Middle Speed Ratios

[JunkYard814]

When I first started buying reels, I picked up most in the 6.3:1 ratio because I figured it would be easiest to speed up or slow down if I had to. Now as I expand and have more technique specific set-ups, I find myself either wanting slower speed or faster speed reels more than that middle range. What do you guys use the middle speeds for?

 

(Ik gear ratio and IPT are different things and IPT is a more accurate indicator of speed, but for the sake of the post I just used gear ratio)

[tbone1993]

6:4 is my general purpose reel. I do everything from shallow/med crankbaits to wacky rigs ,crigs almost anything besides really heavy stuff. Its really tough to speed up a 5:4 ratio, if you dont believe me throw a buzzbait on it and watch it preform like crap. 

[jtesch]

Remember when 6.3-1 was the "burner" reel ?

[Bluebasser86]

I like the mid range speeds for spinnerbaits, topwater, buzzbaits, traps, spoons, jerkbaits, and occasionally squarebills. 

[buzzfrog]

I use a 6 gear something for my lite worm and spinnerbaits/swim jigs. I use 4 gear on crankbaits. High speed on eveything else T rig/ pitching/ frogs/buzzbaits/ topwater hardbaits

[Basswhippa]

Remember when 6.3-1 was the "burner" reel ?

I remembet when 4.7 was high speed. I am mid fourties.

[.RM.]

I remember the first bunner from Daiwa in the early 90's....

PT33SH Weight: 9.3 oz  Ratio: 7.1:1      

Tight Lines!   

[Capt.Bob]

Oh ya, the old "XHS" Extra High Speed at 5.0, ,1, or .2 somewhere in there I don't really remember the exact speed, but that was Shimanos answer to the 4.7 the Ambassador and Millionaire called high speed, that was in the early or mid 80's then late 80's or so, I thought I had reels that would catch on fire they were so fast, when Shimano came out with the "Super Speed Master's", then the Diawa 7-1 as .RM. stated and that has been a standard for high speed today. I have heard there is talk now of of a 9:1,,,,????

 

I have a couple 7:1 I use for deep water and plastics or finesse, but I rely mostly on 6.4 to one gears for 90% of my fishing, I think it is the best all round gear ratio for Bass and Walleye, as Blubasser stated for spinners traps med divers, T' and C' rigs from moderate fast to slow, an excellent gear ratio. But, for the deepest diving over 15-16 feet, divers and dredges, or jigs in very heavy weeds and pads, I do appreciate the 5.4 to 1 and it's smooth power & torque free, if there is a 9-1 I doubt I ever own one.

[new2BC4bass]

I did the same thing you have done....started with 6 point something.  Since you have several reels in this range, I think it is a good idea to branch out. Set up a rod or two for opposite ends of the spectrum....burning and deep cranking.

[ULG]

theres only a few applications i would stay away from the 6 ratios, topwater in super skinny water, flipping in skinny water, skinny water in general cz alot of times that momma is going straight for the deepest and closest she can get to and fast!!! had some under the boat before i even engaged my reel!!! buu i just dont feel its fast enough in superskinny water with any application. the other is cranking deeper lipped cranks deeper than 6-8 feet. i think thats when u need a grinder of a lower gear. you can but imo it pulls the baits too fast and doesnt allow you to feel it roll over the cover is your fishing cover, but... sometimes, sometimes they want the bait whizzed by the cover n not right on it. but it med range cranking can be done with 6 ratio, so to answer your question, i would stay away from skinny water and deep (10 feet+) with a 6 ratio, just my opinion and what works for around here! hope this helps ya!

[JunkYard814]

I have a lower gear reel for cranking, and a burner for frogs/jig fishing. I'd like another lower gear for slow rolling spinnerbaits, and another burner as a separate jig reel. I do agree though, I pretty much always bring the middle reel in case I want to throw something I didn't plan on using. 

[Bluebasser86]

Oh ya, the old "XHS" Extra High Speed at 5.0, ,1, or .2 somewhere in there I don't really remember the exact speed, but that was Shimanos answer to the 4.7 the Ambassador and Millionaire called high speed, that was in the early or mid 80's then late 80's or so, I thought I had reels that would catch on fire they were so fast, when Shimano came out with the "Super Speed Master's", then the Diawa 7-1 as .RM. stated and that has been a standard for high speed today. I have heard there is talk now of of a 9:1,,,,????

 

I have a couple 7:1 I use for deep water and plastics or finesse, but I rely mostly on 6.4 to one gears for 90% of my fishing, I think it is the best all round gear ratio for Bass and Walleye, as Blubasser stated for spinners traps med divers, T' and C' rigs from moderate fast to slow, an excellent gear ratio. But, for the deepest diving over 15-16 feet, divers and dredges, or jigs in very heavy weeds and pads, I do appreciate the 5.4 to 1 and it's smooth power & torque free, if there is a 9-1 I doubt I ever own one.

The new Revo Rocket is supposed to have a 9.0:1 gear ratio with 37 IPT! 

[Hogsticker]

Every company sets and indicates a little different gear ratio. 6 to something, or 7 something in general. I know you said IPT aside, but that's the number I pay attention to. For most applications I find 28" to be as close to perfect as it gets with "most" general presentations. 

[Mikey]

I remembet when 4.7 was high speed. I am mid fourties.

me too !  the old speed spools were 4.3 that "powered" up to 4.7 depending on how fast you "wound" it.... at the time it was sonic speed 

[Arv]

All my casting reels are 6:1. Given the IPT is slightly different for each reel given different makers, I like to know if I am reeling faster or slower across the board with all my set ups based on how fast I am reeling, not the gear ratio. Just personal preference.