Question Pro's....

fishinforever · Post by **fishinforever** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:38 am

ok, im still a little confused about Gear Ratios? And what kind of ratios you would use for crankin, Flipin, and so on? Thanks.

Another question is what you guys look for in a reel when purchasing one?

thanks to any info!

RW-reeler · Post by **RW-reeler** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:46 pm

Luke, There are 4 basic ratio ranges to choose from.

To simplify you have :4.1
:5.3
:6.3
:7.1
The reels in the range of 4 and 5 are sone times prefered for deep cranking and slow rolling, they are the slower speed reels.

The 6 and 7 range are faster and many fishermen use them for retuning baits fast to the boat to cast more times in a day. Some flipper and pitchers like these so after they present the bait and are ready to cast to a different target, it will bring the bait back to the angler faster.

Now this is very general and like most fishing methods you will need to find what you are comfortable with.....Good luck shopping for you reels!

RW-reeler

johnnie crain outdoors · Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:31 am

Luke, good post, and good answers by RW. I simply use the 5.01 gear ratio most of the time, I have learned to slow it down or speed it up as needed. The only time I have really missed an extra fast reel was when catching hybrid stripers which seem to be able to out-run my slower speed reels. I'm fairly convinced the reel speeds are again aimed more at catching fishermen than fish.
When looking for a new reel, I check the gear ratio which I hope to keep in the mid-range. I want a low profile reel seat and narrow spool, the rest is just bells and whistles to me. I don't worry much about brands either, just the things I mentioned and the price should be fair. I'd rather have two mid-range reels that one expensive one. Just my thoughts, Good luck, buddy, Johnnie

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:48 am

All good answers guys. But I have to say I'm just different than Jonnie on this one. Which does not happen very often.

Depending on how I'm fishing depends on what reel I want. Lets say I'm fishing a Buzz Bait early in the morning. I want a 6:3.1 reel to help keep the bait up on top. Then I change to a deep crankbait later I want the 5:3.1 reel to slow down some and hopefully get the crank down deeper and not have to THINK about reeling slower. Or lets say I want to pitch the pads or docks. After I make my pitch and no bite I want that bait back in my hand to make my next pitch as fast as I can so a hight gear would be in order. It all just a matter of works for you. Only You can answer the question of what you want from a reel. There are so many things to think about and watch on the water. I dont want to have to think about reeling faster or slower depending on what the fish want. I want a reel that will crank slower if I want slow or one that will crank faster if i want to burn a bait in. I dont want to think about slowing down or speeding up. I crank the same all the time and the gears do the work for me.

Hope that makes since?

johnnie crain outdoors · Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:07 am

Great points as usual Conley, so we agree to disagree LOL. Basically I look at most of these questions from either a young angler's or the angler's financial situation, as Lord knows, an old outdoor writer can't afford a different reel for each different piece of cover-but; I DO agree, if money was no object, I'd have them all and use them as intended. I have about 12 rods and reels and no two are alike-not by choice though, gotta grab what I can get. Good posts guys. Johnnie

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:34 am

Oh I understand the money thing too!! Only two of my reels match and they are the first two Abu Garcia 5600's that I bought 20 years ago. Everything else is a mix. IF I had the money they would all match just the different gears in the reels. Some day maybe they all will.

fishinforever · Post by **fishinforever** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:26 am

Hope it works out for you guys..And thanks alot for the info, that helped me understand a little better, I kinda got it but was still unsure. One more thing, what exactly is the 6:3:1? what exactly does the numbers mean? thanks.

johnnie crain outdoors · Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:07 am

Conley, those old 5600's are probably worth more now than what you paid for them. Those old Abu's were great reels, and will probably out-last all of us. Take good care of them buddy.

Luke, sorry, but I can't answer your question about the speed numbers, but maybe it's the Divinci Code? Keep those questions coming, we'll get one right sooner or later. JC

RW-reeler · Post by **RW-reeler** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:52 pm

Luke, The 6.3 - 1 is the gear ratio. I will do my best to explain, for every one turn of the reel handle you will have 6.3 turns of the spool. On the catalog the reels will also have a distance for the line pick up for the different reels. The ones with the higher ratios will pick up more line for every turn of the handle.

Good Luck,
RW-reeler

fishinforever · Post by **fishinforever** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:37 pm

Thank you RW, I understand now. Good luck guys, anyone cought anything yet?