As I have been cleaning my spinning reels and watching Youtube videos I have come across several that talk about reel gear ratios and their applications.

It seems the majority of my spinning reels are in the 6.1 to 6.4 range, with one at 5.8.

Do people find the need for lower gear ratios in their spinning gear (let's say 5.1 to 5.8) ? Do these lower gear ratios/torque help you ?

What is your most common gear ratio in your spinning gear ?

Thank you

Nope. Spinning reels for bass aren’t about high torque (certainly not for me). And the pick up rate for spinning reels for a gear ratio are a lot higher than a casting reel of the same.

I do, and I'm very particular about matching handle lengths for the right niche. Shorter handle lets you crank faster when you need, and longer handle gives you more torque through the drive.

Two small frames, Vanquish C2000S w/ 43-mm handle, and 5.3 gears ; I like the lower-geared reel for winter finesse fishing with soft plastics.

Stradic C2000SXG with 47-mm handle, and 6.1 gears - equivalent reel to USM 1000FL.

Higher gears get you quicker pick-up when you need it, e.g, fishing deep, here I'm using a 4' dropper below a weightless cigar cork.

JDM 1000S has slightly lower pick-up because of smaller spool dia. Double handle has 37-mm pitch.

My medium and large frames are both SXG, 6.1 gears.

9 hours ago, WaskaCrank12 said:

What is your most common gear ratio in your spinning gear ?

5.2:1 = 28.4" IPT (with reverse switch)

9 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

And the pick up rate for spinning reels for a gear ratio are a lot higher than a casting reel of the same.

I experienced this ^^ the other day when fishing with my 6 spinning and 6 casting. I stupidly nested the casting reel. I had to consciously slow down the spinning reel which was mildly uncomfortable to the brain/body. So I guess yes to your question.

Now I think I "need" a lower geared spinning reel. Stupid monkey 🙃

Never gave it much thought on spinning reels.

All my spinning reels are either 6.2:1 or 5.2:1. IPT is different on my different sizes of reels, a 1000 will be different then a 3000.

I always try to get a 5.x spinning reel as those are closer to my casting reels in IPT...have to go JDM cause the models I like don't sell the 5.x reels this side of the 'big water'.

Don't know. Would have to look. I've purchased a few spinning reels since getting into baitcast reels, but most haven't had line spooled on them yet. Much prefer a baitcast reel. If buying a new baitcast reel, I will look at the gear ratio before purchasing. If buying used, I look at the reel's condition. Gear ratio in this case is much less important to me than the reel itself. I buy what interests me. Same for spinning reels.

Tica, who built your Daiwa if it has optional A/R switch, sells 4-geared reels. Unfortunately, they usually match them with a too-long handle - I always swap them with IOS hex-shaft adapter and a shorter Daiwa handle. Two examples, giant surf Samira with 74-mm spool and silly 85-mm handle, next to 4-geared small-frame Libra SX with 41-mm spool and 45-mm-pitch SLPW double handle.

I swapped the too-long handle on the big surf reel for a 70-mm handle made for Daiwa Whisker.