Gear Ratio Choice.....i Need Your $.02

[200racing]

i want to get a bps enigma when they are half off next weekend.

i would put it on a challenger pro mh cranking rod i already use with a lower geared shimano.

it would be used for general casting/retrieving.i havent got to the point of having rods for specific teniques yet.

here is where i am undesided.

the reel comes in 7.1:1 and 6.3:1. i really like the idea of a 7.1 as ive never owned a reel that fast. in my head i see a 7.1 doing all a 6.3 can and more.

so if you had to choose what route would you go?

[eyedabassman]

I would go 6.3. for general use. Now if you want to fish frogs also then 7.1. Remember it is easy to slow down when reeling, and alot harder on you to speed up,when doing it alot!

[BASSclary]

I would skip the enigma all together, and many more will agree. I'd say pick up a PQ in 6.4

[200racing]

I would skip the enigma all together, and many more will agree. I'd say pick up a PQ in 6.4

is ther something that scares you away from the enigma, or just better reels for the money to be had?

[eyedabassman]

I would skip the enigma all together, and many more will agree. I'd say pick up a PQ in 6.4

I agree, go check out all the great reviews on the PQ. I did pick up another one last weekend.

[l3rd]

is ther something that scares you away from the enigma, or just better reels for the money to be had?

It depends, if you are new to baitcasters the enigma can be set up so that it's about impossible to make it backlash, not so the others. The older ones had a carbon fiber frame, some dislike that as it lacks the strength of aluminum, but the new ones have aluminum frames. Yes, they are better, but not necessarily for a beginner. If I was going to go better though, I'd go for a JM Carbonlite, YMMV.

[amishnightmare88]

The 6:4 is good for about anything you use. i just bought a 7:1 a few weeks ago for pitching and flipping, useing jigs, and burning spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. the 7:1 is good for picking up alot of line QUICK! so if your fishing a jig and a hog picks up your jig and starts swimming at you you'll be able to pick up that slack in your line and set the hook before he drops it.

[northern basser]

I'd take the 7 to 1. Like mentioned earlier, you can slow down easier than speeding up. Fish sometimes run at the boat and you need to keep up with them. Also, you can bring the lure back to you faster after you worked it through the "sweet spot".

[WdyCrankbait]

i want to get a bps enigma when they are half off next weekend.

i would put it on a challenger pro mh cranking rod i already use with a lower geared shimano.

it would be used for general casting/retrieving.i havent got to the point of having rods for specific teniques yet.

here is where i am undesided.

the reel comes in 7.1:1 and 6.3:1. i really like the idea of a 7.1 as ive never owned a reel that fast. in my head i see a 7.1 doing all a 6.3 can and more.

so if you had to choose what route would you go?

Since you mentioned you dont have a 7-to-1 gear ratio reel I would go with that one. I found myself using my 200E7 more then any other reel specifically for the increased speed. It's a lurxury to have a reel with that speed "sitting around," to use.

But, it really comes down to personal preference, what techniques do you think you will be using, would you want the higher speed? Take inventory of how you're thinking about fishing and you'll make the best selection. Good luck!!!

[alyswim]

I would skip the enigma all together, and many more will agree. I'd say pick up a PQ in 6.4

is ther something that scares you away from the enigma, or just better reels for the money to be had?

I would have to agree on skipping the enigma. Now granted I am new to the whole bait caster real and all, but I had the enigma last year and I hated it! The braking system is far too complicated and is a pain in the butt! I back-lashed a lot and to the point where I had to waist most of my line.

Look at line recovery instead of the gear ratio. The enigma 7.0:1 only picks of 25" vs. the pro qualifier 7.1:1 picks up 29" and also has the dbs

Also, have them put it on the rod and give it a try in the store, that is what I did. I went with the JM Sig and when I brought it home I could VERY easily tell the difference between the enigma and the JM Sig, much smoother!

[nvhsaccel]

i agree, get the PQ. I absolutely love mine and i've had it for three years!

[Brian Needham]

I use 7.1 for jigs, frogs, texas rig,pitching anything you need to catch you to a fish with......6.4 for spinnerbaits,buzz, tubes . 5.4 for cranks.

that being said I got friends that fish 7.1 for everything , then use 6.4 for cranks.

each his own.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The "impossible to back lash" claims of the Enigma are over blown imo. In the BPS line I suggest sticking with the PQ. AS for the ratio question, verify the IPT to be sure of what you are getting, but trying a 7.x:1 is worthwhile if you've never had one.

[B@ssCrzy]

I would go with the 7:1 since you don't have one. I have two 7:1's and a 6:4 and mostly use the 7's for everything. You can always slow it down as previously stated.

[J Francho]

Food for thought....it really is impossible to backlash a reel that doesn't work.

Get a Citica, use the $30 rebate, and pay the same price for a WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY better reel that will last you a long time.

[00 mod]

it would be used for general casting/retrieving.i havent got to the point of having rods for specific teniques yet.

Are you going to be cranking with it? If so a 7 speed reel is not the best option....maybe I am missing something?

Jeff

[SausageFingers]

My vote is for the 6.3 ratio but the inches per turn is a better indicator of retrieval speed, as it tells you how much line you're picking up with each turn of the handle.

If it's in your budget, you may want to consider something other than the Enigma. The Pro Qualifers are a good Bass Pro product, much better than the Enigma in my opinion.

[200racing]

Are you going to be cranking with it? If so a 7 speed reel is not the best option....maybe I am missing something?

Jeff

right now i have a med. light spinner (8lb mono) for weightless/light plastics and small lures. medium spinner (30lb spiderwire w/ 12 flouro leader)for almost all plastics except for heavy weights or heavy cover. a 8ft heavy rod (65lb braid) for heavy cover and lures,carolina rig, jigs,AL-rig.

and then what ever reel you guys talk me into w/put on my challenger rod will be used for everything else,but i dont throw cranks much.

after i get this combo i think want to get a parabolic glass rod for all treble hook baits and pair it with the 5.3 shimano on this rod now. from my reading ive done on here that is a good pairing. then this combo will become a single hook lure rod.

since the enigma seem to be a no go. has anyone used a Shimano Caius. i trust shimano and it seems to be nice and nice on my wallet .

[Jig Man]

I didn't have a 7:1 so I bought one. Since then I have sold most of my 3.8:1 and 6.3:1 and replaced them with 7:1. I don't ever plan to go back to slow reels. Get the 7.

[00 mod]

If this rod is a cranking rod, then it should be a more parabolic bend and should be used with trebel hook lures, which makes me think you should put a slower reel for cranks, or a medium ratio for jerkbaits and whatever oher trebel lures you plan on throwning..

Jeff