Best Gear Ratio for Each??

[nitroant]

There has been some talk in other threads about this, but what gear ratio is best for top water and what is best for cranks and bucktails??

[RuKiddingMe]

The best is all about each person’s opinion.

For me I prefer the higher gear ratio (Abu C4) for Jerks/Topwater/Smaller Inline Spinners (burning) and the lower gear ratio (Abu C3) for Cranks/Big Inline and Spinnerbaits.

All I use is Abu reels, 2 C3’s, 1 C4, and a Morrum 5600, gear ratio will be different with different manufactures, and spool size and handle size can change things a lot also. Best thing to do is try and fish with someone that has what you are looking at, and make the decision from there.

Good Luck

[nitroant]

Do you have a range for the ratio to fall into for each?? Like 6:1 to 5:1 is high??

[RuKiddingMe]

For the Abu Garcia...

High = 6.3:1

Low = 5.3:1

Lower = 4.1:1

Hope this helps.

[WaveWacker]

I really would recommend the C4 (6.3) or comparable reel for bucktails. I really like making the smaller ones fly through the water at times. For me a 5.3 works better for jerkbaits. It seems that my timing lines up with a 5.3 rather well.

[nitroant]

That works. Thanks.

[guideman]

Burning small bucktails may work fine with a C4 however, using one to throw large bucktails will wear you out. You need a reel that picks up line fast when working jerkbaits, it can be done with a C3 however, you'll have way to much slack line.

I use high speed reels for prop style topwaters and jerkbaits all the time. For cranks and hair I use 5.1 reels unless I'm burning then I go to the higher speed reels. Spinnerbaits also work best using a C3 or similar reel. If you used a higher speed reel, they would feel like you were draging in a rock.

"Ace"

[RK]

Hiya,

Lots of different ways you can argue this stuff I think...and a lot left up to personal preference.

For me, I use Garcia 7000s (4.1:1) 95% of the time. Low gear ratio, but large spool diameter, so line pick-up is still very fast when you're burning bucktails. Low gear ratio is a big big bonus with hard pulling baits - really cuts down on the fatigue factor. They're physically heavy, but you get used to it. Use them for just about everything - topwaters, spinnerbaits, bucktails, cranks...

I do use higher gear ratio 7000s like the 7000HSN (5.3:1) sometimes, mainly for jerkbaits and walk the dog topwaters where slack line can be a challenge. Don't like them for burning bucktails though, unless they're really small French bladed deals. Just the way I cast and hold the rod maybe, but it kills my right elbow.

Cheers,

RK

[Long Gray Line]

Get the best of both worlds and find an old Ambassadeur 6500 C3 2 speed. Spin the dial forward to get a higher ratio, spin it back for lower. It's too bad Ambassadeur quit making them years back. I have 3 that I use and I don't have to swap reels to burn bucktails or work cranks. The only drawback is no anti-reverse. There's a little slop in the reel handle whenever you start your retrieve, especially working a jerk bait.

[waltinader]

6:3 all the way. great for fast retrieves