4/0, 5/0, 6/0 reels?

I don't know why I haven't thought to ask this question here before, but I have always been confused by reel sizes when somebody recommends a 4/0 reel, or a 6/0 reel. I tend to think of reels by line class. For example, my Shimano Sahara 750 is a 4lb reel, my Avet SX is a 20lb reel, while an Avet JX is a 30-40lb reel.

So, what is a 4/0, 5/0, or 6/0 reel? Where do those designations come from?

It's beginning to look like I'm not the only one who doesn't know what the #/0 designation means.   

Our 4/0's were always 30-40lb class, 6/0's were loaded with 60-65lb.  Never had a 5/0.  I actually pulled all the old school cod gear out of a storage room the other day.....those 6/0's were beastly.

Todays smaller reels are capable of putting out way more drag pressure and spectra allows mass yardage for its diameter to breaking strength ratio.  Thats why your 20lb SX is only half the size of an older 20lb reel like a 500 jiggy. 

Our 4/0's were always 30-40lb class, 6/0's were loaded with 60-65lb.  Never had a 5/0.  I actually pulled all the old school cod gear out of a storage room the other day.....those 6/0's were beastly.

Cool, thanks for that! Based on looking at reels that called themselves 4/0, or whatever, that the number corresponded "approximately" to line class. I figure if the trip/resort recommends a 4/0 reel, then an Avet JX should meet that need.

The O stands for Ocean and the sizes started small and went up.

Our 4/0's were always 30-40lb class, 6/0's were loaded with 60-65lb.  Never had a 5/0.  I actually pulled all the old school cod gear out of a storage room the other day.....those 6/0's were beastly.

Cool, thanks for that! Based on looking at reels that called themselves 4/0, or whatever, that the number corresponded "approximately" to line class. I figure if the trip/resort recommends a 4/0 reel, then an Avet JX should meet that need.

Simple answer=sounds about right
slightly longer answer= they both have different line capacities, in order to be on par with the 500/yards of 30lb mono that a 4/0 will hold you're gonna need to run 65 spectra.  There's also styles of fishing calling for different gearing ratios.....but I think you should be good 

I can flow you a 4/0 if you wanna drag along a backup.   

Our 4/0's were always 30-40lb class, 6/0's were loaded with 60-65lb.  Never had a 5/0.  I actually pulled all the old school cod gear out of a storage room the other day.....those 6/0's were beastly.

Cool, thanks for that! Based on looking at reels that called themselves 4/0, or whatever, that the number corresponded "approximately" to line class. I figure if the trip/resort recommends a 4/0 reel, then an Avet JX should meet that need.

Simple answer=sounds about right
slightly longer answer= they both have different line capacities, in order to be on par with the 500/yards of 30lb mono that a 4/0 will hold you're gonna need to run 65 spectra.  There's also styles of fishing calling for different gearing ratios.....but I think you should be good 

I can flow you a 4/0 if you wanna drag along a backup.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm just dreamin' about a trip right now, and scheming about how to pay for it. I'm hoping for the east Cape in July 2012.

i just picked up a penn 4/0 on ebay for $60. I know there are newer and better but this old coffee grinder seems to keep bringing them in. I hope to test it some time soon. And man it holds a ton of braid

$60 for the reel.........$80 for braid 
We used to back em with dacron then top shot em with mono to save some dough.....even deep dropping you aint gonna come close to seeing the dacron.   

$60 for the reel.........$80 for braid 
We used to back em with dacron then top shot em with mono to save some dough.....even deep dropping you aint gonna come close to seeing the dacron.   

haha yeah no kidding. I had the line already! It actually came with some mono on it but got knows how old it was. I did to a mono backing so its not 100 braid