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What speed reel do you use for swim jigs?

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I was throwing a swim jig the other day with a Chronarch 51E that I installed 7.7:1 gears in.  Even trying to slow down my retrieve speed, the jig was running rather high in the water.  It was a 1/4 oz jig with a Keitech 3.8 swimbait for a trailer.

 

Should I be using a slower reel for this?  Or maybe a different trailer?

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

Or maybe a different technique? 

 

I like to yo-yo mine in the water column.  Covering a range of 8ft or so and then let it fall down 8ft or so and lift it again.  After the fall and when im getting ready to lift is normally when I feel that  desired GOOD weight on the end!

 

I run a 7:4:1 reel BTW for this presentation.

 

The weight of the jig head should be correlated with the depth you are trying to achieve. I use a quarter ounce in shallow water, otherwise just slow your retrieve a bit 

i like > 7:1 for swimjigs.

 

try a 3/8oz jig. let it hit the bottom and maybe twitch it as it falls. then start your retrieve. the next cast you will know how long to wait before retrieving if you want to stay a few feet above the bottom. lower rod tip as it gets closer to you.

  • Global Moderator

I like to use 6 speed reeels for all moving baits except frogs and deep diving cranks (which I don't throw)

I don't have to slow down as much if I wanted too compared to using a 7. Usually a nice steady retrieve is enough. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike 

  • Super User

I don't see a 6 or 7 a mistake..  I use a 7 

I've used 5.1:1 up to 7.5:1 with no issues. As has been stated weight of lure and speed of retrieve all have to be tailored to what you want to achieve. If your weight is to light to get down you must slow down to let it get there. To achieve your goal on your presentation you have to adjust the speed of your retrieve. Then there are the other billion variables that come into what you want your presentation to look like.

I would suggest upping the weight a tad. If your lure is already running the speed you desire this should bring it down in the water column. Otherwise stop cranking that handle so fast. :)

 

Blaming a reels gear ratio is like blaming guns for murders. Neither tool does a dang thing without a person manipulating it. The reel will only retrieve as fast as someone cranks the handle. ;)

 

All this gear ratio talk will have the IPT police in here any moment. :ph34r:

  • Super User

Whenever in doubt....Punt.

~6:1 ratio

 

Roger

on my flipping/jig setup i have an 8:1:1

 

on my vibrating jig rod i use a 6:4:1

 

it really is all about your prefernce. i agree if you in constant movement with no slack any ratio will work. but for pause and go you may want to pick up line faster, thats where the higher gear ratio come into play

 

hope that helps

  • Super User

My swim jig setup has a 6.3-1 tatula Type R on it. I could also run with a 7,3-1 if I had too.

As NHBull said, why does it matter? Adjust your retrieve!

Slow the speed of your hand. The reel is fine the way it is. High-speed gearing has more pros than cons.

Monday and Tuesday I used a 7 usually. No issues. But I throw 1/2oz jigs usually.

When I throw smaller jigs, they generally aren't swimjigs.

4:1-1 goldcast. Remember though, the ratio means little, it's the line per turn ratio that's the final and most important to consider number and that varies by many factors.

On 4/25/2017 at 7:02 AM, DaveT63 said:

I was throwing a swim jig the other day with a Chronarch 51E that I installed 7.7:1 gears in.  Even trying to slow down my retrieve speed, the jig was running rather high in the water.  It was a 1/4 oz jig with a Keitech 3.8 swimbait for a trailer.

 

Should I be using a slower reel for this?  Or maybe a different trailer?

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

 

I use a Daiwa Tatula Type-R in 8.1:1 ratio which is an IPT of 33.9 inches with a full spool of line and then I just adjust my retrieve rate.  But I would try and find out what the IPT is for the reel you are using, the spool size and how much line is on the spool can make a difference with the IPT.

  • Super User

Barring some physical handicap, there's no sound reason for having an eclectic mix of retrieve ratios.

When an angler settles on ONE Gear Ratio for all his cranking chores,

he will always be in touch with his lure's actual speed. 

 

Handling fishing gear with various retrieve ratios only muddies the angler's perception

of his lure's actual speed, which of course is highly promoted by marketers.    ;)

 

Roger

  • Super User

light jig heads dressed with plastic is spinning tackle for me... 6.x:1 retrieve.

 

oe

  • Super User

I use 6 most of the time, 7 if I want to go faster or if I'm pitching it.

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