Fishing line capacity???

[jcampana28]

How do manufactures determine reel capacity? Is it solely rated based on test?
I'm wondering if, as long as the diameter is the same, can I use a 15 lb or 20lb test of superline on my reel that is rated for 10lb test.

[BigBassin144]

Manufacturers go by either an average diameter for lines of that test rating, or they use the diameter of lines made by the same company or owned by the same mother company.

Most baitcasting reels are rated in 12lb test. That doesn't mean you have to use 12lb or even line with a similar diameter. For spinning reels, I'd stick to the line recommendations (or at least similar in diameter to them). If you go over the line recommendations on a spinning reel, you're asking for more line twist, memory, and other assorted spinning reel problems.

So if you're reel is rated for 10lb test, you could essentially use up to 40lb braid (which is normally the same diameter as 10lb mono). So yes, you can use the 15-20lb superline with equal diameter to the 10lb rating.

BB

[Rebbasser]

BB, I couldn't have said it better myself.


welcome to the forum, BTW!

[Abbeysdad]

Sorry, BB is just a tad off the mark. All they're telling you is the yardage the reel will hold using xx Lb test line. You can use any Lb test line on that reel, but your yardage will vary.
It is correct that yardage is relative to # test simply because all line of a given material type (lets say nylon monofilament) is manufactured the same way (two stage draw with a draw ratio of 4.8) and the only way to get stronger tensile strength is with a larger diameter (which will reduce the yardage that will fit on a reel). Yep, size does matter - bigger is stronger.

[jcampana28]

BB thanks for the quick responce!!! abbey i think you're right. the line cap listed is to determine the yardage the spool can hold. i think the only thing that would limit your test cap would be your max drag

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by jcampana28

BB thanks for the quick responce!!! abbey i think you're right. the line cap listed is to determine the yardage the spool can hold. i think the only thing that would limit your test cap would be your max drag

No Problem. Abbey is right though, the ratings are mostly telling you the line capacity of the spool.

But like I said, I'd stick within these ratings on a spinning reel, or at least match the diameter when using a superline.

Max drag doesn't have much to do with it either. Most drags are rates for 16lbs or less, with some in the single digits. Yet guys still use 50, 65, and 80lb braided line when fishing very heavy cover.

BB