FS Digest

What is the best gear ratio? I use mostly little minnows or sometimes chunks of fish

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by Conscious_Albatross5

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Spinning reel 5:1-1 baitcaster 6:3-1 will work cine for what you're doing

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

I agree. For what you are describing , not much need for higher ratios

Jeremy Loc: America

Better grade reels seem to have higher ratios. You can always turn the handle slower. The lower ratios have more power if fish are big but I like fast to keep line tight so fish have less chance of getting off hook.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I agree with Jeremy. I can reel my high speed as slow as I want. I doubt I will ever catch a fish big enough that I will need the extra power of a lower gear ratio. My 30# line will break first. I say that from a non pro bass fisherman's point of view. I can their advantage of having their pre rigged setups ratio for their terminal tackle.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Big hard digging lures like deep crankbaits will wear you out using high speed reels. Anyone who doesn’t believe this , go cast ultra deep 20+ ft crankbaits or big deep ledge spinnerbaits with a 9-1 ratio all day.

For these I prefer a 6.4 -1 or lower
Aside from this application , most of my fishing is done with a 7 ish to 1 ratio. It’s kinda middle of the road for retrieve ratio.
Rule of thumb for me, fast baits = slow gear ratio.
Slow baits = fast ratio.
Kinda counter intuitive. But the mechanics of a slower reel aid in efficiency of retrieve in moving baits . While the higher retrieve speed picks up slack line quickly for bottom contact lures.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Interesting. Thanks