Spinning reel spool length, what’s your thoughts?

[The Rooster]

I might be overfocusing on this but I would like to know whether you think a longer spinning reel spool makes much difference in cast distance than a shorter spool does. I can kind of see where it might, but I also think those differences are lessened by smaller line diameters. In other words I think it might make more difference in bass fishing with 10 pound line than it does with crappie fishing and 4 pound line.

This morning I was comparing my Crappie Maxx reel that is a traditional 1000 size to my Okuma Ceymar A C-2000A that is more the size you’d think of for a 500. The Okuma has a short, stubby spool that is about 1/2 inch long where the line wraps on, and the Crappie Maxx has a spool more than double that length. Both spools are a similar diameter and both have the same 4 pound line on them. The Okuma needed more line since it has had about two cast lengths cut off so far, but both of the reels tried on the same light powered 6’0” rod casting a 1/32 jig with a Bobby Garland Baby Shad tail were still performing about equally. I was getting about 45’ of distance. I then put the Okuma back on its light powered 7’0” rod and it still performed about the same. So rod length made no difference, even a full foot more rod. Then I rewrapped the Okuma spool with new line so it was filled to the proper depth, and I could then see about 10’ extra distance gained while using it on the 7’0” rod. I didn’t try it again on the 6’0” rod since I expected it would do the same or less. But overall, I also didn’t see any difference in performance based on a longer spool either. The only thing that seemed to make a difference was having the line filled at the proper level on the spool. What’s odd is that the Crappie Maxx reel is filled to the proper level but the Okuma kept up with it even with far less line on it than it should have had, and would now actually be outperforming it since I saw an increase in distance with new line again. Maybe the line on the Crappie Maxx being about 6 months old is also a factor? It wasn’t used much though. Didn’t even take it on every trip out this year.

I’ll do some more experimenting later. Try both reels on both rods and see what happens. Reason I’m asking is because I think I want another Okuma to replace this Crappie Maxx. Even with its shorter spool it seems to be the better casting reel. It also weighs 1-1/2 ounces less and far better balances that 6’0” rod than the reel it came with. The Crappie Maxx is 8.7oz and the Okuma is only 7.2oz. Big difference! It’s also a little slicker feeling in the retrieve which I enjoy more. And something else I learned this year while crappie and panfishing, I discovered I like an itty bitty reel far more than a bulky larger reel. Not sure just why, but I do, so this Okuma is just ticking all the boxes for me.