Striped bass, often known as striper, is one of the most unexpected fish species. When you catch a striper, it’s both exciting and rewarding, so fishermen pay close attention to their gear to ensure they don’t miss a bite. The reel is one of the most critical pieces of equipment, so ensure you get it correctly.
So, what size reel for striped bass? Continue reading to learn more about selecting the suitable striped bass reel for a safe catch.
What Size Reel For Striped Bass?
Depending on how big the striped bass is predicted, the size reel for striped bass should be between 6000 and 7500. A 6000 spin will be enough if the stripers you’re catching are typically the size of smallmouth bass. Larger stripers necessitate larger sizes, as long as they are compatible with your rod.
Choosing a reel size for striped bass is a difficult task that must be done correctly. You must select a reel capable of handling large stripers while also balancing the rod and line.
Because there are two separate size classifications, reading about reel sizes might be a bit perplexing. Some reel manufacturers use merely two digits to define their reel sizes, such as 10, 20, and so on, whereas others use sizes 1000, 2000, and so on. Knowing that the two systems are almost identical when the zeros are removed is comforting.
The optimum size reel for stripers is between medium and enormous revolutions. They are available in sizes ranging from 6000 to 7500 pounds and should be paired with a strong rod for offshore boat fishing, surf casting, or rock fishing.
They function well with 12-60lb monofilament or 24-100lb braid and can handle fish weighing up to 150 pounds (+68 kg). Size 6000 is recommended if your mono strength is 12-16lb (6kg-8 kilograms). Go for 6500 if you’re aiming for 12-16lb (6kg-8kg). A 14-18lb (7kg-9kg) line should be used with 7000, while a 16-20lb (8kg-10kg) line should be used with 7500. The scale of braid lines varies. If you’re working with 12-30 pounds, choose between the 6000 and 6500 sizes. Use the 7000 and 7500 sizes if you’re going with a 15-40lb line or a 20-50lb line.
How Do You Pick The Right Size Reel?
Striped bass is a migratory fish that travels a great deal. As a result, apprehending them might be a challenging task. To reach the summit, you’ll need the appropriate equipment. You must consider numerous factors while choosing the correct size reel, including line strength and rod size, as well as the fishing environment.
If you’re fishing from a boat, a 6000 to 6500 reel size is ideal for heavy-duty fishing. If you’re rock fishing, it’s a good choice since you’ll have the ability to tackle and remove hefty fish from the water, and you’ll be able to use a strong enough line, whether mono or braid, to give you a fighting chance against the harder-fighting fish that may be caught in these areas.
Combine it with a more robust boat rod, such as a 6-8ft boat rod with up to 25lb line value or a 10-12ft surf rod. A rod length of 10 feet and a line rating of up to 20 pounds are generally suggested for rock fishing.
Heavy gear and more arduous fishing need reel sizes ranging from 7000 to 7500. They’re suitable for shorter boat rods up to 8 feet long with a line rating of up to 40 pounds. Surf fishing requires 11-12ft rods with a line rating of up to 20lb, while rock fishing requires 10-11ft rods with a line rating of up to 30lb.
Selecting The Suitable Striper Rods
Rods are often evaluated based on their “action” and “power,” as well as details like lure weight range and recommended line strength (also known as the “pound test”). There might be a whole book written on rod and reel combinations and their intricacies. Still, at Hogy, we adopt a straightforward approach and focus on just a few outfits that will suit the fisherman well in every circumstance when chasing stripers with artificials.
Rod Action
The term “action” is used in the industry to indicate where and how a rod bends after loading it. Understanding the action of a rod is vital because using the appropriate rod with the right lure can make it much simpler to achieve your goals, whether casting distance or imparting the fishiest motion to the appeal. Rods have three actions, each of which has a function in modern striped bass fishing:
Fast action
When casting or under light strain, an immediate action rod is reasonably rigid and has a lightweight tip, with just the top 1/3 of the rod bending. In Orvis’ fly rod line, this is referred to as a “Tip Flex.”
- Because the rod loads to the stiff section of the rod rapidly, fast-action rods are helpful for hook settings.
- They also enable more precise throwing.
- Fast-action rods are ideal for casting light lures on heavy gear because you may cast a light bait primarily using the rod’s tip.
- Fast-action rods aren’t very good at overloading (using lures too heavy for the rod). I’m not sure what you’re getting at here.
- Fast-action rods necessitate an advanced caster since it might be difficult to feel when the rod loads or bends enough to allow for a good throw.
- Jigging with fast action rods is not recommended for vertical jigging.
- Fast-action rods go nicely with Hogy Epoxy Jigs, Hogy Originals, and tiny plugs like poppers and sliders as part of a light or ultra-light setup. I use mine during the Albie season and early spring fishing.
Moderate action
When a mild rod is loaded, it bends more parabolically. Thus when the blank is loaded, it turns through the upper half of the rod. When speaking to their line of fly rods, Orvis refers to it as “Mid Flex.”
- Rods with moderate action are ideal for casting bigger soft baits, plugs, and heavier lures when the lure is supported by most of the rod during the throw.
- You may “lob cast” and use more of the blank if the rod is “overloaded.”
- Rods with a moderate motion are easy to cast.
- Fighting giant fish is more fun since the rod bends closer to the angler’s hands, offering a more significant “feel” when selecting how much pressure to apply at various stages throughout the battle.
- They’ll perform a decent job transitioning from casting to vertical jigging.
- Larger Hogy Epoxy Jigs, larger Hogy Originals, and medium to large poppers and sliders benefit from moderate action rods. I fish with mild action rods with bigger lures in the late spring, summer, and early fall. This rod action is perhaps the most adaptable for a weekend angler’s lure casting setup.
Slow action
A slow-action rod provides the most parabolic move since the bend is consistent over the whole rod blank. When the rod is loaded, it bends from tip to butt across the blank. Fibreglass rods were once notorious for their sluggish action, but with the introduction of graphite blanks, this action is no longer as frequent in casting rods. However, they are a fantastic alternative for a variety of different applications.
- Vertical jigging and trolling with slow action rods are good since the strikes are typically quick and severe. The rod absorbs some of the energy, preventing the hook from popping.
- They’re also great for live bait fishing, especially when the bites are sensitive and you need a slow retrieve and a soft rod.
- Slow-action rods are a suitable choice when employing vertical jigs or trolling tubes, umbrella rigs, and jigs, both on wire and lead core.
Rod Power
The power of a rod relates to how much weight or load it can carry. Ratings like high light, medium, medium-heavy, heavy, and extra heavy are standard. Line tests and weight size ranges will be included in this grade.
Unlike a rod’s “action,” which tells you where it will bend when bent and is relatively constant across the industry, “power ratings” differ significantly from one-rod maker to the next. Even among the rod models supplied by the same manufacturer, power ratings might be uneven, making it impossible to choose a rod without visiting a store or attending a show. The most adaptable power ratings for striper fishing are medium and medium-heavy, as a general rule.
Typical Striper Casting And Jigging Rod Powers
I have four different outfits that enable me to throw a wide range of striper lures. I could use all three on the same trip since I’m attempting to emulate various baitfish in different scenarios. I’ve owned these three clothes for years and am pretty familiar with how and when to wear them. You’ll note that I alternate between fast and moderate action depending on how I want to fish the lures with that rod.
Light: Lure From 3/8oz To 5/8oz, Up To 10lb Test
In the early spring, I utilize low-power rods when I’m casting to very few stripers, potentially ones that have spent the winter in the deeper parts of local bays and rivers. I’ll use a 3000 or 4000 class reel with this rod. For the lightest outfits, I often use a 10lb. Test monofilament/fluorocarbon hybrid line that I attach straight to my lures. This outfit works best with light jigs and the tiniest soft baits, such as the Hogy Skinny Series and the tiniest Pro Tails or Paddles.
Medium: Lure From 5/8oz To 1oz. Up To 30lb Braid
I use a medium power rod significantly more than a light power rod because it can handle keeper-sized fish caught on medium-size soft plastics like the Hogy Originals and various top water plugs. A medium power rod should be paired with a 4000 or 5000 class reel loaded with a 30lb test braid and a 12 or 15lb test fluorocarbon leader. This spring rod is ideal for casting tiny to medium jigs, plugs, and soft baits.
Including a lightweight spinning rod in your three primary boat fishing outfits is a brilliant idea because you’ll probably get as many miles out of it as any other. This outfit is ideal for spring schoolie fishing. When soft plastics, metals, Epoxy Jigs, and bucktails are likely to be used along the shoreline, it will allow you to cast small plugs and medium-soft plastics.
This rod is a terrific fit for rapid action when you’ll be casting small lures off the tip and need quick access to the backbone when setting the hook on a fish that takes a top-water plug or requires immediate access to the spine when setting the hook on a fish that takes a top-water plug. Freshwater fishing, light bottom fishing, little snapper blues, and Albie and bonito fishing are all possibilities for this rod.
Medium Heavy: 7/8 To 1.5oz
I use a medium-heavy powered rod just as often as a medium, but later in the spring, when bigger bait moves in with bigger fish on Cape Cod, larger soft baits, plugs, and jigs are required. I’d use this rod with a 5000 or 6000 class reel with a 40lb braid and a 20lb or 30lb fluoro leader.
When the keeper stripers show up, and you start using larger lures to mimic the larger baits they’re eating, this rod will be your workhorse. Larger soft plastics, metals, Epoxy Jigs, and plugs may all be cast with this rod. This rod should be rated (or capable) of quickly casting two ounces. I prefer a moderate rod action for a rod in this class since it allows me to lob larger lures and handle vertical jigging with ease and comfort.
Heavy/Extra Heavy: 2 To 4oz
This rod handles the most significant soft baits, jigs, and plugs. Although some fishermen refer to this rod as a “club,” it can cast the biggest striper lures. This suit might be used as a tuna outfit as well. The disadvantage of this costume is that it is difficult to throw with.
For huge plugs, hefty jigs, and weighted soft plastics, I like to have a heavy truckster in the mix. This rod is capable of casting 3 oz. Lures. This rod may catch tarpon and small tuna up to 85 pounds. I’d use a 6000 or 8000 class reel with a 40lb braid and a 40lb or 48lb fluoro leader with this rod.
How To Match A Reel To A Rod
The rod and reel must be balanced to operate effectively for the intended fishing technique. Regardless of whether you chose your rod or reel first, you must understand that they are intertwined, and if you utilized your reference in one, you could not do so in the other.
Place one finger beneath the top of the rod handle to check the balance of your chosen rod and reel. A well-balanced spinning rod and reel will easily rest horizontally in this position. But that’s the final stage; the first is determining what rod and reel to use based on their sizes.
Because a spinning reel in the 6000 to 6500 size range is medium-sized, it requires a medium-sized spinning rod. Choose from a variety of rod lengths ranging from 6 to 8 feet. Because different sizes are appropriate for other events, the range is indicated below. Also, the weight of the reel and the rod vary from one firm to the next.
The big reels are designed for rods with lengths of 8 to 10 feet. If you’re fishing with a reel rated between 7000 and 7500, you’ll want to stick to rods in the 7000 to 7500 range. To be clear, spinning reels require a spinning rod, whereas baitcasting reels require a baitcasting rod. Because they aren’t general and don’t fit with any style, it’s crucial to match them. To make things easier for you, I’ve put up a list with my top picks for suitable bass spinning reels, which you should check out.
The Perfect Rod Reel For Striped Bass
So, what’s the most excellent striped bass rod and reel? Striped bass is best caught using a 6000-size reel and a 7-to-9-foot rod. If you’re jigging or live to the line for the fish, use a 7-foot pole; if you’re throwing lures large distances, use a 9-foot rod. Stripers will eat any size.
You’ll be OK if you spool your rod with at least a 20-pound test line. These enormous combinations will also catch the smaller fish, but they will not put up much of a struggle. If you want to experience the thrill of fighting tiny stripers, use a 2000-size reel and a 6- to 7-foot pole. Fill the spool with an 8- to 10-pound test line. A setup that resembles a lot of largemouth fish is done.
Check out the PENN Fierce III Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo on Amazon for a quality combo from the PENN brand. Its solid metal body and side plate, which preserve accurate gear alignment, function best under severe loads.
When it comes to saltwater fishing, the PENN Battle II, Battle III Spinning Reel, and Fishing Rod Combo are unrivalled. It provides you with invaluable practice battling larger stripers in saltwater and excellent durability for the heavyweight.
Almost everybody and any scenario may benefit from the Ugly Stik GX2 Fishing Rod and Spinning Reel Combo. Its graphite and fibreglass design provides the lightweight, durability, and sensitivity you need for striped bass fishing.
FAQs
Does Striped Bass Live In Saltwater Or Freshwater?
Striped bass, often known as striper, may be found in salt and freshwater. They usually grow up in saltwater and spend their early years there before migrating to freshwater to breed. They are mostly found along North America’s Atlantic coast.
What Are The Types Of Reels?
Spincast, baitcasting, spinning, and fly reels are the four types of reels. Each style of fishing reel necessitates a certain level of expertise, functionality, and fishing method. It is critical to equip your fishing rod with the appropriate revolution to have a great session.
Conclusion
This article provides helpful information about what size reel for striped bass is. Spinning reels are perhaps the most commonly utilized for light tackle fishermen targeting striped bass. They’re simple to cast and adaptable, and they may be employed for practically any type of striper hunting, from jigging to casting and from throwing jigs or swimming lures to casting top water poppers.
When it comes to spinning reels, there are a few things to consider: reel size, gear ratios, ball bearings, reel body construction, and drag systems. I fully hope you can find a valuable recommendation in this article!
