Alright so I purchased a Shimano Curado dc (left handed) at a 6.4.1 gear ratio since I use a variety of baits due to all the local lakes and ponds I fish. I have been reading around and is gear ratio in the 7s better. Is it worth returning the 6 ratio for a 7 ratio? Thanks.

The simple answer is no. I would consider it too much of a hassle to return it to offset any benefits in a higher speed. 

Better?  It just is.  Gear ratio determines how fast the reel picks up line.  6-7 to 1 covers most bases, and those are fine for almost all bass fishing.  I like a slower reel for cranks.  For things like frogs, a faster reel works better for me.  Some baits, it doesn't matter, I get used to whatever speed reel I'm using.  Just 20 years ago, 5 to 1 was a "high speed reel."  Think about that! Does your reel feel too slow for what you're using it for?  If not, keep it.

6.4 is a good average that will cover the bases well.

 

As John mentions, 5:1 was once "fast". I used one for years -still do in fact. Only real issue was when burning lipless. I found bass could out-swim my IPT! So at the time I went to a 5:1 BIG spinning reel for that. It gave me 36 IPT! I could make a Cordell Spot skip across the surface with that reel!

 

I still use that old 5:1 for crankbaits. The next reel I bought was a 6.3, which I use as a treble hook reel that will just burn a lipless. I now have some 7:1's too. I like them for general bass fishing -can adjust where needed- and appreciate the IPT -nice to have the speed when you want it. But, it's not a serious step up from 6.4.

 

My 5:1 = 24IPT

My 6.3= 26IPT

My 7+'s= ~28IPT

Some bigger spooled reels, and the 8+:1's will run 30 to 36IPT. I don't have any and have no plans to acquire one. I say this now... Who knows what wheels will be turning in my head next mid-winter.

 

6.4:1 is a good all around gear ratio, though maybe not ideal for some presentations. With a little adjustment on your part, you can crank, jig, buzz, or whatever.  The downside to any gear ratio different that what you're used to using is adjusting to that difference.  I have three identical reels, two have the same gearing, one is faster by about 8in. per handle turn and I use them on similar rods for similar presentations. I ended up marking that faster reel so I wouldn't forget to make the adjustment for it.  Personally, I find it easier to have most of my reels with similar IPT.

Just buy another one in the gear ratio that you like, there you go , problem solved.  In a season or so you will have a notion of which gear ratio works for what, based on YOUR experiences, not what some guy on line or in a fishing magazine says.

11 hours ago, Nbest11 said:

Alright so I purchased a Shimano Curado dc (left handed) at a 6.4.1 gear ratio since I use a variety of baits due to all the local lakes and ponds I fish. I have been reading around and is gear ratio in the 7s better. Is it worth returning the 6 ratio for a 7 ratio? Thanks.

I did.  I like fast gear ratios except for Arigs.

12 hours ago, Nbest11 said:

Alright so I purchased a Shimano Curado dc (left handed) at a 6.4.1 gear ratio since I use a variety of baits due to all the local lakes and ponds I fish. I have been reading around and is gear ratio in the 7s better. Is it worth returning the 6 ratio for a 7 ratio? Thanks.

Better for what. If you need to bring fish in as quickly as possible, like if you're power fishing in a tournament, a higher gear ratio will let you do that. Given that you're fishing a wide variety of lures in various waters it sound like you need versatility, which the 6.4:1 should do very well.

 

I prefer a 6.x for versatility (I use mostly 6.2:1), and more torque less speed. I've never brought a fish in thinking it took too long.

 

Keep it! 

 

 

2 hours ago, Fishes in trees said:

Just buy another one in the gear ratio that you like, there you go , problem solved.  In a season or so you will have a notion of which gear ratio works for what, based on YOUR experiences, not what some guy on line or in a fishing magazine says.

A man after my own heart. 

 

OP.  A lot is personal preference.  What you have will work fine.  I picked up a nice Scorpion 4 x 4 SVS from a guy who was switching over to 7-7+ reels.  6.2:1  Works fine for me.  At 22 IPT I use it for crankbaits.  I will admit that I have come to like faster ratios, but will not be getting rid of any slower reels...such as my 5.8:1 reels.

Not better, just different. There are techniques that the 6.4:1 will work well with.

 

I like the 7+ reels for most techniques though. If you intend to use it for frogs and heavy cover, the added speed helps you take up line quickly to yank the fish out. It's also good to have speed for search baits. If you crank all day, you would turn the handle 1/6 fewer times. 

To me, 6.4:1 is a pretty good overall gear ratio for most applications.  Where gear ratio matters most is when you are fishing soft plastics (especially) or jigs and after you set the hook, you might need to quickly take up any slack on bass that swim toward you.  This calls for a higher gear ratio.  OR you are fishing big bladed spinnerbaits (or inline spinners) or big deep diving crankbaits which will work you cranking hand to death if you aren't using a slower gear ratio reel. 

 

Although it has the advantage listed above, one of the problems with using a high gear ratio reel with soft plastics or jigs is people (me, at least) tend to fish it too fast if I'm not conscious of what I'm doing.

 

If you are a "generalist" I'd just keep what you have and if you find, later, that you need a higher or lower gear ratio for a certain application, then get another reel.  You know you'll want one anyway.  :  )

I naturally reel as if a swamp monster is trying to steal my lures, so the slower gear ratio reels are optimal for my style of fishing. 

As you can tell by the replies you've got already, it's really all preference. That 6.4.1 you have picks up 26" per turn, which is what I prefer for my squarebills, spinnerbaits and most other moving baits..though I rarely fish water deeper than 12 feet. Depending in what you plan on using it for I'd say keep it. 

18 hours ago, Nbest11 said:

I have been reading around and is gear ratio in the 7s better.

There is no overall "better" gear ratio. It all comes down to what lure youre throwing and how you like to fish.

 

6.4:1 is good for most applications