Say, 5.2:1 versus 7.1:1... do you have a preference? Or a definite preference for certain lures?

For deep cranking and maybe big Colorado blade spinners a 5:1 or 18" +/- ipt is an advantage over a day of cranking. Outside of that personal preference plays an even bigger role. I like faster reels for jigging and plastics but it's not a deal breaker if the deal and other features are there. 

Aaron Marten says he likes the fastest real possible all the time no matter what bait he is fishing...I on the other hand like the lower gear ratios when its important to have a slow presentation, or for when I am deep cranking.  I like the faster reels for my frog fishing , flipping, pitching, and punching.  but in the end it all comes down to what you feel comfortable using.  

Changes with lures. If i jave to choose i normally go with lower speed since its easier for me to speed up my handle speed than slow down. 

My normal choices are 

High speed (7:1+) for bottom contact like worm/jig. I like to take up slack in line as fast as possible to keep some tension for better feel. 

Medium speed (6.2:1) for most running lures like cranks and wirebaits as well as topwater

Lower speed (5.2:1) for deeper cranks as well as wire baits and cranks in colder weather to slow roll them. 

fast until im throwing colorado blade spinnerbaits or bigger squarebills,etc. then i like a 6.1.  may even pick up a 5.1 to try this year for larger spinner baits as ive never even used a 5.1

6.3:1 for everything...............except flipping and frogging, for that I like a 7.3:1. I did the "slow"/ 5.something :1 reel thing for deep cranking for a while, and hated it. The deep cranks I use (SK mostly) do not pull so hard that they are a bear to fish with on a faster reel. I can always, comfortably, turn a fast reel slower, but turning a slow reel faster gets real old real quick.

34 minutes ago, ww2farmer said:

 I can always, comfortably, turn a fast reel slower, but turning a slow reel faster gets real old real quick.

this right here... i have some 6.4:1 some 7.1:1 and a 7.6:1.  tried a slower 5: ratio and didn't like having to reel fast in a some cases...

i think i could likely do all my fishing on a 7.1:1 all day long

I could use 7:1:1 all the time and be fine with it. 

7:1 and 8:1 are all my reels ratio. It is easier to slow down with a fast reel than speed up with a slow one

I prefer faster for everything. I only own a few reels under a 7:1 ratio and those are only because they were the fastest at the time, or they were only offered in a slower gear ratio but too good of a deal to pass up. I find it much easier to slow down my retrieve if I need to, rather than burning myself out cranking like a maniac to speed up. 

Well I was throwing a big willow leaf spinnerbait yesterday on a 6.4.1 reel and was wishing I had my 5.4.1.

Just easier cranking, less resistance.  I can work with all the ratios it doesn't matter, but give me a low gear for bigger cranks and spinnerbaits.  

 

5 hours ago, junyer357 said:

Changes with lures. If I have to choose I normally go with lower speed since its easier for me to speed up my handle speed than slow down. 

My normal choices are 

High speed (7:1+) for bottom contact like worm/jig. I like to take up slack in line as fast as possible to keep some tension for better feel. 

Medium speed (6.2:1) for most running lures like cranks and wirebaits as well as topwater

Lower speed (5.2:1) for deeper cranks as well as wire baits and cranks in colder weather to slow roll them. 

This pretty much covers it for me too.

A-Jay

My reels are at least 7:1 and higher. I can't stand slow reels.

 

If I could only use one gear ratio it would be 641 of course I have higher speed reels But I can do everything with 641 some can do everything with 711 im not one of those ppl