Good gear ratio for Chatterbaits

[airborne_angler]

Threw a Chatterbait style lure for the first time yesterday. One model was a 1/4 oz and the other was a 3/16 oz. Regardless,both had crazy water resistance when I reeled em in. My wrist/arm is worn out from cranking.

Is there a gear ratio in a reel thats preferred to use with these types of baits so I dont have to work so hard on the retrieve?

Or is this just something that happens regardless of the gear ratio of the reel and something that im just gonna have to live with if I want to throw these baits?

[flippin and pitchin]

A 5 to 1 ratio will give you the torque you need and save your wrist and arm.  If you were throwing with a 7 to 1 and have at least a 6.4 to 1 you might want to at least try before you invest in another reel if you don't have to.  I use the 5 to 1 for big spinnerbaits when making missile casts for smallmouth.

[airborne_angler]

Not sure of the gear ratio of my reel. It is an older Mitchell Spidercast ST400 Baitcasting reel.

Its beat up and seems to perform well. Anyone know the specs (gear ratio) of this Mitchell reel?

[Wayne P.]

I have two of the Spidercast baitcasters. The model number stickers are worn off. The teardrop shaped one is 5.3-1 (on the handle) and the ratio sticker on the round one is worn off but feels about the same.

[Hammer 4]

I've thrown chatterbaits on 5:1 and 6:2 reels..I tend to like a slow, to med slow retrieve, either one works fine as far as I'm concerned.

If a 1/4oz chatterbait wears your wrist/arm out...stay away from Big swimbaits then..

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Hit the gym!   ;D  1/4oz Chatterbaits are fairly small.  I use a 6.4 and have no problems with them.  When I get into some of the 1/2 oz and 3/4 oz, then it can get a bit troublesome.

You'll get used to it in time.  You just aren't used to cranking something like that.

[airborne_angler]

I threw small spinnerbaits last year and did pretty good,so I was used to cranking then. I havent done much cranking this year,all Ive really done is Sling Plastics

[Hammer 4]

I threw small spinnerbaits last year and did pretty good,so I was used to cranking then. I havent done much cranking this year,all Ive really done is Sling Plastics

Expand your horizon's young man.. 8-)

[Wayne P.]

To get the best vibration out of those baits for you and the fish, use a superline.

[airborne_angler]

I think that maybe I got worn out because I was trying to "Burn" the bait up near the surface like I was fishing a Spinnerbait,but that technique really doesnt apply to Chatterbaits...or does it?

[David P]

I throw them with a 7.1 no problem.

[Shane J]

I also use a 7.1 without an issue. Comes in handy when you wanna burn it, or just slow down for slow rolling, or working like a jig. Go with a slower reel, and you take away some of the versatility of the bait.

[Stasher1]

I throw them with a 7.1 no problem.

X2

My spinnerbait setup handles them just fine: Curado 200E7 and a 6'10" MH/MF rod.

[K_Mac]

I think that maybe I got worn out because I was trying to "Burn" the bait up near the surface like I was fishing a Spinnerbait,but that technique really doesnt apply to Chatterbaits...or does it?

I usually fish mine on a 7:1 reel. I have found a slow/med steady retrieve or popping it off the bottom like a jig works best for me. I've never really tried burning one though. I am too lazy to fish them that way. I suspect there are times when burning them would produce well.

[Raul]

I don 't think there 's such thing as a "good gear ratio reel for chatterbaits", just as I don 't think there is such thing for lipless cranks or spinnerbaits, those are the kind of baits that work purty good on any reel you use, it 's more a matter of how slow or fast you want to reel in without having to bother in trying to reel fast with a slow reel or trying to reel slow with a fast reel, you just tie your bait to the reel with the gear ratio you want, me ? oh well, I 've got a bunch of reels with different ratios.