Gear swapping in reels

[Eric 26]

As the title suggests I’m curious about the opinion of everyone here. I’m going to replace a reel for next season on a rod I’m going to use for smaller crank baits. I’m really happy with my Daiwa Tatula reels as I like the braking system. I’m curious if it would be worth or possible to swap out a fuego gear set for a lower 5.?:1. I currently enjoy using a Revo X winch for my mid to larger crank baits and have no problem buying another one as I don’t know of any other low gear ratio reels in the mid priced offerings in left hand retrieve other than the Kast king reel(budget priced) I’m looking to replace. Please keep in mind as I’ve stated before I’m not comfortable tearing down and rebuilding the reel myself. 

[bulldog1935]

What might be worthwhile is checking Asian Portal price on Zillion.  

It's a step up in spool design.  

The main differences with Steez are frame MOC and absence of worm gear BB (which can be upgraded if you want to tackle it).  

[Eric 26]

 

6 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

What might be worthwhile is checking Asian Portal price on Zillion.  

It's a step up in spool design.  

The main differences with Steez are frame MOC and absence of worm gear BB (which can be upgraded if you want.  

I figured the Japanese domestic market would be mentioned but I’m more curious if it would be cost effective to achieve on a lower priced reel even if it were purchased second hand like on our flea market.  I know lower gear ratios aren’t very popular anymore but I’m looking for a low profile reel with a 5:? gear ratio. Lews offers a 5 speed reel but only in right handed model if I’m missing out on any other manufactures please let me know.

[FishTank]

13 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

What might be worthwhile is checking Asian Portal price on Zillion.  

It's a step up in spool design.  

The main differences with Steez are frame MOC and absence of worm gear BB (which can be upgraded if you want to tackle it).  

 

I would also check out the Shimano Bantam 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Unless a base reel has features critical to you it’s much more cost efficient to just buy a reel to suit the application. 

[Eric 26]

I appreciate the suggestions for reels, but both the zillion and bantam are a bit higher than I’m looking to spend at this time. For the rod and applications I’m looking to use it for I know I can buy another revo x in a 5.4:1 ratio. My other option is to buy any left hand reel in my price range in a 6.?:1 ratio and slow down my retrieve but that’s not what I am looking to do. 

5 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Unless a base reel has features critical to you it’s much more cost efficient to just buy a reel to suit the application. 

It’s not so much that a reel such as a Tatula has critical features as much as I was looking to see if it would be cost effective. If memory serves me correctly Daiwa used to offer the Tatula in a 5 speed ratio but only in right hand retrieve and I’m using left hand reels.

[jimmyjoe]

  As much as I hate to suggest it ......... call Daiwa. Of all the factories with which I've spoken, Daiwa has more information and gives it freely on exactly this subject. 

   Other than that, the Lew's BB-1 has a 5.1:1 gear ratio model.      jj

[JustJames]

Which Daiwa  5.1 gearset? If the gear set is not from the same platform chance of not fitting is very high. Time and effort I think buying a new reel is way easier.

[Hammer 4]

Not sure how you would feel about round reels, but Shimano has a Cardiff 200 with a 5:8-1 reel. Price is 129.99 at TW. I've had a Cardiff in the past for tossin large swimbaits, worked very well. Anyhow, just a thought.

 

On edit, the price is Not 19.99, but 129.99, sorry, bout that..

[Deleted account]

For smaller cranks, I like a 6. something. But, as long as the gears are available, it's just a matter of swapping them out to achieve a different ratio. 

[garroyo130]

I have successfully swapped the gears from a Tatula CT 100p (5.4:1?) on a Fuego CT. Straight drop-in replacement. Parts below from my order: 

 

Order Lines

        1 EA    $            5.64    H99-2201  Pinion Gear | LATE JAN ARRIVAL

        1 EA    $          12.44    H99-2301  Drive Gear                   

 

Total Amount: $          18.08

Total Qty.:  2

 

I have also called Shimano about swapping to lower on a Curado K since the slow version wasn't released until last year. Was told too many parts would need to be swapped including drag stack.

[redmeansdistortion]

You can achieve similar results if you put less line on the spool.  If you're running something thin like 30lb braid it should do the trick.  The take-up rate of a reel is measured with a full spool if I remember right.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

20 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

I appreciate the suggestions for reels, but both the zillion and bantam are a bit higher than I’m looking to spend at this time. For the rod and applications I’m looking to use it for I know I can buy another revo x in a 5.4:1 ratio. My other option is to buy any left hand reel in my price range in a 6.?:1 ratio and slow down my retrieve but that’s not what I am looking to do. 

It’s not so much that a reel such as a Tatula has critical features as much as I was looking to see if it would be cost effective. If memory serves me correctly Daiwa used to offer the Tatula in a 5 speed ratio but only in right hand retrieve and I’m using left hand reels.

I have a Buddy that’s a tournament angler and has the same problem looking for left hand cranking reels from Daiwa   I’ll hit him up and see what he settles on