Can someone please explain how a reel that has a (for example) 7.3.1 gear ratio would have more leverage than a reel that has a 8.1.1 gear ratio when pulling a fish out of slop? I don't really understand that concept, maybe i'm slow but can someone break it down for me? To eliminate the fluff about IPT let's say both of these reels are the same model in different gear ratios. 

When you are cranking a reel, you are putting X amount of energy into turning the handle. The higher gear ratio reel brings the lure in faster. It takes more of that energy you supply to make the bait go faster, leaving less energy for pulling. If less of the energy supplied was used by slowing down the bait, there would be more energy available for pulling.

Think of it as pulling power instead of leverage. A large truck with a low gear ratio can pull a lot more weight easier than a souped up camaro. But the camaro can go a lot faster in a lot less time. That's why It's suggested you use a 5:1 gear ratio for high resistance baits like deep diving cranks and large spinnerbaits. 

Do you ride a bike? if so, your bike gears perfectly reflect reel gears. when you go uphill, you dont use high gears, but switch to low ones, and when you go downhill or on flat ground, you switch to high gear.

You can think of it like a 4 wheel drive 

4 Low.... pulls out stumps

4 High... traction at medium speeds

2 hours ago, bigturtle said:

Do you ride a bike? if so, your bike gears perfectly reflect reel gears. when you go uphill, you dont use high gears, but switch to low ones, and when you go downhill or on flat ground, you switch to high gear.

 

'Zactly...a big gear turning a small gear (high ratio) gives you low speed, but high torque.

 

A small gear turning a big gear (low ratio) gives you lot's of torque, but no speed.

 

For pulling things, you want torque, not speed.

 

I exaggerated for the sake of illustration, but visualize in in your head if you can.

Moving fish with your rod is much more efficient as well