Back in the late 90s, early 2000s it seemed like all of my reels were 6.2:1 / 6.3:1 and those were used for everything.

These days I am using higher speed reels for everything except spinnerbaits, crank baits and chatterbaits.

Anyone using the "normal" ratio reels for soft plastics? Curious to understand. I may be thinking too much into this- getting 7.1 or 8.1 reels on my bottom contact rods.

Thx?

It always is gonna be a better fit to match reel speeds with the task at hand. Saying that, I wouldn’t make it the be all end all of choosing a reel. The 6.3;1 ratings don’t always tell the whole story.

A reel with micro fine teeth, brass gearing, three spool bearings, and a well built housing will usually feel more powerful than a cheaper built reel of the same ratio. What I look for in reel is quality built internals. Bearing count isn’t the be all end all either, but more is usually better.

The other factor is spool size and depth. Ratios never change through a retrieve, but line speed and inches retrieved per handle turn change significantly. Less line on the spool will create more leverage, but slower speed. More line, slightly less leverage and significantly more line speed.

You can fish with a 6:3.1 reel anywhere with anything. It is overall the best ratio reel to have. We have been sucked into thinking we need all the different speed reels.
I have reels from 4:9.1 to 7:5.1, but really all I need is my 4:9.1 for my deep cranking. But if needed the 6:3.1 would be just fine. My higher speed reels just came that way when I ordered them, might have been they were out of stock on the 6:3.1 reels.
All in all if everything I had was 6:3.1, I would not think any different about what reel to pick and use on any lure.

all mine are either 5:1 or 6.3:1

Only by happenstance. I never purposefully tie on a 6 gear for any soft plastics or jigs etc. Even though I have more 8.5:1 gear reels than any other ratio, IMO the most versatile reel on the market is a 7.1:1 gear ratio. Most new reel's gears are machined with very fine teeth as Steez stated and you can slow down a 7 gear for most all cranking applications (with the possible exception of a 10XD). But the 7 gear maintains enough speed to pickup a lot of slack quickly for bottom contact baits.

I’ve found myself using higher gear ratio and just slows my reels down as needed myself. Once the fish is hooked I like having the higher gears

Other than a few that are 5.1/5.3 for cranking I still use 6.3 or 6.4 for everything except 2 reels which are 7.1 and 7.3.

I use a 6 gear ratio for all moving baits and 7 for all bottom baits and jerkaits/top water. I have one 8 gear but it’s just for frogs and punching.

I've got an old green curado 6.3:1 and 2 old silver Citica's 5:1. I recently serviced and upgraded bearings and drag washers on them and they work great. I will admit there are times when I wish the retrieve was faster when I'm trying to catching with a fish. Do you honestly notice a significant difference in this situation because I feel the need for some new reels!

i like higher ratios for soft plastics or situations where i need a good hookset. I like 6 speed for moving baits. Higher ratio for soft plastics to bring more line in quicker on hook setting type situations, 6 speed for moving baits since id rather have a little more torque/power for fighting the fish since i usually sweepset on moving baits and if i wanna speed up or slow down i can do that by change in reel in speed.

I suck at fishing as a disclaimer.

My rule of thumb is this.

I like a 6.2:1 reel for crankbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits.

I like a faster reel for any type of soft plastic or jig, any bait that I move with the rod and not the reel.

Through a lot of trial and error I have found that for me I prefer and 8.1 and above on bottom presentations including punching, a 6.3 or similar for most moving baits and a 7.1-7.3 for frogs. I do have one slower reel for deep cranking but will be switching it to a 6.3 soon.

I just switched over to all 6.3 reels. I like to keep it simple and feel it is plenty fast and not too fast for cranks etc. I can grab any rod and reel and tie on any bait. Well almost. I do have a few rods that arent "general purpose". And of course those stupid spinning rigs. Been happy so far.

I have 5.1-1 to 8.5-1 and everything inbetween. I choose the gear ratio depending on the technique I am fishing. I have several 8-1 gear ratio reels for finesse fishing and top water frogs, but then again, I am a tackle nut.

Only old guys will remember when the standard was 3.6:1. high speed was 4.7:1, and 5.1 was blazing fast. I don't remember for sure , but the 6+ gear ratios came along in either the late 80s or early 90s. But for all around use you cannot beat a 6.3 or 6.4:1.