Low gear ratio reels

[LCG]

I am thinking of picking up a new reel when the Lew's Speed Spool LFS 3rd generation is released in November. I noticed they have a 5.6:1 or 23" IPT. 

 

I am wondering what people's opinions are of using this gear ratio / IPT for moving baits ie spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, weedless spoons, and swim jigs mainly.

 

I have been using a 6.8:1 / 28" IPT this year which is working well enough, but I do tend to reel fast and notice my spinnerbaits tend to ride a bit high in the water and my weedless spoons tend to rotate causing line twist. I try slowing down but my cadence reverts back.

 

On the other hand, when fighting a fish, will the slower gear ratio become an issue?

 

Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences. Thanks.

[GReb]

The rod and line are also variables when fighting fish. Unless you are dragging fish out of thick cover I wouldn’t worry about the ratio. As a fellow fast reeler I can relate. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Low ratio reels shine with high resistance baits: deep cranks, big Colorado blade spinners, certain big swim baits etc   

[WRB]

Factors to consider with IPT vs gear ratio.

1. reel size / spool diameter and line capacity. Gear ratio doesn’t change IPT does!

2. Size 100 bait casters with line capacity 12 lb @ 110 yards the IPT can change up to 40% after casting 40 yards and increase as you retrieve the lure.

3. Deep diving crank baits creat a lot of resistance when retrieved, lower gear ration helps to overcome the force.

4. Larger 300 size reel the IPT doesn’t change 10 % after  casting 40 yards, consistent retrieve speed. 5.8 gear ratio using 300 size reel solves the IPT issue.

Tom

 

[ABU is overpriced]

Just grab an OG Alphas, they usually come with 5.8 ratio and are excellent reels.

[FrnkNsteen]

I have two dedicated spinnerbait rods and a few dedicated vibrating jig rods. All of them have a 6.4 or slower reels on them. 

 

The Spinnerbait rods have a TD Fuego in 6.3 and a TD 100ml in 5.7. The vibrating jig rods range from Calcutta 101 at 5.9 I think, to a 2018 Bantam MGL in 6.2 and a Tatula CT Type R in 6.3.

 

Swim Jigs are a little different for me. They will work with those speeds, but I prefer a 7spd. When I fish a swim jig, I'm typically casting in around a particular area of cover, swim it in and around the cover, then retrieve it quick and cast back out. I like a little higher speed for that reason.

 

I have a hard time slowing down as well so I like a reel in the upper 5's to low 6's for the lures you mentioned. I understand what Tom is saying about IPT and agree, but most of my reels are in that 100-150 size and I'm not dedicated enough to assess spool diameters on all my different reels, so I just go by ratio ti get me in the ballpark. I typically don't worry about casting a country mile, so I'm not as worried about IPT drop off on long casts, even though I understand the impact.

[Alex from GA]

I have a bunch of Shimano 5:1 reels that were high speed when I bought them.  If I didn't know better now they work for almost everything I throw except frogs.

[Dan N]

I have 3 of those exact reels ( obviously not 3rd gen.)in that  gear ratio  that I use all the time for crank baits, love them. 

[Puggz]

Don't over think this. 5.xx or 6.xx will work fine. Its more upto the rod to keep a hooked fish pinned.

[DaubsNU1]

All of my bait casting reels are Shimano Curado's and Citca's from the 1990's....they are 5:1 and 6:1 ratio.

 

They work great.

 

I did find the 6:1's did not work great when pulling big spoons / lures fishing for pike in Canada this summer. Liked the lower gear ratio.