Gear ratio for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and swimjigs 2025
bassinick reply :
Hey guys, I'm looking at a new specific reel that only comes in 7.3:1, and is 30 inches per crank, could I use this for swimjigs, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits or should I just find a 6.3:1 instead, another question; what gear ratio should I use for belly weighted swimbaits like rage swimmers?? Thanks
fishnkamp reply :
I am not sure what reel "only" comes in one speed but you can easily use a 7 or 7.3 to 1 reel for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. You may have to crank slow sometimes but that is okay. We do not always burn a spinnerbait, but when you want to that reel will make it easy. For swimjigs I usually use a 6.3 to 1 but again you can slow down on your retrieve. As for swimbaits, I am not sure what bait you were referring to. If I was throwing a Keitech or Skinny Dipper I like a 6.3-1 but could easily use 7.3-1.
If you are looking for a good reliable reel I would seriously consider a Daiwa Tatula CT in 6.3 or 7.3-1.
Robert Riley reply :
I like 6:1 for anything that moves, but a 7 would do fine. Just make sure that you're not disrupting the action of the lure by reeling too fast.
Catt reply :
5.0:1 
A-Jay reply :
I prefer to present Spinnerbaits & Vibrating jigs at 5.7:1 ~ something around 25 inches per turn works for me.
Usually this one 
Swimjigs go on a 6.6:1 reel for me.
A-Jay
Catt reply :
On 8/7/2017 at 9:26 PM, A-Jay said:I prefer to present Spinnerbaits & Vibrating jigs at 5.7:1 ~ something around 25 inches per turn works for me.
Usually this one
Swimjigs go on a 6.6:1 reel for me.
A-Jay
My dedicated reel is a Calcutta 50A, 23" per turn!
I believe too anglers fish spinnerbaits, swimjigs, chatterbaits, & buzzbaits to fast.
Covering water quickly aint the same as covering water effectively!
A-Jay reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 10:30 AM, Catt said:
My dedicated reel is a Calcutta 50A, 23" per turn!
I believe too anglers fish spinnerbaits, swimjigs, chatterbaits, & buzzbaits to fast.
Covering water quickly aint the same as covering water effectively!
I like speed as much as anyone - but it represents a smaller percentage in my fishing.
A-Jay
WRB reply :
Unless you are casting less than 30' the size 100 & 200 bait casting reels IPT is radically changed by the distance you cast. What is the IPT @ 35 to 40 yards with your 7:3.1 ratio reel?
Tom
PS, most size 100 & 200 bait casters loose about 10% IPT for every 10 yards of line cast ped out, i.e.; 40 yards about 40% reduced IPT or 30" drops to 18"-20"
mrpao reply :
Calcutta 100D is my chatterbait reel.
Can also double as a spinnerbait reel.
Catt reply :
Sorry my bad
Calcutta 50A gear ratio: 5.0:1 IPT: 16"
Calcutta 100A gear ratio: 5.8:1 IPT: 23"
@WRB at 16" IPT on an empty spool what would it be at full with 15# Big Game?
Jason Penn reply :
On 8/7/2017 at 9:26 PM, A-Jay said:I prefer to present Spinnerbaits & Vibrating jigs at 5.7:1 ~ something around 25 inches per turn works for me.
Usually this one
Swimjigs go on a 6.6:1 reel for me.
A-Jay
the old daiwa tdz 100m was about the perfect speed for spinnerbaits, as well as shallow-mid cranks for me. the "new & improved" got the best of me and i sold them to get the 1st gen steez. after fishing with the steez for a few months, i figured out i really didn't like those reels for cranking baits.
A-Jay reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 6:35 PM, Jason Penn said:
the old daiwa tdz 100m was about the perfect speed for spinnerbaits, as well as shallow-mid cranks for me. the "new & improved" got the best of me and i sold them to get the 1st gen steez. after fishing with the steez for a few months, i figured out i really didn't like those reels for cranking baits.
I've been singing the praises of the Calcutta 200D for a while. I did a review on one 5 years ago when it first came out and have been hooked ever since.
This reel doesn't get a lot of love, perhaps because it's a round reel (and it's fairly $$).
Either way, it's smooth, powerful & easily one of my favorite reels to fish.
A-Jay
OkobojiEagle reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 10:30 AM, Catt said:I believe too anglers fish spinnerbaits, swimjigs, chatterbaits, & buzzbaits to fast.
Covering water quickly aint the same as covering water effectively!
Amen...
oe
WRB reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 2:54 PM, Catt said:Sorry my bad
Calcutta 50A gear ratio: 5.0:1 IPT: 16"
Calcutta 100A gear ratio: 5.8:1 IPT: 23"
@WRB at 16" IPT on an empty spool what would it be at full with 15# Big Game?
Fill the reel with line they way you use and mark the line at the rod tip,with a Sharpie, turn the reel handle 1 full 360 degree turn and make a second mark at the rod tip, measure the inches between the 2 marks. Do the same thing after casting 35-40 yards, there will be a big difference in IPT with 15 lb Big Game.
Tom
PS, no reel mfr rates IPT @ empty spool, it's at max full line capacity, as you well know.
Catt reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 11:03 PM, WRB said:PS, no reel mfr rates IPT @ empty spool, it's at max full line capacity, as you well know.
I measured mine with an empty spool, 16"!
Line diameter makes a difference, Shimano recommends 12# test mono
WRB reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 11:24 PM, Catt said:I measured mine with an empty spool, 16"!
Line diameter makes a difference, Shimano recommends 12# test mono
Agree, smaller the diameter the line the less change to the spooled line diameter as it is removed. Your reel,will never have a lower IPT then 16", it can't get a smaller circumference. So what is the 16" IPT when full?....it's rated at 23" IPT.
Tom
Montanaro reply :
8.1:1 
Burning lures is effective and Ive never had an issue by slowing down my reeling. Also it helps you quickly reel in foul casts or when you are out of strike zone
Catt reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 12:59 AM, WRB said:Agree, smaller the diameter the line the less change to the spooled line diameter as it is removed. Your reel,will never have a lower IPT then 16", it can't get a smaller circumference. So what is the 16" IPT when full?....it's rated at 23" IPT.
Tom
It's rated by Shimano: gear ratio: 5.0:1 IPT: 16"
WRB reply :
My first awareness of IPT changing was back in the early 90's when I made the change from Ambassaduer 4500C's and 5500C's to Daiwa TD HTSA's 100 size reels with 6:3.1. The legacy high speed 4500's were 5:3.1 & 6:3.1 ratio and never noticed any dramatic reduction in line recovery at long casting distances. Deep diving crankbaits like Poe 300's felt the same resistance throughout the cast and no issues keeping up with fast running bass after hooking them. With the Daiwa smaller diameter spools it was very noticeable that deep divers started out with little resistance and gain resistance as they got closer to the boat. Keeping up with some bass after hooking them at a long cast met cranking extra fast to keep the rod loaded. That is when the light came on, long cast reduced the spooled line circumference radically with the newer smaller spool reels. I was using 12 lb Big Game back then and started using smaller diameter line 8 lb P-Line CXX, then switched to Sunline Shooter 10 lb FC when it first came out to help improve the IPT.
When Daiwa came out with 8:1 Tatula, that solved the IPT issue for me, 31" IPT is sbout 19" at 50 yards cast with 12 lb FC.
Tom
WIGuide reply :
I throw spinnerbaits and swim jigs on a 7.1:1 as far as the belly weighted swimbait, I'd rather throw it on a 6.3:1 since those baits have a tendency to rise if retrieved too fast.
J Francho reply :
Something in the 28-32 IPT is my preference.
Columbia Craw reply :
Generally a 6.3 to 1 but if I throw a big spinnerbait with blades that create significant resistance in current, I drop to a 5.1 to 1 ratio. I both cases, I want at least a 90 MM handle. Those set ups are comfortable to fish.
WRB reply :
The legacy Anbassadeurs had terrible handles, the 1st thing everyone changed to a Powe Handle. Hard to find better handles Calcutta has.
Tom
bigfruits reply :
the only thing i would go lower than 7.x:1 is for a bait with a lot of resistance like a billed crank or a big chatterbait. id recommend as fast a ratio as possible until it is uncomfortable (this discomfort can take several hours to present itself).
7-7.5:1 is a normal all around speed for me, all plastics get 8.x:1 and i almost never "burn" baits. in the end its all personal preference but its easy for me to slow down and also to retrieve at varying speeds with a higher ratio as long as its not uncomfortable.
the reel ess reply :
I now have three 7.5:1 Lew's reels for steady retrieves and for frogs/pitching. I am getting older and don't want to crank away all day. I can always reel slower. Fewer turns = less fatigue.
Raul reply :
It depends on the blade size and blade configuration, I have these old big double willow Strike King spinnerbaits and I want you to try reeling in steadily those suckers with a 30" IPT reel for an hour, put on a double Colorado spinnerbait and try keeping it from jumping from the water with the same reel; "burner" reels are not new I've had this Daiwa PT33SH for more than 2 decades and I know what I'm talking about when it comes to reeling in fast, it doesn't always work and not all baits work well so you'll have to choose, that's the reason why I don't have "dedicated setups", I do know for sure that any spinnerbait will work well and you won't have any problems with a 6.2:1 GR reel. For slow rolling those big double willows a 3.8/5:1 GR does wonders.
dan94 reply :
7:1 is better.
Easy to burn
Easy to slow roll
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