Thread: 500 size reels

I think the reason is the 1000 and larger reels have gotten lighter .
But I still like a 500 size reel on my shorter rods .
I Enjoy fishing with a combo that weighs less than 8 ounces total .

A number of Shimano models still have 500 size

Also, Pflueger's 20 size is about a 600...little bigger but not much.

You can still get several Shimano 500 size reels out of Japan. The Sahara and Nasci for example with shallow spools. The price is same as the state side price and sometimes a little less. If you want to go up in price Shimano has several more 500 models also.

Regards


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Originally Posted by gunwhatgun

Are 500 reels going the way of the Dodo? I have been browsing reels online lately and notices that most reels start 1000 now. I know at one time some brands went by 5's.....500, 1000, 1500, 2000 and so on. The real pain in the butt is retailers that think the only people that fish are after bass and bigger, meaning most of the reels on shelves start at 2500 and go up. What is an ultralight fisherman to do?

Hi, gwg as always i love to share my thought on this one as well. As Alphahawk and others have said, your best bet right now is Shimano (while they still make them) and they range from cheapest Sienna (stay away) to I believe is their current flagship 500: the Soare ci4+! Here is a thorough review by an angler putting it through it's paces.
Shimano Soare CI4+ 500S - The Ultimate in UltraLights - YouTube

That’s interesting. Certainly plenty of reel for needs. Wonder what the weight is? I’m wanting something very light but I’m too cheap to pull the trigger on an expensive reel just yet. After this new custom rod came home a little while back that weighs about as much as a sneeze it might be getting closer.

Originally Posted by skeetbum

That’s interesting. Certainly plenty of reel for needs. Wonder what the weight is? I’m wanting something very light but I’m too cheap to pull the trigger on an expensive reel just yet. After this new custom rod came home a little while back that weighs about as much as a sneeze it might be getting closer.

It is begging for one of those super light super smooth JDM's. I am hearing the call of them also.

Originally Posted by skeetbum

That’s interesting. Certainly plenty of reel for needs. Wonder what the weight is? I’m wanting something very light but I’m too cheap to pull the trigger on an expensive reel just yet. After this new custom rod came home a little while back that weighs about as much as a sneeze it might be getting closer.

The new Soare XR 500SPG comes in at only 130 grams...or 4.5 ounces. The new Nasci 500 comes in at 170 grams.


Regards

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

I think the reason is the 1000 and larger reels have gotten lighter .
But I still like a 500 size reel on my shorter rods .
I Enjoy fishing with a combo that weighs less than 8 ounces total .

I think that is a big factor. I bought a 500 size Shimano for just that reason and it is a nice reel, but after using it I will only buy 1000s in the future. The Daiwa Legalis 1000 that I have my eye on comes in at 6.5 Oz, and unLess I want to spend a lot more money it is a real nice weight for all of my rods. My all up is about 8.5 oz or so, and a real pleasure to fish with.
Bob