im thinking of getting a greys gx500 reel. i have an airflo nanotec 6/7 rod. i like to fish both rivers and still waters. my question is should i go for the 4/5/6 or 6/7/8 reel. whats the difference? my thoughts are to go for 4/5/6

my questions are

would the reel take a #7 line for still water?
would my rod be ok to cast #4 ot #5 line for rivers?
is it a good reel?

The 6/7/8 reel is a larger diameter to accommodate a heavier weight line. Looking at the spec for the GX500 reel, the 4/5/6 will hold a Wf6 + 71m backing. The 6/7/8 will hold a WF8 + 90m backing. I'd buy the 6/7/8 for a 6/7 rod. Note you dont state the rod length and its important to balance the rod with the reel. Is your rod 9 1/2ft / 10ft?
You can normally go up and down one line size on a rod and still be able to cast Ok. You would struggle to cast a 4 or 5 wt line on a 7 weight rod.

i have a 9ft 6/7 rod. would that be able to cast a #5 line? if so could i put a 5 line on a 6/7/8 reel?

It would be difficult but not impossible to cast a 5wt line with the 6/7 rod.
You are only making things more difficult for yourself trying to do this - the 5 wt line wouldnt have the weight to load the rod properly making it difficult to get any distance into your cast
theres no problem putting the 5 wt line on the 6/7 reel but it just wont fill the spool so you will need more backing
my advice would be to match the reel with a correct size line and also match your fly rod to a reel which will give the correct balance - ie. dont put a very heavy reel on a very light rod

You're going to struggle to load a 6/7 rod with a 5wt line under any circumstance. Depending on how big the river is, ie. how much water you'll need to cover, you'll most likely need a 7wt line.

Also, you'll find it very tight to fit your 7wt lines on to the 4/5/6 gx500.

---------- Post added at 05:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:36 PM ----------

beat me to it!

is it a case of great minds think alike or fools seldom differ

what about 6 weight on the rod? do you think 7 weight is light enough for the river? would you go for WF or Double Taper

Hi Scottrat,
A 6 is OK for a river but a 7 is a bit hefty.
Casting less than 10 yards is likely to underload the rod so the 7 is the way to go, although not ideal. River fishing usually uses a 5 or less but do not let that put you off. Try the 7 and form your own views.
A DT or WF will be fine. Under 10 yards you will not notice the difference.
I have a GT300 with a DT 5 on it and can manage only about 10 yards of backing. It would be better on the 6/7/8 in fact.
If you really take to river fishing a 9ft #5 would be a good investment. Do not expect one rod to do all.
Tight lines
Rusty

If you are going to go down the route with a 5wt and 7 wt line for the same rod here is an option..... one reel cage and two spools the second is half bat

Ascent Fly Reel - Rods & Reels - Superb All Alloy Lightweight Reel Machined from High Grade

decent reels I have the cassette version

I dont know if it will balance the rod though

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