What gear ratio do I want?

[Brett Strohl]

I've been seeing I should use a 7:5:1 gear ratio casting reel for buzz lures.  The type of reel I wanted to get was a Lews bb1 Pro, and I thought they had 7:5:1 model but I can only find 7:1:1 and 8:0:1.  

Would 7:1:1 be too slow, or 8:0:1 be too fast?  I'm new to casting reels so I don't know exactly what I'm looking for, and I can't find a chart that explains the difference between 7:5:1 and those two models.  I'm reading 7:1:1 is 31" per turn and 8:0:1 is 35" per turn, but I can't find the " per turn with 7:5:1 so I don't know how different it is.  

Also BB1 pro's seem like pretty high quality reels to me, but I don't know the difference between brands etc.  Is there a similar quality reel from another company in a 7:5:1 gear ratio?

[lecisnith]

"Blank."blank":1 just means that every time you turn the handle one time, that is how many times the spool turns.  Inches per turn will differ based on the gear ratio and the size of the spool.  A 7.1:1 ratio reel will have a different IPT across different manufacturers.  The basis behind having a 7.1:1 or higher reel for buzzbaits is they have to be retrieved at a relatively fast pace to plane out and buzz the surface.  Having a fast reel makes it easier.  But you don't need to have a reel with that specific of a gear ratio.  Just something in the neighborhood.

[thebillsman]

You'll be fine with anything 7 or 8:1. You might just have to turn the handle an extra quarter turn, no big deal.

[J Francho]

You're over analyzing things.  Throw a buzzbait with what you have.  If you think you would like a faster reel, look into the specs of your reel, and try out a faster reel.  As noted above, IPT, not gear ratio is what you use to compare speed.

[OnthePotomac]

Ahmen to that.

[cottny27]

BB1 Pro is a high quality reel and either ratio will work great.  

[Nathan Burton]

Either one would suffice just fine.

[iceintheveins]

7.1.1 is plenty fast. The reason is to get it to plane fast, then you can slow the retrieve to a crawl for buzzbaits.

[WRB]

If you cast the buzz bait 30 yards what is the difference in IPT between 7.1:1 vs 8.0:1 using a 100 size reel as you start to retrieve?*

It doesn't matter what the IPT is before you cast because the inches of line recovered depends on how full the spool is. You can adjust lure speed by increasing or decreasing how fast you turn the handle by watching or feeling the lures action.

The only high speed 8:1 I use is Daiwa Tatula R series because the drive train overcomes the lower torque with high speed gears.

Tom

PS add IPT 31 & 35 = 66 divide by 2 = 33 IPT for 7.5:1 ratio.

* about 40 % reduced IPT at 30 yards.

[Catt]

Dang 

I throw buzzbaits with a 5.0:1!

I want my buzzbait SLOW but still on top which is why I throw Cavitron!

[soflabasser]

Choose the reel you like best.My favorite spinning reel has a gear ratio that is less than 6.0:1 and I have no problems using buzzbaits and spinnerbaits.

[MIbassyaker]

Check out this old Daiwa ad I found in a 1980 issue of In-Fisherman:

"High speed retrieve up to 4.2 to 1"!

[Brett Strohl]

I got a 7:0:1 quantum escalade and it's unfortunately too slow to keep my buzz lures at the surface, but that reel has other issues and unfortunately apparently you can't just spend $60 on a baitcaster like you can a spinning real and not have any problems.  I'm aware there isn't going to be a ton of difference between a 7:1:1 and an 8:0:1, but I just don't want to spend $150-$200 for something I'm not ecstatic with, that's why I want to make sure I get exactly what I need.  

Anyway, thanks for the input!

[Bluebasser86]

35 minutes ago, Brett Strohl said:

I got a 7:0:1 quantum escalade and it's unfortunately too slow to keep my buzz lures at the surface, but that reel has other issues and unfortunately apparently you can't just spend $60 on a baitcaster like you can a spinning real and not have any problems.  I'm aware there isn't going to be a ton of difference between a 7:1:1 and an 8:0:1, but I just don't want to spend $150-$200 for something I'm not ecstatic with, that's why I want to make sure I get exactly what I need.  

Anyway, thanks for the input!

I have 3 H2O Mettles and a Menace that say otherwise. I spent $30 on one of the Mettles and the Menace, they've been great reels for a few years now and I've fished buzzbaits on both of them with no issues. 

 

As to your original question, either would do just fine keeping a buzzbait on the surface. I use a 6.2:1 200B Curado that fishes buzzbaits with no problems getting them, or keeping them on the surface.

[lecisnith]

I used to fish buzzbaits on a $30 Pinnacle Deadbolt that was a 6.3:1 on a $20 rod without any issue.  I used a 5.2:1 spinning reel before that.  If you're honestly having issues with buzzbaits retrieving properly it could be technique issues.  

[J Francho]

12 hours ago, Catt said:

I throw buzzbaits with a 5.0:1!

I remember when this was "high speed."  Though, Daiwa had 7.1:1 PT series reels that were released in the early 90s. 

To fess up, I throw buzzbaits (Cavitrons, as well) on a 5.8:1 Alphas.

[Catt]

32 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I remember when this was "high speed."  Though, Daiwa had 7.1:1 PT series reels that were released in the early 90s. 

To fess up, I throw buzzbaits (Cavitrons, as well) on a 5.8:1 Alphas.

I've had a problem keeping buzzbaits on top with a 5.0:1 even before Cavitron. 

Buzzbaits are more effective when fished as slow as possible!

[Robert Riley]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this, to my surprise. What relates gear ratio to IPT is the size of the spool. All of Lew's ratios changed from the generic ratios (7.1, 6.3, 5.4) to their new ones (7.5, 6.8, 5.6). They did this since they decreased the spool size. It was essentially a balancing act to keep the IPT the same. 

But to answer the buzzbait question. I have my a BB1 (7.1:1), that's plenty fine, but it's broke. So I use my frogging SuperDuty (8:1) and it's perfectly fine too. 

[J Francho]

3 minutes ago, Robert Riley said:

It was essentially a balancing act to keep the IPT the same.

It's been brought up ad nauseum on the forums for years, which is probably why it wasn't mentioned. 

IPT = circumference X left side of ratio.

What doesn't get brought up is spool width.  The wider the spool, the less effect line payout has on IPT (via circumference reduction).

I always thought that would be an interesting discussion.

[Brett Strohl]

9 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I have 3 H2O Mettles and a Menace that say otherwise. I spent $30 on one of the Mettles and the Menace, they've been great reels for a few years now and I've fished buzzbaits on both of them with no issues. 

 

As to your original question, either would do just fine keeping a buzzbait on the surface. I use a 6.2:1 200B Curado that fishes buzzbaits with no problems getting them, or keeping them on the surface.

Well I'm glad someone got good reels for their money then

If anyone wants to buy my escalade I'm more than willing to sell it since my technique is so bad

[loudcherokee]

Keep in mind the amount of line you have on your spool will also affect ipt. A nearly empty spool will pickup less line than a full spool.

I throw my buzzbaits on my spinnerbait rod n reel. The gear ratio is 6.4:1 which I think is perfect for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. It's a Lews Tournament MG and has no problems retrieving 2 blade, 3 blade, double prop, clacker etc buzzbaits and keeping them on the surface.

LC

[cottny27]

3 hours ago, Brett Strohl said:

Well I'm glad someone got good reels for their money then

If anyone wants to buy my escalade I'm more than willing to sell it since my technique is so bad

Its going to be hard selling a Quantum reel on a forum full of Daiwa & Shishamo die hards 

[Fishinthefish]

Everyone says 5.x or 6.x for crankbaits, various other applications, 7.x for worms, 7.5 or whatever for buzzbaits. I just use 7.3 or 7.1 reels with the except of one that is an 8.0 and thats for burning lures when im cranking as fast as possible even with the 8.x reel. Honestly having different ratios is more of a a perfect world type of thing. And I'm unfortunately a rod and reel snob so coming from me might be my three cents instead of two.