Please Explain The Difference In Reel Ratio's???

[bigbill]

I'm sure I'm not alone but I notice my arm is sore after making many casts with the 6,3:1 spinning reel I setup for my spinnerbaits. I thought it meant burning the spinnerbaits not my arm. I was in shape at this time and could lift/ bench 400+lbs. I ran a 25lb 100cc chainsaw 8hrs/7days aweek. I'm not a light weight.

I went into the engineering job for the $$. Enough said.

I'm sure there are others out there who want to know this too.

Why do we have the reel ratios of 5.1:1, 6.2:1, & 7.1:1?

What lures do you use with them?

Which is better if we were going to buy one speed?

Which is easier to operate a 7.2:1 spinning reel or a bait caster reel?

What's the difference in fishing between a bait caster or spinning reel?

How far will the designs of our new reels in the near future will go? I'm thinking a gear setup were we can quickly change the gear ratios at a milk seconds notice. I think we will see 3 speed reels someday. Maybe a mechanical advantage at the handle too so the operator doesn't feel the increase of the speed in turning the crank. I'm thinking of replacing the new brake shoe and old magnetic brake system with and adjustable governor fly weight spring system for casting.

I finally figured out how the flipping/pitching switch functions, I never tried it or used it before. I can see why some of you guys only use this option instead of casting. It's all about the control and the ease of use. I have the knowledge in casting the baitcasting reels for eons but I was reluctant to get fully into using them.

[*Hootie]

And you call yourself an Engineer?.....lol.

Just kidding.

Just kidding.

Hootie

[flyfisher]

I am not as concerned with ratios as i am in IPT (inches per turn).

 

It is pretty straightforward stuff but if you want baits to move faster or pick up line more quickly, buzz baits, frogs, etc... higher IPT.  Something you want to move slower, deeper crankbaits, swimbaits etc.. you go with a lower IPT. 

Just like everything fishing related though, people have their preferences.  Some like the super high speed reels for everything while others are prefectly content with slower speed reels.

 

I don't own any high speed reels.  Mine are all in the mid range 23-25" per crank except my one cranking reel which is 19" per turn.

 

I think most people. myself included, find it much easier to speed up a retrieve rather than slow it down and this is where the lower IPT helps out.

[JD96]

5.5:1 for slow rolling, 6.5:1 for most soft plastics, 7.1:1 for burners and jigging because they pick up slack faster.

[tholmes]

The gear ratio expresses how many times the spool revolves for each full turn of the handle. Slower ratios such as 5.X:1 are generally thought of as crankbait reels while the faster (7.x:1) are useful for techniques that require fast line recovery such as flipping and are also useful for very fast retrieve presentations such as burning frogs, etc. 6.X:1 reels, IMHO, are "all-purpose" reels. 

 

Of more relevance is how much line is recovered for each handle revolution. This can vary between reels of the same gear ratio depending on spool diameter or how full of line the spool is. To determine this, pull your line out, mark the line with a sharpie right at the tip of the rod, turn the handle one full revolution and measure how far from the tip the mark is.

 

Tom

[J Francho]

Back in the day, a 5:1 reel was called "high speed." Now, 9:1 reels are becoming available.  IPT is the actual measure of line pickup per handle turn, and the more important spec when comparing reels side by side.  Everyone has their opinions about what is good for what, and in a general sense, the most common recommendations will work.  Though, most anything can be accomplished with a middle of the road 24-28 IPT reel.  Slower and faster reels may "feel" better or more natural in your hands for certain presentations, like faster reel for burning buzzbaits, square bills, traps, and spinners, or a slower reel deep diving cranks, C-rigs, spooks, ledgebuster spinnerbaits, etc.

[Felix77]

IMO - In theory I agree with the comment that  "5.5:1 for slow rolling, 6.5:1 for most soft plastics, 7.1:1 for burners and jigging because they pick up slack faster".  However I concern myself more with Inches Per Turn than Gear Ratio.  Especially if you mix brands.  

 

Example from my stuff ...

 

Abu Silver Max - 6.4:1 Gear Ratio - 28 IPT

Bass Pro Qualifier - 7.1:1 Gear Ratio - 29 IPT

Abu Pro Max - 7.1:1 Gear Ratio - 31 IPT

 

So from a line recovery perspective there is very little difference between the Silver Max and the Pro Qualifier.  So decide on what technique you plan to use it for and then based on the IPT select the proper reel.

[rippin-lips]

A 6:3:1 ratio is pretty standard for a good all around retrieve. If it's your elbow that's feeling it then you need to fish more lol. When I first started throwing darts my elbow would get so sore from playing league that night and stick around for a day or 2. After practicing everyday for 30 minutes it doesn't happen anymore unless I take a break for a few weeks.

[Capt.Bob]

spoken like a true engineer Bill, we already have everything you speak of in your first post!

[dodgeguy]

a spinning reel with a 7 to 1 will have a higher ipt than a casting reel of the same ratio because the spinning reel has a larger diameter spool. this is why most guys use casting for spinnerbaits and cranks.

[bigbill]

I understand about the gear ratios and line speed. What I didn't understand which lures there used for. Since I'm putting together my rod setups I'd like to get it right the first time. I'm fine tuning everything now, since I'm getting past the basics of using one speed for everything. Thanks, bb

[aavery2]

I understand about the gear ratios and line speed. What I didn't understand which lures there used for. Since I'm putting together my rod setups I'd like to get it right the first time. I'm fine tuning everything now, since I'm getting past the basics of using one speed for everything. Thanks, bb

Lower gear ratio reels provide more torque, like a car in low gear.  When you increase in speed you lose torque.  Deep diving crankbaits and large bladed spinnerbaits are two that come to mind that benefit from using lower ratio reels.

[Jrob78]

Lower gear ratio reels provide more torque, like a car in low gear.  When you increase in speed you lose torque.  Deep diving crankbaits and large bladed spinnerbaits are two that come to mind that benefit from using lower ratio reels.

Well said.  On the flip side of that, higher gear ratio, (7:1+) reels are good for non moving baits or baits that don't offer a lot of resistance.  Jigs, t-rigs, c-rigs, frogs, pitching.....etc...are baits that are fished on a slack line.  The ability to take up that slack quickly is beneficial.  Also, these baits are often target oriented and sometimes reeling in the 2nd half of a cast quickly is helpful.

[aavery2]

The only thing i don't get is LPT. If it says on a box 25" per turn,  is it talking about reeling with line already on the spool, or when there is no line on spool?

Typically refers to the amount of line the reel will take up when the spool is full or near full.

[Loop_Dad]

For me I am not too much worried about gear ratio. However, I would like to keep the IPT on my reels somewhat in the same ball park, say 27 ipt - 30 ipt. I think that's generally mid to high gear ratio.

 

By doing this, I have more freedom to switch around the reels and not worry about changing my retrieval speed just because I am using reel A today instead of reel B. Speed adjustment for the bait is applied by me.