Why do so many people make such a big deal out of reel speed?

The more experienced anglers rarely mention it, but it seems to be a hot topic among novices.

For example, with a 6.3:1 and an 8.1:1 reel, assuming the spool diameter is the same, it takes about 9 fewer turns of the handle to reel in 100 feet of line with the faster reel. Not a huge difference.

In reality, you can fish 99% of techniques with a 6.8:1 to 7.1:1 reel and just adjust your retrieval speed manually, depending on the situation.

What are your thoughts on this?

I never have understood people saying they get fatigued from using a faster reel. Same with both rod and reel weights. Some act like they are literally worn out from using a combo that might be an ounce heavier...


I think it's all overrated in regards to reel speed and weights.

Wasted thought in my book.

I agree, was debating this with someone and they were 100% convinced that you could not reel in a 6XD type plug with anything over 5:4.1 reel. I have been doing it for years. The faster you can pick up the slack of the initial cast, the faster you can get the bait to depth. They also are convinced you cannot make a buzz bait perform as designed with a 6 speed reel.

just bought couple of kast king 10/1 ratio reels to use on peacock bass fishing in Jan. …used 7/1 ratio last trip and it wasn’t fast enough for ripping those wood chopper topwater baits and catching up slack fast enough…plan to use them on flipping sticks bass fishing….

I just swapped out all my reels. I simplified it this time. I replaced all bottom technique, topwater, jerkbaits and frogs with 7 speeds. Almost other moving baits are 6 speed.

I've ran the full circle of perfectly matching every bait to a different speed. I've learned that I can do all my fishing with those 2 speeds. Could probably get by just using 1 speed for everything if I tried.

Some people are adamant that a jig or jerkbait only work in cooler water, that swimbaits only work in clear water and topwater/frog only works on overcast says or low light. I've had people argue that a technique specific rod can only be used for that technique....

I do have a 5.4:1 for deep cranking - that’s the only reel I care about the speed- it’s gets old doing it on high speed reel for any length of time.

Here’s what I have found in regards to reel speeds, I have tried all various ratios and have found that I can’t catch fish with any of them. So, it’s a mute point for my suckness.

I concur with this statement.

Oh gosh I remember when all reels were 5:2:1. You had to really spin it to get a rat l trap to move fast enough. Daiwa came out with the first 6:3:1 back late 80’s early 90’s that I remember, called it a Rippin Reel. I broke like 4 of them throwing rat l traps at Fork in the hydrilla in winter. Gosh that was fun. 7:1:1 just seems too fast for me so I go with the 6 most of the time. Seem like the more physically stronger guys dont mind the faster reels and the fatigue associated with them. It’s a personal thing just like everything else in fishing. Just like guys that refuse to throw a A rig because it’s too heavy or too expensive to rig up. Choices, it’s all about choices my friend.

Only time I slow down my reels is cranking. I feel I get bites when it's slower in retrieves and don't get as many hang ups when using a 6 speed reel. I have more confidence in my 8 speed reels when froggin, tossing jigs, and power shotting. Everything else I use 7 speed. Just more of a feel thing than anything else.

I've never once complained about the reel / rod making me tired. I will say that deep cranking all day will wear your shoulder out, if you're rod isn't up to it.

Honestly I always felt like just getting higher reel speed and just slowing down my reeling as needed. But it helps imo to have higher when landing a fish. Or getting out of cover

This

That's my philosophy too. I haven't found a downside to a faster reel and don't buy anything else.

The Abu 5000 that my dad gave me in the early 60s is something like 3.8-1, but it was a big step up from the Pflueger Supreme that I had been using. If I want to use a crankbait when it's really cold I still use the 5000 some, though it's more for nostalgia than any perceived advantage.

For crankbaits I stay in the 5:1 ratio... Everything else is in the 6:2 range... Dan

All my cranking and slow retrieve baits are on 6 ratio. Almost everything else is is 8 ratio.

Deep cranking, 6. Almost everything else 7. Punching/frogging 8. I hate winding anything with an 8, I feel like I have to slow down too much. 5 is just too slow for me.

If I had to choose just 1 ratio, 7 FTW.

Any good mechanic. carpenter, plumber etc. will tell you to use the right tool for the job. You will get a much more harmonious outcome.

I have an old Lew's Speed Spool 19GS reel that is 4.3:1 that I use for real large deep crankbaits.

I like the following:

3.75:1 for big deep cranks
4.7:1 for med size deep cranks
5.2:1 for big square bills
5.8:1 for med square bills
6.2:1 for small square bills
7:1 for lipless rattling baits
7.5:1 for buzz baits
8:1 for pitching jigs
9:1 for T-rigging
10:1 for C-rigging

Damn Ken....10:1 for Crigs????? Thats one crank of the handle and your lizards back in your lap.

You sir have spent way way too much time thinking about this

I can confirm this after years and years of real time experience...

Oddly enough this theory can be expanded to include rods, presentations and lure selection.

Yes sir, that is correct. A few of us have it down to a perfected science now.

LOL

And I'm sure his wrist is calibrated to crank them all at the same rate

I've got them all the way from 3.8:1 to 7:1, all of my newer reels are 7:1. Back when I was watching Randy B on you tube one of the videos he did was about reel speed. He was saying you should have all your reels the same gear ratio so you'll have a grasp of how to adjust your reel retrieve for different lure speed. When I'm fishing I think about that and it has made at least a little bit of sense. I've found myself using mainly the 7:1 reels. About the only other ratio I use these days is my C-Rig chunker. It's got an Abu Garcia 5000C withe 5.3:1. It does seem like it takes forever to reel it in when compared to the 7:1 but it gives the power needed to horse in a big one.

My OCD wouldn’t allow all those different makes/models of reels. I’m out.

Ditto for me with a spinnerbait, I like to slow roll it and that ration is a perfect rhythm for me. Trying to do it with a fast ratio is painful.

Can't remember the exact year but back in the eighties the Quantum EX-500 came out.. 6.2 retrieve. Flipping switch that actually worked.. Big as a pineapple and weighed about the same.. But bulletproof.. Had about twenty.. Still got four or five on some old sticks..

First reel you could actually fish a buzzbait with.. Was a very good product..

Wow, I must be a redneck.. Other than a slow retrieve for spinnerbaits, it's simply what rod i have close to put a bait on.

I appreciate the different reels speeds, but anything faster that 7.0:1 is a waste. I use 5.0:1 for deep divers, 6.0:1 for crankbaits/spinnerbaits/chatter baits and 7.0:1 for lipless/poppers/prop baits.