There's another thread about rear ratios and got me to thinking why is a lower gear ratio needed for swimbaits? I realized the Shimano Curado 300/301E is a 6.2:1 gear ratio with 28" IPT and this is a popular swimbait reel.

 

so I'm looking at the Daiwa Lexa 300HD and Lexa 300CC for a swimbait reel. The HD is a high ratio, 8.1:1 and 37" IPT.  The Lexa 300CC is 6.3:1, 28" IPT. 

 

I would get a double handle for either reel, just not sure which to get. 

The faster the ratio, the quicker you will bring that bait in. If you're trying to keep a bait lower in the water column, a fast ratio is not what you want. 

 

With a hard swimbait, I'm happy with 6:1 reel ratio for all situations.

In that manner, I'll always be in touch with the lure's actual speed,

without dirtying my perception with different ratios.

 

With a soft swimbait, it would depend on where you work the lure.

Most of the time, when I pick up the soft swimbait, the lure will be hurled 20 yards

over a pad-bed (spatterdock in fact, the pads held above the water surface). With a low reel ratio,

you'll have the power to maintain a slow, steady cranking rotation, while bullying the lure

through the burly pad stems that would otherwise interrupt your cranking cadence.

 

Roger

I've heard three reasons;

1. A slower presentation with a big bait makes for an easier meal to trigger more strikes.

2. To keep the bait lower in the water column. The bigger the bait the more lift it has.

3. It's easier to grind in a big fish with a lower ratio.

 

All three make sense.

This spring I am try a 7:1 and going to decide for myself.

I am naturally a slow retriever, so I hope it works to my advantage 

i use a 7.3:1 for all swimbaits, hard or soft, under 8". I dont find it hard to grind in a fish or hard to work the baits.