Hi Folks,

 

In exploring these new baitcasting reels, I'm really trying to figure out the ratios.  I know what the ratios mean; I was an auto tech for some years and built hotrods and such.

 

I mean, what are the faster gears good for?

 

Remember, I'm used to running an Ambassadeur 5000 with a "Power Crank Handle" and 4.7:1 gear upgrade.  (I'm getting 21 or 22 inches of retrieve per turn; rough measured just now with a tape measure.)  The reel I use now is an older 5000, but the gears are out of Dad's 5000.  I had to replace the frame on Dad's and bought an earlier 5000 because I liked its looks a bit better.

 

Anyway...

 

Out on the water I'm trying to figure out why I need the faster reels in my little collection, and why I like the 5000 so much.

 

I really think it's because of the gears.  That, and the centri brakes, but mostly the gearing.

 

When I fish crankbaits, some of the one I have are big enough and dive deep enough that they bend the rod like a fish is on.  The ones that are supposed to hit bottom do.  I've never had a case of not being able to easily crank fast enough.

 

Likewise, spinnerbaits will lay over on their sides if cranked too fast, and that's easily achievable with the 4.7:1 ratio.

 

Fishing plastic worms is not a challenge with the 4.7:1 ratio, but I have to make myself slow down with faster gears.

 

I'm starting to question the need for faster gears.  I have some reels that will really burn baits, but most of what I fish is done slow or medium-fast and well within the capabilities of the 5000.

 

An added benefit is that I can turn the bass faster and just crank it in.  I don't like to play them too long because I've seen fish killed that way.

 

I'm not sure I'd be happy with the original 3.8:1 gears, but I'm really finding limited use for anything faster than around 6:1.

 

What am I missing in the world of modern bass fishing?

 

Josh

There are some baits that you really do want to burn with a higher gear ratio - lipless cranks over skinny water come to mind. Another reason for the higher ratio is the advantage it gives you to try to keep up with a fish that is swimming directly toward you. Finally, and especially for tournament anglers, the higher ratio lets you retrieve a bait that has left the "strike zone" faster so you can make another cast = more casts/hour.

 

My all-around ratio is one that gives an IPT of 25-26".  I have lower ratios for cranking, and higher (faster) ratios for some applications.

 

Millions of fish have probably been caught on Ambassadeurs with 3.8 or 4.7 gears so while you might be missing some capability for some applications, you can still catch plenty of fish...

Most of my reels are 6.x:1.  I don't have any slower reels because I don't deep crank much.  The main reason I like a faster reel is so I can retrieve it faster when the lure is out of the strike zone and I want to make another cast.  My fastest reel is an 8.1 t-3 ballistic which I use for senkos and light t-rigs and it's very efficient when I want to make lots of casts and pitches.

The biggest advantage is in using lower ratio/IPT reels (5.x:1<) for deep (DD22's etc) cranks and large colorado bladed spinners. The mechanical advantage can be felt at the end of a long day. Outside of this, High Speed reels are more of a preference. I like them for flipping etc to take up slack quickly when a fish swims right at you. I find them somewhat helpful getting some chatter-baits up on plane too.

Your 5000 reel is what is known today as a round reel with a wide large diameter spool that holds a lot of line.

Your gear ratio was deigned to recover a specific amount of line with each turn of the handle, IPT, when the spool is about full of line.

You measured about 22"-23" with your reel spool near full. Now pull out 30 yards/90 feet of line and measure the IPT, it should be around 20"-21", didn't change much. That is the advantage with round reels with large spools, the IPT doesn't vary much.

Today's low profile reels with narrow small spools are affected greatly when the line is out 30 yards/ 90 feet of more. The 6.4:1 ratio maybe 23"-24" IPT when full of line and drop to 16"-17" at 30 yards....big difference.

For this reason the gear ratios have increased to 7 or 8.1:1 to over come this.

Your older 5000 series reels have good quality gears, however no instant anti reverse. If you like the 5000 round reel, the Shimano Cardiff 300 is a good upgrade for you with modern performance, good gears, drag and instant anti reverse and 5.8:1 ratio.

Tom

Try a c3 in 4600 size all i use for crankin 5.1 ratio

Your 5000 reel is what is known today as a round reel with a wide large diameter spool that holds a lot of line.

Your gear ratio was deigned to recover a specific amount of line with each turn of the handle, IPT, when the spool is about full of line.

You measured about 22"-23" with your reel spool near full. Now pull out 30 yards/90 feet of line and measure the IPT, it should be around 20"-21", didn't change much. That is the advantage with round reels with large spools, the IPT doesn't vary much.

Today's low profile reels with narrow small spools are affected greatly when the line is out 30 yards/ 90 feet of more. The 6.4:1 ratio maybe 23"-24" IPT when full of line and drop to 16"-17" at 30 yards....big difference.

For this reason the gear ratios have increased to 7 or 8.1:1 to over come this.

Your older 5000 series reels have good quality gears, however no instant anti reverse. If you like the 5000 round reel, the Shimano Cardiff 300 is a good upgrade for you with modern performance, good gears, drag and instant anti reverse and 5.8:1 ratio.

Tom

 

This^.   Its the reason I like a larger reel for frogging. Even with a 200 size reel, a long cast will leave the spool near empty with heavy braid. I use 4600s for spinnerbaits and cranks, and I can palm them as well as a LP reel.