I am going to purchase a Curado Mgl 150 from bass pro because I have gift cards, but they only have a 6:2:1 or a 8:1:1 gear ratio, no 7 speed as i would prefer. So which one? I will not be using it for any special technique just a all around reel. One thing I WON'T be using it for is frogging if that factors in at all. Thanks guys!

That’s tough because a 7 speed is a happy medium. They say it’s easier to slow down with an 8 than speed up with a 6. I’m used to a 6 speed because for years it’s all I used. 

I prefer the faster reels so I can quickly take up any slack and get the rod in position after hook sets and getting the bait back quicker when done with a retrieve.  I only have one 6 left and it is a loaner with an Arig.

Personally - unless you plan on using it for crankbaits - get the 8.

Just now, MN Fisher said:

Personally - unless you plan on using it for crankbaits - get the 8.

If i do use it for cranks it will be small KVD 1.5 or maybe a Rapala DT6. So that wont create to much of a problem right?

Just now, fishinNWA said:

If i do use it for cranks it will be small KVD 1.5 or maybe a Rapala DT6. So that wont create to much of a problem right?

Long as you can reel 'real slow'...8-ratio on normal handle-turn speed is too fast for any crankbait.

Just now, MN Fisher said:

Long as you can reel 'real slow'...8-ratio on normal handle-turn speed is too fast for any crankbait.

Yeah, but mostly when i throw cranks it is in ponds during the summer or early spring so fishing fast works most of the time, but i also can slow down pretty easy. Thank you!

I crank with a 7 or 8 depending on the bait.

I like high ratios.  Spring cold water MAYBE a SLIGHTLY slower speed.  But I have done as fast as I could crank retrieves then . The fish were still getting hooked.  No body can crank faster than a hungry fish can swim. Period

 

Only time slower is better ? C & R fish bY itself. They WILL NOT bite until they are sure it is not another sore mouth. I have seen several loners come up & turn away. They DO COMMUNICATE not to eat that.

To me, the difference between a 6.2 and 8.1 isn't huge.  I can speed up or slow down easy enough to make either work for most anything.  Just choose one and if you decide later you wish you got the other, then you'll know what to look for in your next reel.  

i'd go with the 8.1 personally. I feel it's easier to slow down opposed to speeding up if need be

I'm the direct opposite of most who have commented. I find slowing down to crank or spinnerbait speeds with a 8 agonizing. The instant I lose lazer focus on reeling the bait is blowing out. Especially for a "do everything" reel, I MUCH prefer to reel a little faster than normal taking up slack on a t-rig over having to constantly focus on slowing down for a whole retrieve with a moving bait. Not to mention I will most times be making far more casts with moving baits.

 

I absolutely love 8 speeds for jigs, t-rig, and frogs but find them extremely bothersome for pretty much anything else. You ruled out frogs, and we had no issues catching bass on 5 speed reels using t-rigs and jigs for years.

 

I find that I don't need any help fishing faster, I'm probably fishing too fast most of the time no matter what reel I use. This is all just me personally, we are all different. 

For me, given the choice between a 6 or 8 for a "all purpose" reel, I'm grabbing the 6 and not looking back.

The 7 gear ratio is 7.4.  The spec differences in line retrieve is 29” on the 7.4 v. 32” on the 8.1.  There are other factors that can influence but basically you are talking about a small difference.  As a general rule, higher ratio’s have a better resale than lower if that matters in the future. 

buy the 8 and just put on 60 yards on 10#. Boom. slow reel.

2 hours ago, Lead Head said:

I'm the direct opposite of most who have commented. I find slowing down to crank or spinnerbait speeds with a 8 agonizing. The instant I lose lazer focus on reeling the bait is blowing out. Especially for a "do everything" reel, I MUCH prefer to reel a little faster than normal taking up slack on a t-rig over having to constantly focus on slowing down for a whole retrieve with a moving bait. Not to mention I will most times be making far more casts with moving baits.

 

I absolutely love 8 speeds for jigs, t-rig, and frogs but find them extremely bothersome for pretty much anything else. You ruled out frogs, and we had no issues catching bass on 5 speed reels using t-rigs and jigs for years.

 

I find that I don't need any help fishing faster, I'm probably fishing too fast most of the time no matter what reel I use. This is all just me personally, we are all different. 

For me, given the choice between a 6 or 8 for a "all purpose" reel, I'm grabbing the 6 and not looking back.

Exactly everything Lead Head says here sums up my opinion also. 

3 hours ago, Lead Head said:

I'm the direct opposite of most who have commented. I find slowing down to crank or spinnerbait speeds with a 8 agonizing. The instant I lose lazer focus on reeling the bait is blowing out. Especially for a "do everything" reel, I MUCH prefer to reel a little faster than normal taking up slack on a t-rig over having to constantly focus on slowing down for a whole retrieve with a moving bait. Not to mention I will most times be making far more casts with moving baits.

 

I absolutely love 8 speeds for jigs, t-rig, and frogs but find them extremely bothersome for pretty much anything else. You ruled out frogs, and we had no issues catching bass on 5 speed reels using t-rigs and jigs for years.

 

I find that I don't need any help fishing faster, I'm probably fishing too fast most of the time no matter what reel I use. This is all just me personally, we are all different. 

For me, given the choice between a 6 or 8 for a "all purpose" reel, I'm grabbing the 6 and not looking back.

Perfect, thank you so much!

I'd take a 6 gear ratio over an 8 any day of the week. I only use the 8 GR for jigs and top water.

I would take the 6 ratio reel. The fastest reel I own is a 6.8:1 or about 28" IPT. Never felt like I needed anything any faster. I still use 5.1:1 reels a for a lot of techniques.

Reeling faster is a ton easier than slowing down for me. 

I have many ratios......just look at the bait and adjust accordingly. 

The only application where ratio is mechanical advantage is 5:1 / 20 ipt +/- for deep cranks and high resistance baits. The faster are all personal preference. Faster reels are nice for taking up slack quickly when necessary,how fast is up to you. 

The reel gear ratio you use has a substantial effect on your presentation.  Some presentations, like buzz baits for example, require faster ratios to keep the bait on the surface. Other presentations, like spinnerbaits, are better when fished slower. I remember when a 5/1 reel was the fastest reel available.  Before that, most casting reels where 3/1.  Under some circumstances, a bass angler fishing with an 8/1 reel, could be missing a lot of fish.

 

I have experimented with many different reel gear ratios over the years.  In the winter, I want to force myself to slow down.   The easiest way to accomplish this is to use a slower reel.  Getting the right cadence is very important to some lures.  When offshore trolling for marlin, a boat that puts out the right vibrations raises more fish.  Your lure does the same thing.  When you get everything in sync, good things happen.

I'd go with the 6.

 

There was a time when 6.3 to 1 was fast.  Like Franko said, I'd rather speed up than slow down.  

Thanks to everyone, I purchased the 6 today