Is a baitcasting reel that is 7.3:1 ok for a beginner?

[piscis]

Many I've seen are 6.4, but others like 6.8+ are also available.  Since most are 6.4, are the reels higher than 6.4 (like 7.3) ok for a beginner?  I read, " the spool will revolve 6.4 times with one crank of the handle," so I understand it, but as for using it for the new person, I don't know.  My guess is I need to buy about 5+ reels for the various presentation types, but I can't do that for now.

[MN Fisher]

IMO - the gear ratio to get your first BC in doesn't matter as much as the quality of the reel itself.

 

6.8 to 7.3 is 'middle of the road' currently and is good for a wide variety of presentations. Slower reels are primarily for crankbaits and fast one for situations where you want to get the lure back as quickly as possible - like pitching or frogging in heavy weeds.

 

6 minutes ago, piscis said:

My guess is I need to buy about 5+ reels for the various presentation types, but I can't do that for now.

I may have six BC reels - but only 3 speed 'groups' - I have one 6.3, three in the 7.1 to 7.3 range and two in the 7.9 to 8.1 range...pretty much covers everything I toss.

 

Only reason to get a 5-ratio reel is for really deep crankbaits or for large swimbaits - which also require a specialized rod - so you have the power needed to retrieve them.

 

Higher the gear ratio, the less power you have - like an auto or motorcycle...low gear ratio gives you more torque, high gear ratio gives you more speed.

[Darth-Baiter]

I think yes. Middle of the road is perfect. 

[ironbjorn]

A 7 speed will allow you to do most things very well. 

[jimmyjoe]

   For a beginner? I'd say no, for an obscure reason.

 

   Most fishermen retrieve lures at too high a speed. Or to say it another way .... they're moving the lure faster than they think they are. Slower retrieves will catch more fish and also allow more consistent hook-ups.

   This is very important for a beginner. It's not good for a beginner to get frustrated. They can either lose interest or begin a wild-goose-chase of lures that leads nowhere.

   Just .... slow ..... down. The lower gear ratio makes this a little easier to do. It's not magic, but it helps. And sometimes, every little bit of help is what ya need.   ?

 

   Good luck!        jj

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Your talking about another 6 or 8 inches per 3 turns of the handle when going from a 6 to a 7.  There's a difference, but its not night and day.  Now going from a 6 to an 8 the difference is much more noticeable.  The 7 is just about perfect for a do it all reel.

[Linewinder]

Keep in mind the spool diameter.  spool diameter x ratio = line retrieve rate (inches per revolution of handle).  Fishing is about observing and trying -- a middle ground reel is just that, jacks-of-all, master of some.  Try one and see what you can do, look as the lure is retrieved.  Is it appropriate for your purpose, such as worm fishing?

 

Some of the older reels (like, last century) have larger spool diameters than some reels of today,  but they have a slower ratio (torque?), and the line retrieve rate is compatible with some reels today.

Just now, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Your talking about another 6 or 8 inches per 3 turns of the handle when going from a 6 to a 7.  There's a difference, but its not night and day.  Now going from a 6 to an 8 the difference is much more noticeable.  The 7 is just about perfect for a do it all reel.

 

I remember when reels in the 6.x range were high speed, making the 5.x "slow".  When they went to low-profile reels, the feasibility allowed these increases to faster ratios and line retrieve.  Technology changes things.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

52 minutes ago, Linewinder said:

I remember when reels in the 6.x range were high speed, making the 5.x "slow".  When they went to low-profile reels, the feasibility allowed these increases to faster ratios and line retrieve.  Technology changes things.

Well I think professional tourney angling had a signifigant role in the development of faster reels because speed is the name of the game.  When you look at most saltwater casting reels where torque is more important the ratios stayed lower for the most part.   

[bulldog1935]

...except those 5.3-geared reels also had 37 mm spool diameter.

 

 

34 mm is large on a low profile baitcaster

 

I generally prefer 6.6 and lower with stock handle pitch.  I put longer-pitch handles on 7- and 8-geared reels, mostly to improve lure control @jimmyjoe brought up. 

[Ratherbfishing]

The reel manufactures would LOVE for you to believe you have to have 5 (or 7 or 10) reels in order to feel "complete" however this really isn't true.  A 7.3:1 reel is a pretty "middle of the road" reel ratio these days and if you are cognizant of how fast you are turning the reel handle (and adjust accordingly), it will get you by on most applications-all of them, actually, if you don't expect too much and confine yourself to freshwater bass.  As you improve and learn to "specialize," you'll probably want more than just one gear ratio but, again, you don't HAVE to.

 

I have 3 baitcasters in a broader range of gear applications but PART of the reason is so I don't have to retie as often and not because I feel like I MUST switch gear ratio's.  It only made sense to get them in different gear ratios so I could expand for their respective strengths/advantages. 

 

Don't overthink (and overspend). The 7:3:1 reel is a fine starting off reel.

[WRB]

Being new to bait caster reels whatever ratio you choose will become normal for you.

Not to get too deep in the Woods gear ratio on single speed bass reel doesn’t change. The spool diameter along with gear ratio determines how much line is recovered with each full turn of the reel handle. Inches Per Turn is the length in inches for each handle turn. IPT changes depending on how full of line the spool is. Before making a cast the 7.3:1, 100 size reel with full spool of line recovers 29” IPT for example. After casting 100’ or 35 yards, the average cast, the IPT drops to 21”, the gear ratio is constant.

The only lures that wear out retrieving them are high water resistant types like deep diving crankbaits. Larger reel size with lower gear ratio overcomes the lure resistance. Otherwise it’s your choice, use whatever you are comfortable with.

Spinning reels have larger diameter spool with anywhere from  34” to 38” IPT, and 6.4:1 gear ratio for example.

Tom

[Columbia Craw]

Yes

[0351]

I’m kinda new myself and I’m trying to be “realistic” in my approach. I fish at a local reservoir that is pretty much a salad bowl full of water. If I’m not throwing weed less I’m just spending the day cleaning mossy grass off my lures so I decided to way downsize to just a cpl applications and try that. Punching, I have a Daiwa Tatula pitch & flip 7.3 reel with 65# braid. My “utility” rod for spinnerbaits and smaller weedless swimbaits has a Steez 6.3. And I want to get a reel for my dedicated pitching rod. I’m planning on getting the Daiwa Zillion TW HD, do I want the 7.3 or the 8.1 speed?

Thanks all

[papajoe222]

Welcome to BR.

As others have mentioned, gear ratio should be of no concern for a beginning baitcaster. I would, however, recommend one somewhere in the midrange rather than a high speed.

2 hours ago, 0351 said:

 I want to get a reel for my dedicated pitching rod. I’m planning on getting the Daiwa Zillion TW HD, do I want the 7.3 or the 8.1 speed?

Thanks all

I'd go with the 8.1. At the end of the day, it'll get you more casts and will assist in quick hook-sets.