Gear Ratios

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joseph Hayashi on May 3, 2011 at 9:41am

It depends on what lures you are using. Many say slower for cranks, big colorado bladed spinnerbaits swim baits etc. Mind you the reasons are different for a slower speed from lure to lure. I was given the advice to keep all of my reels the same ratio so I always know my line retrieve speed without thinking about it much.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Higgins on May 3, 2011 at 11:26am

For cranks I run a 5.1:1 ratio reel.  I can run it real slow or speed it up if need be, but a consistent retrieve seems to be a sweet spot for speed imo.

 

On my jig/topwater and worm rigs I run a 7.1:1.  I can slow it way down if needed and when I get a fish on I can pick up slack line and get it out of cover QUICK.

 

Generally you can't go wrong with a fast reel.  If you need to slow it down just reel slower, but you will always have the option to burn line in if needed.

Permalink Reply by Josh Potter on May 3, 2011 at 11:37am

I would stick to the 6.3:1 if I were you. In a perfect world where money grows on trees you would have exactly the right reel and rod for every application but money doesn't grow on trees. The 6.3:1 is more versatile than the 5.1:1. I feel like,for me it is easier to slow down a retrieve than speed it up.

Permalink Reply by BigBass Dez on May 3, 2011 at 2:07pm

+1 ryan, your a wise angler  !!   

 

Ryan Higgins said:

For cranks I run a 5.1:1 ratio reel.  I can run it real slow or speed it up if need be, but a consistent retrieve seems to be a sweet spot for speed imo.

 

On my jig/topwater and worm rigs I run a 7.1:1.  I can slow it way down if needed and when I get a fish on I can pick up slack line and get it out of cover QUICK.

 

Generally you can't go wrong with a fast reel.  If you need to slow it down just reel slower, but you will always have the option to burn line in if needed.

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on May 3, 2011 at 2:42pm

I agree with Potter! I have a ton of 6.3s.  I do have a couple that are slower than 5.8 but those are exclusive for cranking and slow rolling spinnerbaits.  6.3 can pretty much do it all if you are good at turning the handle slow. 

Josh Potter said:

I would stick to the 6.3:1 if I were you. In a perfect world where money grows on trees you would have exactly the right reel and rod for every application but money doesn't grow on trees. The 6.3:1 is more versatile than the 5.1:1. I feel like,for me it is easier to slow down a retrieve than speed it up.

Permalink Reply by Ben Holten on May 4, 2011 at 3:50am

Roger I would say you are not getting the best of advise from your buddy. Bass anglers have very few reels that are slwer than 6:1. Now-a-days I would say that 7:1 is more of the norm, although there isn't really anything wrong with going with a mid speed reel to start with.

Permalink Reply by Anthony N Jay on May 4, 2011 at 6:24am

7:1:1 burners

Permalink Reply by Ryan Higgins on May 4, 2011 at 11:08am

It comes down to reel style too.  I generally see spinning reels with a 6.3:1 ratio.  Casting reels are usually a slow 5.1:1 or a burner 7.1:1 (Curados). 

 

I'd go with the fastest version of the reel you're looking at getting be it a 6.3:1 or 7.1:1  You can always slow the retrieve down, but burning line in quick gets tiresome with a low geared reel.  Think of it in terms of cars.  Sure the 95hp Honda gets the job done and is awesome in general situations, but the 500hp vette sure makes passing cars easier ha ha!
Josh Potter said:

I would stick to the 6.3:1 if I were you. In a perfect world where money grows on trees you would have exactly the right reel and rod for every application but money doesn't grow on trees. The 6.3:1 is more versatile than the 5.1:1. I feel like,for me it is easier to slow down a retrieve than speed it up.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on May 4, 2011 at 3:57pm

Totally agree with ALL of your statement. 6.3:1 is your most versatile reel and it will serve for most all purposes.

Josh Potter said:

I would stick to the 6.3:1 if I were you. In a perfect world where money grows on trees you would have exactly the right reel and rod for every application but money doesn't grow on trees. The 6.3:1 is more versatile than the 5.1:1. I feel like,for me it is easier to slow down a retrieve than speed it up.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on May 4, 2011 at 4:01pm

Most reel companies just came out with 7.1:1 or faster so I can't see how that is the norm. The norm would be what dominates reel sales which is in the 6.1:1 to 6.4:1 gear ratio, the 7.1:1 ratio and faster are more of a niche reel along with the slower 5.4:1 ratio reels.

Ben Holten said:

Roger I would say you are not getting the best of advise from your buddy. Bass anglers have very few reels that are slwer than 6:1. Now-a-days I would say that 7:1 is more of the norm, although there isn't really anything wrong with going with a mid speed reel to start with.

Permalink Reply by Ben Holten on May 5, 2011 at 2:13pm

When I say norm I am saying what most people are going to. How many applications would a 7:1 would be a better selection? I use a 5:1 for crankbaits and swimbaits. A 6.5:1 for spinnerbaits. Everything else I use a 7:1... topwater, plastics, jig, frog, jerkbaits, and sometimes spinnerbaits.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

Most reel companies just came out with 7.1:1 or faster so I can't see how that is the norm. The norm would be what dominates reel sales which is in the 6.1:1 to 6.4:1 gear ratio, the 7.1:1 ratio and faster are more of a niche reel along with the slower 5.4:1 ratio reels.

Ben Holten said:

Roger I would say you are not getting the best of advise from your buddy. Bass anglers have very few reels that are slwer than 6:1. Now-a-days I would say that 7:1 is more of the norm, although there isn't really anything wrong with going with a mid speed reel to start with.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on May 5, 2011 at 6:42pm

Anything that needs a fast retrieve, like ripping traps for smallies, pitching because there really isn't a retrieve only you going to pitch again, these couple techniques really benefit with a faster retrieve. I just overworking a bait with a fast retrieve reel. IMO the 6. whatever reels are your best reel for just starting out and want a reel to do it all.

Ben Holten said:

When I say norm I am saying what most people are going to. How many applications would a 7:1 would be a better selection? I use a 5:1 for crankbaits and swimbaits. A 6.5:1 for spinnerbaits. Everything else I use a 7:1... topwater, plastics, jig, frog, jerkbaits, and sometimes spinnerbaits.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

Most reel companies just came out with 7.1:1 or faster so I can't see how that is the norm. The norm would be what dominates reel sales which is in the 6.1:1 to 6.4:1 gear ratio, the 7.1:1 ratio and faster are more of a niche reel along with the slower 5.4:1 ratio reels.

Ben Holten said:

Roger I would say you are not getting the best of advise from your buddy. Bass anglers have very few reels that are slwer than 6:1. Now-a-days I would say that 7:1 is more of the norm, although there isn't really anything wrong with going with a mid speed reel to start with.