7.1 Gear Ratio...too Fast??

[bassin is addicting]

is a 7.1 ratio too fast for general cranking?? deep diving cranks, reg cranks and spinnerbaits???

i'm looking to pick up a reel for general cranking use. i have a chance to pick up a 2009 Revo SX for about $100 but it is a 7.1...

any input/advice is appreciated..

thanks

[Goose52]

There are lots of opinions on this...but IMO, 7.1 is too fast for deep cranks and heavy spinnerbaits, 7.1 is manageable (but not ideal) for medium cranks and spinnerbaits, and 7.1 works OK for shallow cranks. My opinion is primarily based on cranking effort. Other folks opinions will be based on speed of retrieve, with no consideration for cranking effort.

[Stasher1]

I like a 7:1 for spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, jigs, most soft plastics, and most shallow cranks, but I'd choose a different ratio for deep cranks.

[Grey Wolf]

is a 7.1 ratio too fast for general cranking?? deep diving cranks, reg cranks and spinnerbaits???

i'm looking to pick up a reel for general cranking use. i have a chance to pick up a 2009 Revo SX for about $100 but it is a 7.1...

any input/advice is appreciated..

thanks

YES. JMHO

[ww2farmer]

Too fast? No. You can't reel fast enough to keep a lure away from a bass that wants it. What it might be is not powerfull enough for applications like deep cranking or big bladed spinnerbaits. They give a lot of resistance, and with a 7:1 reel it will feel like your trying to pull a Mack truck off the bottom of the lake. Do that for 15 mins. and you'll have had enough, let alone all day.

[bassin is addicting]

i kinda thought the 7.1 might not be best for what i'm looking to use it for.

so, i'd be better off with a 6.4. correct?

one of the guys in my club has a KVD for $50 that is a 6.4. a better fit? and an ok deal?

[ChiCityBasser]

The 6.4 is a better all around choice but still not ideal for deep cranking but opinions will vary. If the reel is the BPS exclusive KVD I would say try something else. Check out ebay or the flea market for a deal on a reel.

[SausageFingers]

No. I use a 7:1 STX for cranking and it produces just fine for me.

Just a little aside - its not the ratio that matters. Its the inches per turn (IPT) that dictates how quick the reel will be pulling line.

[midnighthrasher]

Its not the ratio you should look at its the IPT. I fish 7.1 for everything. You want to slow down just reel slower. That being said i do not fish deep crankbaits. Ive had 5.1 and 6.1 but got rid of all of them and baught 7.1 reels.

[BassThumb]

Deep cranking is not really part of my arsenal, but most like slow to mid-speed reels for that. I prefer a mid-speed reel(6:1) for shallow cranks and a fast reel(7:1) for spinnerbaits. Shallow cranking is the only time I prefer a reel slower than 7:1.

[Punkinseedfyretailz]

if i can catch a bass trolling with my motor running at full speed then there is no too fast. but i mainly throw cranks on a 6:4:1 carbonlite. if you use a 7:1 and feel you're too fast just reel slower

[Punkinseedfyretailz]

The 6.4 is a better all around choice but still not ideal for deep cranking but opinions will vary. If the reel is the BPS exclusive KVD I would say try something else. Check out ebay or the flea market for a deal on a reel.

agreed check out the flea market on this site, the guys on here are good for deal. i'm sure someone will help you out

[breezy]

While IPT is a better measurement of how fast you can retrieve a lure, the gear ratio is a better indicator of how much effort it will take to retrieve a deep running crank. A good comparison is a car's transmission: it's easier to accelerate in a lower gear compared to a higher gear.

That being said, I feel a rod has just as much (if not more) to do with fatigue cranking all day than a reel. I would rather have a 6.4:1 reel and a rod with a nice moderate action than a 5:1 reel and a flipping stick.

If you're looking for a dedicated deep cranking reel on a budget you're going to be hard pressed to beat the BPS Pro Qualifier @ $100. A lot of people are thrown off by the BPS label, but I would bet in a blind test the PQ would outperform some reels even double its price. If the majority of your cranking will be with shallow and mid depth cranks then a 6.4:1 could give you a little more variety and there are LOTS of reels available in that ratio. Check out the for sale section here and other places and you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a lightly used reel for half the retail price.

[Bluebasser86]

I like a 5.1 ratio for deep runners just for ease of use but you could still use a 7.1 and catch fish.

[Raul]

It depends upon many circumstances, so "fast" or "slow" is in two departmets, opinion and facts. Many deep divers don´t like being reeled in fast, when pulled by the reel they rest on their side and don´t run true, but you have to check your bait and see if it does it, if it does then don´t use a high speed reel for those. Deep divers can generate a lot of resistance, reel them in with a fast reel and it´s like trying to reel in a bucket, after a while between the drag and the vibration your arms end up toast. For baits like jigs, many spinnerbaits ( depends upon blade size and configuration ), soft plastics a very fast reel allows you to either work the bait fast or to pick up the slack in an eyeblink ( so you don´t have to reel in like mad ). On the subject of you can slow down, well, why worry about having to slow down when you can get a reel that does it for you ?

[.RM.]

It depends upon many circumstances, so "fast" or "slow" is in two departmets, opinion and facts. Many deep divers don´t like being reeled in fast, when pulled by the reel they rest on their side and don´t run true, but you have to check your bait and see if it does it, if it does then don´t use a high speed reel for those. Deep divers can generate a lot of resistance, reel them in with a fast reel and it´s like trying to reel in a bucket, after a while between the drag and the vibration your arms end up toast. For baits like jigs, many spinnerbaits ( depends upon blade size and configuration ), soft plastics a very fast reel allows you to either work the bait fast or to pick up the slack in an eyeblink ( so you don´t have to reel in like mad ). On the subject of you can slow down, well, why worry about having to slow down when you can get a reel that does it for you ?

X2

Tight Lines!

[Punkinseedfyretailz]

It's all personal preference

[Vafthrudnir]

I'm right and everyone else is wrong.