I have decided to pick up a Shimano Curado K, but I am struggling with the gear ratio / IPT. I am using this reel as an all around reel for texas rigs, jigs, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits. I plan on spooling it with 30-40 lb braid. 

 

The 6.2 has 26" and the 7.4 has 31" IPT rating. I understand that is based on a full spool and will decrease after a long cast. 

 

So what's your opinion 6.2 or 7.4? Would it be best to grab the 7.4 and underspool it a bit as I don't really need 150 yds of line and would drop the IPT to a middle ground of 29" ish? 

 

Thanks in advance. 

I'd go 6 speed. But then again i prefer a slower reel as I tend to speed up my reeling once i connect with some fish.

 

I wouldn't underspool. In my mind it would affect casting distance ... it very well may not but I would be wondering if it does on every cast. 

7.4 for an all around reel. 6 if you planned on putting it on a cranking rod. 

I wouldn't under spool the reel with line.

You'll just lose casting performance.

If you are going to do more bottom contact, go with the 7.4

If you do primarily spinnerbait and chatterbaits, go with the 6.2.

That my opinion anyway.

7.4:1 can do just about everything.  My preference is to be able to pick up line when I need to, and slow down if I have to. 

 

The only reasons I didn't start throwing moving baits on a higher speed reel was because it wasn't "the norm"

I have a 6.2 on my deep crank rod. I have 4 HG reels (7.2-7.4) and 7 XG reels (8.1-8.5) so I would choose the 7.4 for what you plan to do. 

It’s not a game changer either way. Whatever is you’re preference will work fine. Don’t sweat the technicality of changing speed during a long retrieve. It’s a fact with any reel. The only time I feel a really fast reel is necessary is to get buzz baits on plane quickly. 

Gee, I and likely many others were, and are fishing those baits on a 6 speed reel. I honestly don't see the need for a 7 speed for any of those baits, except maybe a chatterbait, which can still be fished very well on a 6 speed.

I’m in the other camp here.  I don’t use anything except 7 and faster.  I can always slow my cranking speed down to match the retrieve that I want.

Thanks for the replies, looks like it's 50/50. Maybe I am just overthinking this, it is still winter after all Appreciate the help. 

15 hours ago, Smalls said:

7.4 for an all around reel. 6 if you planned on putting it on a cranking rod. 

This

Obviously reel speed depends  a whole lot on fishing style and in my case it is mostly throwing plastics of all kinds on the tidal Potomac grass beds and so all three of my K's are 8.5:1 to get'um out and back fast (fish and baits).

Just wanted to say thank you again for all the advice. Picked up the Curado k in 7.4 ratio today and a spool of 30lb suffix 832. Very happy so far. Can't wait to get out and try it out soon.