A unique website dedicated to fishing information from Florida's Northern Big Bend. This includes the area from the Econfina River west to the Apalachicola River
I'm sure that most of you have noticed that many manufacturers use the same frame size for two or more different reels. For example the Shimano Stradic 4000 and 5000. Looking at the specs you would say that the 4000 is a 10 lb class reel and that the 5000 is a 12 lb class reel, the only difference in the two; however, is the size of the spool.
So, if you get the 5000 size you have either a light duty 12 lb reel or a 10 lb reel with extra line capacity.
Sir, I would venture the thesis, that the variation between the mechanical requirements of a 10lb reel and a 12lb reel, are of no measurable difference.
Reel Manufacturers use to ascribe a letter after the model number, to denote a larger spool capacity, far less confusing.
Ken, I thought the grass would be growing up there fast enough at this time of year, to give you something to watch.
The same goes for the Penn SS reels. The 4500SS and the 5500SS have the same frame and the same gear ratio. The difference is the 5500SS has a larger spool for more line capacity. The weight difference is very little (14.0 oz for the 4500ss and 14.25 oz for the 5500ss) Only advantage I see is being able to use larger diameter line or more of the smaller diameter.
Mr. Cranfield, I have applied my keen analytical abilities to the problem and have concluded that 12 pound line is roughly 20 percent stronger than 10 pound line. It would seem to me that a commensurate increase in the robustness of gearing and bearings would be appropriate.
Ken, the substance of your point is well made.
However, whilst 20% sounds a significant amount, one must remember that a 100 % increase on nothing, still equals nothing.
Its all a matter of degree.
