Is trout reel too small?

[returnofthefish]

I just bought a trout combo from a buddy of mine. Its a Lamiglas UL rod rated for 2-8 pound line. It is paired with an Abu Garcia micro reel that holds 80 yards of 4 pound line or 55 yards of 6 pound line. I plan to use this combo with 4 pound line for power bait fishing. Is 80 yards enough line, or should I get a different reel? Thanks

[rjn cajun]

The reel is nice. I guess it`s up to you how often you want to re spool it and what your main fishing is going to be with it. 80 yards isn`t alot. If it was me which it`s not I would have bought something that held more. But like I said thats just me. The set up sounds nice other wise:pl:

[T-Bone]

I have used a reel with similar line capacity for years; however, you may find yourself changing line a bit more often if you lose line on a snag or a tangle.

You didn't mention the length of your UL rod. I find the small UL reels seem to match up best with the shorter, 5'-6' UL rods. I now favor a longer UL-L rod in the 7'-7 1/2' range for my shore casting and I use a reel with 4LB line capacity in the 120-140 yard range. The slightly larger reel seems to match the longer rod better.

[Gringo Pescador]

Another option is Berkley Fireline (or another braid of course). I have my little UL trout reel spooled with 4# fireline - which has the diameter of 2# - essentially doubling your line capacity. And if you want 6#, it has the diamter of 4#(I think).

I love the 4 & 6# fireline - but 8# & up are too stiff (IMHO).

[returnofthefish]

The lami is 5'6". I have a slightly larger reel that can hold 125 yards of 4 pound line and I will pair them together. That should be a good amount of line just in case I get snagged up or catch something big. I was using my friends UL setup a few weeks ago and 2 snags took most of the line off. Can't wait to catch a trout with it. The fiesty stockers should be fun on a UL setup. Won't horse them in with bass gear anymore:cheers:

[flyfisher31]

can you cast 80 yards? are catching trout that will run your drag out 3# and over? if your answers are no then your reel is fine

[returnofthefish]

I wish I could cast 80 yards. Thats almost as long as a football field. Casting distance is important to me because I fish mostly from shore. If I ever catch a 6 pound trout again, then it would be nice to have some line to play the fish. My previous post stated that most of the line was gone after 2 snags. That was my main concern. It would suck to bring only one rod and lose most of the line when fish are biting.

I opted for the slightly larger reel and it felt great the past two days. Thanks to everyone for thier input.

[Matt]

Dude a trout running you out 80 yards would be a monster. You'll b alright.

[flyfisher31]

if you want to decrease on snags and stop looseing your bait use a three way swivel with your weight on one end and bait on the other use 2-3 pound test for your weight cause your weight is probaly the one gettin snagged. then you just lose you weight

[fishcreekspinners]

Something else to consider with ultralight is getting a spare spool for the reel. That way you got a backup all spooled and ready to switch out. Just remember to swap them once in awhile so the backup is not aged with rotten line when you get to using it.

Snags on the far bank and lost line tend to slip by unnoticed and can eat away capacity. The swapper spool is a quick fix.

[T-Bone]

if you want to decrease on snags and stop looseing your bait use a three way swivel with your weight on one end and bait on the other use 2-3 pound test for your weight cause your weight is probaly the one gettin snagged. then you just lose you weight

Nice tip, or use a slinky-type weight instead of lead. In my river steelheading days, I used them all the time and then I was reminded of their snag fighting abilities by an angler using a slinky weight off the often snaggy, Rock Lake access.

[spokey9]

That's plenty big enuff! i got the lil tica that holds bout the same with 4lb line and got it on a lil ice fishing rod (bout three and half foot) and i used it on pinks with no problems, even took it out to minter creek and landed a 12lb chum with it. besides most of the big trout r triploids and they just dont have enuff stamina to get to the bottom of the spool.

[Toni]

That's plenty big enuff! i got the lil tica that holds bout the same with 4lb line and got it on a lil ice fishing rod (bout three and half foot) and i used it on pinks with no problems, even took it out to minter creek and landed a 12lb chum with it. besides most of the big trout r triploids and they just dont have enuff stamina to get to the bottom of the spool.

But you didn't tell him how long you had to play the fish to get that pink in. But you had fun!

[Anonymous]

If you got reeled by a large fish its worth losing it. Nothing sounds better then a reel being reeled out. it sounds something like this,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz snap.Good luck with it.

[islandbass]

I would go with the next size up if I knew the lake I was going to use it on primarily was snag infested. Let's say you make a 20 yard cast, which isn't that far at all and you get snagged on the bottom. After you break off, your spool is now at 75% capacity which isn't too bad, but if you snag up again, your casting distance and line receovery rate are going to be really affected.

I reckon however, that you could always bring a filler spool along.

The other reason I prefer the next size up is for longer casts larger spools can offer for the same effort.

[Matt]

I would go with the next size up if I knew the lake I was going to use it on primarily was snag infested. Let's say you make a 20 yard cast, which isn't that far at all and you get snagged on the bottom. After you break off, your spool is now at 75% capacity

Assuming the line breaks at the tip of the pole and not at the knot or connection..... I doubt you'd be losing 20 yards of line each time, more like 20".

[spokey9]

Yeah, none of the salmon i caught with the lil pole were quick to the net. But how i do love the sound of a singing drag!!!!

[islandbass]

I would go with the next size up if I knew the lake I was going to use it on primarily was snag infested. Let's say you make a 20 yard cast, which isn't that far at all and you get snagged on the bottom. After you break off, your spool is now at 75% capacity

Assuming the line breaks at the tip of the pole and not at the knot or connection..... I doubt you'd be losing 20 yards of line each time, more like 20".

Right! Doing the math was easier with 20 yards vs. 20"#-o