Reel Size for new outfit?

[Craigus]

Gday all,

I am looking to get a new SP outfit for the estuaries and was wondering what reel size I should get?
I will get a 2-4kg Berkley dropshot or raider rod. Should I get a 1500 or 2500 reel? :-/
I was also looking at the shimano symetre, what are your opinions on it?

Oh forgot, will be targeting your average estuary species and maybe a few trevs and cod.

Cheers
Craig

[land-lubber]

Depends on what ur preferances are. If line capacity is a bigger concern than weight, go the 2500, esp if u want to try use it on the squire in the bay etc. if its a dedicated sp breaming outfit, then light is probably the best option, so 1500 would suit ur needs better, if a bream takes 100m of line, ur in serious trouble anyway ;) Most shimano gear is fine, as long as u look after it. Obviously, the more expencive u can go , the better. higher price usually means a better quality prduct with shimano.
hope that helps
cheers

[Cheech]

I have a 2500 Symetre and am about to buy another. They look identical to the more expensive stradic, but that other thread in comparing them did not convince me that it was worth spending the extra on a stradic. I don't use mine for plastics, though I occasionally throw on a 5" berkley for a snapper drift. It is quite smooth for the price and is pretty light, so unless you are casting for hours, there is probably not a lot of benefit. If you never intend chasing anything but small fish then I suppose the 1500 will do you. But for versatility I would go the 2500.

Currently going for $139.00 with a brag mat at bcf.

[turley]

To give you a bit of a reference from which you might be able to work out what you want. I woudl combine:

SFS Stella 2-4kg with a 1500 size reel
SFS Stradic 2-6kg 4-25g rodwith a 2500 size reel

Your reel size shoudl realy correspond with the diameter and amount of line you plan on using. I personally use a 1500 size daiwa reel and it holds a 125m spool of 6lb fireline nicely.

[Craigus]

Thanks for all the advise fellas

I am still not sure what size to get. :-/

According to shimano the weight of the 1500 and 2500 are the same. 6lb fireline has the diametre of 2lb and the 1500 should be able to hold about 175+ metres of it. So I guess that i am leaning towards the 1500.

I am also landbased so I don't know how many big fish I would have the chance to tangle with.


Currently going for $139.00 with a brag mat at bcf.

Cheech,

Thanx mate will go and have a look there in the next few days.

Craig

[Roo]

I saw the berkley dropshots in 1-3kg and 2-4kg @ the mart last night for 129 with a abu cardinal reel. I got one of these last year for the misses birthday. Has been a great little outfit. Fitted 125m of 6 pound rapala braid on neatly.
the 1-3kg combo has a 101 cardinal (equiv- size 1000)
and 2-4kg combo has a 102 cardinal (equiv- size 1500).
No fancy tricks to the reel just 5 or 6 bearings and inst anti reverse etc. they are nice and smooth and drag works well enough. have caught a few good fish with it inc. a 45cm jack on plastics.

only reason i mention these is the reel effectivly costs you 30 bucks if you get a dropshot these days for $99 bucks. when we first were looking the dropshots were 129 alone. good value.

I have a 2500 symetre myself. nice reel a bit big for a 2-4kg rod i'd go the 1500 size. but for the bang for bucks the berkley combo is great value

cheers, roo

PS. filled the 2500 symetre with 4lb rapala titanium braid to the rim with a 300m spool. never need that much i guess but if i give it crack on the squire it might be handy ;D ;D

[Fishin_Dan]

Craigus - The 1500 should do you pretty well. I don't think you'll need to 2500. I've been using a 2500 out in the bay for squire, and I've never come close to emptying it...

A good sized trevally may get you to the backing, but it shouldn't spool you. That's an awful lot of line... And if you do hook something that spools you, even if you had a 2500, you probably wouldn't stop it anyway with the lighter line!

[Craigus]

Thanks fellas for all the great advise.

The 1500 it is ! :D