7:1:1, Do I Really Need It?

[tbone1993]

LOVE the responses. So I've fallen and hit the groud but waiting for the spring classic sale to start running. Gen 3 revo sx 7.1 here we come.

Thanks a bunch guys!

Ps. I would buy another revo s but they don't come in 7.1

Put your money towards the gen 3 stx 8.0 ratio thats a badass reel. anything else and id go with the lews tournament pro speed spool. Guess what is sitting right next to me brand new? The TP speed spool guess what reel is about to be next the STX gen 3 8.o abu. Guess what next another winch . yes i am addicted to fishing buy arent we all? 

[War Eagle 44]

I know you've already decided which way you're going and I agree, for a jig only reel 7.1 is the way to go, I just wanted to give my thoughts on a few points discussed here. I don't use many high speed reels currently, as best I remember I only own 2 at the moment but I don't feel they lack the power or torque to fight big fish easily.

My Curado DHSV has really good power in my opinion, I'm not exactly sure of the IPT anymore but it's fast enough to be a great pitch/flip or jig reel. These reels feature an aluminum frame and handle side plate which keeps the gears in perfect alignment and doesn't allow any flex which results in good cranking power. I also remember reading a review when the E series first came out that the main gear in the D series was slightly bigger than the one in the new E series and in the opinion of the tester this lessened the cranking power a bit.

I know you're going with a new Revo, my point to that was that all 7.1 reels aren't created equal. Just because one brand or model doesn't have good cranking power under load doesn't mean none do. I've never fished a Revo so I can't help you there but I think I remember reading that the new gen 3 Revo has bigger gears than before so it could turn out to be a really good 7.1 reel. I hope it does for you, let us know.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Definately a fast IPT reel on that set up! My jig/worm rod has an 8.0:1 STX gen 3 on it and its perfect! The majority of my hits are always on the fall. Line slacks up and the fish starts to swim away. You have to reel slack in, hit em and get them moving your way as fast as you can.

[J Francho]

I don't feel any difference fighting a fish, or getting a hookset in, regardless of ratio, or IPT.  The only time it has ever mattered to me is deep, vertical drop shot for smallies.  They tend to run strait up, faster than any high speed reel. Otherwise, it's only a convenience when you DON'T get bit,and you want to get your bait in fast to make another cast.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

Dang! I just got ham boned. I looked up the STX and it only comes in right hand retrieve for the 8.1. Why do they do that? I don't see that it should be any more complicated to make a left hand as it would be a right.

 

STX 8.1 owners, is that faster speed even more apparent as a 7.1 is to a 6.1?

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

Man, that actually really bothers me about the left hand retrieve. I just wrote an email to Abu Garcia. I wasn't rude or anything but I basically told them how they are missing out on a sale and how they would be opening up their products to an even larger fan base if they simply offered all speeds in all models on both retrieves. 

 

I know they are probably trying to be savvy by limiting features in one reel to make you spring for the next one up but really? Is it that serious? They should stop pud whackin and just make it right you know.

[Teal]

Thats natures way of telling you to go with a 7.1

[retiredbosn]

Wow 33 ipt, that 8.0:1 is a screamer.  The 7.1:1 brings in 29 on the STX, the Chronarch 7.1:1 brings in 30, and the Lews 7.1:1 brings in 31. I have no idea how measurable of a difference that is.  I know my only burner reel now has 4.6:1 gears, I didn't see an appreciable difference in the retrieve speedwise in the line of reesl it came out of and changed it to another cranking reel.

[tbone1993]

Man, that actually really bothers me about the left hand retrieve. I just wrote an email to Abu Garcia. I wasn't rude or anything but I basically told them how they are missing out on a sale and how they would be opening up their products to an even larger fan base if they simply offered all speeds in all models on both retrieves. 

 

I know they are probably trying to be savvy by limiting features in one reel to make you spring for the next one up but really? Is it that serious? They should stop pud whackin and just make it right you know.

I learned on a right hand retrieve just because of that reason. Oddly enough i fish spinning reels on the opposite hand. The reason is because I cast with my right hand and just switch hands, unless I am flipping or pitching.    You should be fine with the stx 7.0 the 8.0 is crazy fast and it might overpower you if you never used a high gear ratio before. ** or even the sx which ever reel you choose

[tbone1993]

Wow 33 ipt, that 8.0:1 is a screamer.  The 7.1:1 brings in 29 on the STX, the Chronarch 7.1:1 brings in 30, I have no idea how measurable of a difference that is.  I know my only burner reel now has 4.6:1 gears, I didn't see an appreciable difference in the retrieve speedwise in the line of reesl it came out of and changed it to another cranking reel.

Thats opposite of a burner reel? If anything thats best for slow rolling and deeper baits. 

[J Francho]

Wow 33 ipt, that 8.0:1 is a screamer.

 

A 7.1:1 Zillion is almost 32"/turn.  The Daiwa T3 8.1:1 is 34"/turn.

[retiredbosn]

Thats opposite of a burner reel? If anything thats best for slow rolling and deeper baits. 

 

I didn't like the high speed and switched the gears out, fits my style better, lol  Took it from a 7.1:1 to a 4.6:1

[DINK WHISPERER]

Man, that actually really bothers me about the left hand retrieve. I just wrote an email to Abu Garcia. I wasn't rude or anything but I basically told them how they are missing out on a sale and how they would be opening up their products to an even larger fan base if they simply offered all speeds in all models on both retrieves. 

 

I know they are probably trying to be savvy by limiting features in one reel to make you spring for the next one up but really? Is it that serious? They should stop pud whackin and just make it right you know.

I absolutely agree with you. This STX is my only RH retrieve reel and it bothers me! If they ever release a LH i will sale mine and get it. 

[BobP]

I watched a KVD video about pitching jigs and he says he uses a high speed reel because it gets the bait back faster for the next pitch - and in a day's fishing, that can mean a few extra fish in the boat.  Most of us aren't that hard core and I think the video came out before 7 ratio reels were available.  I have 6.2's and 7's and pitch with a 6.2 because it's just a bit better caster and smoother retriever.  Just a little more comfortable.  I'm not saying the 7's would have a hard time pulling a hawg out of a laydown since most of the latest reels have much larger gear sets anyway, but a slightly lower ratio reel will make it a bit easier and to me, a 6.2 Shimano is more of a 'do anything' tool.

[bassh8er]

With the way KVD fishes, I'm surprised that Quantum makes anything slower than a 7.1:1 reel. He probably needs a 5.1:1 reel to fish as fast as the rest of us do with a 7.1:1 "Burner".

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

With the way KVD fishes, I'm surprised that Quantum makes anything slower than a 7.1:1 reel. He probably needs a 5.1:1 reel to fish as fast as the rest of us do with a 7.1:1 "Burner".

I know right? Abu seems to beating everyone to the punch with their 8.1 reels. By the way, just off topic, have you seen the new MGXtreme coming out? 4.9 Ounces and $500 bones. Crazy. Check out tackle warehouse to see it.

[Hooligan]

Do you need it?  No.  Any reel that retrieves line is adequate.  Does it make fishing plastics and jigs tremendously more efficient and effective?  Yes.  If I am pitching jigs, for instance, I can get two to three more casts at a piece of cover because I don't waste time retrieving through dead water with a lower gear ratio.  If you're concerned about fishing fast, it isn't the reel that is going to make the final difference.  it is you, and your bait movement that needs to change.  The reel only picks up slack line, it isn't moving the bait.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

Hooligan, that's pretty much exactly why I'm looking for one at 7.1. I'd like to get the bait out of dead water quickly for more presentations.

[scbassin]

I like high speed when worm fishing,get them out of the cover quickly. So all of my worm fishing is done with a M/H rod & a Shimano 7.1.1 reel. I can't wait to see what the Shimano Metanium 2013 XG 8.0:1 is going to be like. Being left-handed I find that the Japanese tend to make there reels for both left & right handed people.

[papajoe222]

I have one 'burner' and it's mounted on my jig rod. It's all about line recovery to me. The faster I can pick up the slack and get that fish moving away from cover, the better.  Check the line recovery stat on the reel first.  Gear ration can fool you into believing it's a fast reel, line recovery proves it.

[Gabes1]

Love my Revo. Also gets your bait back quicker for the next flip or pitch