Reel ratios, best uses for each 2025
Josh Gann reply :
Was just going to get some opinions from y'all on the best baits to throw for certain gear ratios. In particular just picked up a 5:4:1 revo, this is first baitcaster with this low of a gear I've had . I got three other abus that are 6:4:1 which is what I prefer , and look at as a kinda all around type. Also in the deal I picked this 5:4:1 up in I got a 7:1:1 , so basically I got one a little slower an one a little faster than I'm used to.
GeekFisher reply :
A lower ratio is usually advised for deep diver crankbaits. You could also use it to force you to slow down if you, like I am, are unable to slow down your motion on your own.
roadwarrior reply :
5 something for crankbaits, 6+ for single hooks.
Heartland reply :
I like a 5 something gear ratio for crankbaits, slow rolling spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and wakebaits. I like to use a 7 gear ratio for pitching jigs, plastics and sometimes buzzbaits.
Truthfully for me I pay more attention to IPT.
LionHeart reply :
When I think 5 'speed' I think around 23 IPT. Too slow for me.
I use 6 26-28 IPT speed for drag producing baits like big cranks, and spinner baits I want to slow roll.
Everything else that moves as I turn gets a 7 speed 28-30ish IPT
Bottom contact stuff gets 8 speed or 33 IPT and up.
Or something like that
NHBull reply :
With the exception of a couple 6's for cranking, I run all 8's. I know it's about IPT, but you get the idea. It's all personal preference and I am naturally a slow winder, that said being able to pick up line fast on a 40 yard cast in 25 feet of water, speed helps
CrankFate reply :
On 4/10/2019 at 6:12 AM, LionHeart said:When I think 5 'speed' I think around 23 IPT. Too slow for me.
I use 6 26-28 IPT speed for drag producing baits like big cranks, and spinner baits I want to slow roll.
Everything else that moves as I turn gets a 7 speed 28-30ish IPT
Bottom contact stuff gets 8 speed or 33 IPT and up.
Or something like that
That’s close to my standards. I usually go for 28-32” PT
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
The 5:1 offeres a mechanical advantage retrieving deep cranks and other high resistance baits. Everything else is mostly personal preference.
Manly Studson reply :
I recently purchased a Curado 70 with a high gear ratio. The reel is great, but if you throw a crankbait or spinner bait, you better reel slowly or your lure will break the sound barrier. Very fast retrieve. A 5 or 6 is much easier to fish with these moving lures.
blckshirt98 reply :
I once tried fishing a large deep diving crankbait with a 7:1 reel and that's when I realized there's reason for those 5:1 reels. The 5:1 reels are also useful when fishing swimbaits where you want a really slow retrieve, like a Hudd. The 6 and 7 reels are all around preference based. The 8:1 would be for something where you need to take up a lot of slack quickly, like a topwater or something you're casting a mile away that might get bit on the fall.
Further North reply :
Slow is for lures/baits where reeling them in imparts the action.
Fast is for lures/baits where you, using the rod, impart the action.
Everyone's definition of fast and slow is a little different.
For me, 7:1 is my middle, below is slow, above is fast.
Boomstick reply :
I have casting reels at two gear ratios, 6.3:1 for moving baits, and 7.3:1 for soft plastics, jigs, frogs and topwater. If all I owned was a single MH/F rod, it would be a tossup between 6.3:x and 7.3:1. I would have got a 8.1:1 for my jig and frog reel, but the 7.3:1 was $30 cheaper and I'm not convinced I'd necessarily prefer one over the other so I decided to save the $30.
Josh Gann reply :
Thanks for the feedback guys
BassWhole! reply :
5.3 good for bass fishing
6.3 good for bass fishing
7.0 good for bass fishing
8.0 good for selling reels
CrankFate reply :
The stiffer the rod, generally, the slower the reel should be. Technique is secondary to this, IMO. You will find the guys with the slowest reels fishing the fastest rods. The faster the bait a rod is designed for, the slower the rod will be. Except maybe for topwaters and poppers, which usually require a stiff rod, even for slow moving lures.
BassWhole! reply :
On 4/13/2019 at 12:53 AM, CrankFate said:The stiffer the rod, generally, the slower the reel should be. Technique is secondary to this, IMO. You will find the guys with the slowest reels fishing the fastest rods. The faster the bait a rod is designed for, the slower the rod will be. Except maybe for topwaters and poppers, which usually require a stiff rod, even for slow moving lures.
Let me get about 1/4 oz next time you score some of that good $#!t.
CrankFate reply :
On 4/13/2019 at 1:46 AM, BassWhole! said:Let me get about 1/4 oz next time you score some of that good $#!t.
That’s interesting. What are you basing that on? Because that’s how the rods are built. Slower rods for faster baits. Except top water rods which are stiff. I don’t build rods and I, personally, disagree with how they are designed.
BassWhole! reply :
On 4/13/2019 at 2:21 AM, CrankFate said:That’s interesting. What are you basing that on? Because that’s how the rods are built. Slower rods for faster baits. Except top water rods which are stiff. I don’t build rods and I, personally, disagree with how they are designed.
A rod's action (let's overlook the fact that you have also intermingled that with power for now) being fast or slow has no bearing on the gear ratio of the reel being used with it, even though that gear ratio can also be described as fast or slow. Make it a 1/2 oz...
CrankFate reply :
On 4/13/2019 at 2:44 AM, BassWhole! said:A rod's action (let's overlook the fact that you have also intermingled that with power for now) being fast or slow has no bearing on the gear ratio of the reel being used with it, even though that gear ratio can also be described as fast or slow. Make it a 1/2 oz...
Action and power can’t be separated. Even a slow gear cranking rig will be fishing the bait faster than a 9 or 10:1 flipping and pitchin.
BassWhole! reply :
On 4/13/2019 at 2:49 AM, CrankFate said:Action and power can’t be separated.
Make it a full oz...
CrankFate reply :
Fast or mod, you’re gonna need a higher powered rod for that......
Heartland reply :
On 4/13/2019 at 12:53 AM, CrankFate said:The stiffer the rod, generally, the slower the reel should be. Technique is secondary to this, IMO. You will find the guys with the slowest reels fishing the fastest rods. The faster the bait a rod is designed for, the slower the rod will be. Except maybe for topwaters and poppers, which usually require a stiff rod, even for slow moving lures.
This simply is not correct. Crankbaits have been typically associated with moderate or moderate fast action rods for many decades, they have also been fished on the slower reels like a 5.1:1. Jigs and plastics are often fished on fast or extra fast action rods and many like to fish them on the fastest reels available to allow for more casts to target quickly. These are my two examples, I would like to hear yours.
CrankFate reply :
Ok, so I guess I’m wrong on gears, the speed of the retrieve is what is relevant to rod speed. I don’t fish slow reels (ever). But you’ll see a lot of people with slow reels fishing the stiffer rods. For nonbass fishing, slower rods are made for faster reels. But I’ll stop talking now ????
Heartland reply :
On 4/13/2019 at 3:19 AM, CrankFate said:Ok, so I guess I’m wrong
This would have been perfect.
Bdnoble84 reply :
I have a 4.3 to 1 that ive never really found a great application for. Would you guys use that for deep cranking as well?
Heartland reply :
Crankbaits in general, chatterbaits, slow rolling spinnerbaits, anytime you need to slow down a moving bait. Just out of curiosity what reel is this we are talking about?
ChrisD46 reply :
5:4:1 Ratio - deep diving , big crank baits
6:4:1 Ratio - square bill crank baits , spinner baits , chatter baits , swim jigs (the standard ratio for a quite few years)
7:1 Ratio - jigs , T-Rigs , top water (many say the new standard ratio for many things other than deep diving cranks)
8:1 ~ 10:1 Ratio : frogs , pitching , flipping
greentrout reply :
my mileage .... using high gear ratios 7:1 and up for most everything now ...do use old bc with 6:4 for some spinnerbait fishing ... better rhythm...
all my other old baitcasters are now on the closet shelf ...
good fishing ...
blckshirt98 reply :
On 4/22/2019 at 10:24 PM, Bdnoble84 said:I have a 4.3 to 1 that ive never really found a great application for. Would you guys use that for deep cranking as well?
Deep cranking, especially large deep crankbaits like a 10XD, and swimbaits you need to retrieve very slowly.
Josh Gann reply :
On 4/22/2019 at 10:41 PM, Heartland said:Crankbaits in general, chatterbaits, slow rolling spinnerbaits, anytime you need to slow down a moving bait. Just out of curiosity what reel is this we are talking about?
It is a Abu Garcia Revo X 5.4:1.
I figured I'd use it deep cranking , just wondered if there were any other baits or techniques I could use it with.
GeekFisher reply :
On 4/12/2019 at 9:25 PM, BassWhole! said:5.3 good for bass fishing
6.3 good for bass fishing
7.0 good for bass fishing
8.0 good for selling reels
And what about 9ish ? ????????
BassWhole! reply :
On 4/27/2019 at 5:09 AM, GeekFisher said:And what about 9ish ? ????????
Just like large pickups, fast boats, and loud sports cars, compensating for not being able to please the ladies....
GeekFisher reply :
On 4/27/2019 at 5:15 AM, BassWhole! said:Just like large pickups, fast boats, and loud sports cars, compensating for not being able to please the ladies....
Luckily my fastest one is a 8.1:1, guess Im no more than a marketing victim ????
MountainMan83 reply :
On 4/27/2019 at 5:15 AM, BassWhole! said:Just like large pickups, fast boats, and loud sports cars, compensating for not being able to please the ladies....
Well I ride my bicycle to work and most other places. 00--------->
Heartland reply :
On 4/27/2019 at 4:29 AM, Josh Gann said:It is a Abu Garcia Revo X 5.4:1.
I figured I'd use it deep cranking , just wondered if there were any other baits or techniques I could use it with.
It's a fishing reel, fish any d**n thing you want on it. Stop listening to the media hype and the internet pro fisherman, tie a bait on and go fish. All this gear ratio stuff makes for good conversation, but it and 8 dollars will buy you a cup of coffee. /rant
Spoons1 reply :
On 4/28/2019 at 12:20 AM, Heartland said:It's a fishing reel, fish any d**n thing you want on it. Stop listening to the media hype and the internet pro fisherman, tie a bait on and go fish. All this gear ratio stuff makes for good conversation, but it and 8 dollars will buy you a cup of coffee. /rant
Seriously. Its ******* bass fishing. They go after anything on any rod or reel.
BassWhole! reply :
On 4/27/2019 at 6:42 AM, MountainMan83 said:Well I ride my bicycle to work and most other places. 00--------->
Hipster fixie, or something functional? 
I'm Blue reply :
This is funny, back in the 90's when David Frits first came out, reels where 3, 4 and 5 to 1.
Josh Gann reply :
On 4/28/2019 at 12:20 AM, Heartland said:It's a fishing reel, fish any d**n thing you want on it. Stop listening to the media hype and the internet pro fisherman, tie a bait on and go fish. All this gear ratio stuff makes for good conversation, but it and 8 dollars will buy you a cup of coffee. /rant
Lol, I understand. Just wondering if there where any techniques that were better suited for a slower gear ratio besides deep cranking . since I posted this ive found out it's excellent for me to throw spinnerbaits on, being that I rarely burn em and mainly fish em slower
On 4/28/2019 at 1:22 AM, Spoons1 said:Seriously. Its ******* bass fishing. They go after anything on any rod or reel.
I guess, but you catch a hell of a lot more if you learn techniques correctly , and the best gear to use for certain techniques and situations . and other than certain parts of the spawn they d--n sure don't go after anything on a rod an reel . Maybe if you're fishing a stocked farm pond or some BS like that.
I'm Blue reply :
It's a gear ratio, not a speed. So I would assume there isnt a "best" there is only a best for individual.
Ive been fishing baitcasters 40 years, kinda developed a rythm,,, that if I real a crankbait handle a certain speed the bait works ok and I occasionally catch something. Fast forward till now hand me an 8:1 reel, cant catch snot. Speed I reel is kinda ingrained.
I imagine if you started with a 7:1,,, you would have developed a slower hand movement than I did, fishing 3 and 4 to 1's.
Top water baits I can see and judge speed,... these new reels like the Lew's are working out great,, I can see the bait so vary my retrieve speed. I also seem to be catching my topwater fish lately just like back in my clear water days. LOOOOOOONG casts... So works out good make the LOOOOONG cast, reel through the productive zone,,, then can burn it back to boat for another cast.
FOr me,,, I am liking Lews 7:1's for topwater, or baits I can judge by feel like blades rattle traps, and heavy colorodo spinner baits.
For cranks I am liking the Dawia 5:1's Woulda bought 4:1's if anyone still made them from a brand I had heard of.
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