Optimal Gear Ratio For Football Jigs

[Steve K]

I would like to employ some football jigs to my fall fishing tactics this year. And was wondering if a 7:1 or 6:3 be better? I would be dragging them across rocky points and popping them every so often as well. Thanks in advance.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I have some new and older chronarchs in high speeds like what you list. I fish a jig with the rod and really only use the real to pick up the slack. IMO the higher speeds helps catch up to the fish if they run.

[deaknh03]

I would like to employ some football jigs to my fall fishing tactics this year. And was wondering if a 7:1 or 6:3 be better? I would be dragging them across rocky points and popping them every so often as well. Thanks in advance.

Go with the 6:3, good all around ratio, you can reel it slower if needed, and faster if you want. I use my 6:3 for almost everything.

[00 mod]

7.x. go with the fastest reel you have. It is necessary to get ALL of the slack out of the line before setting that thick hook.

Jeff

[BassThumb]

I use 7:1 on all jig rods. When fishing football jigs, sometimes I wish I had a little slower reel because I like to drag the jig with the reel instead of the rod, and sometimes I feel like I'm rushing it with such a fast reel and I have to force myself to slow down. Then there are other times when the bass will pick up the jig and swim right at me, and that's when the fast reel comes in handy for picking up slack and setting the hook before the bass drops that heavy, awkward jig. Both have pros and cons, but I prefer the fastest reel possible when fishing bottom contact baits.

[backwater4]

For me it a 6:3 on a medium heavy 6'6" rod w/ 12 lb berkely big game mono.

[Big-O]

I'm in the FASTER the BETTER camp as well as longer rods... I often spin the reel handle for taking up slack after a pull or hop to improve feel timing etc. so fast gears fit my style much better.

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[BrianinMD]

Definitely a 7:x reel, and the longest rod you are comfortable with. The speed and length will get the slack out of the line on hook sets. My main jig rod is a Dobyns SS734C with a Revo STX 7:1.

[J Francho]

Faster is easier. I think a longer rod is more important. Back in the day, when a 5:1 reel was "high speed" compared to all the other 3:1 reels, I don't recall having an issue landing fish. Currently, I have three jig rods with 6.3:1 (30"?) and one with 7.1:1. (32").

[RyneB]

I have both ratios that i use for jig fishing, and i like them both the same. To me, my rod is more important. Unless youre talking about swim jigging. I like to use a 7:1 reel with a 6 ft 6 rod.

[Bass Junkie]

I personally use a 6.X:1 gear ratio on all my jigs for versatility's sake.

[Catt]

All my reels are 5.8:1 with the exception of one 5.0:1

[Colton Neal]

I'd go with a faster burner reel.

You can always slow down a fast reel, but not speed up a slow reel. Taking up slack quick to set the hook is important.

Also making long casts on point you're usually fishing something down their specific like a clam bed, stumps, or rocks so your only in the strike zone a few feet, then you reel in with a quick ratio reel to re-cast quicker and save time.