I know im probably gonna get a lot of different answers from everyone. Whats the best advice someone could give me on what reel gear ratio to use on what lures? Ex. Im using a topwater frog, would you use a 6.4:1 , 7.1:1 or 8.0:1?  Ex. Fishing the bottom with a worm, What should I be using?

I like fishing frogs or texas rigged soft plastics on a 7.1:1 most of the time.  It helps you pick up the slack to set the hook a little faster.  The 6.4:1 will work too, but I mostly use those for moving baits, spinnerbaits topwater with treble hooks.  Then the 5.4:1 ratios I use for crankbaits.

The only time I am really concerned with gear ratio is when I am deep cranking. When I am deep cranking I want a 5.2:1. That will give you enough power to get that bait down there and not wear you out if you are fishing it all day. Other than that, I am fine with a 6.4:1 for everything else.

I am fine with 6.something : 1 for just about everything. I have a 5:1 on my deep cranking rod, more for power than anything, I usually have to reel it pretty fast to get the cranks moving the speed I want them.

7.1+ for topwater and bottom contact baits

frogs use the fastest you can find

 

6.4 for most moving baits

 

5.4  for deeper cranks than 10-12 foot

 

 

IPT is more crucial though and it varies by brand  

most 7.1 are 31+IPT

most 6.4 are 25-28 IPT

most 5.4 are 21-24 IPT

 

this is a broad general blanket statement but is plenty of meat for you to chew and make decisions with.

I.got a 7 for some jigs and frogin...other than that i like 6.4.1. Plenty of speed and can be worked slow.

So the 5.4:1 is for deep driving cranks? With the 5.4:1, does it make the crankbaits dive quicker? Guessing you don't have to reel as fast with this 5.4:1 to keep it on the bottom? A little confused. Don't know much about what the gear ratio means. Anyone mind explaining lol. Also what would be the best rod size to use with a reel like this? M, MH or H? Thanks for the replys.

No lower gear is more torque.

think of it like this....... 5.1 is lik e 1st gear in your car, its slow but you can pull heavier things like a big lip on acrankbait...... 6.4 is like 3rd gear you can go faster but not pull as hard which is why we throw spinnerbaits traps and all around ........ 7.1 is like overdrive, real fast but don't have to pull any pressure like hopping a worm or jig or working topwater.

Hope this makes sense

No lower gear is more torque.

think of it like this....... 5.1 is lik e 1st gear in your car, its slow but you can pull heavier things like a big lip on acrankbait...... 6.4 is like 3rd gear you can go faster but not pull as hard which is why we throw spinnerbaits traps and all around ........ 7.1 is like overdrive, real fast but don't have to pull any pressure like hopping a worm or jig or working topwater.

Hope this makes sense

What he said.............but to be honest, a lot of the popular deep diving cranks that are made today pull easy even on most 6:1 reels, I have used 6:1 Shimano's, Quantums, and Abu's for deep cranks in the past and it was not miserable. They only brand of reel in a 6:1 that I didn't like for deep cranking was Daiwa, they pulled hard with any Daiwa I ever had (Fuego, Tierra, Advantage).............but then again, I was told I don't know what I am talking about, and was "doing it all wrong" when it comes to Daiwas.............so take that FWIW.