With bait cast reel speeds all the way up to 10:1 now , what is your favorite bait cast reel speed for walk-the-dog top water tactics (Spooks , Sammy's , etc.) ? I have new PP #30 lb. braid I want to spool up on either a 6:3:1 or 7:1 bait cast reel matched to a 6'6" M/F rod for walk-the-dog Spooks , Sammy's , etc. 

It the rod that matters not the reel.  I’ve used 3.8:1 up to 7.4:1.

1 hour ago, Jig Man said:

It the rod that matters not the reel.  I’ve used 3.8:1 up to 7.4:1.

Agreed, I'm more interested in the form factor and comfort.  I simply adjust to the retrieve speed, though I didn't really like using an ultra fast reel (41 IPT).

Somewhere in the 25-28 IPT is my personal sweet spot, which is ~6:1 to 7:1. Just gotta figure out what works best for you.

2 hours ago, Jig Man said:

It the rod that matters not the reel.  I’ve used 3.8:1 up to 7.4:1.

I prefer 7 and above, although use 6:6:1s often when fishing yucky water I don't want my nice reels in

Just picking up the slack line, I use 7.1 to 8.1...

All of my reels are 7:1-7.5-1 now.  I don't deep crank much and if I do, it's not an all day affair so I just grunt it out.  The main reason to use a faster reel for topwaters is to be able to take up the slack line faster.

How much slack do you need to pick up.  Even with a slower reel, it's a fraction of a turn per twitch.

I prefer 3.8:1 reels with a very low IPT for this.  I don't like having to crank just small fractions of a turn at a time, if I can avoid it.  Though, I can make do with anything.  It's really more about what your most comfortable using rather than what you actually NEED.  And what's comfortable is up to you.    

I use a 7 or 8 gear ratio mainly to get the bait back in if the school moves so I can get the bait back on top of them. It can be done with slower reels but I just like being able to burn it in if needed.

10 minutes ago, Phil77 said:

I use a 7 or 8 gear ratio mainly to get the bait back in if the school moves so I can get the bait back on top of them. It can be done with slower reels but I just like being able to burn it in if needed.

7.5:1, right between the two, good all around choice!

I use a 7.3:1 for mine. 

6.3:1 is what I use.

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use a 7.3:1 for mine. 

Me too ~

A-Jay

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use a 7.3:1 for mine. 

Either my 7.3:1 (31ipt) for the lighter spooks (Zara Puppy, etc) on the medium rod or 7.1:1 (29ipt) on the medium-heavy rod for the bigger ones.

6 something. 
But really doesn’t matter 

 

 

 

 

Mike

22 hours ago, J Francho said:

How much slack do you need to pick up.  Even with a slower reel, it's a fraction of a turn per twitch.

This. I've caught bass using older round ABUs, and with  newer Lews and Qauntums, which are faster. Both work. As J Francho says here, the slack line is a very small amount, and these baits fish best on a semi slack line.

I use either a 6.3:1 or 7.1:1, don't think it makes that much of a difference.

For me, it's 7' MM rods, my best spinner is St. Croix Legend Glass, and my best baitcaster is Crowder IM6. 

I'll also agree with the speed not mattering, but if I have a high-geared reel, I like a long handle on it for lure finesse. 

 

I use a 6.4:1 reel or about 26" IPT on 6' rod.

I used the same 6ft. pistol grip rod and 6.3:1 reel for my spook fishing for years. I switched to another combo three seasons ago. Same reel, different rod.

I use a 7.3:1.