gear ratios

[stinger18hp]

lookin to buy new reels and wondering whats everyones preferred gear ratios for crankin,wormin, spinnerbait or just all around thanks for the input in advance

[JoeP]

I only buy 7:1 reels. My logic is that it's easy to slow down if I want to but I can't make a slow reel fast without wearing out.

[maw10]

you're likely to get as many opinions on this as there are gear ratios in reels.  JoeP's logic is pretty sound, but on the otherhand, there are those who like to specialize each rod/reel combo for a different style of fishing or lure. of course....this means you have to have quite a few set-ups in your boat, which mine doesn't have room for, especially if there's another person with me. so the five or six set-ups i use don't vary as much in reel speed (i stick with around 6: something to around 7:)  as they do in rod actions and line sizes and types. but to each his own...if i had the money and the storage space, i'd have one of everything ever made.

[GlitterRocket]

5:1 for crankbaits, 6:1 for spinnerbaits , and 7:1 or faster for everything else.

[Guest]

5:1 for crankbaits, 6:1 for spinnerbaits , and 7:1 or faster for everything else.

what he said.....

[trackertxw175]

saw where ABU is coming out with a 9:1

[flipperjig]

i like to use 7:1 for worm and jig fishing and topwater... i use 5:4.1 on cranks and spinnerbaits and i mix in a 6:4.1 n there for swimbait fishing.... i would use the 5:4.1 for swimbaits but its hard to catch up to the hooked fish sometimes

[fisherman1488]

saw where ABU is coming out with a 9:1

Its called the Rocket. Starting at $299 if I'm not mistaken.

[SilverFox]

5:2.1 deep crank 7'11 rod

6:2.1 jig, trig 20 foot or less 7'0 rods

6:4.1 spinnerbaits, shallow cranks 7'0 rods

7:1.1 jig, crig or trig, spinnerbait and swimbait 20 foot and deeper 7'0 rods except 7'6 on swimbait

Edited August 3, 2013 by SilverFox

[Stratos260]

4.7:1 for deep cranks

6.3:1 shallow cranks, traps and spinnerbaits

7.1:1 frogs, jigs, worms, buzzbaits

I use spinning for topwater and jerkbaits.

[Z-91]

3.8:1  for deep cranks sometimes 4.7:1 
4.7:1  to 5.3 :1 shallow cranks, and spinnerbaits

6.3:1 > for every thing else.s

[stinger18hp]

thanks for the input

[Z-91]

Suprised some has not came along and said ratio don't matter its inches per revolution that really matters. I go for ratio myself.

[Guest Insanity]

I've noticed a big difference in fishing a soft plastic and spinner baits on a 5:1 as opposed to 6:1. I like to slow roll big half oz spinner baits for them big girls. And if I'm tossing plastic I want to go as slow as possible usually.

I can't stay slow enough with the 6:1. (So say the fish) I slow down for a few mins then forget and go back to normal cranking speed.

Making me fish way to fast. Resulting in smaller and less fish on more occasions then not. Thought about dropping to a 4:1 even.

And unless things have changed in the last couple years the. 5:1 will winch in those big boys where as the 6:1 I have makes me work a lot harder. Love the 6:1 for cranks. And I Couldn't image a 7:1. I love those bites.