Gear ratio vs IPT

[johnsmith]

Whats the difference if there is any?

[Bluebasser86]

Gear ratio-how many revolutions of the spool per turn of the reel handle.

 

IPT-how many inches of line are taken up per turn of the reel handle.

 

 

[bulldog1935]

IPT = Pi x spool diameter x gear ratio

[EzyEric]

Based on spool inner diameter or outer?

Huge difference there based on how full your spool is. I would have hoped the took an average of something like 75% full since most our casts put the spool between 50% to 100% full (technically less since we usually leave a gap).

 

And yes, if you are not aware, this means the inches per turn is constantly increasing as your reeling in.

[bulldog1935]

not if you fish the braids I typically fish

[huZZah]

24 minutes ago, EzyEric said:

And yes, if you are not aware, this means the inches per turn is constantly increasing as your reeling in.

Because the spool is filling?

[MN Fisher]

Just now, huZZah said:

Because the spool is filling?

Yep - the more line you reel in, the greater the total diameter becomes. Diameter is a variable that changes throughout the cast-retrieve process.

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, EzyEric said:

Based on spool inner diameter or outer?

 

IPT specs are quoted on a "full" spool.

As many have pointed out IPT is not a constant, it varies as one is casting and reeling. 

2 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

not if you fish the braids I typically fish

It is changing, just not in a significant or consequential way. But yes, another reason not to use big lines in tiny reels.

[bulldog1935]

Recently put my buddy Donny on redfish, he landed 30 and kept his slot-fish limit.  He's one of those whom if you point them at the water, they do the rest.  I have many friends who can contrast his skill set.  They range from natural-born to just happy to be out, and I can think of a few who can over-think their way out of fish in any situation.  

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The take away is that higher ratio reels don’t necessarily retrieve line faster. A higher ratio with smaller spool may be equal or even slower than another ratio. IPT figures weed this out. The fact that IPT changes with spool level is interesting to keep in mind but little consequence when comparing reels. Thin line on a wide spool lessens the phenomenon while heavy line on a narrow spool exaggerates it. Spool depth only affects capacity.  The only mechanical advantage to ratio/IPT is in a deep cranking reel where 5:1 or 18-20 IPT. Same holds true for other high resistance baits like heavy spinner baits with Colorado blades. Otherwise it’s personal preference. I like faster reels for buzzbaits to get them on plane easily and for jigs/plastics when the fish swims right at you. How fast is up to you.  Reeling in faster to get more casts in a day I’m not sold on. 

[EzyEric]

4 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The take away is that higher ratio reels don’t necessarily retrieve line faster. A higher ratio with smaller spool may be equal or even slower than another ratio. IPT figures weed this out. 

 

This fact alone makes me really think IPT should be more important a figure to advertiser than Ratio.

Ive seen many members here talk in IPT figures about what they prefer for a specific technique.  I think will be trying to focus on that myself more too.  Especially when buying a reel for a specific technique. 

[Michigander]

It is relative to the spool dimensions and some other factors but a general, simplistic rule is that lower gear equals slower retrieve with more power and higher gear means faster retrieve with less power.

[MAN]

This sure became a thing all of a sudden. 

[jimmyjoe]

 Cast out your line in a long cast, whatever is "long" for you. Mark the line at the tiptop with a sharpie, then turn the reel handle one turn. Measure how far the mark moved in towards your reel. That's your IPT at low spool, which the IPT that I think is the most important. Feeling what's happening, controlling the lure and setting the hook are hardest at the end of a long cast. IPT helps you gather line and set the hook, so IPT at distance is very important.

   You'll probably be surprised at the measurement you get.

 

   Good luck!        jj

[Mike L]

24 minutes ago, MAN said:

This sure became a thing all of a sudden. 

It’s always been that way. 
90% of reel buyers only look at the reels speed ratio while IPT isn’t really given consideration. 

It’s just easier to compare reel’s based on speed, but As stated IPT is really how they should be compared and should be the only consideration. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[LCG]

2 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 Cast out your line in a long cast, whatever is "long" for you. Mark the line at the tiptop with a sharpie, then turn the reel handle one turn. Measure how far the mark moved in towards your reel. That's your IPT at low spool, which the IPT that I think is the most important. Feeling what's happening, controlling the lure and setting the hook are hardest at the end of a long cast. IPT helps you gather line and set the hook, so IPT at distance is very important.

   You'll probably be surprised at the measurement you get.

 

   Good luck!        jj

I completely agree with this. 

 

I dove into the whole gear ratio/IPT thing last year. After a lot of research, I learned that a 5" difference in IPT is measured at a full spool, reality and a long cast is quite a bit different. 

 

I seem to gravitate to 7:1 ish gear ratios. 28-31" IPT. My spinning reel is 35" IPT, mostly because the techniques used are more of slack line retrieves. 

 

I find I can slow down or speed up and the 7:1 ish is a good middle ground for me personally. 

 

 

[12poundbass]

7 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The take away is that higher ratio reels don’t necessarily retrieve line faster. A higher ratio with smaller spool may be equal or even slower than another ratio. IPT figures weed this out.

One more thing I’ve had bass ackwards, thanks. ?

[WRB]

Circumference = Pi X diameter. 

IPT needs to factor in width and line diameter and line diameter is a wild card.

Reel mfr’s list gear ratio’s and they don’t change, IPT does.

I haven’t been able to confirm reel mfr’s listed IPT, it’s always higher then actual measured line per 1 full handle turn. 

When I checked the Daiwa Tatula 8:1 listing IPT @ 34” I filled the spool 1/16th” below the spool rim with 12 lb FC (.011D) it measured 31” IPT. Casting a measured 40 yards the IPT dropped to 18”. Why? The spool wasn’t filled to the rim and it’s a narrow 100 size spool. You can expect 100 size reels today to drop about 40% IPT with 40 yards on line cast off.

Tom

[K1500]

In addition to gear ratio and IPT, what no one has mentioned yet is the effect handle diameter has. Although changing handle diameter doesn’t change the stated ‘gear ratio’ or IPT, it changes how far you have to move to bring in a set amount of line. Functionally, the handle is the final gear in the system.
 

Doubling the handle diameter doubles the distance your hand moves for a revolution. This is very similar to gearing down the reel by half. 
 

That being said, I think most low profile reels a that folks use for bass are fairly similar in spool diameter and handle diameter, which means comparing gear ratios is equivalent to comparing IPT. 

[MAN]

20 hours ago, Mike L said:

It’s always been that way. 
90% of reel buyers only look at the reels speed ratio while IPT isn’t really given consideration. 

It’s just easier to compare reel’s based on speed, but As stated IPT is really how they should be compared and should be the only consideration. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

Fully agree Mike...its always been there, just it wasn't a big deal.  But now its important enough to where we have to print the IPT directly onto the reel itself. 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, MAN said:

Fully agree Mike...its always been there, just it wasn't a big deal.  But now its important enough to where we have to print the IPT directly onto the reel itself. 

It'd be great if more did this...and published the info more clearly too. Two of the main considerations I have when purchasing a reel are line-capacity and IPT.