Gear Ratio for Chatterbait and Spinnerbaits?

Do you prefer a higher or lower gear ratio?

High and low is relative.

I use both 6.0 :1 and 5.2 :1. Depending on the lure weight. With the 5.2:1 being my lighter lure rig.

I personally don't find there's that big of difference. I reel both fast or slow enough to where I can feel the spinner blades, 'Hum'. Not too fast to where the blades feel erratic or too slow, where the blades have a flop feeling.

The feeling of proper harmonics as it's running.

I prefer lower. Something like 5:6 - 6:5 ratio. Keeps me from going too fast plus help with the torque on bigger spinnerbaits.

I have 4 5:0 ratio for them, also use my 6:3 sometimes in warmer water for faster action.

I much prefer to slow roll the chatterbaits and use a jigging motion most of the time on retrieve. raise tip and take up slack then slow roll a few turns and repeat.

spinners same, can slow roll them easy with a 5:0

Interesting will try that.

The highest gear ratio reel can’t keep a bait away from a hungry fish !q

I use a 6.3:1 ratio

7:1, i use the reel handle to make the chatterbait hunt and pop around.

Pay more attention to inches per turn, ideal retrieve for me has always been 25 ipt.

they will hit on the drop but you hardly ever feel it, just a weight when you go to pick up the slack. gotta be quick on the set or they be gone.

I dont get wrapped up on gear speeds, but I do more so with the rod Im throwing a particular bait on.

6.4.1

The spool size makes a bigger difference.

A small 1000 sized spool moves slower then a bigger 2000 or 3000 spool. Hence, why you'll find lower gear ratios on a 1000. Higher on the 2000-3000.

Picture a wheel on your vehicle. The outside circumference of the tire is moving faster then the hub bearing. The bigger the wheel, the more torque it takes to rotate it. The smaller the wheel, the easier.


Gear ratios are matched to the specific size of the reel spool.

I prefer a high speed on almost everything. That way once it is through the strike zone I can get the lure back in and make more casts per day. But do have to consciously slow things down - some people don't like that.

It all depends on how you use them. I use a 6:3:1 on chatter baits and spinner baits when I'm wanting to slow them down. I like to wake spinnerbaits and that's how I fish them the majority of the time so a faster reel is usually helpful.

8.2:1 for both. I don't use a slow ratio for anything except deep diving plugs.

Most of my reels are 7:1 or higher, for me it is easier to slow down with a high gear than to speed way up with a low gear.

Today, the 6.0:1 was perfect for the Yo-Zuri version of a rattle trap. A bit fast for a jerk. Kinda fast for a jig.


I shouldn't have drank an energy shot this afternoon. I needed to calm down and smooth out. As soon as I did, I got a lazy bite from something. Should've been even slower. Should've use my other spinning that's lower.

I like having a 6.3:1 to make myself slow down with some baits.

6.2:1 the majority of the time. 7.0:1 if I'm fishing with a real small bait or burning it.

7 + speed reels, one can discipline themself to slow down but try to burn a 5 speed reel and let me know how that works out for you

I completely agree. With 5 and 6 ration gears it feels like you're cranking forever.

Ain't nobody got time for that! LOL.

A lot of it is me and I cannot sit around and watch paint dry

I use a 6.3:1 for most moving baits. I do have a slower reel for smaller crank baits.

All my jigs, topwater, etc. are on 7 or higher reels.

6.3:1 for chatterbait and 7.3:1 for spinnerbaits

I use a Daiwa Tatula 150 in 7.3:1 or a Daiwa Tatula SV TW in 7.1:1.

I'm in the 7 camp.