Josh Smith Posted April 8, 2015 Posted April 8, 2015 Hello, I'm debating with myself here. I have a few pre-1980 Ambassadeur models, mostly modified 5000 series. They all have 4.7:1 gears for a 23ipt retrieve. I have been thinking, however, that the original 3.8:1 gears (about 18ipt, I'm guessing) might be excellent for very deep crankbaits, especially those I ride split shot in front of to make them really kick up muck at the bottom. I'm going back an forth with myself on this. Thoughts? Josh Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted April 8, 2015 Super User Posted April 8, 2015 I have a two different model PENN LEVELMATIC reels both sport a 4:1 ratio. Though I don't know the exact IPT, I'll tell you that for me they are just a little too slow; for anything including cranking. Tried them on a couple of different occasions and the "Slowness" was a problem for me on both the retrieve and especially the few times I did get bit, fighting the bass (all keeper size bass) was a big challenge. I had to spin that little reel handed like a mad man just to keep the fish pinned. So they've been retired - another way to access the retrieve speed of that ratio is to think "spybait". A-Jay 1 Quote
Super User Team9nine Posted April 8, 2015 Super User Posted April 8, 2015 This ^^ Tried the 3.8s very early on and they were just too slow. That said, I love my 4.4 - 4.7 ratio reels I've had over the years for deep cranking. Honestly never checked IPT on any of them though. -T9 1 Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted April 8, 2015 Super User Posted April 8, 2015 I've been wondering the IPT on my CuradoB38. Does anyone have this information? Quote
Josh Smith Posted April 8, 2015 Author Posted April 8, 2015 I've been wondering the IPT on my CuradoB38. Does anyone have this information? What's the gearing and what's the spool diameter with line? Josh Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 I just built a 4500 with 3.8:1 gears, but haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I'll through a DT16 on it and see how it works Quote
Josh Smith Posted May 1, 2015 Author Posted May 1, 2015 I just built a 4500 with 3.8:1 gears, but haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I'll through a DT16 on it and see how it works Been out fishing? Thanks! Josh Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted May 1, 2015 Posted May 1, 2015 No Josh, I screwed up my knee at work a few weeks ago,so I can do a lot of walking. As soon as it's better I'll be going out. Quote
Super User retiredbosn Posted May 1, 2015 Super User Posted May 1, 2015 I've been wondering the IPT on my CuradoB38. Does anyone have this information? Let out some line, put a weight on the end, ipt is calculated full reel. Let the weight hang even with the butt of the rod and give one revolution on handle measure from rod butt to weight viola now u know ipt. Quote
Super User retiredbosn Posted May 1, 2015 Super User Posted May 1, 2015 Hello, I'm debating with myself here. I have a few pre-1980 Ambassadeur models, mostly modified 5000 series. They all have 4.7:1 gears for a 23ipt retrieve. I have been thinking, however, that the original 3.8:1 gears (about 18ipt, I'm guessing) might be excellent for very deep crankbaits, especially those I ride split shot in front of to make them really kick up muck at the bottom. I'm going back an forth with myself on this. Thoughts? Josh I don't know if y'all remember or not but when the 4.7/1 ratio was first marketed it was considered and many labeled as High Speed. You can still read articles that are obvious reprints recommending high speed reels for deep cranking! David Fritts is on record stating that 21 ipt is the best for deep cranking, I know his old signature reels from BPS were 4.7 for deep cranks and 5.3 for the rest, they were 21 ipt and 23 ipt. Quote
BasshunterJGH Posted May 1, 2015 Posted May 1, 2015 I don't have anything to add to this except I like a 7:1 for all cranks. Quote
BasshunterJGH Posted May 1, 2015 Posted May 1, 2015 Its not for the actual retrieve, with that I can speed up or slow down. It's mainly to keep the fish pinned and catch up with them when they make a surge for the surface or come straight at you. You need to make sure you use a high quality reel with enough torque though. Quote
Super User retiredbosn Posted May 1, 2015 Super User Posted May 1, 2015 Its not for the actual retrieve, with that I can speed up or slow down. It's mainly to keep the fish pinned and catch up with them when I they make a surge for the surface or come straight at you. You need to make sure you use a high quality reel with enough torque though. I must respectfully disagree completely with this. One thing for sure your lure will never reach its maximum depth on that set up. You're losing power and allot of it both by the higher gear ratio and by reeling so slowly. I would say most of the loss comes from reeling so slow, you're also losing contact with the bait and missing fish, because the power given by the highspeed reel is strained the gears are really grinding. With crankbaits ipt is important tho not as important as power. To get a deep diver down you have to overcome three things minimally, the lure's buoyancy, water resistance on the bill, and drag on the line, I'm not even going to get into diving angle, what that reel is doing to the vibration of the lure, etc. Low ipt and power are what gets that crankbait down for u while allowing you to remain in contact with the lure. Ppl who think they are as effective with a high speed setup compared to someone with the proper tools for the job are just fooling themselves. I know because I was one of them. Even power fishing great KVD won't use higher than a 5.3/1 for all lipped crankbaits including squarebills (http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/crankbait-speed-kvd.html) . You will not find one person who is proficient with deep cranking using a high speed reel. In this instance speed kills, and loss of smooth power decimates. The idea that a high speed reel can keep up with a lunging bass is ludicrous to the point of absurdity. Bass have burst speed in excess of 12mph, that's 17.6 feet a second! Don't think anyone can reel that fast. Their cruising speed around 5mph that's 7 feet/second, so no reel on the market can keep up. We all have these ideas about fishing and reasons why we do certain things, but its better that your reasons be based on science instead of feeling. 1 Quote
Josh Smith Posted May 1, 2015 Author Posted May 1, 2015 No Josh, I screwed up my knee at work a few weeks ago,so I can do a lot of walking. As soon as it's better I'll be going out. I've done that before. Take your time; you don't want surgery! Regards, Josh Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 Surgery is probably what I'll be having. Had it done before so it's not a big deal. More time to work on my reels lol! 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.