Subtle Reel Ratio Differences

[The Rooster]

Every so often I do this...

I'm trying to figure out the best possible uses and combinations to set my rods and reels up in. I have a 7.1:1 reel (31 IPT) and a 6.4:1 reel (28 IPT). I also have two older Shimano Compre rods, both 6'6" and fast action, but one is MH and the other is M.

I think I want to use the M/F rod as a bottom fishing plastics rod, for Texas rigs, shakeyhead, dropshot, and also plastic jerkbaits, jika rigs, and so forth.

I want to use the MH/F rod for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, chatterbaits, jigs, and also sometimes plastics like the other rod, too. Maybe even an occasional topwater frog.

I suppose it might not matter so much which reel goes on what rod since 3 inches of retrieve per crank is all that separates them. I'm leaning towards the 6.4:1 on the rod that will handle the baits I'd be cranking, especially since chatterbaits have a lot more resistance. There's just a couple of mundane questions I have.

First, am I over thinking things on the reel speed compared to the retrieve type baits? Seems a chatterbait has enough resistance that a 7.1:1 reel makes it hard to fish.

Second, would the subtle difference between the reel speeds ever seem like an annoyance or distraction when fishing bottom baits from one rod to the other? Seems to me I'd get used to a retrieve rate on one rod with bottom lures, and then when I ever switch (say jig on one rod, T-rig on the other) I'd be fouled up from either reeling in a bait too fast or not taking in line fast enough.

[Jeff H]

Trivial in my opinion.  But, we all get to obsessing on such things at some point.  I'd say that you will decide on the water which one you'll use for what.  You'll know when it feels right or when you should switch them up.  Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, you'll use whichever is right for YOU and that's how it should be!

[mjseverson24]

I would put the 6:1 reel on the M action and the 7:1 on the MH. the biggest reason is if you use the MH for frogs you will probably want a faster reel to ski them in. other than that not much difference, a 7:1 will work fine with chatterbaits also...

 

Mitch

[The Rooster]

I would put the 6:1 reel on the M action and the 7:1 on the MH. the biggest reason is if you use the MH for frogs you will probably want a faster reel to ski them in. other than that not much difference, a 7:1 will work fine with chatterbaits also...

 

Mitch

This is actually how I have them set up now. I just keep thinking the chatterbait will have more resistance and be harder to retrieve. I recall feeling this once when I fished one. Seemed I was fishing it on my old Curado E7 at the time. I'll try it again come spring time to see how it goes.

[WIGuide]

This is actually how I have them set up now. I just keep thinking the chatterbait will have more resistance and be harder to retrieve. I recall feeling this once when I fished one. Seemed I was fishing it on my old Curado E7 at the time. I'll try it again come spring time to see how it goes.

 

They will have more resistance than something like a worm or jig but they shouldn't be hard to reel in regardless of what reel you throw them on.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

IMO the advantage of a faster reel is to take up slack or catch up to a fish quickly for a hookset. I'd use that one for the bottom contact stuff and the 6:1 for the moving baits. It's still a preference at the end of the day though.

[Fishes in trees]

I'm old school in that I can remember when 5 to 1 was considered a high speed reel.   I've stayed within that ratio for the last 20 years, for the most part.  For bait casters, I am mostly a Shimano guy.  I regularly use Calcuttas, Calcutta TEGT, Calais, Curado's.  Recently when I got into Curado 50E reels (for weight reasons) they come in a 6.4 to one ratio and that is OK too.   I think we are all capable of over thinking the whole gear ratio thing.  If I was in the position where I was going to replace all my reels, I most likely would go with something in the 6.something to one ratio, but that isn't going to happen any time soon.

[The Rooster]

IMO the advantage of a faster reel is to take up slack or catch up to a fish quickly for a hookset. I'd use that one for the bottom contact stuff and the 6:1 for the moving baits. It's still a preference at the end of the day though.

The thing is, both rods will be bottom contact rods. One for plastics, some fished on bottom, some not. Then, one more for jigs, plastics, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and buzzbaits.