Hello All,

I am wanting to get a spinning reel that I can use on the surf(both lures and live/cut bait) along with bay side throwing lures and such but i dont know what size to get.

I want to be able to cast a lot when using lures in the bay and not have to be too heavy, but also want it to be suitable for surf fishing as well.

Any recs on reel size? looking at penn and okuma right now.

Would be pairing it with a 8ft med-heavy rod.

One thing I have never figured out is the reel size number an industry standard and from my own assumption I think not. With that said line capacity for mono/braid is how I tend to compare reels. For surf fishing question one would be what are you looking to catch. 1 to 5 lb fish, 5 to 25 lb fish or 25 lb or greater. I am going to go for middle and guess you are looking for 2 to 15 lb range (Specs, Reds, Flounder, Black Drum). For this I would run 15 or 20 lb braid and want a reel that can handle at minimum 150 yards and no more that say 250 yards.

As you listed Penn a Spinfisher in 3500 meets the criteria. Once you get to size you can look at weight that reel is 12.1 oz with 220/20lb braid rating. For 1.4 oz less 10.7 oz and 220/15lb you can get 2500.

If you are casting say 100 times a trip I would try and stay under 12 oz of reel weight. For surf I would go to 20lb braid and want 200 yard capacity.
A smaller reel to start is going to cost less, let you work on technique get use to things. Save money and go up in size if smaller is not working out for you. Buy another rod for smaller reel and now you have two setups to work with.

All thoughts expressed are Opinion of weekend fisher. Good luck with your purchase.

I don't throw bait, but a 2500 or 3000 size reel with braid will handle anything in the gamefish range you'll catch.
A 35 lb jack crevalle will pretty much spool a 2500 reel, you only need to catch one of those once and you're good for life.

I took a friend out, he caught a 30 lb drum on my trout rod, as you can see it was an epic battle.

Thank you for the help!

I agree with Pat, for lures and even small live bait like freelined shrimp the 2500 and 3000 in most reals is plenty. Most people go way to big.

For larger fish like bull reds you need a little bigger, not because the reel can't handle it, but becuase the terminal tackle is so much larger. I've caught 46 in reds 25lb jacks on trout gear and it's not really fun. But it can handle it.

If money is no problem I would get a 2500 on a 7' rod for the bay and a 4000 on a 10' rod for the surf.