Slower Reel For Other Techniques

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Just curious if anyone uses slower reel ratios (4.7:1 or 5.x:1) or lower IPT for those being technical for anything other than cranking ?

[retiredbosn]

I remember one manufacturer advertising a low ratio as the perfect worm reel. I like them for worms and jigs when I can't seem to force myself into slowing down. Then invariably some smart arse fish picks it up and runs toward me.

[webertime]

Swimbaits

[Quitlimpin]

I prefer a low ipt reel for spinnerbaits and hollow body swimbaits.

[Raul]

Nowhere is written like if it were a commandment that you should use X reel speed for X type of bait, gear ratios & IPT´s are like hooks, you choose the most appropiate size ( depending upon bait dimensions ) of hook for the bait, that doesn´t mean you can´t or shouldn´t use a longer or bigger hook ( the opposite is also true ) for a certain bait, of course not using the most appropiate size has certain drawbacks, the same applies to gear ratios´s & IPT´s, choose the fastest or slowest depending upon application.

I remember back then during the age of the dinosaurs when I began fishing, my first reel ( and only one for that matter ) was a Shakespeare spinning reel with a GR of about 4:1 and an IPT of around 15"-17" and I fished every single bait I had in my tackle box with it, the slow speed of it had a few drawbacks specially when fishing certain baits in a certain manner ( or technique ), for example when I fished soft plastics bottom hopping them ( Texas or Carolina rigged ) I had to turn the handle like mad to pick up the slack to set the hook when I detected a bite, many times I lost fish because I didn´t ( or couldn´t ) reel fast enough, wasn´t the most appropiate reel speed for that kind of presentation but looking at it in perspective, I still caught a big bunch of fish for many of years.

So for what you can use a slow reel ? for a big bunch of things, cranking included.

[The Rooster]

Wow that musta been hard to find time to fish with all the big T-Rex's running around trying to eat you. LOL

[kickerfish1]

Many high end reels from the mid 90s used lower gear ratios. TDZs and alphas come to mind but thanks to performance upgrades one can now replace the gears with 6:3.1 and 6:8.1 ratios depending on the reel. I am using a slower 5:8.1 ratio alpha Ito AI as finesse reel but coneltemplating upgrading the gears to speed it up. They do help me keep the bait slow even when I may want to speed it up. However at times it limits my hookset % as when it is windy or on a slack line it can be difficult to recover line to do so.

Slower gear ratios have their place and certainly got the job done "back in the day" but it usually just boils down to personal preference.

[Raul]

Wow that musta been hard to find time to fish with all the big T-Rex's running around trying to eat you. LOL

T-Rexes weren´t a problem, velociraptors were really hard to outrun. Fortunately we primates can always climb trees when the s+t hits the fan.

[Highhawk1948]

I use an old Quantum Cranking reel for medium and deep crankbaits.

[bigfishbk86]

I use a 5.1:1 ratio reel on 3/4 oz spinnerbaits and chatterbaits exclusively

[loodkop]

I have an old Curado 3.8:1 reel that I dust of every winter for slow rolling deep spinnerbaits. I just can not reel slow enough with a 7 ratio reel for this technique. I dont do a lot of deep cranking but if I have the same reel comes out.

[SirSnookalot]

If I looked at any technical reel information it would be IPT, not ratio. Speaking for myself, I have no problem in adjusting my retrieval speed as I see fit, tailoring it to my lure type. Most of the time I carry 1 rod, adjustment is second nature requiring very little thought.

[*Hootie]

I have old magazines with adds touting high speed reels with gear ratios a blistering 4.7-1

I also prefer a slow gear ratio for spinnerbaits.

Hootie

[21farms]

i tend to reel fast—i can't seem to help myself—so a slower reel really helps me maintain a pace that i like. i use 'em for any size crankbait, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, rattlebaits, and soft plastic swimbaits. especially with thumper-type spinnerbaits, the difference in winding torque is quite noticeable.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

IMO ratio/IPT is more about power than speed. Any heavy and/or high resistance bait can be more pleasant to fish (easier cranking) with a more powerful reel.

[LgMouthGambler]

I love me some fast reels. The slowest I will fish is a 6.4, and thats what my 50's are for.