gear ratio question

[Red]

generally, what would be the ideal ratio for crankin, topwaters, spinnerbaits? is this a preference thing or does a certain ratio work better than another? any help much appreciated

thanks

Cliff

[.dsaavedra.]

for crankbaits and spinnerbaits, i would reccoment 6.3:1. for topwaters, it doesnt really matter, because most of the time you are just reeling in slack, not reeling in the lure.

[islandbass]

It might just be me but after using for the longest time my green curado with a 6.??:1 ratio and thinking it was alright, one outing I didn't have it but had my cardiff instead which has a lower gear ratio, somewhere in the 5??:1 range.

I noticed immediately that is seemed "easier" for lack of a better term to work my cranks and it felt as if I didn't need to use as much effort to make each revolution of the handle. Perhaps the lower gear ratio makes for more power. I can't say for sure since I am not a mechanic.

I also noticed a heck of a lot more hook ups as if the retrieval speed with the Cardiff's gear was more "enticing" or "appealing" to the bass.

This whole thing is still something I need to observe for to make a good conclusion, but for the time being when fishing with cranks, I am going to use my cardiff for now.  It makes me wonder if the 3??:1 cureado might be worth looking into.

[Red]

well i currently have Abu 5501's and i use them for everything, i love them and they work great, but i was just curious if i would be better off with a higher ratio reel for these applications, i was thinking of buying one of the new MAX series abu''s when they come out, but i may just buy another 5501

thanks for the input

Cliff

[Jig Man]

A lot of people use a 3.8:1 for cranks and a 5:1 for spinnerbaits.  The lower the gear ratio the easier they are to crank.  I use the 6+:1 for everything.  The slow retrieve reels drive me nuts.

[Raul]

I like something with around 15-17" IPT ( Curado 200B38 ) for slow rolling big willowleaf spinnerbait, deep/extra deep running crankbaits & sinking swimbaits; something with around 20-22" IPT ( Alphas ) for shallow/mid depth cranks & spinnerbaits and something with 25"+ IPT ( Scorpion 1000, Scorpion Mg, TDZ, Curado 200, Chronarch SF ) for soft plastics & jigs, hard jerkbaits & topwaters.

[mattm]

Raul,

Can you please list the approx. gear ratios of those reels for those of us that don't know?

[Catt]

Many anglers with time have settled into a certain rhythm when fishing certain baits mine fits Calcutta 50's 5:0.1 gear ratios.

[Raul]

Raul,

Can you please list the approx. gear ratios of those reels for those of us that don't know?

In baitcasters

15" IPT 3.8 - 4.3:1

20-22" IPT 4.8 - 5:1

25"+ IPT 6.2 - 7:1

Reason why gear ratio is a very tricky way to measure the real "speed " of the reel, for ex, the Calais 200 DPV has a gear ratio of 5:1 but it only picks 17".

Catt mentions an important point, you have a certain rhythm when you reel in, specially when you reel in steadily with certain baits or in certain techniques, having a reel with a specific speed allows you to do reel in at your everyday pace without having to worry that you are reeling in too fast or too slow, certain baits like crankbaits not always react well when reeled in at high speeds, they lay on their side and not wobble well, or for ex when you are fishing baits that generate slack like soft plastics, to maintain contact with your bait you have to maintain a tight line, a fast reel allows you to pick up the slack fast so you never loose contact with your bait.

[lubina]

I have my reel diveded in 3 groups.

Slow ( < 22 ITP )

Zillion and Accurist 401.

Med/deep cranking.

Fast ( 22-28 )

Alpha and Scorpion for hard topwasters.

and jerkbait.

TD-zs for soft plastic.

Cardiff for swimbaits.

Revo general.

Ultra Fast ( 28-31 )

Zillion HL for spinner, buzzer and frogs.

[roadwarrior]

Slow & powerful: CTE200GT 5.0:1 23 IPC

This reel can be worked as slow as you like, much slower than the 23 IPC might suggest. For deep cranks, 3/4 oz Ledgebuster Single Blades and Mattlures Baby Bass this is THE BOMB!

Fast & powerful: Calais 200ASV 6.2:1 26 IPC

I bought this to fish buzzbaits and it can be worked MUCH FASTER than 26 IPC implies. For tournament fishing this is THE PERFECT reel. You all could land a little bitty "keeper bass" before it even knew it was hooked! This is my "all-around" reel which I use for nearly all treble hooks and regular spinners.

As specific advice, I recommend a fast reel for everything. Slow reels are specialty reels and for me, live baiit gear.

[Cephkiller]

For tournament fishing this is THE PERFECT reel. You all could land a little bitty "keeper bass"  before it even knew it was hooked!

It's been a while.  I thought you had lost your knack for diplomacy  ;D

[roadwarrior]

;D ;D ;D

It's a slow day here at the office, just having a little fun... :

8-)

[Taliesin]

It might just be me but after using for the longest time my green curado with a 6.??:1 ratio and thinking it was alright, one outing I didn't have it but had my cardiff instead which has a lower gear ratio, somewhere in the 5??:1 range.

I noticed immediately that is seemed "easier" for lack of a better term to work my cranks and it felt as if I didn't need to use as much effort to make each revolution of the handle. Perhaps the lower gear ratio makes for more power. I can't say for sure since I am not a mechanic.

I also noticed a heck of a lot more hook ups as if the retrieval speed with the Cardiff's gear was more "enticing" or "appealing" to the bass.

This whole thing is still something I need to observe for to make a good conclusion, but for the time being when fishing with cranks, I am going to use my cardiff for now. It makes me wonder if the 3??:1 cureado might be worth looking into.

A lower speed reel will be easier to crank, but you won't be cranking as fast either. You are correct that a lower gear ratio means more power.

All reels have a trade-off between speed and power.

If you had more hookups with the slower reel, you might have done just as well reeling slower with the faster reel. Either the fish liked the slower speed, or weren't quite as deep.

A larger crank handle makes it easier to turn also, but you move your hand farther for each turn. Again, a trade of speed vs. power.

All of this is important to catfishermen. For them it is simpler, but if you are fishing in heavy cover, you want more power (and heavier line) to force them out. Otherwise you want speed to shorten the fight (and it lessens the stress on the fish).

I have amazed quite a few people skating a 5# fish across the top of the water, but with my catfishing gear it's fairly easy.

It's even more important to lure fishermen. Every person has a comfortable retrieve speed that they tend to fall into. Unless you are good at changing your speed, changing reel speeds is the ticket.