Gear Ratios??

[1337 h4xx0r]

Not sure if this was covered in any previous posts but excuse my ignorance if it was. :D I'm looking to buy a new freshwater casting reel and was wondering about these gear ratios. I noticed that there are alot of different gear ratios from 5.8:1 to 6.3:1. :? Im new to this whole thing and was wondering if you guys could tell me which gear ratio is best for which situation. :D

[Striper777]

It depends what you are fishing with. I am pretty sure that the higher the gear ratio the faster lure u should use. Like a spinnerbait or crankbait for a 6:3:1, but if you get a 5:8:1 that is still pretty high but u can use a little slower lures. But if your going to livebait fish i like to use the 4:1:1 they are me favortie, but for my casting reel i have a 5:8:1 because that is versatile

Good luck~

[1337 h4xx0r]

Thanx for the tip striper777. :D

[Roccus]

1337,

Fast gear ratios are best suited for fast fish,tuna,and salt water speedsters and baits that need to move fast,such as crank baits and certain spoons and jigs.

Remember,the higher the gear ratio the LESS power the reel has,that is the reason most tuna reels like Penn 130's are two speeds(2.21 on high and1:2.1 on low), tuna are powerful fast fish,a fight may encumpass hours of battle where the fish may bull dog(fight stight down) and need to be winched up off of the bottom other times they may run straight at you requiring a faster gear ratio(2.21)
deep water jiggers for cod may require something inbetween,like Penns high speed 114 senator that sports a 2.8:1 ratio,I prefer a 4:1 ratio but fighting a lrge fishis much more difficult and requires extra arm and wrist strentgh.

Fiserman using diamong jigs or hopkins type lures in rips for bass and blues may require a faster retrieve because of tactics,in their case a faster reel with a 4:1or even 5:1 retrieve ratio might be better,remember though a full spool changes the retrieve ratio,also with higher ratio reels there is a tendancy for the rod to twist in ones hand loosening the grip.
I know that you were thinking fresh water bass,no one outfit can do it all,if you go to a high speed rig you will have to make sacrafices.
tight lines.
Rock

[1337 h4xx0r]

thanx roccus for all the helpful tips. :D

[sea sea rider]

I like the fastest ones between 5 and 6 to one. I am a plugger. If you plug you don't have to work as hard. You don't want the plug to sink on you when you first throw it out there. I see some guys, they want distance , :?: yet when they throw the plug out there they don't set the bail right away and lose half the cast.

[Jigman]

5-6:1 are all fast ratios.. that's what I like for plugging and jigging.. I don't "winch" in my fish with the reel nor should you... the reel is only for reeling in slack to semi-slack line.. the rod brings the fish in, the reel keeps the line tight... pull with the rod, reel back towards the fish, repeat.. reels will last mucho longer..

rock on!

[MARKO TIMOK RIVER]

HI GUYS!!!
I USE GEAR RATION ---5.2:1 AND FOR ME THAT FAST IS GOOD,BUT Y FISH A TROUT,CHUB,PERCH AND THAT FISH Y FISHING JUST ON LURES--WOBBLERS



BIG HELLO FOR ALL FISHERMANS!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D

[sea sea rider]

Jigman my reels are almost as old as me. I have mitchells 400's Still in very good shape. The blue paint is worn off the handle.