MacOSU496 Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Getting a new baitcast reel (Johnny Morris Carbonlite). I use braid w/ flouro leader on my other baitcast reels, and I am going to put fluorocarbon on this one so my bait gets to the right depth in certain situations. I am going to fish crankbaits (deep and mid), jerkbaits, shad raps...on this new one. Should I go with the slower 5:4:1 (22" per turn) that is usually ideal for slower cranks, the middle ground at 6:4:1 (26" per turn), or 7:1:1 (29" per turn) usually recommended to help pick up that slack line when hit ? Also...do the JM carbonlites really all have the roughness while reeling? Thanks ahead of time and sorry if this has already been covered here (tried to find it). ? Quote
martintheduck Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 5:4 isn't going to be good for any of what you want to throw except deep cranks. 6:4 is a solid bet for something versatile. I've fished all my cranks and jerkbaits on a 6:4 for years and don't plan to change. Quote
Super User BassinLou Posted April 25, 2014 Super User Posted April 25, 2014 6:4 will cover the range you are looking for. You want to pick up slack very quickly then the 7:1 is your best bet. However with the applications that you will be using it for you will have to slow down your retrieve if you go the high ratio route. Quote
IAY Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 The reason people like 5.4 ratio when throwing cranks is the torque you are getting from having larger gear. It will feel a bit smoother but its not particularly useful for anything other than slow rolling swimbaits/spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted April 25, 2014 Super User Posted April 25, 2014 See, when in doubt I will always go with the faster reel. You can always turn the handle slower- but when you want a fast retrieve and you've got a slower ratio- cranking really fast SUCKS. I dunno, just my .02 2 Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted April 25, 2014 Super User Posted April 25, 2014 I'd either go with the 6.4:1 or the 7.1:1. Most of my reels are 7.1:1 but I don't have a problem reeling slower. Some people aren't as good at that so they can correct that with buying a slower retrieve. If I was suggesting one I'd say go with the 6.4:1 Quote
MacOSU496 Posted April 25, 2014 Author Posted April 25, 2014 Thanks everybody. I appreciate every one of your comments and I think I am going to go with the 6:4:1. Now the only decision is whether the Johnny Morris CarbonLite is the right reel for me? I heard that there are A LOT of issues with the retrieve being rough. I definitely do not want that. I am thinking of maybe going with the Abu Garcia Revo S or Revo SX? thoughts? Quote
NathanW Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 The slow speed stuff is only ideal for big crankbaits that pull and dive hard, even then sometimes when reeling your bait down into the strike zone they can be a pain. I dont like them for anything else. None of the swimbaits I fish require that type of ratio either. Go with 6.4:1 for that application. I think its an easy decision. Quote
NathanW Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Thanks everybody. I appreciate every one of your comments and I think I am going to go with the 6:4:1. Now the only decision is whether the Johnny Morris CarbonLite is the right reel for me? I heard that there are A LOT of issues with the retrieve being rough. I definitely do not want that. I am thinking of maybe going with the Abu Garcia Revo S? thoughts? BPS Pro Qualifier, Shimano Curado G, Daiwa Tatula. I think you have better options than what you are currently considering. Quote
MacOSU496 Posted April 25, 2014 Author Posted April 25, 2014 Ok I have tried to research a little more and I have heard amazing things about lews reels. Around $150 is probably my cut off price so my research has brought me to a few. I already have two BPS Pro Qualifiers and love them but want to try a new brand/reel. Which one and is there a big difference in the price range with the lews reels: 1) Lews Tourney Speed Spool $149.99 2) Lews MG Speed Spool $129.99 3) Lews Speed Spool $99.99 4)Johnny Morris Carbonlite $109.97 5) Johnny Morris signature series $159.99 6) Abu Garcia Revo S $129.99 7) Abu Garcia Revo SX $149.99 8) Daiwa Tatula $149.99 9) Shimano Citica $129.99 Quote
Super User BassinLou Posted April 25, 2014 Super User Posted April 25, 2014 There are several good choices on that list. I have a couple of Lews that I really enjoy and I can vouch for. The Tatula has been receiving a lot of good press lately. Abu's I own 3, and 2 of them you have on your list. They are good reels as well, although I lean alot more to the LEWS. Since you have done the research, see if you can get your hands on some of them and see how they palm, and balance on the rod you will be using. Good luck!! Quote
CJV Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Gear ratios? I have all 7.1.1 and higher reels I don't see the point of having something slower for obvious reasons. I throw strike king 6xds with my Shimano metanium 7.4.1 .. Quote
Smallmouth Hunter Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Ok I have tried to research a little more and I have heard amazing things about lews reels. Around $150 is probably my cut off price so my research has brought me to a few. I already have two BPS Pro Qualifiers and love them but want to try a new brand/reel. Which one and is there a big difference in the price range with the lews reels: 1) Lews Tourney Speed Spool $149.99 2) Lews MG Speed Spool $129.99 3) Lews Speed Spool $99.99 4)Johnny Morris Carbonlite $109.97 5) Johnny Morris signature series $159.99 6) Abu Garcia Revo S $129.99 7) Abu Garcia Revo SX $149.99 8) Daiwa Tatula $149.99 9) Shimano Citica $129.99 Don't pay retail price. Get a Lew's tournament pro for around 148 if you like Lew's. Quote
Super User WRB Posted April 25, 2014 Super User Posted April 25, 2014 Tatula R 100 series runs about $140 from Valley Tackle, site sponsor, good reel very smooth retreive. Tom Quote
martintheduck Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Stay away from Abu Garcia IMO. I've owned a number of them and finally tried Lews and Shimano. When dealing with the cheaper models Lews and Shimanos, I'd take the Lews over it. Once you get into spending $250+ though, I'd start going with Shimano. Quote
Super User tcbass Posted April 25, 2014 Super User Posted April 25, 2014 Thanks everybody. I appreciate every one of your comments and I think I am going to go with the 6:4:1. Now the only decision is whether the Johnny Morris CarbonLite is the right reel for me? I heard that there are A LOT of issues with the retrieve being rough. I definitely do not want that. I am thinking of maybe going with the Abu Garcia Revo S or Revo SX? thoughts? I ordered a Abu Garcia Revo SX 6:4:1 last year and love it. The only problem is it's too slow for what I do. I normally fish topwater or spinnerbaits.My other reel is a 7:1 Plueger Patriarch. I was going to order a Revo SX this year but ended up ordered 2 Revo Rockets last night. If I were you I'd go with the Revo SX. I bought it last year because it won Outdoor Life's reel of the year and I haven't been disappointed with their reviews yet. Quote
MacOSU496 Posted April 25, 2014 Author Posted April 25, 2014 Don't pay retail price. Get a Lew's tournament pro for around 148 if you like Lew's. Where do you get a lews tourney pro for 148??? And What is the difference other than price from the lews MG? Anyone have experience with both? Quote
FlipSide Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Don't get the carbonlite. IMO its junk. Had 2 of them and had to return both. Had a grinding sound on the retrieve and they were rough as heck. Ended up trading it for a pq and it was a pretty good reel. Of the ones you listed though I would go with the lews tourney mg Quote
Smallmouth Hunter Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Where do you get a lews tourney pro for 148??? And What is the difference other than price from the lews MG? Anyone have experience with both? The "auction site" usually has them for around that price. Quote
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