Time has come to retire my old greenies and pony up for some new Shimano's.

I've tried to figure out different scenarios where I might want to buy a few reels at different reel speeds. But I'm an old and I keep coming back to keeping it simple and just buy one and the same so they are all consistent and I know what to expect anytime I pick up a different rod.

I have an old Curado 200, I believe, in the 3.8 that I bought for deep cranking and I've probably caught two fish deep cranking in the last 10 years so it really hasn't been a good investment.

I do think I would like one high speed reel for flipping but again, I keep coming back to the KISS principle.

I realize there are very few opinionated people here in the Bass Fishing section but if you felt you had anything to add, feel free to share.

I also believe in KISS(Keep It Simple Stupid). For me that means getting 7-1 reels across the board. Whatever brand/type that you prefer. For me that’s Revo SX’s but mine are all 7/1 gear ratios. Yes your old Curado is a great cranking reel but unless you are launching big DD22’s or 10XD’s the 7/1 ratio works just fine for most(every) lure type/technique. To be honest I do have a single Revo Winch reel on an 8’ Dobyns rod for those RARE occasions I actually throw a large/deep crankbait.

I struggle to adjust my retrieve speed so it's alot easier to adjust gear ratio's for me! Spinnerbait and a crankbait I have to throw on a 5:1 or I fish them to fast. I would recommend flipping with a high speed reel. It helps tremendously to make up slack and to turn a big fish in cover. I only use Revo's and buy different models (colors) in different speeds so there is no confusion when I grab a rod. I flip or pitch with 9:1 rockets and love them.

I'm also getting up in years. I've found the right rod and reel gear ratio for different applications can make for a much more enjoyable day..

I have a pretty simple formula. I use a 6.2 for anything I throw out & reel back.

If it's soft plastic or jig I use 7.5

I went to 7.whatever:1 on all my reels except my deep cranking reel which is 6.3:1. If i had a dedicated hand-to hand rod, it would be in an 8.something:1. Easier to slow down than speed up.

I have kept it pretty simple for years.

8.1- bottom techniques like jigs,weightkess plastics, T rigs etc
7.1- frogs, buzzbaits, swim jigs, topwaters
6.3- crankbaits, spinnerbaits, wakebaits, swimbaits

I would not go over 7:6-1 the more speed the less power. I have a 9-?:1 AG reel and I tried using it to pitch jigs in trees and u cannot winch them out. It’s like tug of war.

I drove to south Florida earlier this year to fish.. left town early and in a hurry...24 hour drive straight thru. Got there and discovered I'd left all my reels in bag at home. Had to buy a few while I was there. I've always been old school and preferred Shimano Calcuttas for salt and fresh. Went in to small tackle store and he only had one casting reel in the whole place. It must have been in the display for years as I had never seen one.. decided it was just what I needed for snook and smaller tarpon. Lightweight and love the handle, used for deep cranking.

https://thebbz.com/casting-reels/shimano-curado-300-ej-casting-reels

I absolutely love it. Its discontinued but I think it was replaced by the Shimano Tranx

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shi...Ka_R8stRw7PuzR_2tk0y7bUlRUhoCjckQAvD_BwE

I have that same reel. Shimano just introduced a new model C-300. It doesn't have the large counter-balanced handle but you can buy one for the Tranx and swap it out if you want.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Curado_300K_Casting_Reels/descpage-SC3CR.html

Those old Greenies were and are incredibly durable reels. I still have six, but I only use them for saltwater. I really like Lew's reels. They have a wide price range to fit anyone's budget.

Actually very popular with the guys fishing large swimbaits that dont want a big round reel. https://thebbz.com/casting-reels/shimano-curado-300-ej-casting-reels

Another great option is the Lews Super Duty wide spool. It is a small profile that holds a ton of line and it comes in many gear ratios. I use it for swim baits and for my carolina rig reel.

[quote=FewJr]I would not go over 7:6-1 the more speed the less power. I have a 9-?:1 AG reel and I tried using it to pitch jigs in trees and u cannot winch them out. It’s like tug of war.[/quote

I use several Daiwa Tatula Elites in 8-1 gear ratio reels for light baits and drop shotting with a bait caster. They work very well. I also use a Lews Super Duty 8-1 gear ratio for topwater frogs.

I have reels in a 5-1 to 8.5-1 gear ratios because I match the gear ratio to the technique i am fishing. Same as tools, when you have the right tool for the job it makes it a lot easier.

I did some checking, and basically (very basically, don't start doing fact checks) each step 5.x to 6.x, 6.x to 7.x, etc, means about 3 inches per turn in retrieve.

I can't tell the difference in one step, but can in two.

I like slow reels to deep crank, used to them, so they are a little off of my chart, but other than that all 6.x or 8.x.

Assume 27 ipt and a 50' cast (600 inches) 22.2 turns to retrieve.
Assume 30 ipt and a 50' cast (600 inches) 20 turns to retrieve.

I can't tell the difference.

Of course, this all assumes same size spools and that they are equally full.

I use the 8.x on my flipping and punching rigs, and there are times I feel over geared.