All Around gear ratio 6:1 vs 7:1

[Bankbeater]

Just about all of my reels are 6.3:1

[crypt]

3 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

Just about all of my reels are 6.3:1

this is my answer.....

[Log Catcher]

I would go with the 6. I don't even own a 7. My fastest reel is a 6.8:1 or about 28 IPT. Also have several in 5 or about 20 IPT.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The difference between those two ratios is not a mechanical advantage either way. 100% personal preference. There is no provable argument that either is better or more versatile. 

[islandbass]

4 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

IPT is more important to me. All around for me would be 28"-30".

Bam. 

[WPCfishing]

6+ gets my vote for moving baits 80% of the time most of the year. 7+ for just about everything else. 8+ for pitching heavy cover. 
Rod gets em up and reel keeps them up!

Lews and Daiwa reels. 

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

It's so awesome and interesting reading topics like this, helps me to understand there isn't ONE right or wrong answer. Everyone has their own way of doing things which may work for them and not others! But at the very least it's cool to learn from everyone's personal fishing styles! 

 

I generally use a 7 for almost everything, I've used my 6 and definitely got owned by a few fish I couldn't catch up too but at the end of the day I do this for fun and when that happens I get to tell everyone it was like a 5lber that got away! ?

[The Maestro]

I have one 8 and the rest 7's. Only reason I don't want 8's is I heard they get rough faster than slower reels. I dont know if it's true but I dont see a big difference between using them so I went with 7's.

[Bankc]

To me, the difference between 6 and 7 is negligible.  I have no issues slowing down or speeding up between the two to make them virtually identical on the water.  Handle length makes more of difference for me than these subtle gear ratio differences.  

[lunkerboss923]

Isn't there a way to gear up or gear down your reels? You can switch gears out in other words. 

[long island basser]

On 3/10/2022 at 7:16 AM, lunkerboss923 said:

A YouTuber was trying to convince us that a 6:1 is the All Around gear ratio.  This obviously will allow you to work both fast moving presentations as well as slow. How. I'm convinced that the 734C in any Dobyns line is the best all around round. I do throw a 6:1 on this rod. I use it exclusively for my skirted lures (chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, swim jigs, buzzbaits). I think he might have not factored in burning moving baits. Why wouldn't a 7:1 be the best choice for an All Around. 

For the most part you’re talking 3 to 5 inches difference per handle turn, the length of a human finger .

 I think we anglers tend to overanalyze things on occasion. ???

[lunkerboss923]

3 hours ago, long island basser said:

For the most part you’re talking 3 to 5 inches difference per handle turn, the length of a human finger .

 I think we anglers tend to overanalyze things on occasion. ???

I tend agree, but as long as there is marketing departments for reels and equipment there is going be articles, probably anglers, and internet wizards who hold the Bible on bass fishing. I believe there is there are two reasons to go away from 6:1 and that being bottom contact and frogs. 

[Catt]

Y'all gonna have to explain something to this dumb Cajun.

 

If my reel's IPT is say 28" & I slow down does the reel stop retrieving 28"? And if I speed up does my reel take up more the 28"?

 

My preference is 6.8:1 to 7.5:1, whatever IPT that is.

[The Maestro]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

Y'all gonna have to explain something to this dumb Cajun.

 

If my reel's IPT is say 28" & I slow down does the reel stop retrieving 28"? And if I speed up does my reel take up more the 28"?

 

My preference is 6.8:1 to 7.5:1, whatever IPT that is.

Also IPT depends on how much line is on the reel. Assuming a consistent retrieval, your bait will be speeding up as it gets closer and more line goes onto the spool, increasing it's circumference.

[Happybeerbuzz]

I use to use 6's as my all around gear ratio, but I have migrating to 7's.  As of last season, all my 6's are reserved for baits I move with the reel like cranks, chatter baits, etc.  I would tie anything to a 7.  8's are reserved for baits that are moved with the rod like t-rigs, jigs, etc.  

[bassheel]

I must be the only one, I reel too fast.  I drop down in my moving baits to a 6 gr. The new curado mgl 150 is the slowest 6 gr I ever had 24 per turn. 

[Koz]

If I had to pick one, it would be a 7. When I'm out on my kayak I usually bring only 3 rods and they are a 6, 7, and 8.

 

With that, there's a time and place for everything. For example, I might normally fish a 7 in a certain area on most days. But if I'm drifting quickly with a heavier than normal wind one day I might fish with an 8 so the line doesn't slack so much.

 

I'm also not married to "this bait only goes on this speed reel." Some days the fish want what they want.

[papajoe222]

On 3/10/2022 at 4:38 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I have more 6 ratio reels than faster reels, so I guess I'd vote 6 over 7. 

This for me, too.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

On 3/13/2022 at 5:09 PM, lunkerboss923 said:

Isn't there a way to gear up or gear down your reels? You can switch gears out in other words. 

Sure if you buy the gear sets for your particular reel. I switched my 7.2 ratio curado 70 to a 5.5 ratio gear set.

[LootyDjibouti]

On 3/10/2022 at 7:16 AM, lunkerboss923 said:

A YouTuber was trying to convince us that a 6:1 is the All Around gear ratio.  This obviously will allow you to work both fast moving presentations as well as slow. How. I'm convinced that the 734C in any Dobyns line is the best all around round. I do throw a 6:1 on this rod. I use it exclusively for my skirted lures (chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, swim jigs, buzzbaits). I think he might have not factored in burning moving baits. Why wouldn't a 7:1 be the best choice for an All Around. 

Sounds like you really like the 734C for those applications? I have a 705CB and enjoy that rod, so I'm considering another Dobyns. What type of line do you go with?

I fish from a kayak so I'd prefer a rod that can handle each of those at least decently well as opposed to multiple rods for the techniques you listed. Currently using my first baitcaster, an SLX MH/F and am losing more fish than I'd care to admit. Thinking about composite rods but have never fished one.

I feel like I'd go with a 6-speed as I tend to reel too quickly but just my preference. 

[Chris186]

I like something in the 6’s for moving baits generally. If I’m moving the bait/line with my rod,for example a jig or a jerkbait, I’m going at least 7.5-8.

[Oldskool67]

6

[Captain Phil]

I don't believe you will find much difference between a 6/1 and 7/1 reel ratio.  I would carry two, a 5/1 and 7/1.   Spinnerbaits are not designed to be pulled fast.  Cadence is very important with these lures and 5/1 is what you want.  Some lures like Rattle Traps and Buzz baits work better with a faster retrieve.  For those, you need a faster reel. 

[FrnkNsteen]

I honestly don't see much difference between them and have about equal numbers of each.

 

I will say I have a hard time slowing down, so Deep Cranks (6xd - 10xd) and Chatterbaits are on 5.4 Revo and Orra Winchs.

 

Spinnerbaits. Shallow/medium cranks, and paddletails are on 6spds. Swim Jigs, Ploppers, squarebills, topwaters are on 7spds.

 

I save 8 spds for Buzzbaits, frogs, or pitching jigs/plastics where I use the rods for action and just like the quick takeup for picking up slack or quick retrieves to make next pitch.