7.1:1 Reel Good For Swimbaits?

[Newbass112]

I had purchased a nice abu garcia 7.1:1 reel about a month ago on a whim not knowing much about ratios. Been reading up since and learning about the sport of fishing.

I was wondering if the 7.1:1 reel is a good reel for swimbaits such as big hammer lures swimbaits here,

http://www.swimbait.com/hammer.htm

...That paired with their hammer heads. These are the main types of lures I would like to fish with along with worms (plenty of worms!), tube baits here and there, and crawfish rubber baits, etc. etc.

Is the 7.1:1 reel good for this type of fishing or do I need to return it and get the 6.4:1 ?

[Bluebasser86]

It will be fine for fishing most of those swimbaits on that link. If you start flinging bigger baits a higher capacity/slower gear ratio reel will suit you better. Main thing will be getting yourself to slow down your retrieve enough to fish those baits. 

[Newbass112]

Basically I plan on fishing the big hammer swimbaits (their main ones that you add on their *hammer head to) that I linked above, their salt shaker worms, some jigs, plastics, and stuff like this...

 

http://www.teamgreatoutdoors.com/prodimages/DA_HYDRA.GIF

 

I want what would best be suited for that type of fishing. I know you can slow down the rettrieve but realisticly how easy is that? I like the fact I can get a good hookset quick with the 7.1:1 and I also like that I can use buzzbaits and spinnerbaits with the faster gear ratio if I ever wanted to do something different, options are good and I like a general purpose all around reel.

 

It's about an hour and a half drive to go back to bass pro to return it for a 6.4:1 ratio if that would suit better. But if the 7.1:1 is good for it all, buzzbaits included, and all I have to do is slow down the retrieve...if that's easy to do then sticking with the 7.1:1 may be better?

[Bluebasser86]

I fish some of my smaller baits on a 7.1 and some of them on a 6.2. I don't have any problem slowing down on a retrieve but some people have a really tough time reeling slowly enough with a fast reel. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

If you are fishing the Hammers like a jigging spoon, you will like it. Will pick up a bunch of line quickly.

 

If you are fishing anything else swimbait-wise, you will either be fishing too fast (for the most part) or you will make yourself go to sleep trying to slow that reel down.

[BrettD]

I fish some of my smaller baits on a 7.1 and some of them on a 6.2. I don't have any problem slowing down on a retrieve but some people have a really tough time reeling slowly enough with a fast reel. 

I have this problem thats why almost all my reels are in the 6.x range. I like a 7:1 is T-rig worm or flipping or whenever I need to reel up slack line in a hurry.

There really isnt a right or wrong answer its what you feel comfortable using.

[BassCats]

Just remember to reel in slowly and you won't have any problems. Most swimbaits work better at slower speeds. If ripping them then it won't matter.

[Newbass112]

After the advice it sounds like a 6.4:1 might be the better choice for a general purpose reel.

I'm going to do a little more reading to make sure so further suggestions are appreciated. Are there any other pros/cons of the 6.4:1 vs the 7.1:1? The idea here is all purpose as my tackle box has a lot of different lures, tube baits, swimbaits, worms, jigs and so on. A 7.1:1 can be slowed down for regular baits, can a 6.4:1 be sped up for buzzbaits if I ever decide to try those? It sounds like most people can't even tell a difference between a 6 and 7 ratio.

I like the idea of a fast hookset, but if I can't fish the baits/lures I mainly want to use efficiently with a 7 then maybe I need to return it for a 6..

Since I do fish with worms alot texas rigged, would a 6.4:1 still be good for this? I know it was said the 7.1:1 was better for these.

Thanks guys

[katmandew]

I've been fishing hammers on a 6.4:1.  With that bait, the slower you reel it the better.  I'm actually considering using a 5.1:1 Lews BB1 cranking reel with them this year because that dang thing just casts a country mile...and just to see if I can get more bites with an even slower retrieve.  If you can slow down with a 7.1:1 it wont matter.  Some people have a hard time doing that, others do not.  I think the 7.1:1 will help in cases where you throw at a bluff ledge and hook up with a smally that runs deep (right at the boat) immediately when hooked, allowing you to catch up with him and get the slack out of your line.  Other times like if you are fishing a grass flat where deep water isn't as close by and they dont always run toward you, the lower gear ratio would probably be better because you can slow your retrieve easier, and with that bait, slow is the key...but either should work.  You'll just have to be conscious of your retrieve speed.

[Newbass112]

I've been fishing hammers on a 6.4:1. With that bait, the slower you reel it the better. I'm actually considering using a 5.1:1 Lews BB1 cranking reel with them this year because that dang thing just casts a country mile...and just to see if I can get more bites with an even slower retrieve. If you can slow down with a 7.1:1 it wont matter. Some people have a hard time doing that, others do not. I think the 7.1:1 will help in cases where you throw at a bluff ledge and hook up with a smally that runs deep (right at the boat) immediately when hooked, allowing you to catch up with him and get the slack out of your line. Other times like if you are fishing a grass flat where deep water isn't as close by and they dont always run toward you, the lower gear ratio would probably be better because you can slow your retrieve easier, and with that bait, slow is the key...but either should work. You'll just have to be conscious of your retrieve speed.

So just to be sure, a 7.1:1 reel can be used idealy for swimbaits from big hammer lures (with the hammer heads, NOT the buzz hammers), worms, soft plastics, jigs, etc? I''m liking the idea of being able to fish slow swimbaits and then switch right to a quick retrieve for a quick hookset with the 7 ratio, though I'm afraid it may be too fast a ratio for those swimbaits. How easy is it really to slow down on a 7? If I'm not mistaken all you do is turn the handle very slow, unless I'm missing something is it really that hard to do?

I searched all over youtube for demonstrations of a 7.1:1 vs a 6.4:1 and also a demo of slowing down your retrieve on a 7.1:1, haven't found anything.

Just getting into fishing as a sport and never knew anything about ratios until last month. I don't plan on having more than 1 rod and reel, just looking for a nice quality setup. I don't have preferred methods of fishing baits yet as I'm new to this, but I know what types of baits I plan on using as posted above, the big hammer swimbaits/hammer heads, worms, soft plastics, jigs, tube baits, and when I get more experienced maybe I'll delve into buzzbaits and the such...setup permitting.

I'm thinking the best thing would be to keep the 7.1:1 and just not use swimbaits if it won't work well. My favorite bait is worms, soft plastics, and jigs anyway. With a low gear ratio sure I can do swimbaits but then I won't be able to do my favorites being worms, soft plastics and jigs. Guess you give a little and take what you can get!

Thanks for all the help with this. It's a real headache at first - I'm trying to figure out what size/weight/type of hooks/weights to buy and I'm completely lost there in correlation to the baits I'm using. How and where are you even supposed to find that information out?

[webertime]

I used a Zillion HSLA, Curado E7 and 7:1 PQ for my Hammers/Keitechs.  Find a nice slow song with a slow cadance and sing it to yourself as you retrieve (I use Row Row Row Your Boat).  It helps you slow down and keeps your mind somewhat clear of distractions (It's like a monk repeating a mantra). You will look weird and you will likely have social services called on you but you will catch fish.

[katmandew]

So just to be sure, a 7.1:1 reel can be used idealy for swimbaits from big hammer lures (with the hammer heads, NOT the buzz hammers), worms, soft plastics, jigs, etc? I''m liking the idea of being able to fish slow swimbaits and then switch right to a quick retrieve for a quick hookset with the 7 ratio, though I'm afraid it may be too fast a ratio for those swimbaits. How easy is it really to slow down on a 7? If I'm not mistaken all you do is turn the handle very slow, unless I'm missing something is it really that hard to do?

I searched all over youtube for demonstrations of a 7.1:1 vs a 6.4:1 and also a demo of slowing down your retrieve on a 7.1:1, haven't found anything.

Just getting into fishing as a sport and never knew anything about ratios until last month. I don't plan on having more than 1 rod and reel, just looking for a nice quality setup. I don't have preferred methods of fishing baits yet as I'm new to this, but I know what types of baits I plan on using as posted above, the big hammer swimbaits/hammer heads, worms, soft plastics, jigs, tube baits, and when I get more experienced maybe I'll delve into buzzbaits and the such...setup permitting.

I'm thinking the best thing would be to keep the 7.1:1 and just not use swimbaits if it won't work well. My favorite bait is worms, soft plastics, and jigs anyway. With a low gear ratio sure I can do swimbaits but then I won't be able to do my favorites being worms, soft plastics and jigs. Guess you give a little and take what you can get!

Thanks for all the help with this. It's a real headache at first - I'm trying to figure out what size/weight/type of hooks/weights to buy and I'm completely lost there in correlation to the baits I'm using. How and where are you even supposed to find that information out?

I know a guide that is sponsored by Big Hammer that uses a 7:1 reel exclusively with them and he doesn't hardly put that rig down during the spring. It's all personal preference really. The difference in my Lews 6.4 and my 7:1 in that same reel is only 3" per turn. Not that hard to slow down to compensate for that I wouldn't think, but when reeling it fast to catch up with a fish, the 3" will make a good bit of difference. I'll be using both this year probably with the hammers and may just experiment with the 5:1 reel as well.

I wouldn't be afraid to throw it on a 7:1 by no means. If you want versatility, the 7:1 may be the way to go anyways. Just remember fishing hammers ain't like throwing a crank bait. The retrieve is much slower...unless ur on a really hot bite, the it won't matter if you burn the bait across them.

For the hammers i make my own heads. I pour them in a mold. I use a better hook in mine than the cheap hook they put in them. I lost too many fish on their heads due to the cheap hooks. They throw it a lot. Haven't lost a fish that I hooked since I started making my own.

I use 1/4 and 3/8 oz heads with the 3" hammers and 3/8 and 1/2 oz heads with the 4". Rarely go any bigger.

[Newbass112]

I know a guide that is sponsored by Big Hammer that uses a 7:1 reel exclusively with them and he doesn't hardly put that rig down during the spring. It's all personal preference really. The difference in my Lews 6.4 and my 7:1 in that same reel is only 3" per turn. Not that hard to slow down to compensate for that I wouldn't think, but when reeling it fast to catch up with a fish, the 3" will make a good bit of difference. I'll be using both this year probably with the hammers and may just experiment with the 5:1 reel as well.

I wouldn't be afraid to throw it on a 7:1 by no means. If you want versatility, the 7:1 may be the way to go anyways. Just remember fishing hammers ain't like throwing a crank bait. The retrieve is much slower...unless ur on a really hot bite, the it won't matter if you burn the bait across them.

For the hammers i make my own heads. I pour them in a mold. I use a better hook in mine than the cheap hook they put in them. I lost too many fish on their heads due to the cheap hooks. They throw it a lot. Haven't lost a fish that I hooked since I started making my own.

I use 1/4 and 3/8 oz heads with the 3" hammers and 3/8 and 1/2 oz heads with the 4". Rarely go any bigger.

Think I am going to stick with the 7.1:1 then. Now is there any downfalls on the torque issue? Bigger fish can still be reeled in on a 7.1:1 right? and it doesn't break the reel..so on and so forth?

My rod is a medium/heavy

[katmandew]

Don't worry about that. Lots of people fish them exclusively and catch big fish. Gearing differences are for different baits and techniques, not for different fish sizes.

[KevO]

I throw the big hammers on a slow 5.1 curado and reel as slow as I can stand it.  When the water warms up a little more I throw them on 6.2:1 reel but still try to reel as slow as I can.  They have a really good action at slow speeds.