gear ratio thoughts

[banks customs]

looking for your overall preferences on either a

5.1 ratio or a 6.3 ratio for fishing swimbaits.

throwing huds + deps et al.

thinking about buying a Daiwa lexa 300

 

thanks in advance.

[Bassindon69]

Just learn to turn that handle as needed and you will be fine. If you want to crawl a hudd watch the spool turn slow and not the handle. That will give you a feel for slow.

[hookedup]

Deps 250 6.3

Hudd 5.1

 

I would say get the 6.3 and just slow your retrieve when fishing the hudd. For me it's always easier to slow my retrieve than speed it up over a long period of time.

[Top Ramen]

If you look at the inches of line per turn, there's about five inches difference between the two (23.3/28.8). That makes the 6.3 about 24% faster if they are cranked at the same speed. If it's mainly for Hudds, and glides go low.

 

I have a hard time reeling some baits slowly enough, so I favor the lowest ratio I can get. But, the reality is that, unless you are really impatient like me, you won't have any issues cranking slowly enough with the 6.3.

 

On the other hand, if you fish baits like the Punker, the lower ratio is going to work against you. It comes down to the type of baits you are going to throw with it and what your personal preference is.

 

For what it's worth, I have one in the 6.3 and I consider it a good all-around gear ratio. I have to force myself to really slow down with Hudds but if I need to, I can work a Punker pretty fast with it. Covers the range pretty well.

[Top Ramen]

If you want to crawl a hudd watch the spool turn slow and not the handle. That will give you a feel for slow.

 

^Best tip I ever got from Don. Really helps me overcome the fact that I have the attention span of a ferret.

[nadinesmom]

...the fact that I have the attention span of a ferret.

 

this actually made me physically lol

[Mikey99]

I fish mostly hard baits and I switched over to 5.0:1 and I've liked it much better for slower presentation

[Facepunch]

I like a 5:1 also. I can speed it up as necessary for different baits but find that I have a hard time slowing down with a faster reel.

[G3bassin]

I like a 5:1 also. I can speed it up as necessary for different baits but find that I have a hard time slowing down with a faster reel.

+1 took the words right out of my mouth

[2833-34497]

I have both a 5.4:1 and a 7.1:1 and one of the best tips I've gotten is do a count between the full turn of the reel handle. It slows me down when I think I'm impatient and does the trick no matter what ratio reel. You can real condition yourself that way especially when you think your rushing it!!! Best all around is the 6.4:1 thou, but I still use that tip for all ratios now because I have a habit of rushing!!!

[mcm83]

I like a 5:1 also. I can speed it up as necessary for different baits but find that I have a hard time slowing down with a faster reel.

same here. thats why i have a 5.1:1 reel, 6.4:1 reel, and a 7.2:1 reel. it covers all of the bases...

[Chase]

I only use 7:1 myself. I can reel as slow as need be but if a fish is running at the boat i want to be able to catch up to it.

[High Power Swimbaits]

I have lost fish with slower reels because I couldn't catch up to get the hooks set well enough or keep the bend in the rod. I use 6.3:1 and above in most situations. I also like to give even really slow retrieves short little bursts of speed with half reel turns to trigger strikes and that's so much easier with faster reels.