Fishing Reel Gear Ratios Explained

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FISHING REEL GEAR RATIO

Josh Stewart

If you’ve ever shopped online for a fishing reel, you’ve likely come across a product description for a specific model you’re interested in.  That description contained a reference to the model’s gear ratio.  A specification expressed using three numbers.  For example, 7.0:1, and 6.3:1, are examples of fishing reel gear ratios.  One of our goals at Live to Fish, is helping you understand anything and everything about fishing, the gear, tactics, etc.  After reading what follows, you’ll never wonder what those figures mean.  When you turn the handle on a fishing reel, you’re engaging gears inside the reel.  Those internal gears are what turn the spool.  As you know, the spool of a fishing reel refers to the part of the reel that holds your fishing line.  Understanding what those numbers mean is easy.  The number before the colon denotes the rotations the spool makes per one complete turn of the reel's handle. So, a 6.3:1 ratio means the spool revolves 6.3 times with each (1) handle turn. Larger numbers in the first section means that more line is retrieved each time you turn the reel handle because the spool is turning that much faster. See how easy that was?  That’s another thing you’ll come to know about us – we’ll always give you the advice and information you need straight up.  As you know, there are spinning reels and casting reels.  Other terms for casting reels are conventional reels and bait casting reels.   Whether you’re shopping for a spinning reel or a casting / conventional reel, the gear ratio explained above will always be expressed in the same manner and have the same meaning.

For those who would like more technical specificity in understanding fishing reel gear ratios, this next paragraph is for you.  Turning the handle on a fishing reel engages a flat, circular shaped spur gear. This spur gear is located on the internal shaft of the handle. Teeth on the spur gear are precisely machined to interact with a smaller gear that resides on the center shaft of the reel spool. In most reels this is a helical gear.  This helical gear is shaped like a small barrel. Turning the handle engages these gears which rotate together and turn your spool.  How smooth you reel feels when turning the handle is largely a result of how finely these gears match up inside your reel.  Some other factors that contribute to the smooth feel and durability are how exact the specifications and tolerances are between these gears, and what type of metal the gears are made of.  When you cast a bait casting reel, your spool is spinning freely.  The spool’s ability to spin freely is the result of the disengagement of the gears.  When casting a bait casting reel, you push down on the thumb bar; also, called the spool release button.  With the thumb bar down, the gears are disengaged and you’re able to cast.   When you turn the handle after making your cast, you hear the same click encountered when you first pushed the thumb bar down.  That audible, “click,” is the sound of the gears re-engaging.  For a spinning reel, casts are possible when you flip the bail wire over.  That allows your line to flow freely off the spool.  The spool itself doesn’t spin like it does on a bait casting reel when you cast.  For anyone who has used both kinds of reels, you know that without the spool spinning on a spinning reel during the cast, you don’t end up with the dreaded, “backlash,” “bird’s nest,” or, “professional overrun.”  The foregoing are all terms used to describe the tangle of line that ends up on your spool when a cast goes awry with a bait casting reel. 

The lower the gear ration, the more torque the reel provides.  However, the downside is less line is recovered with each turn of the handle.  The higher the gear ratio, the more line you’ll recover with turn of the handle; but the disadvantage is often a loss in power necessary to subdue large fish.  Determining the proper gear ratio is done by considering the species you’re after and the fight you expect to encounter.  Just like a golfer doesn’t take to the golf course with just one club, most experienced fisherman don’t head out to go fishing with just one rod and reel combo.  A selection of rod and reel combinations accompany fisherman serious about getting as many fish on the line as possible.  The selection contains rods capable of handling different size lures or baits and reels with varying gear ratios and line capacities.  Certain lures are better fished with a lower gear ratio.  Big crank baits that swim deep benefit from additional torque.  More torque from a lower gear ratio means that reeling this lures in requires less effort; as does fighting the fish you hook up with.  Another scenario that favors low gear ratios is when fishing in cold weather with low water temperatures.  In Florida, when the water temperature is in the 70’s; and certainly below, baits and lures need to be fished more slowly.  A slow retrieve matches the generally lethargic behavior exhibited by fish in colder conditions.  Working your lure too fast in cold water yanks the lure out of the water column that would encompass the strike zone.  The strike zone in colder water is smaller than in warmer temperatures.  Moreover, fish are less willing to travel to feed.   A slow retrieve and accompanying presentation will result in more strikes. 

If using fishing reels with a high gear ratio, you can gobble up more line with each turn of the handle.  High gear ratio reels are also called, “high-speed,” reels as a reference to how many revolutions the spool makes.  For example, the Abu Garcia Revo Rocket has a gear ratio of 9.0:1.  The result is a recovery of 36.5” inches of line per turn.  Examples of a high gear ratio are those above 7.1:1.  Types of fishing best done with a hear gear ratio reel involve fishing with jigs, large jerk baits, large worms, Texas and Carolina rigs, top-water lures, and any lipless crankbaits.  In summary, you’ll benefit from a high-speed reel any time you’re fishing a lure that requires you to use your rod to achieve the desired action.  Fishing the types of lures mentioned above creates slack in your line.  Especially when working a top-water lure.  Slack line can cause problems when a fish strikes.  Without tension on the line, you either won’t notice the bite or you won’t be able to properly set the hook.  Lastly, if fishing an area exhibiting numerous means through which the fish could break free, a high-speed retrieve is beneficial.  Such areas would be docks, bridges, mangrove shorelines, and weeds or lily pads.  Getting the fish away from structure in a hurry increase your chances of landing the fish rather than losing both the fish and your lure in the process. 

When you get into fishing offshore, on reefs or other deep-water structure, the definition of high-speed changes based on the different dimensions of the reels.  Bigger, heavier, fish tend to live in deeper water.  Bigger, heavier, fishing gear is used to bring these fish up from the depths, or otherwise counter their power.  Fishing gear rated for offshore use will have the necessary combination of both speed and power.  Some offshore gamefish reels have spools that when filled to capacity with line, boast a circumference measuring approximately 8” inches.  The recovery rate when reeling in is a whopping of 4’ feet, or 1.33 yards of line with each turn of the handle.  Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, and Dorado are some examples of popular off-shore gamefish species.  Stories of a large Blue Marlin making a run towards the boat are not unheard of.  The ability to quickly recover line and take up slack is critical.  One of the reasons large fish are lost is due to a suddenly slack line.  The slack line means the tension on the hook is lost; causing loss of the fish. 

Our fishing tackle at Live to Fish contains conventional fishing combinations capable of use for offshore fishing.  In addition, you’ll find rods and reels suited for pursuing inshore gamefish and freshwater species.  We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.  We want you to have the right gear for whatever you’re after.  Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about the appropriate gear, or any of the items we sell. 

Fishing With The Inexperienced

FISHING WITH THE INEXPERIENCED

Josh Stewart

Unfortunately, getting out on the water for a fishing trip happens less likely than most of us would want.  A fishing trip involving an inexperienced newcomer or kids can be even less likely.  Having a newcomer to the sport of fishing along, child or adult, is a rare and valuable opportunity.  The chance is one that provides the perfect foundation to pass on your passion for fishing.  Additionally, it’s an ideal occasion to teach the less experienced fisherman about ethical fishing and boating practices.  This article will help ensure trips with people not accustomed to fishing proceed as smoothly as possible.  If you think back to where your passion for fishing first developed, you’re likely to recall going out with a fishing enthusiast.  That ambassador to the sport of fishing likely contributed to your experience in ensuring it was a favorably unforgettable one. Meaningful positive memories are ensured when helping someone with less experience end up with a fish on the line.  The newcomer doesn’t necessarily have to be related to you, nor do they have to be a child.  Witnessing the pure excitement exhibited by someone who hasn’t fought a fish before results in a rewarding experience for everyone involved.  Follow the tips below to ensure that any fishing experience is one in which the chances of everyone enjoying the opportunity are increased. 

1.      Don’t focus on targeting a specific species.  At first, the goal is simply to catch fish in general.  This tip is especially true when fishing with children.  When kids are along, remember that those under 10 years of age, have a very short attention span.  If they aren’t catching fish, boredom soon follows.  If boredom sets in and isn’t relieved with a fish on the line, it will be all that much harder to convince them to go along with you in the future.   For the first few trips, focus on going after whatever species is easiest to catch that time of year.  For the inexperienced fisherman, it’s not about the size of the fish, or the species.  Gamefish or not, the newcomer will be happy that a fish goes from swimming freely to being caught.  Go through the necessary preparations that you would normally follow through with before heading out.  Such preparations include practices such as checking the tidal conditions for your area.  If you don’t know what’s biting, ask a local bait shop employee or contact us here.

2.      Don’t try to fish in rough or extreme conditions.  Though you may cast concerns over wind and waves aside when heading out, someone new to the sport has not yet come to understand the fun and enjoyment that fishing brings.  Your motivation to fish through uncomfortable conditions comes about as a result of the fond fishing memories you already have.  Regardless of whether fishing from shore or from a boat, keep in mind that the experience is entirely new for your guest.  They don’t share the same level of commitment and enthusiasm you share for the sport; at least not yet. Exposing them to rough wind and waves may result in the person not being so willing to give it a try the next time.  After a few successful trips, you can better gauge their endurance and willingness to deal with adverse conditions.

3.      Shorten the duration of your fishing trips.  Long trips require a similar type of endurance and enthusiasm as is required for fishing through adverse conditions.  Save the full day adventure for another time.  Preferably after the novice shares your interest in the sport.  How long should you focus on as the fishing trip duration?  Three to four hours is plenty of time to take someone out, put them on fish, and bring them back.  Before you head out to catch whatever swims, make a note to pack plenty of snacks and drinks as well.  You want to focus on maximizing comfort during the first trips.  We sell a number of accessories to help make your trip as fun and enjoyable as possible.

4.      If you have children along, work to avoid use of treble hooks.  Getting a hook in your hand or elsewhere has probably occurred to you at some point (no pun intended). Safe removal of the hook is difficult and even harder to do in a completely pain free manner.  You want the hooks you remove with newcomers to be those stuck in the mouths of fish.  Not your guest.  Fortunately, we offer a wide variety of single barb hooks.  The exchange of treble hooks through replacing them single barb hooks can be made successfully and with fear of losing the opportunity to hook up.  Some manufacturers make their lures with single barb hooks.  Since we’re on the topic of lures, here’s another important point to consider – unless you’re simply trolling, lures require specialized knowledge involving how to work the rod and the rate at which to reel in.  Each artificial bait is fished differently in order to attract strikes.  When fishing with someone new to the sport, their concerns are likely to exist on a much lower level on the totem pole of fishing expertise.  More likely than not, they’ll just want to make sure they nail learning how to cast.  Use of lures is not advisable.  Use live bait instead. 

5.      Focus on your guests.  If you’ve ever hired a guide to take you out for a day of fishing, recall how much attention that guide provided to you.  No, you don’t have to suddenly become as attentive as a professional fishing guide.  The idea behind recommending that you keep your focus on your guests is to help them feel more comfortable doing something new.  If you happen to hook one, hand the rod off.  Let them fight the fish.  Valuable lessons are learned in how to properly handle a fighting fish when the opportunity to do so comes about.  It’s worth taking the time to pass on any knowledge you have pertaining to the fish caught.  Allow your guests the opportunity to take a close look before releasing the fish.  An exception to giving you guests the chance to take a closer look would be if you happen to catch a large shark of saltwater catfish.  In such instances, the risks likely outweigh the rewards.  If you are going to release the fish, follow proper catch and release methods to ensure a safe release of the fish.    

Be patient and encouraging.  If they do something wrong or the fish shakes the hook, be sure to offer quick positive words of support and encouragement.  If you follow these tips, the chances of passing on your love of the sport increase.   Contact us if you have any other questions or for any further tips or suggestions.