My current slowest baitcast reel is a 100 series 26" IPT 6:4:1 baitcaster ... I don't fish deeper than about 15' so , trying to determine if the above low speed gear ratio would still have applications for : Paddle tail swim baits , slow rolled spinner baits and crank baits (again) in 15' or less water ...Your thoughts & experiences ?

All of those would be good at that ratio.

All of those would be good at that ratio.

X2

Sounds like a lower gear ratio reel would work fine for those applications.

I feel its always good to cover as many ratios as you can. let the fish tell you how fast to retrieve the bait

Thanks , have been looking  to add a low gear /  LPT reel but not sure exactly of the applications (other than as for deep cranking with bigger baits) to justify it .Most of my applications tend to go the other way - with a 7:1:1 reel getting the Lions share of the work for jigs , wobble heads , C-Rig and the like . 6:4:1 reels have served me well for spinner baits , chatter baits , etc.

Deep cranking, slow rolling big Colorado blade spinners and other large high resistance lures are where the low ipt reels offer a mechanical advantage.

Have any used a 5:4:1 baitcast reel for swim baits / paddle tails OR is 6:4:1 better for swim bait / paddle tail applications ?

I use mine for all those applications.

The only reason I use anything with that low of a gear ratio is for lures that have a lot of resistance. I don't see the point in fishing with a super low gear ratio with other applications unless you want your bait to go extremely slow which I never feel matters THAT much, and if I want my bait to move that slow I'll just use my rod rather than the reel. I prefer faster gear ratios for the sake of taking up line for hooksets on long casts and it's easier to keep the pressure on the fish when getting them to the boat.

To word it another way : Other than perhaps deep cranking (a lure with a lot of resistance) , could you not use a 6:4:1 gear ratio bait caster for swim bait / paddle tail baits and slow rolling a big spinner bait ?

To word it another way : Other than perhaps deep cranking (a lure with a lot of resistance) , could you not use a 6:4:1 gear ratio bait caster for swim bait / paddle tail baits and slow rolling a big spinner bait ?

I can do all of that with an 8:1 pretty slow if I have to. So yes.

Back in the day, I remember when  5 something to one gear ration was considered a high speed reel.  Most of my reels are 5 to 1.   I feel like I can fish whatever technique I want to with them.  Over the past few years I've switched over to a few Curado 50 E's on a few of my soft plastic rigs.   These have a 6.4 to 1 ratio.   I haven't found that it has, much effect on my fishing, except that I really like the lighter weight of the Curado 50.  I imagine that should I feel the need for a higher ration reel I will buy one, but right now I'm not feeling the need right now.

High resistance baits.