.

Hmmm... I never thought of it that way. I just thought those were spool capacity guidelines.

SirSnookalot reply :

On 9/18/2013 at 10:38 PM, loudcherokee said:

Hmmm... I never thought of it that way. I just thought those were spool capacity guidelines.

LC

That's all it is, in theory you can use any size line you wish. Mono lines over 12# on any of the reels would be awkward but there is no rule that they can't be used.

I would be selecting the reel based on the rod you will be using in hopes of achieving balance and comfort, the min. and max lure weight of the rod will indicate your lure parameters. 20# braid being 4# mono thickness can be used on any spinning reel.

J Francho reply :

If you only going to use braid, either the 100 or 200 will be fine. If you intend to try fluoro, you want a bigger spool, so the 200 gets my vote for greatest versatility.

motodmast reply :

Don't just base it on spool capacity, take a look at the weight of each model. Sometimes you need a Little heavier reel to make your rod balance better, which will save your arm after a days of fishing.

With thT said, I normally use a size 10 for DropShot and size 20 for everything else. Most size 10 & 20's balance perfect with my Dobyns champion spinning rods

I think the 200 would be perfect.

What rod are you putting it on?

loudcherokee reply :

On 9/19/2013 at 12:08 AM, motodmast said:

Don't just base it on spool capacity, take a look at the weight of each model. Sometimes you need a Little heavier reel to make your rod balance better, which will save your arm after a days of fishing.

With thT said, I normally use a size 10 for DropShot and size 20 for everything else. Most size 10 & 20's balance perfect with my Dobyns champion spinning rods

I think the 200 would be perfect.

What rod are you putting it on?

Not being able to handle them in person makes this difficult unfortunately. The 100 is only 6.9 ounces, while the 200 and 300 are slightly over 8 ounces.

Reel will be going on a 7'1'' Medium *** black rod.

Cgrinder reply :

On a 7.1 M ***, I'd get the 200. I don't feel that the 100 would balance as well.

Of course, this is speculation.

loudcherokee reply :

I also have large hands, if that's anything to consider. I don't want something so small to make me feel gorilla fisted.

motodmast reply :

i have the same rod, with a 20 size pfleuger president, which is 8.3OZ it balances perfect,

i look at the HS reels, same weight as mine, eather one will balance perfect for you, 200 or 300, i say 200 just because you wont really need the line capacity of the 300

Raul reply :

Smaller reels have smaller spools which means smaller drag washers, tighter line coiling, and more line resistance as it flows flom the spool. The fact that you are going to fish finesse doesn´t mean you have to fish with a smaller reel, use a mid regular size reel because it has a not too small but not too large spool.

lmbfisherman reply :

200 would be in general a good reel, but I also like my smaller (Stradic 1000 FJ) on my ML/XF Drop shot Crucial. I love this combo.

SirSnookalot reply :

I agree with Raul, I would opt for a bit larger size reel for a med 7' rod, more durable with less wear and tear. The balance is going to vary from brand to brand or model to model of the same sized reel because they are all not of equal weights. One of my set ups is a 7' med spinning with an 8.8 oz reel size 35, very comfortable combo that can be used for a wide range of species and techniques.

Hi Salenity reply :

I don't like to use a reel bigger than the 100 size. If caught some fairly large smallies on them with no problems.

MichiganFishing1997 reply :

Personally I would probably go with the 200. I fish 2500 size shimanos. With the 200 your combo should balance well.

pbizzle reply :

Before you buy the lews have you checked out the okuma trio? It's a pretty sweet reel for the price.

Hi Salenity reply :

On 9/20/2013 at 9:56 AM, pbizzle said:
Before you buy the lews have you checked out the okuma trio? It's a pretty sweet reel for the price.

They make it in pink!

I've been doing good catching smallies on a pink worm and was thinking about getting the pink reel just to fish the pink worm...

loudcherokee reply :

On 9/20/2013 at 9:56 AM, pbizzle said:
Before you buy the lews have you checked out the okuma trio? It's a pretty sweet reel for the price.

I have not checked them out. Have seen them mentioned a few times.

Based on my experience with their baitcasters, I'm very happy to dive into the Lews spinning world. If it doesn't work out, I'll consider alternatives, but for now, I'm a happy Lewser. :-D

Hi Salenity reply :

I love all my ltp's but I'm going to stick with pfluger or a sienna for my spinning needs

Loop_Dad reply :

I agree with what Raul said. I made a mistake on my Saros 2500. One size bigger would have been a better combo with my 7'6" M. (I mean 2500 is still okay...)

pbizzle reply :

On 9/20/2013 at 10:13 AM, Hi Salenity said:
I love all my ltp's but I'm going to stick with pfluger or a sienna for my spinning needs

Those sienna reels are really sweet for $30.

Hi Salenity reply :

On 9/21/2013 at 3:53 AM, pbizzle said:
Those sienna reels are really sweet for $30.

I always take my $30 Sienna and $200 patriarch both are the 1000 size and other than the $200 one is allot fancier looking they fish about the same.

pbizzle reply :

On 9/21/2013 at 4:12 AM, Hi Salenity said:
I always take my $30 Sienna and $200 patriarch both are the 1000 size and other than the $200 one is allot fancier looking they fish about the same.

And you're a lot safer buying a cheap spinning reel than baitcaster.

KDW96 reply :

All my spinning reels are Shimano 1500s and 2500s.

Hi Salenity reply :

On 9/20/2013 at 10:13 AM, Hi Salenity said:
I love all my ltp's but I'm going to stick with pfluger or a sienna for my spinning needs

I'm going to back peddle on this a bit have you looked at the Speed Spin? It has an extra spool that's super shallow and designed for braid.

You may be able to get the 2500-300 size that will feel like your other reels and use the braid spool without backing.

I don't think any of the other Lews reels have an extra spool but correct me if I'm wrong?

5759

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