2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

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2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by ultralight » Thu Oct 28, 2021 5:47 pm

I've never used size 500 reels. Fish 2 lbs Sunline Sniper fluoro which breaks nearer 3 lbs or 2 lbs Izorline which breaks at 4 lbs. I just assumed that the size 1000 and 2000 (shallow spool) will cast significantly further.

Figure I'll ask a very basic question - DO the 1000 and 2000 really cast noticeably further than the 500 with these UL lines? I use Shimano & Daiwa reels so I am talking in terms of those sizes.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by Finesse Angler » Thu Oct 28, 2021 5:52 pm

I use to have a few 500 size pflueger reels. Went shimano and daiwa and upped to 1000 and then 2000 size. Both larger sizes casted farther for me as well as better line management. Even the slightly larger arbor on the 2000 size spool vs 1000 helped with line memory in my experience. Now I get compact 2000 size for the smaller body but slightly larger arbored spool. Mind you the performance between 1000 and 2000 size spools is minimal, but was noticeably better than 500 size.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by wolfewiz » Thu Oct 28, 2021 6:29 pm

I have used a number of 500 over the years and the casting distance and line pickup with a 2000 or 2500 is much better. I also feel they balance the rod better.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by ultralight » Thu Oct 28, 2021 7:02 pm

THANKS for the input. I ask what line, including lbs test, you all used?

I have a hunch that with UL braided line, the different shrinks dramatically so that there may not be practicable differences. But this is just a hunch. I don't really know.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by Bronzeye » Thu Oct 28, 2021 7:30 pm

As wolfewiz noted, greater circumference of the spooled line delivers more line retrieved per turn of the reel handle at a given ratio. If you cast upstream for trout with metal spoons or spinners, this can be very important.

Reduced coiling and line twist are additional benefits of a larger spool. I haven't used 2 lb. fluorocarbon as a main line, but I suspect that even it would prefer a larger spool than a 500.

Given that mid-priced spinning reels are available today in 2000 size that weigh less than micro reels of 20 years ago, the only reason I can imagine for buying a 500 size spinner is to make a fish look bigger by comparison if you photograph it next to the reel. :-s

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by Smead » Thu Oct 28, 2021 9:50 pm

A longer spool is always better than a shorter one...and with #2 line you don't need a lot of depth.

I bought a USDM Daiwa 1000 Revros only because it has a shallow spool that still holds more #2 than you'll need, as opposed to the usual LT super deep spools; the 2000 Revros has a shallow spool too.

https://daiwa.us/collections/spin-reels ... /revros-lt
Last edited by Smead on Fri Oct 29, 2021 8:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by Finesse Angler » Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:00 pm

I used 2-4lb mono and .3-.6 pe. Even with small diameter braids the ease of line coming off the spool on cast is noticeable.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by slipperybob » Fri Oct 29, 2021 7:07 am

Even among the Shimano 1000 sized spools where some have a spool lip diameter of as small as 38 mm to all the way up to 42 mm, there is some very subtle difference in feel when casting. The base spool diameter is usually 40 mm so sometimes when they shave the spool lip down to 39 mm one may feel a difference in how the line propels off the spool during the cast. Max casting distance the spool with the 42 mm lip gets the distance. Smoother moderate distance the spool shaved down to 39 mm spool lips have a much smoother feel and is more enjoyable to pitch to target.

The old 750 reels had spools where the lip was shaved down to 36 mm. When the 500 reels first came out they had spool base of 36 mm and spool lips of 36 mm. However with the narrow spool width, they really didn't do so well in terms of max casting distance. I got rid of my 500 sized reels. The old 750 reels had a wider spool width, so a longer spool stroke.

Even for ice fishing application, I don't really care for the performance merits of 500 sized reels.
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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by Smead » Fri Oct 29, 2021 5:51 pm

Even the Shimano 750 sized reel spools weren't all that long really. After thinking about this kind of stuff way too much, I just settled on a 1000 sized reel with the longest and most shallow size spool I could afford on my budget. :D

Here's a Shimano Sahara 750FB, a Shimano Sahara 1000FI which holds 270 yards of 2# mono and a Daiwa Revros LT1000 which holds 220 yards of 2# mono. The other more expensive alternative is a JDM Daiwa 1003 reel.
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SHIMANO SAHARA 750FB 3 a.jpg
SHIMANO SAHARA 750FB 3 a.jpg (22.33 KiB) Viewed 4174 times
Shimano Sahara 1000 FI 1 a.jpg
Shimano Sahara 1000 FI 1 a.jpg (31.25 KiB) Viewed 4174 times
daiwa revros lt 1000 1 a.jpg
daiwa revros lt 1000 1 a.jpg (26.96 KiB) Viewed 4174 times

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by ss30378 » Sat Oct 30, 2021 1:49 pm

I have one 500 sized reel and that’s a soare ci4 500s I use on my little 5’ ajing rod. I prefer the performance of the 1000s and 2000s reels but they look awkward on small rods in my opinion so I’ll keep the 500s on there. There is a bit of sacrifice with distance on the 500 but it’s on a 5 foot rod so distance isn’t my main goal with the setup. The drag is however just as smooth as the larger reels so no worries when I get a little bit bigger fish on.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by Smead » Sat Oct 30, 2021 4:47 pm

ss30378 wrote:
Sat Oct 30, 2021 1:49 pm
I have one 500 sized reel and that’s a soare ci4 500s I use on my little 5’ ajing rod. I prefer the performance of the 1000s and 2000s reels but they look awkward on small rods in my opinion so I’ll keep the 500s on there. There is a bit of sacrifice with distance on the 500 but it’s on a 5 foot rod so distance isn’t my main goal with the setup. The drag is however just as smooth as the larger reels so no worries when I get a little bit bigger fish on.
It does make sense if you are using a small rod.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by ultralight » Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:34 pm

Thanks all for the comments. They more than answered my question.

It seems very conclusive that the 500 reels have SIGNIFICANTLY reduced casting distance among other negatives.

The only advantage would be visual balance with short rods (for some) and lighter weight. The Vanford and Soare 500 are just a hair under 5 oz I think. That's pretty light. Pair with sub 1 oz rod, and you have a sub 6 oz rig.

Thanks!

ps: Smead, that Revros LT 1000 looks like a really solid value for a shallow spool. Since I use 2 lbs, I try to get the shallowest spool I can find, and even then, still fill it up with some backing before putting on my main line.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by Smead » Sun Oct 31, 2021 9:17 am

ultralight wrote:
Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:34 pm
Thanks all for the comments. They more than answered my question.

It seems very conclusive that the 500 reels have SIGNIFICANTLY reduced casting distance among other negatives.

The only advantage would be visual balance with short rods (for some) and lighter weight. The Vanford and Soare 500 are just a hair under 5 oz I think. That's pretty light. Pair with sub 1 oz rod, and you have a sub 6 oz rig.

Thanks!

ps: Smead, that Revros LT 1000 looks like a really solid value for a shallow spool. Since I use 2 lbs, I try to get the shallowest spool I can find, and even then, still fill it up with some backing before putting on my main line.
Yeah the Revros has the only spool in the Daiwa USDM LT line up that doesn't have a spool as deep as the Grand Canyon...got mine for $50 shipped, so very affordable.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by Oktayne the Red » Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:27 am

I agree with everything here, especially that line will handle better on a bigger spool. But something in me still loves the feel of that little 500 size reel on a nice miniscule rod. I still think Shimano should build a Stella 500.

That said, I too usually am using a 1000 size reel for my UL stuff. I rarely use 2 lb. My norm is saltwater, 6 lb. on a 1000, 4 lb. on a 500 if I get into a mess of moonfish or something like that. My FW fishing is very limited, I don't do it much.

If I had to pick "one UL to rule them all", it'd be the 1000.

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Re: 2 lbs mono/fluoro on size 500 vs size 1000/2000.

Post by Smead » Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:54 am

It has it's place and isn't terrible...I owned a Shimano Symetre 500FJ that I really liked.
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Shi Sym 500FJ v8u a.jpg
Shi Sym 500FJ v8u a.jpg (41.03 KiB) Viewed 3999 times

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