Preytorien Posted September 28, 2013 Posted September 28, 2013 I've got a Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Carbonlite reel. I have a lefthand model, but unfortunately they only offer it in 6.4:1 ratio for lefthand models. There are becoming more numerous times I'd really like the 7.1:1 ratio that other reels have, is there any way I can upgrade the gears and transform this into one? I've heard of guys doing it. But then again, I've also heard of people upgrading the bearings in it, however unfortunately they made this reel with a size that apparently is difficult to find according to the fellas at Hawgtech. I sure wish I could though. But I hope there's no catch that would prevent me from being able to. Any thoughts? Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 I recommend a professional cleaning and proper lube of the stock bearings as a first step. If you've decided you want bearings I'm a Boca dealer and can supply your bearings at 10% off retail. As for gear swaps, main/pinion gear sets are directional so they must be made specifically for a left or right handed reel. PQ gears may work if the cases are the same size. Quote
Preytorien Posted September 30, 2013 Author Posted September 30, 2013 I've been planning on sending you guys my reel at the end of my season here (sometime in late Nov.). At the same time I'd like to consider some Boca bearings. If you could PM me, I'd like to talk about it some more. In your honest opinion, would I really be benefited from changing ratio? The majority of my presentations are with soft plastics and topwaters. I'm not much of a cranking guy as I don't have a boat and I'm somewhat limited by the bankfishing I'm presented with, I tend to hang up cranks often enough I find myself passing them over while I'm fishing. I do like throwing into a lot of weeds with weedless frogs/rats, which I've come to know the ratio of my reel is better suited than maybe a 7.1:1 since it's got more torque. What's your thoughts on this? Thanks, and be sure to PM me, I'd like to look more into a bearing upgrade when I send it in. Quote
Fishwhittler Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 The Johnny Morris Carbonlite is not built by the same company as the Pro Qualifier, and I'm almost positive the gears are not interchangeable. You'll have to check to be sure, but I really doubt the PQ gears will work in your reel. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted October 1, 2013 Super User Posted October 1, 2013 Just for the record, a 7 to one reel will have less torque than a 6 something to one reel will have. Just saying . . . . It will have more speed, but less torque. I don't know if the difference is noticeable or not. Back to your question of "Can gears in reels be swapped out?" The answer is a qualified yes. Several years ago I came across several new Curado B reels in a 3.8 to 1 gear ratio. A reel repair guy in Wichita swapped the gears out for 5 to one gears for a pretty reasonable amount of money. I think that you've got to stick with very similar models for that to work though. Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted October 2, 2013 Posted October 2, 2013 just buy a new reel. but first look at Line recovery per turn and not gear ration. often times you'll only gain a few inches per handle turn. ur reel only gains 3" per turn by jumping from 6:4 (26" per turn) to 7:1 (29" per turn). if you do some calculation you might only gain 6 ft uptake of line on a 100 ft cast. so you gotta turn ur handle 2.5 more times. realistically ur casts are probably around 50-75ft. is it worth spending the money or can you just turn the handle 1.5 more times? Its late can you verify I explained/calculated that right Mike? lol Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted October 3, 2013 Posted October 3, 2013 50' = 600" 600/26= 23+ 600/29=20+ Looking at it this way it's about 3 extra cranks to retrieve 50' of line. I like faster reels when jig fishing to help catch up to a fish that picks up the bait and swims toward you. 3" extra IPT is an 11.5% increase in speed (3/26). It might seem a little more substantial when looked at as a %. 1 Quote
Super User David P Posted October 3, 2013 Super User Posted October 3, 2013 I did it with my older Revo Premiers, it's not hard, just have to contact Bass Pro Shops and see if you can get the high speed gear... Quote
Quarry Man Posted August 27, 2017 Posted August 27, 2017 Could I change the gear ratio of a 5.5:1 JDM Engetsu? Quote
Holiday Colley Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 Has anybody every changed the gears in 4600c4 to 7.1 and can it be done Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.