Would a 6.3:1 work for smaller topwaters like spooks, poppers, buzzbaits etc.? I'm talking like 1/2oz. or less in weight. I already know that a shorter rod in the 6'6" range would be best for these, just hoping my Shimano SLX 6.3:1 would work for this application.

Yes, you'll just have to find the right rhythm of cranking and twitching if you're trying to walk the spook.

6.3 works perfect for me, walking spooks, frogs etc...and it's a good ratio for buzzbaits also. 

Everyone likes something different.

I prefer at least 7:1 or faster just because if I miss a blowup I can quickly reel it back in and cast it back out.

25 minutes ago, mrpao said:

Everyone likes something different.

I prefer at least 7:1 or faster just because if I miss a blowup I can quickly reel it back in and cast it back out.

...or you could pause for just a second then continue the same cadence.  I frequently get a second hit before I get the  bait back to the boat.

 

OP... what does size of bait have to do with reel speed?

 

oe

6 minutes ago, OkobojiEagle said:

...or you could pause for just a second then continue the same cadence.  I frequently get a second hit before I get the  bait back to the boat.

 

OP... what does size of bait have to do with reel speed?

 

oe

Probably nothing, just wanted to provide some info on what types I was talking about.

6.3:1 was the standard ratio for bass fishing using baitcasting reels for several decades.

With surface running buzz baits you need to reel a little faster at times like when the lure hits the water to start it running on the surface. Poppers and spooks your not moving them forward faster then a 6:3.1 works them. I like 6'8" to 6'10" for spooks and poppers, 7' to 7'5" (frog rods)  for buzz baits.

Tom

I like a faster reel for buzzbaits, but I've used 6 speed reel for the other baits.  I've always said it didn't matter for poppers, spooks, and jerkbaits, and that I learn to adjust to whatever speed the reel is, but I'm digging this JDM zillion I picked up.  41" per turn.  Bam!

6 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I like a faster reel for buzzbaits, but I've used 6 speed reel for the other baits.  I've always said it didn't matter for poppers, spooks, and jerkbaits, and that I learn to adjust to whatever speed the reel is, but I'm digging this JDM zillion I picked up.  41" per turn.  Bam!

Lucky dog!!!

 

Been fishing 6.3, 200 sized LP baitcasters for almost 20 years. They work for just about everything. I recently picked up a 7. and a 8. 100 sized reel, just to make sure I'm not missing anything, I'm not.

One thing I found interesting is that at full spool the faster smaller reel has a higher IPT, but at a long cast, the larger, slower reel does. So another advantage of a larger reel (in addition to happy girl friend) is a more consistent IPT through out the cast. I'm sure most folks won't notice, but it's there.

11 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

Been fishing 6.3, 200 sized LP baitcasters for almost 20 years. They work for just about everything. I recently picked up a 7. and a 8. 100 sized reel, just to make sure I'm not missing anything, I'm not.

One thing I found interesting is that at full spool the faster smaller reel has a higher IPT, but at a long cast, the larger, slower reel does. So another advantage of a larger reel (in addition to happy girl friend) is a more consistent IPT through out the cast. I'm sure most folks won't notice, but it's there.

I've argues over and over that we need wider spools, not shallow, narrow spools.  I can only imagine what a marketing team can do with that info.

13 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I've argues over and over that we need wider spools, not shallow, narrow spools.  I can only imagine what a marketing team can do with that info.

Yeah, guys who fish a lot mostly know what they want, and what works and what doesn't, I know I do. But the market is driven by the latest and greatest enthusiast trends, so it's smaller, lighter, and faster (and some electronics and aluminum gears in there, cause that makes sense) ergonomics, balance, and fishability be darned. It's not a fishing thing, I've seen the same thing in most sporting equipment.

17 hours ago, WRB said:

6.3:1 was the standard ratio for bass fishing using baitcasting reels for several decades.

With surface running buzz baits you need to reel a little faster at times like when the lure hits the water to start it running on the surface. Poppers and spooks your not moving them forward faster then a 6:3.1 works them. I like 6'8" to 6'10" for spooks and poppers, 7' to 7'5" (frog rods)  for buzz baits.

Tom

So, would my 6'10" Medium/Extra Fast jerkbait rod handle poppers and spooks as well? If so, I may have an extra reel that I could sell for other goodies instead of using another setup for the small topwaters.

57 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

So, would my 6'10" Medium/Extra Fast jerkbait rod handle poppers and spooks as well?

I prefer my 6-2 MXF for poppers and spooks but I will use a 6-9 MXF (my primary spinnerbait rod) for them to combine techniques and carry one less rod.  Been trying to limit my selection to just three for kayak trips.

Yes a 6 gear ratio reel can be used for any presentation. People these days get too caught up with the 8 and 9 high speed gear ratios.

6 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

So, would my 6'10" Medium/Extra Fast jerkbait rod handle poppers and spooks as well? If so, I may have an extra reel that I could sell for other goodies instead of using another setup for the small topwaters.

My favorite small top water lures 1/4 to 5/8 oz is Don Iovino Major Craft SplashIt rod, it's also a good 1/8-1/4 bullet weight T-tig 4 1/2 to 6" worm rod using the same reel*.

Tom

* original Daiwa TD Fuego 

Use what your comfortable....your cadence and body will adapt I use 6's for deep diving CB and 8's for everything else. Truth be told, I only use the reel to move bait on CB and larger SB. Everything else is moved by rod, so having speed is like horsepower,,,,,never to much, except sometimes???