What Size reel for 20lb. test?

[Balvar24]

My wife bought me a castable depth finder.  The manual recommends 20 lb. test line.  Is a 270 too big?  Been thinking about getting one.  Now I have an excuse.

[oldmanjoe]

 If you play your cards right , I see 3 new reels in your future .

[Balvar24]

Maybe.  I've got a 220, but figure it's a bit on the small side.  May stick with it all the same.  The little fish finder weighs a couple ounces, but I'm only going to be lobbing it and dragging it back.  Not looking to drag sea monsters up on the bank.

[foakes]

I would expect that 20 pound is only a suggestion —- and one that could be varied a little bit.

For 20 pound mono —- a 3000 to 4000 sized reel would be the ticket.

Best, Fred

[Balvar24]

Kind of what I figured on all accounts.  Around here most recommendations are tempered by the things available and on hand.

[philaroman]

if you want versatility, go with Fred's suggestion
3001/4001 will work great for fish-finder AND DO SO MUCH MORE

for a dedicated fish-finder reel, you don't need much power, gear durability, or ANY drag
look for something distinctly lacking in those areas, but good in all other criteria
I'd prob go for affordable modern: large-yet-light, high-speed AND ABUNDANT CHEAP SPARE SPOOLS!!!

possible vintage options:
1) there was a worm-drive discussed on AT a while ago (South Bend?  ...someone will know)
it was made high-speed by adding transfer gear(s) between main & pinion, resulting in drastic loss of power
it looked bulletproof in every other way & YOU DON'T NEED POWER -- total non-issue for several ounces, esp. top-water
2) get a later less desirable maroon Shakes w/ cracked plastic spool cam & just fuse spool w/ shaft -- YOU DON'T NEED DRAG

[MarkT]

For what you've said you'll use it for I'd go with a baitcaster!