reel gear ratio---->

[newfish]

i'm considering a new reel. i've been looking at some reels and they have high gear ratio, 7.1:1. i'm more of a 6.2 or 6.4:1...being that its in the middle and i can speed up or slow down when needed. anyways, to my understanding is, with high gear ratio you have less power or torque...that is to get fish out of cover. how much is lost with higher gear ratio, say compared to a 6.x:1 ratio?

[fishinghusker]

I also had a question about this, though may not be as relevant.  I remember reading somewhere that you need to have different ratio's for different methods/bait selections.  Anywhere I can get the info for this?  Sorry, I just didn't want to start another similar topic.

[Marty]

A higher gear ratio reel is harder to crank. But also take into consideration the total number of inches that come in with each turn of the handle.

The gear ratio principle is similar to a bicycle: the higher the gear, the harder it is to pedal but you go farther per pedal revolution.

But like everything else, there's personal preference. Some like 7:1, others prefer 5:1 or whatever.

[Nine Miler]

I also had a question about this, though may not be as relevant. I remember reading somewhere that you need to have different ratio's for different methods/bait selections. Anywhere I can get the info for this? Sorry, I just didn't want to start another similar topic.

Read this topic- please don't take offense to the title. It is always good to review the basics.

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/fishing_equipment.html

Here is another...

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/Fishing-Reels.html

[burleytog]

Look at the IPT.

[tbird]

I like the 7:1 for worm/jig fishing ,definitely not for crankbaits

[The Rooster]

i'm considering a new reel. i've been looking at some reels and they have high gear ratio, 7.1:1. i'm more of a 6.2 or 6.4:1...being that its in the middle and i can speed up or slow down when needed. anyways, to my understanding is, with high gear ratio you have less power or torque...that is to get fish out of cover. how much is lost with higher gear ratio, say compared to a 6.x:1 ratio?

You should use the rod to get fish out of cover, not winch the fish out using the reel. Always move the fish with the rod and take in line with the reel only when you can.

Higher speeds have advantage of taking line in quick for certain techniques such as worm fishing where the fish takes the bait and then swims towards the boat. Take up line fast and set the hook. Also it can be nice for burning a bait when you want to get a speedy retrieve going without wearing your arm out cranking 90 miles an hour. Or for taking the line back in quickly after a non-productive cast to make another cast again as well.

Lower gear ratios allow for more torque so you get a deep diving crankbait down deep without wearing your arm out from the cranking torque necessary to do this. This is similar to a high gear ratio for fast retrieves saving your arm but on the opposite end of the scale. Also can be good for controlling the tendency to reel in too quickly when you really need to be fishing slower such as in cold weather. Forces you to slow down.

The 6.x reels are an "all around" reel, fast enough to work for burning, slow enough to use for cranking, and all in between. You can step up or go down with them "if you need to".

I see it as each ratio has a best usage range and also has an "acceptable usage with some losses" range as well. I think of it as a good, better, best scenario when it comes to what ratio to use for what application.

But as others have stated as well, IPT tells more of the story than the actual ratio. Also you can change things again by adding a longer handle to a reel, add more torque, force you to slow down yet again, things like that.

[midnighthrasher]

Look at the IPT.

X2... the more i look at reels the more i realize that IPT is what you should look at.

[newfish]

thanks for everyones help. it does make more sense to use the rod then the reel for getting fish out of cover. it's just a habit of mines to use the reel instead of the rod. i'll take the ipt into consideration also. i mainly fish with plastics and lipless, just started fishing with jigs this year. i've read that a higher gear ratio or ipt would be better for the application, just wasnt sure with the torque of a higher ratio.