Gear ratio for topwaters/jerkbaits and XX bucktails

[cjac]

General question:

What reels are you using most for topwater/jerkbait applications? Seems like the higher ratio to pick up line quickly is an advantage, but more and more of the reels (Lunas, Calcuttas) today are 5.0/1 or 5.3/1, not really good for picking up quickly. The Abu 6600 C4 at 6.3/1 seems like a good option to me, thoughts? Having a rod made for this presentation and want the best reel to match up to it.

Somewhat similar question.....if I put a power handle on a 6.3/1 ratio does that make it easier for handling baits like a XX bucktail, or is the lower ratio essential? Trying to make a few of my current reels work if I can and not drop $220/$240 a pop on a couple new ones, at least not all at once.

Thanks,

Chris

[10,000 Casts]

I agree completely on the higher ratio for Jerks and some topwaters for picking up line quicker. On my mag Hawg Wabblers I like a slower gear ratio so I can relax, sit down and enjoy it.

As for Inline spinners with twin #10's I would go with a lower gear ratio to displace the weight.

I have never used the power handle but the idea is that it gives you more leverage, so it should make it easier to reel in big bucktails and big fish. I am sure that someone on here will have first hand experience.

One thing to think about,

A reel with a higher gear ratio will burn out quicker than a reel with a lower gear ratio. The small heavier gears get less pressure put on them and in turn will last longer.

As far as reel brands go, it depends on how much you are planning on fishing. If you will be out 4 times week then you might want to go with a higher quality reel. (one with better guts) The Record is a good option but if you want the 6.3-1 you would have to get the 50. The 60 only comes in a 5.3-1 but it is a fantastic reel for the money.

I guess that I would say the the C4 is a great reel for lighter use but if you put the power handle on it and throw bigger baits, you might be looking for a new reel next year. IMO it's Calcutta's all the way if you plan to fish alot and by what I see of you posts, you will. The way that I look at is 2 c4's for the price of 1 Calcutta 400b, but if the c4's will only last you 1 year of heavy fishing and the Calcutta will last you 6 years, I would pay the money up front so that I am not on a trip and have my favorite reel go down.

My .02

John

[guideman]

I'm afraid it's more like 3 C4's for the price of a Calcutta. The 6500 C4 will do a nice job with Big topwaters, jerkbaits and gliders. If that is all you use them for, they will last a long time.I would go to the C3, or the Record for thowing small to medium sized bucktails. If you're going to be tossing a lot of big hair, go to the 7000 with the power handle. It's designed to handle it much better than the other Abu modles. It's a bit larger, but you'll get used to it after a while.Otherwise, spend the Big money for a shimano, I have a few myself(400TE) they are beautiful reels and they should last a long time. "Ace"

[RK]

HIya Chris -

I use 7000s for pretty much everything frankly. Best of both worlds - low gear ratio for the cranking power, but a wide spool with large diameter so you get the line pick-up besides. You can get a 7000i Red for $110. The 'Red' is the old 7000B, which has a bushing rather than ball bearings, but you won't be able to tell the difference, and the bushing reels stay smooth longer. I have some 7000Bs from the late 1980s that run like a top.

Another reel which is pretty new from Abu is the 6600EXT. I think this is All metal frame, and a lower gear ratio than a standard 6000-class Abu. I picked one up this spring...but I sort of screwed up. I had it sitting out on the counter and my wife saw it. She took it out of the box, checked it out, turned the handle a few times and said "mine." So I think it'll be a pretty good reel, but I may never find out first-hand...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[10,000 Casts]

The old 7000's are too big and bulky for me. (good reels) I just don't like throwing them but thats just me.

We sold the heck out of the new C3 7000i down at the muskie show. It has a 4.1-1 ratio and is specifically designed to handle baits with a lot or resistance. Just remember that it is still a C3, (awesome reel for the money, but not an awesome reel for someone that is going to pound on it 100 days a year. That 4.1 ratio will limit what you will want to use it for but it might be a good addition to the arsenal.

I am guessing that you spent big bucks on the rod and it's worth every pennie, but a qaulity reel will be worth even more.

John

[guideman]

Spoken like a true salesmen John. I have C4's that are almost as old as you are, and they still work fine. A little maintainence and using them for what they were designed for will add years to the life of any reel. I have worn a few out, but they have all lasted much longer than just one season. In my opinion there isn't a bucktail made that you need a high speed reel to work, even when you're burning it or buldging. All you'll do is ruin a perfectly good reel, but then....that's just my opinon."Ace"

[10,000 Casts]

Don't get me wrong, I have 2 Trions that are 6.3-1 that are going on their 3rd full season and I personaly prefer a higher gear ratio... but not for inlines with twin 10's... There is just too much resistance. More than I would prefer to take and more than I would prefer to put on my reels.

John

[MuskieMojoTackle]

I'm with Rob. I use 7000's for just about everything. When I don't I'm using a 6500 Pro Rocket or a 6500CL. Both 5.3 to 1 reels. My personal opinion is there is no need for a higher speed reel in musky fishing. 5.3 to 1 is plenty fast even for glide baits for me.

Chris, a power handle will make cranking a Double X easier on you, but with a C4 I think you are a short time away from a blown reel.

That said, I do plan on picking up a Curado 300DSV for small tails and the like...when I want to take a break from the big gear.

[RK]

Hiya -

Gotta disagree on the 7000C3s not being durable. I have some that are 10 years old and more that have never gone down. A pawl and worm gear now and then and that's about it. And I'm not exactly famous for taking care of my equipment...

The thing with the 7000s vs something like the c4 is the size of the gear teeth. On a 6000-class reel, the gears aren't any bigger, so the teeth are smaller. With hard-pulling baits and no-stretch superline, they fry before long. With a 7000, the gears are bigger, plus the teeth are larger since it's a lower gear ratio - 4.1:1 vs 6.3:1. The 'high speed' versions of the 7000 are 5.3:1, which is pretty fast when you factor in the spool diameter. Right now I think the only high speed 7000 is the Big Game HSN, but they used to make a wide-spool 7000 Big Game that was a great jerkbait reel. Have a couple of them.

Anyhow, point is high gear ratio with hard pulling or very heavy baits is pretty tough on the reel. The gears don't hold up very well.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[cjac]

Based on all the opinions and suggestions I don't feel so bad for asking the question! Thanks for the info.... Thinking back on last year, I recall feeling the drag on the big baits obviously, and not so much the lack of line pick up on jerks, etc. First time having a stick specifically for that, so I just want to get the most out of it.

Found a new in box Abu I had forgot I owned, put the power handle on that and it's now my back-up/guest reel on an 8 foot heavy for the big stuff. 5.3/1 with the handle will serve as a good back up.

Probably play around a bit with a 6600 C4 and it's 6.3/1 on the glide/jerkbait rod, as well as trying out a 7000 of my buddies. Are the C4s still a push button like the one I have, or are they all thumb bars now? Those buttons are tough with gloves on.

Luke: Thinking about the 300DSV as well, would be really nice for the smaller bucks like you said.

Thanks for the feedback.

Chris

[10,000 Casts]

They have thumbbars.

On another note, where are my Shimano friends???

John

[MUSKY18]

I just can't imagine anyone using a 6.3:1 reel for burning bucktails. You would have forearms the size of Popeye's by the time you got off the water. The biggest gear ratio that I will use for them is 5.3:1 and that is questionable at best. I am thinking about picking up a 4.1:1 to use for them. I think the best best is the 7000's. I know some guys that use this reel for everything. Still haven't figured out how they use jerkbaits with such a low gear ratio, but they make it work. I use a C4 for all my jerkbaits and it works really well. Picks up the slack line quickly, which helps in setting the hook on strikes. Just my thoughts.

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

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I just can't imagine anyone using a 6.3:1 reel for burning bucktails. You would have forearms the size of Popeye's by the time you got off the water.

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Besides being hard on you, it is very hard on the reel. Higher gear ration means finer teeth on the gears that are guaranteed to wear down faster than a gear with coarser teeth under the same amount of load.

[10,000 Casts]

I have used the 66 trions with a 6.3-1 for about 3 years for bucktails and I really like them. Yes, on the bigger bucktales there is too much resistance but for say inhalers and smaller I think the faster the better. But that is just me. I was suspecting that the reels were going to burn out last year but they kept on chugging.

[cjac]

Well, thanks to one of the "big box" retailers and their promotion(s) I managed to get two Luna 300s for the price of one. I have a couple that I've been really happy with, so why change.

As a side note: Suffix line has a $6 rebate on a 150 spool and $10 on a 300 yard spool, so $22 for a 300 yd spool of 80lb test. Not bad, eh? Great way for all the P Pro guys to try a new line for a few bucks, I really like the stuff.

Chris

[10,000 Casts]

Sounds like a good deal on the Luna's. I threw them for a day last year and I liked them alot. They were very solid.

What do you like about the Suffix Braid? I have a spool just sitting here and I will probably give it a try this year.

John

[cjac]

Hi John,

I was going to jump on your Record suggestion but they didn't have it in stock.......

Suffix: Packs the spool very well, seems to dig into the spool less on my operator-error casts. I don't think it holds the water as much either. Smooth stuff, and I had a couple bad batches of P Pro last year in the 30/8 bass size, so I tried it on the bass gear and liked it, so figured why not try it on the 'ski tackle. This will be my first full season with it so we'll see how durable it is. Stayed limber in the cold last fall......

Chris