When should I use a 7.1:1 reel??

[Sherlock 60]

I am late jumping on the high speed reel bandwagon. Under what circumstances I should use a 7.1:1 reel?

Your thoughts, please.

[Uncle Leo]

Anytime you need to take up line quickly. Windy conditions, T-rigs and Jigs. I also like to use to burn spinner baits over weeds.

[BASSclary]

all the time. And 7.1 is so other brands. Daiwa's 7.3 is where its at 8-)

Just kidding! I like it to pick up line fast, ; jigs, t-rigs, spinnerbaits frogs or where you really want to burn your bait.

[K_Mac]

I like the higher speed reels (>/= 29 IPT) for anything that I move with the rod rather than the reel, heavy cover, and burning a lipless crank, buzzbait, spinnerbait, or chatterbait. For everything else a 6:3ish (26-28 IPT) is my preference.

[barroncooper]

I use one for everything except deep cranks and for that i use a 6:1 calcutta gtb.  for me its much easier to slow down than speed up.

[Grey Wolf]

Anytime.

[steezy]

As much as possible.

[OHIO]

I usually use it for spinnerbaits and jigs.

[Vinny Chase]

These are the fishing conditions when you need a high speed reel:

1) Bottom bouncing baits

2) Fishing in thick vegetation/frog fishing

3) Burning baits

[Teal101]

Always.  It's much easier for me to slow down the retrieve than speed it up.

My cranking reel is a 6.2 while my frog/jig reel is a 7.1.  My new plastics reel will be a 7.1 also.

[Hot Rod]

I use them for everything but crankbaits.  I prefer a slower reel for cranks.  I like to keep crankbaits at a pace where I can interpret the cover/structure and I'm able to do that best with a 5:1 better.  JMHO

You can't imagine how much of a difference a 7:1 makes even for things like pitchin' when you just have a short line.  It saves a lot of "dead" time so you are able to quickly reel it in and pitch back into the strike zone.  The faster reel allows you to make a lot more presentation in a day's time regardless of technique.

[BobP]

I guess lots of us are in a huge hurry!  I have a 7:1 Revo and about the only thing I like it for is C-rigging where you pull the bait, then reel down to take up slack.  Otherwise, I'd rather use 6.2:1 for most presentations, even burning lipless baits or spinnerbaits.  And even slower for deep crankbaits.  I'm sorry I got the 7:1 reel; it spends more time on the shelf than in the boat.  JMHO

[Bluebasser86]

I like the 7.1 for most fishing anymore. It's so nice to be able to catch up fast with a big fish coming straight at you on a jig or soft plastic. Buzzbaits and lipless cranks are a lot less work too. I think I over fish spinnerbaits with them and I would never use one for other crankbaits.

[Vinny Chase]

I guess lots of us are in a huge hurry! I have a 7:1 Revo and about the only thing I like it for is C-rigging where you pull the bait, then reel down to take up slack. Otherwise, I'd rather use 6.2:1 for most presentations, even burning lipless baits or spinnerbaits. And even slower for deep crankbaits. I'm sorry I got the 7:1 reel; it spends more time on the shelf than in the boat. JMHO

This..Well said

I like the 6.2:1 gear ratio so I am to slow down or speed, depending on how the fish are reacting that day

[MNGeorge]

I have 7.1 to 1 REVO STX's on most of my setups because most of my fishing involves a cast, working the bait in a fairly narrow strike zone and then quickly retrieving to make another cast.  The only non 7.1 to 1 reel I use regularly for this type of presentation is a REVO Skeet Reese which is a 6.4 to 1.  The only reason I use it regularly is that it is such a smooth reel it's hard to put down despite its somewhat slower retrieve speed.

[guitarkid]

for anything but cranks

-gk

[goblue]

primarily topwater... but comes in handy for deep water jigs.