90% of the time we use 2000 or 2500 size reels. I do keep a 6000 battle in the boat just for tarpon and jacks. I also keep a 9/0 for sharks in the boat.

 

I was just curious to know why I see so many on this site using the smaller reels? Is this a wading thing where you are only using one rod and you need it to throw a variety of baits? Do yall throw spooks and 1/16oz jigs with the same set up?

I've always fished from a boat or from shore and I always bring several bait specific rods like a bass fisherman would do. I'm going to give wading a try this year and cant seem to find one combo that does it all.

You can only take one rod with you when you wade. I use a few diffrent rods and reels for the type of fishing I'm doing. I have a rod I like to throw 1/8 on one that I like to use for 1/4-3/8 and another for tops. Also if I'm afrer reds I use a little havery rod and real then if I was after trout or reds.
I do have one rod that fits the bill for all this. When you wade for 5-6 hours it's nice to have a light reel ad rod
James

 

Its easier for me to "palm" small reels since I have small hands.

 

You know what they say about guys with small hands Jerry...

Wait for it...

SMALL GLOVES!

 

If you fish artificials and you fish for hours with hundreds of cast, the small & lighter reels really are nice. They hold enough braid for almost anything you might hook up with on Artie's.

 

For inshore top waters, corkies, and plastics I use 50 sized reels. That's all I need. I spool with 125 yards of 30# braid, and use a 20# fluoro shock liter, which is more than enough for any inshore situation. I wade and kayak fish, and never had a situation where I felt handicapped by line capacity with the 50's. Handled plenty of oversized reds, and an accidental alligator gar without ever seeing the spool.

 

For a bay fishing reel you don't really need more than 120 yards of line on a reel. You don't really cast anywhere near that far and even an over sized redfish won't strip off 50 yards of line on a run. With 20 or 30 lb braid, you can lock the drag down pretty tight and even an over sized red won't make long runs. Also 50 sized reels are easier to palm and are lighter and when wade fishing it's easier to make a lot of casts with a setup than only weighs 10 or 12 oz total.

 

X50 hehe see what I did there?
They are lighter, and smaller nuff said.

 

I prefer the smaller size reels because I'm pretty weak, and after paddling 100 feet or so, the full size reels are too heavy to fish with.

 

Thanks for all the info. I may throw a 50 in the mix but I will have to pick and choose where I use it. Im up in Virginia and I guess our over red drum are quiet a bit larger than down there. It is very common to catch reds 50-70lbs up here and I would hate to have a 50 in my hand when they swim by.

I know this is Totally Texas site but yall have to much great info for me not to join and steal it.

 

Thanks for all the info. I may throw a 50 in the mix but I will have to pick and choose where I use it. Im up in Virginia and I guess our over red drum are quiet a bit larger than down there. It is very common to catch reds 50-70lbs up here and I would hate to have a 50 in my hand when they swim by.

I know this is Totally Texas site but yall have to much great info for me not to join and steal it.

then just go with a 200, no big deal. if you never feel a 50 and a 3oz rod, then you really never feel like you're missing out. my wife wades with a 200e7, never complains and has the cigarette in one hand and casting with the other down perfect. i'm afraid if she went with a 50 it'd throw off her balance.

 

50 size reels Why

First Chugger Welcome to the Site. I like the small reels for bay fishing too. I use Daiwa SHA 30 & 50, Avet and Pens for BTB fishing for Bull Reds, Big Ugly's and Sharks. I also use them for surf fishing.

 

There's small and then there'smaller..My general rule is if I can't get fingers into spool to un- birdnest it its too small!!!

 

Don't backlash! Haha

http://www.fishingscout.com/scouts/SmackDaddy

 

I've tried the 50 size reels in the past but never felt comfortable with them. I use 100 size reels, Chronarch Super Free, and they do just fine even on long days of wading. In years past I did invest in quality rods that are very light and are still used today. There are now rods today that are even lighter. The rods are where I would concentrate my budget first, then the reels. Be prepared to pay some $ for a quality rod, however.

You are correct about this site having a great deal of info, many times to the point of overload. Just learn to weed out the crappola and those that sling it. lol

Welcome and good luck.

 

For some reason the low profile bait casters have not made a strong showing in saltwater around here. Ive been using St. Croix rods for over twenty years for all my inshore and freshwater. I throw my Corkys and most of my hard baits with a Curado 201E or Chronarch 201E. For large spooks and top dogs I use a Stradics and Sustains in 3000 size. All of my jig fishing and smaller topwater I use 1000 sized Stradics. I don't mind spending money on a quality rod. Im a hands on guy and there no Billystix or Lagunas up here to hold. My two higher end option are the better St. Croix and Gloomis.
Im keeping my eye on ebay for a 50 and Im also waiting to see if they make the new Curado I in a 51.

 

Try to find an old Cu101B or D to try out. To me, feel very similar to my 51MG.

 

As stated, the smaller and lighter the better when throwing artificials all day. We do a lot of blind casting in TX, so it can take a lot of casting persistence to catch fish.

I've caught a few oversized reds on my Chronarch 50mg and it did just fine. Not exactly ideal, but it got them in. Now, I wasn't chasing oversized reds either; those fish were just caught while trout fishing.

If I was primarily bank fishing, soaking bait, jetty fishing, etc, then sure, a larger reel would be the choice.

 

Less fatigue after long hours of working topwaters or arties. Fits in your hand better, and my 200E7 Chronarch doesnt cast anything like my 50E Chronarch. I can drain a whole spool of 12lb sufix on my 50E with a top dog jr.

 

Why? Because they are cute!

 

I caught a 46 inch red on my 50Mg about a year ago. It took a while but I was able to get her in. When going on trips specifically for those brutes, I would prefer my 200 class baitcasters.

Granted, I haven't taken a saltwater trip in the last 5 years with anything but a 50 in my hand. They can land anything that swims inshore in Texas, if your line holds up.