I just started back fishing and I am trying to by a bait casting reel. Only I do not know what gear ratio to buy for different applications. What would be a good all around reel to buy.

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A good, multipurpose gear ratio would be 6.3:1. The majority of my reels are in this range. A faster ratio (7.1:1) would be good for buzzbaits, jigs, or any presentation where you're casting to a specific target and want to get your bait back in a hurry after you're past it.  A slower ratio (5.3:1) is good for deep cranks as it helps reduce the strain on wrists and forearms, or for guys that can't seem to slow down like my son-in-law that's always in a hurry.

I recommend the first one as a starting point. Baitcasters are a little more expensive than spinning reels are for entry level, but purchase the best you can afford. For a beginner, I recommend one with dual braking like a Lew's Speed Spool.

This is my general guide for reel selctions-  I forgot where I stole this from but its stolen...

 

Uses for a low gear ratio reel | 5.1:1 thru 5.4:1

 

•    Deep crankbaits

•    Big swimbaits

•    Deep water spinnerbaits

 

Uses for a medium gear ratio reel | 6.1:1 thru 6.4:1

 

•    Squarebill crankbaits

•    Medium depth crankbaits

•    Shallow spinnerbaits

•    Shallow castable umbrella rigs

 

Uses for a high gear ratio reel | 7.1:1 thru 8.1:1

 

•    Jigs and big worms

•    Shaky heads

•    Texas rigs

•    Carolina rigs

•    Topwaters

•    Jerkbaits

•    Lipless crankbaits

Be sure to compare IPT (Inches Per Turn of the handle) as some higher ratios do not increase IPT as one would be led to believe. The most meaningful reel ratio/IPT application is a lower one for deep cranks and other high resistance lures. Burner reels are more a preference over standard (6.x:1) gear ratios. Personally, I like high speed reels for taking up slack quickly should a fish pick up a jig etc. and swim toward me.

5.8:1 for every thing

I my be old but I can still turn the handle 1 more time!

5.8:1 for every thing

I my be old but I can still turn the handle 1 more time!

 

It used to be 4.7:1 for anything and everything until I purchased my first Curado.

 

Nowdays it can still be, there are Shimano days, Daiwa days and Abu days; when it´s Abu days it´s back to 4.7:1 for anything and everything, interesting ........... I still catch a truckload of fish !

Shimano Calcutta/Cardiff 5.8:1 for swimbaits, deep diving crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

Daiwa Tatula R100XS 8.1:1 for everything else including jigs and worms.

This year I changed from 6.3:1 to 8.1:1 for my low profile light weight reels and happy with the change.

The reason is line recovered per handle turn during a long cast is similar to the larger diameter wider spools of the round reels.

Tom

 

This is my general guide for reel selctions-  I forgot where I stole this from but its stolen...

 

Uses for a low gear ratio reel | 5.1:1 thru 5.4:1

 

•    Deep crankbaits

•    Big swimbaits

•    Deep water spinnerbaits

 

Uses for a medium gear ratio reel | 6.1:1 thru 6.4:1

 

•    Squarebill crankbaits

•    Medium depth crankbaits

•    Shallow spinnerbaits

•    Shallow castable umbrella rigs

 

Uses for a high gear ratio reel | 7.1:1 thru 8.1:1

 

•    Jigs and big worms

•    Shaky heads

•    Texas rigs

•    Carolina rigs

•    Topwaters

•    Jerkbaits

•    Lipless crankbaits

 

 

 

 

Nice breakdown.

I'm probably alone or in a very small minority, but I use a 4.7:1 for my lipless cranks. Granted I'm young and can crank it real quick and do most of the time, but that forces my impatient self to slow it down when I need to. It works for me, and thats what's really important. Whatever works for you.

5.x are good for deep diving cranks and slow rolling other large baits

 

6.x is probably the most versatile. If you're gonna be throwing a lot of different techniques on one reel this is that I'd go with.

 

7.x+ is good for worms, jigs, and other presentations where you could need to take up slack line in a hurry. Also like them for topwater frogs and buzzbaits.

 

Pay attention to IPT also. Really it's more important than gear ratio. A 6.4 from one manufacturer could have 2"+ less IPT than a 6.4 from another for example.