Can someone please explain gear ratios for me? I'd like to know what the numbers mean and also if certain ratios are better for certain situations.

Lower (5.x:1) means less line is retrieved with each turn of the handle. A lot of people seem to like these for crankbaits.

Higher (7.x:1) is the opposite: more line is retrieved with each handle turn. A lot of people use these for heavy cover (maybe flippin jigs) to get the fish out faster.

Medium (6.x:1) is (obviously) right in the middle and a jack of all trades.

The higher the gear ratio the faster the line comes in. The ratios go like this: a 7.1:1 ratio reel will spin the spool 7.1 revolutions for every one full turn of the handle.

You want a high ratio reel (>7:1) for burning top water baits or for getting fish out of cover quickly or getting a crank bait down deep quickly.

A low ratio reel (<5:1) is for making slower presentations for when fish aren't actively feeding etc.

Most people use something like a 6.x:1 reel for an all around general use reel.

Cool thanks guys. Thats just what i was looking for.

or getting a crank bait down deep quickly.

I've been reading/hearing that people tend to use lower ratio for cranking because it stays in the strike zone longer. I suppose either would work, depending on the situation, though.

I would like to add that for techniques where you take in slack line, such as many t-rigging or soft plastic techniques, a faster gear ratio is preferred. This is so you an take in the slack line quickly and sometimes the bass will grab the bait and move towards you and having the higher speed reels help with that also.

Also, note that the faster the gear ratio the less power or torque the reel has. That most notably comes into play when retrieving deep diving crankbaits. One's arm can tire out quickly trying to reel those with a 7:1 gear ratio.

Also don't get to hung up on the gear ratios. I use a left handed reel so i am more limited in my gear ratios but i figure it isn't that big of a deal as i can always slow down or speed up my retrieve slightly and achieve good results. now if i was fishing buzzbaits or soemthing else high speed i would probably look at a high gear ratio but i find the 6:1 works well for all around use.