Gear ratio question

[dan94]

This is more geared towards any musky guys out there but anyone welcome to put in their input.

 

I am looking at 2 different reels for my 9ft hf st croix big nasty. The toro beast in a 61HS 6.2:1 or the 61 4.9:1 . Im mainly throwing inlines blades ranging from 7s to double 10s and the occasional jakes n belivers rubbers and double dawgs. But mainly inlines. What gear ratio would best suit throwing spinners from big 10s to 7s? Will i be able to burn the 7s with the 4.9:1 or will i have too much stuggle rolling 10s on the 6.2:1 ?

 

61HS 6.2:1 34ipt

61 4.9:1 27ipt

 

 

[papajoe222]

Three of my muskie reels are under 30ipt. The only one that isn't is a Browning Midas that I use for single bladed bucktails. The 4.9:1 may make you work a little more, but you'll be glad when tie into a big girl that you have the beefier gearing.

[bigbill]

I set up a 6.3 on a spinnerbait rod. By the end of the trip I was tired. My arms were sore I got a workout. I went back to the lower ratio.

[dan94]

but would 27ipt be enough to burn the smaller 8s 7s 6s?

[WRB]

My recommendation is a Shimano Calcutta D at a similar price point and far better reel.

Tom

[tkunk]

You'll be able to burn anything up to 8s with the 61HS. 10s will wear you out, even with a power handle.

 

It's personal opinion, but I think the 61 is too slow for blades. With a reel that slow, it's hard to create a big speed burst when you see a follow from far away. Plus, when you're ripping dawgs with it, you'll constantly be reeling as fast as you can just to get slack out of your line, which is a pain.

 

If it's in your budget, I'd go with a Tranx 500 HG with a jigging world power handle. It's got 43 IPT, and it's powerful enough to handle 10s. Last year, I used a Big Nasty with a Tranx HG for everything except light lures, and it worked great. This year, I swapped the Big Nasty for a custom rod with a longer butt, but I kept the Tranx HG.

[dan94]

2 hours ago, portiabrat said:

You'll be able to burn anything up to 8s with the 61HS. 10s will wear you out, even with a power handle.

 

It's personal opinion, but I think the 61 is too slow for blades. With a reel that slow, it's hard to create a big speed burst when you see a follow from far away. Plus, when you're ripping dawgs with it, you'll constantly be reeling as fast as you can just to get slack out of your line, which is a pain.

 

If it's in your budget, I'd go with a Tranx 500 HG with a jigging world power handle. It's got 43 IPT, and it's powerful enough to handle 10s. Last year, I used a Big Nasty with a Tranx HG for everything except light lures, and it worked great. This year, I swapped the Big Nasty for a custom rod with a longer butt, but I kept the Tranx HG.

sigh...if only the tranx came in left 

[dan94]

14 hours ago, portiabrat said:

You'll be able to burn anything up to 8s with the 61HS. 10s will wear you out, even with a power handle.

 

It's personal opinion, but I think the 61 is too slow for blades. With a reel that slow, it's hard to create a big speed burst when you see a follow from far away. Plus, when you're ripping dawgs with it, you'll constantly be reeling as fast as you can just to get slack out of your line, which is a pain.

 

If it's in your budget, I'd go with a Tranx 500 HG with a jigging world power handle. It's got 43 IPT, and it's powerful enough to handle 10s. Last year, I used a Big Nasty with a Tranx HG for everything except light lures, and it worked great. This year, I swapped the Big Nasty for a custom rod with a longer butt, but I kept the Tranx HG.

The beast comes with a non counterweighted jigging handle that has 3 slots. You think on the “longest” handle slot it would make a difference in terms of cranking power compared to the counterweighted handle?  

[tkunk]

 

11 minutes ago, dan94 said:

The beast comes with a non counterweighted jigging handle that has 3 slots. You think on the “longest” handle slot it would make a difference in terms of cranking power compared to the counterweighted handle?  

I have the Rocket, which I think comes with the same 3 handles as the Beast, so I know what you're talking about. I've never owned a Beast, but I would guess that even if you put the power handle at its longest setting, it'll still be tough on you and on the reel to retrieve 10s.

 

You'll probably want to check with a better musky fisherman than me, but if you insist on a versatile left-handed reel, I'd suggest going with the Beast with the power handle and rarely throwing 10s. You'll be fine with mag-dawg-sized-baits (assuming you keep your thumb on the spool when you rip) and anything that doesn't pull harder than 8's. IMO, giving up the ability to throw 10s or giant crankbaits isn't a huge deal, but YMMV.

[dan94]

Got this little guy on buchertail magnum (double 10s) no problem. Only boated the one fish but bringing in the big blades all day was a breeze. Great reel ?

[Master Bait'r]

On 10/3/2017 at 11:09 AM, dan94 said:

sigh...if only the tranx came in left 

 

Well you can stop sighing, they definitely come in left hand configurations!  

[dan94]

On 2017-10-18 at 8:26 PM, Master Bait'r said:

 

Well you can stop sighing, they definitely come in left hand configurations!  

they do not

[Lucky Craft Man]

I would highly recommend the Tranx 401HG.  That reel with the power handle will fish all you mentioned well.  I even prefer it over my Tranx 500HG and Tranx500PG.

[Dwight Hottle]

On 11/19/2017 at 5:42 PM, dan94 said:

they do not

I think you owe someone an apology. 

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Tranx_Casting_Reels/descpage-TRX30.html

[dan94]

On 11/20/2017 at 10:25 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

I think you owe someone an apology. 

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Tranx_Casting_Reels/descpage-TRX30.html

thats a 400.....

On 11/20/2017 at 6:56 AM, Lucky Craft Man said:

I would highly recommend the Tranx 401HG.  That reel with the power handle will fish all you mentioned well.  I even prefer it over my Tranx 500HG and Tranx500PG.

the 400 has equal cranking power for double cowgirls as the 500? 

[Dwight Hottle]

1 hour ago, dan94 said:

thats a 400.....

the 400 has equal cranking power for double cowgirls as the 500? 

 

The link shows both 300 & 400 series reels in multiple gears ratios. The main differences between series is line capacity. 

[dan94]

2 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

 

The link shows both 300 & 400 series reels in multiple gears ratios. The main differences between series is line capacity. 

not enough torque for baits with huge resistance with those smaller spools. Especially the higher gear ratios.

[Master Bait'r]

On 11/20/2017 at 6:12 PM, dan94 said:

not enough torque for baits with huge resistance with those smaller spools. Especially the higher gear ratios.

 

 

Dude.

 

The question was whether or not the “Tranx” came in a left handle variant.  It does.

 

You were non-specific in your desire for a lefty 500.  Please move on on with your life now.  Thanks.