Question of gear Ratio for baitcasters

[bassin]

Two years ago, I purchased a Curado with gear ratio of 5.0:1. I used it for pitching and flipping. I often found that when I detected a fish strike, the gear ratio is not big enough for me to reel in slack quick and thus ended up losing fish.

 

My other baitcasters have ratio of 6.0:1. I am fine with them for pitching, casting and cranking. I just bought another Curado with gear ratio of 7.0:1. I intend to use it exclusively for pitching and flipping.

 

I can trade in my old Curado, but wonder whether I can match it with my cranking rod for the use of crankbaits. I know low gear baitcaster is good for bottom fishing and trolling. What about cranking? The cranking rod has moderate fast tip and I think smaller gear ratio and slower retrieval speed reel may be a perfect match. Would like to know from your experience. Thanks.

[forrest]

The measurement that counts is inches per crank.

 

my 5:1 spinning reel does the same line uptake as my 7:1 baitcaster.

 

do what feels right for your fishing.....ignore the marketing

A longer rod can help...

 

forrest

[PatrickGG]

I have a curado also with a 5:0:1 Gear ratio which i will never trade it off, just remember some days when the fishing is slow that real will be the best thing

to use when using Crank baits.

[danbo]

http://www.probass.net/protips/

[bassin]

Thanks guys. I may keep it for crankbaits. No doubt Curado is a great reel. Danbo, the link is what I need for winter.

[singingdog]

Why not trade in the slower reel? You can always fish a fast reel slower, but not the other way around. If you are using it for cranks and need to put the burn on, the high-speed will come in handy.

[johnnyb]

nice to have a low ratio cranker around...if you need to burn in a crankbait, that's what sweeping the rod is for. If you're going to have a few reels, may as well have a few different ratios

[Garry2Rs]

While my Musky reel was at the doctor, I once put a 6 to 1 Chronarch on a musky rod and tried to use it to crank Bucktails.

The drag from those big baits made it very hard to reel them in. I thought I was going to sprain my wrist.

Take it from me, your 5 to 1's will be your favourite reel whenever you are using big baits and deep divers.

Garry2R's

[bassin]

Thanks. I will keep it. This is what joining this board for.

[mbac31]

THe curado 5:0:1 reels are great for slow rolling bigger blades on spinnerbaits and is awesome for bigger wakebaits or cranks. I even have the 3 speeds fromk shimano as well. You can get by with a normal 6 speed reel its much nicer and easier on your arms with these when you use a technique such as slow rolling or cranking. I love my 5 ratio reels for swimbaits like the Giron and Matt lures

[Rich]

Lower gear ratio tends to be better for cranking, coupled with a soft action rod. Could also use it for topwater fishing.

 

This post has me wondering. In these days of technology, why has nobody invented a variable speed baitcaster?

Edited October 25, 2008 by Rich

[OhioFisherman]

Most of my reels are older, and run from about a 4.7 to 1 to a 6 to 1 retrieve, I do like the slower retrieves for crankbaits but didn`t have a problem with hooksets when I used them for flipping or pitching. At one time they were considered a fast retrieve.