7:5:1 Gear Ratio for all around?

[cw_nsmf]

Got my first baitcaster not payin attention to gear ratios. The gear ratio is 7:5:1, is that a good all around ratio? Or what good specific uses for that ratio? Rod and reel combo i got is a Bass Pro shops Extreme XML

[MN Fisher]

Except for deep-diving cranks and large, hard swimbaits - that's pretty much a universal gear ratio....though more important (far as I'm concerned) is the Inches Per Turn...should be on the box.

 

To zoom in closer to what it can handle - the rod stats also come into play (Power/Action - I.E. MH/F)

[LrgmouthShad]

I lean slower than most. 7 is considered universal by most nowadays. I consider 6 universal. I use a 5 speed for spinnerbaits and crankbaits. 6 I use for swim jigs, bladed jigs, lipless, and buzzbaits (all other moving baits). 7 for bottom contact or slack line baits. I never use anything above 7.

[Bird]

Every year the ratio gets faster. Idk

I honestly don't look when buying a reel, my hand can adjust on the fly.

[MediumMouthBass]

7 speed reels are a great all around gear ratio.

You can fish anything with it, even crankbaits. Just slow down.

 

Its just not ideal in every scenario, out of the reels i bought last year 80% of them were 7 speeds, and now im upset that i didnt get 1 or 2 more 6 speeds.... I am using crankbaits and Chatterbaits alot more so far this season than in the past and the only 6 speeds i have that are left handed are on the cheaper side and arent too pleasant to fish with.

And since the square bills im using are so light ill just fish them on my Tatula SV TW or SLX MGL since they can cast the lighter stuff with ease, but with the 7 speed ratio i just really have to reel as slow as possible, but even that only helps so much and i still bring the lure back to fast....

 

For a first casting reel tho itll be great, you can fish a wide range of different lures with it, whether its topwater, soft plastic texas rigs, variety of jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits, frogs, even spinnerbaits just remember to slow down for some lures.

Eventually if you want to fish some baits more than the others and need a setup that fits it better then you can go to a faster or slower gear ratio.

[Mike L]

7 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I lean slower than most. 7 is considered universal by most nowadays. I consider 6 universal. I use a 5 speed for spinnerbaits and crankbaits. 6 I use for swim jigs, bladed jigs, lipless, and buzzbaits (all other moving baits). 7 for bottom contact or slack line baits. I never use anything above 7.

Pretty much covers it

 

 

 

Mike

[ironbjorn]

10 years ago it was common for people to say 6 was the best all around ratio. Now it's common for people to say 7 is the best all around ratio. The take away from this should be ... It all works fine, and people change like the wind with time.

[GRiver]

Most of my baitcasters are 7.5’s, and I have a 6.8 which is close to seven.  My first baitcaster was a 7.5, that’s what I seem to be accustomed too.

[ABU is overpriced]

I wouldn't go over 6.8 for an all around reel. Personally love 6.3 or 6.4 for the all around reel.

[waymont]

For me 30” ipt which with Daiwa and Shimano reels is usually their 7speed reels.

That’s what I consider a good all around bass fishing ratio.

[JN94]

90% of the reels I purchase I get a 7 speed. As others have stated, it's a good all around gear ratio that allows you to do just about whatever

[new2BC4bass]

Wasn't long ago that 6.2 was fast.  Before that 5.8.  Now we have 10.  All around ratio has increased as faster ratio reels became available.  I like in the 7s because I mostly fish techniques where 7 or faster works better.

 

I like using a shallow running squarebill or crankbait, but they aren't the best fish getters for me.  I have several 5.8 ratio reels for them.

[MN Fisher]

11 hours ago, Bird said:

Every year the ratio gets faster. Idk

I think part of it has to do with the difference between round reels and low-profile reels. The round reels have larger diameter spools, so a lower gear ratio gives you a higher IPT.

 

Example:

Ambassadeur 4500 C has a gear ratio of 5.3:1 giving it an IPT of 26

Daiwa Tatula 100H has a gear ratio of 6.3:1 giving it an IPT of 26.3