Reel ratios, best uses for each

[Josh Gann]

Was just going to get some opinions from y'all on the best baits to throw for certain gear ratios. In particular just picked up a 5:4:1 revo, this is first baitcaster with this low of a gear I've had . I got three other abus that are 6:4:1 which is what I prefer , and look at as a kinda all around type. Also in the deal I picked this 5:4:1 up in I got a 7:1:1 , so basically I got one a little slower an one a little faster than I'm used to. 

[GeekOutdoors]

A lower ratio is usually advised for deep diver crankbaits. You could also use it to force you to slow down if you, like I am, are unable to slow down your motion on your own.

[roadwarrior]

5 something for crankbaits, 6+ for single hooks. 

 

[Heartland]

I like a 5 something gear ratio for crankbaits, slow rolling spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and wakebaits.   I like to use a 7 gear ratio for pitching jigs, plastics and sometimes buzzbaits.

 

Truthfully for me I pay more attention to IPT.

[LionHeart]

When I think 5 'speed' I think around 23 IPT.  Too slow for me.  

 

I use 6 26-28 IPT speed for drag producing baits like big cranks, and spinner baits I want to slow roll.

 

Everything else that moves as I turn gets a 7 speed 28-30ish IPT

 

Bottom contact stuff gets 8 speed or 33 IPT and up.

 

Or something like that

[NHBull]

With the exception of a couple 6's for cranking, I run all 8's. I know it's about IPT, but you get the idea.  It's all personal preference and I am naturally a slow winder, that said being able to pick up line fast on a 40 yard cast in 25 feet of water, speed helps

[CrankFate]

1 hour ago, LionHeart said:

When I think 5 'speed' I think around 23 IPT.  Too slow for me.  

 

I use 6 26-28 IPT speed for drag producing baits like big cranks, and spinner baits I want to slow roll.

 

Everything else that moves as I turn gets a 7 speed 28-30ish IPT

 

Bottom contact stuff gets 8 speed or 33 IPT and up.

 

Or something like that

That’s close to my standards. I usually go for 28-32” PT

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The 5:1 offeres a mechanical advantage retrieving deep cranks and other high resistance baits. Everything else is mostly personal preference. 

[Manly Studson]

I recently purchased a Curado 70 with a high gear ratio. The reel is great, but if you throw a crankbait or spinner bait, you better reel slowly or your lure will break the sound barrier. Very fast retrieve. A 5 or 6 is much easier to fish with these moving lures.

[blckshirt98]

I once tried fishing a large deep diving crankbait with a 7:1 reel and that's when I realized there's reason for those 5:1 reels.  The 5:1 reels are also useful when fishing swimbaits where you want a really slow retrieve, like a Hudd.  The 6 and 7 reels are all around preference based.  The 8:1 would be for something where you need to take up a lot of slack quickly, like a topwater or something you're casting a mile away that might get bit on the fall.

[Further North]

Slow is for lures/baits where reeling them in imparts the action.

 

Fast is for lures/baits where you, using the rod, impart the action.

 

Everyone's definition of fast and slow is a little different.

 

For me, 7:1 is my middle, below is slow, above is fast.

[Boomstick]

I have casting reels at two gear ratios, 6.3:1 for moving baits, and 7.3:1 for soft plastics, jigs, frogs and topwater. If all I owned was a single MH/F rod, it would be a tossup between 6.3:x and 7.3:1. I would have got a 8.1:1 for my jig and frog reel, but the 7.3:1 was $30 cheaper and I'm not convinced I'd necessarily prefer one over the other so I decided to save the $30.

[Josh Gann]

Thanks for the feedback guys 

[Deleted account]

5.3 good for bass fishing

6.3 good for bass fishing

7.0 good for bass fishing

8.0 good for selling reels

 

[CrankFate]

The stiffer the rod, generally, the slower the reel should be. Technique is secondary to this, IMO. You will find the guys with the slowest reels fishing the fastest rods. The faster the bait a rod is designed for, the slower the rod will be. Except maybe for topwaters and poppers, which usually require a stiff rod, even for slow moving lures.

[Deleted account]

50 minutes ago, CrankFate said:

The stiffer the rod, generally, the slower the reel should be. Technique is secondary to this, IMO. You will find the guys with the slowest reels fishing the fastest rods. The faster the bait a rod is designed for, the slower the rod will be. Except maybe for topwaters and poppers, which usually require a stiff rod, even for slow moving lures.

Let me get about 1/4 oz next time you score some of that good $#!t.

[CrankFate]

37 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Let me get about 1/4 oz next time you score some of that good $#!t.

That’s interesting. What are you basing that on? Because that’s how the rods are built. Slower rods for faster baits. Except top water rods which are stiff. I don’t build rods and I, personally, disagree with how they are designed.

[Deleted account]

16 minutes ago, CrankFate said:

That’s interesting. What are you basing that on? Because that’s how the rods are built. Slower rods for faster baits. Except top water rods which are stiff. I don’t build rods and I, personally, disagree with how they are designed.

A rod's action (let's overlook the fact that you have also intermingled that with power for now) being fast or slow has no bearing on the gear ratio of the reel being used with it, even though that gear ratio can also be described as fast or slow.  Make it a 1/2 oz...

[CrankFate]

5 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

A rod's action (let's overlook the fact that you have also intermingled that with power for now) being fast or slow has no bearing on the gear ratio of the reel being used with it, even though that gear ratio can also be described as fast or slow.  Make it a 1/2 oz...

Action and power can’t be separated. Even a slow gear cranking rig will be fishing the bait faster than a 9 or 10:1 flipping and pitchin.

[Deleted account]

Just now, CrankFate said:

Action and power can’t be separated.

Make it a full oz...

[CrankFate]

Fast or mod, you’re gonna need a higher powered rod for that......

[Heartland]

1 hour ago, CrankFate said:

The stiffer the rod, generally, the slower the reel should be. Technique is secondary to this, IMO. You will find the guys with the slowest reels fishing the fastest rods. The faster the bait a rod is designed for, the slower the rod will be. Except maybe for topwaters and poppers, which usually require a stiff rod, even for slow moving lures.

This simply is not correct.  Crankbaits have been typically associated with moderate or moderate fast  action rods  for many decades, they have also been fished on the slower reels like a 5.1:1.   Jigs and plastics are often fished on fast or extra fast action rods and many like to fish them on the fastest reels available to allow for more casts to target quickly.  These are my two examples, I would like to hear yours.

 

[CrankFate]

Ok, so I guess I’m wrong on gears, the speed of the retrieve is what is relevant to rod speed. I don’t fish slow reels (ever). But you’ll see a lot of people with slow reels fishing the stiffer rods. For nonbass fishing, slower rods are made for faster reels. But I’ll stop talking now ?

[Heartland]

10 hours ago, CrankFate said:

Ok, so I guess I’m wrong 

This would have been perfect.  

[Bdnoble84]

I have a 4.3 to 1 that ive never really found a great application for. Would you guys use that for deep cranking as well?