8:1 Baitcasters Help

[SoCal Bassin]

I bought an 8:1 tatula type r baitcaster because i figured it was versitile and that I could use it for anything. I figured I could slow my reel retrieve in for crank baits etc. Doesn't that work?

[blckshirt98]

It will work fine for smaller cranks but once you start going up in size with bigger billed cranks that offer more resistance and "pull" in the water, you're really going to feel it in your hands.  It's like going uphill on a bike, you can theoretically stay in high gear and just pedal slower but you're going to have to work your tail off to get the bike to go uphill, or, you can go to a lower gear where you're pedaling faster but it's much easier to go uphill.  The 8:1 reel is like being in high gear the whole time, where a smaller gear reel like a 5:1 is like using a lower gear, and will make it much easier to crank with larger baits.

[SoCal Bassin]

Thanks man but I'm not really understanding why it's harder to "pull" for bigger billed cranks I'm still kinda lost . But for shallow divers like KVD 1.5-2.5 I can just slow down my retrieve right and still get the same results?

[WRB]

This is a size 100 reel, the smaller spool size reduces to IPT at 40 yards to about 18 IPT or in gear ratio terms to less then 5:1. The 8:1 at full spool is about 32 IPT. What this mean you will not have a problem with deep diving crankbaits for the first half of the retreive., the second half the resistance will build up as the spool fills with line, however the drive system in the Type R is very good and a slower cranking speed should be OK, but not ideal. Shallow divers you shouldn't have any issues.

The reason is it's like riding a bike uphill in high gear as the deep diving lure get closer to you.

Tom

[SoCal Bassin]

Thanks so much guys

[Raul]

There´s one thing that you aren´t taking in consideration, besides being harder to pull with a faster reel, lots of deep diving crank baits simply refuse to work properly when pulled faster, the same resistance makes them roll on their sides, so here the speed at which they are being pulled has a direct negative impact in the way the lure functions and performs.

[SoCal Bassin]

For deeper diving cranks can't you just turn your handle slower to not have the crank go to its side? Or am I wrong

[WRB]

Give your new reel a try before pondering how it may or may not perform. 8:1 isn't the ideal cranking reel, however the Tatula 100 R does a fairly good with shallow and medium diving lures and you can slow down the cranking speed.

Tom

[Raul]

For deeper diving cranks can't you just turn your handle slower to not have the crank go to its side? Or am I wrong

 

A lot easier said than done.

[poisonokie]

I feel like I even need a 100mm handle with a 6.3 reel for deep cranks. Wouldn't even attempt it with an 8.1. Those are for jigs, etc. Even then, sometimes it feels like you can reel slow enough to slow drag a jig. It sure helps with taking up slack around cover or with c rigs, but there is a palpable loss of torque compared to slower reels.

[WRB]

I feel like I even need a 100mm handle with a 6.3 reel for deep cranks. Wouldn't even attempt it with an 8.1. Those are for jigs, etc. Even then, sometimes it feels like you can reel slow enough to slow drag a jig. It sure helps with taking up slack around cover or with c rigs, but there is a palpable loss of torque compared to slower reels.

Do you speak from experience using a Tatula R100XS 8:1 reel?

I own and fish with 3 of these reels, they are excellent casting reels and can be used for wide variety of lures, not just low resistance types like jigs and worms.

Medium divers like Bomber 7A, Norman DD14 can fished effectively using the 8:1 Tatula, deep divers like a Norman DD22 are another story. The OP asked about square bills and they can be fished using this reel, the 6:3-1 would be a better choice, but not ideal either. A 300 size round reel with 5:8-1 is my choice for deep diving crank baits and swimbaits because the IPT stays nearly constant at 24" during 50 yard casts. All smaller spool reels vary the IPT greatly during long cast and the angler learns to vary the cranking speed accordingly.

Tom

[SoCal Bassin]

I don't do much deep cranking. I guess my main question is can I use my 8:1 Tatula Type R for medium and shallow cranking? Can I slow down my retrieve for shallow and medium divers and still get the same result as a 5:3 reel?

[WRB]

I don't do much deep cranking. I guess my main question is can I use my 8:1 Tatula Type R for medium and shallow cranking? Can I slow down my retrieve for shallow and medium divers and still get the same result as a 5:3 reel?

The best crank bait retreive is a changing speed using a combination of reel handle turns and rod sweeps, your reel will work OK, go fishing!

Tom

[Logan S]

You should be fine.  I sometimes fish cranks, even deep divers, on a 7:1 reel in the warmer months when I want to move them quickly.  8:1 is a little fast for me personally, but theres no reason it won't work for you.  

 

With moving baits I like to use gear ratios to help me speed up or slow down.  Fatigue has never been an issue in my experience and if a crankbait doesn't run true at the speed I need it doesn't last long in my boat.  

[F14A-B]

Go use the reel as you wish.. Others have stated what we know to be true, now you must use the reel & then you will understand better..

Go fish it!

[poisonokie]

yeah, I have a tat 8.1. I like it for flipping, punching, and frogs. I have a tat 7.3 for worms, jigs, and traps, and I use 6.3 reels for cranks, squarebills included, and finesse applications.

[WRB]

Then you should know that fighting a bass with 8:1 isn't a problem. Adult size bass should pull harder than any lure you fish with, including deep divers and you don't need a lower gear ratio to do that.

Gear ratio's are misunderstood regarding small spool bass reels, you simply adjust to the reel speed regardless of the ratio.

All my Tatula's are 8:1 because I don't want the same reel with different gear ratios and use them interchangeably for different presentations. I pick up the Tatula reel, I know it's 8:1.

I had reservations using the 8:1 before buying it and using it and for all practical purposes the high speed retreive performs equally to the lower speed 100 series reels, with 1 exception, better control of big bass away from the boat, equal near the boat. Based on that experience bought 2 more.

Tom

[SoCal Bassin]

Somebody just needs to answer Yes/No can I use my 8:1 tat for deep cranking and shallow cranking

[WRB]

Somebody just needs to answer Yes/No can I use my 8:1 tat for deep cranking and shallow cranking

Yes

[tomustang]

Yes. As you already know but just want confirmation, the mechanics is still the same, the torque and speed is what will be different.

[dwtaylor]

If you don't mind the wear and tear on your hands and arms, crankin with a high speed reel can be DEADLY.

If I just let a cat out of the bag that should have not left, I'm sorry.

[dwtaylor]

Also, a glass rod is crucial for this.

Bass choke it when the conditions are right.

[poisonokie]

Somebody just needs to answer Yes/No can I use my 8:1 tat for deep cranking and shallow cranking

 

You can, but it's not ideal. Apparently an 8.1 ratio is the end all, be all for bass reels, but I disagree. I say you're better off using a 7.x:1 or even a 6.3:1 for an all around reel.