Gear Ratio in Reels

malvizzu · April 04, 2013, 16:36:28 CET

How does the gear ratio work in reels? For example, which is the best – 6:1 or 3.5:1 – in retrieving a big fish faster and less tiring?

maltembu · April 04, 2013, 17:09:04 CET

The higher the gear ratio the faster you get your line in.. The Lower the ratio the stronger is the pull.. example: with big mamas you need lower ratios.. when spinning fast lures you need higher ratio.. another example : high ratio is like having more bhp.. Lower ratio is like having more torque...

With twin speed reels you have the best of both worlds with the push of a button as you switch for example :
from 4.0 : 1 to 1.4 : 1
from 5.0 : 1 to 2.0 : 1
from 6.0 : 1 to 3.5 : 1

Hope this helps you..

Saupe · April 04, 2013, 18:24:41 CET

Very good explanation maltembu , Thanks

ganni · April 04, 2013, 21:25:21 CET

"like some do on TV"?? lol

benri · April 05, 2013, 06:32:17 CET

Wicked.... lol

bmamo · April 05, 2013, 09:43:59 CET

Like those showboats on discovery fishing for tuna?

redhead · April 05, 2013, 09:44:33 CET

High ratio (HG or XG) in a spinning reel is for popping from boat or shore jigging. Low ratio (PG) is ideal for boat jigging, bottom fishing and trolling. This is only a general rule and some might disagree.

malvizzu · April 05, 2013, 09:53:39 CET

Thanks for the explanation. But still have a stupid question to ask

Which is the high ratio, the bigger number (6.0 : 1) or the smaller number (3.5 : 1)? So if when levering a big one, a high ratio is better, when is the low ratio used on a 2 speed reel?

malvizzu · April 05, 2013, 10:21:38 CET

Excellent explanation as this gear ratio thing always confused me how it is. Thanks!

skip · April 05, 2013, 13:03:30 CET

You've got the retreieve rate as well to factor in!

Even though gear ratios are important to know and understand, they are only part of the equation. The measure of the speed of a fishing reel is determined not by how fast the spool is turning, but by how fast it can pull line through the water – the line retrieval rate.

The retrieval rate is the product of two factors: spool speed and spool diameter. A reel with a high gear ratio and a small spool diameter will not necessarily retrieve line as fast, or pull a jig as fast, as a reel with a slower gear ratio and a larger spool diameter. An example of this would be to compare a reel with a 6:1 gear ratio and a 2" diameter spool to a reel with a 5:1 gear ratio and a 3" diameter spool. In this case, the "faster" 6:1 ratio reel will retrieve about 37" of line for every turn of the reel handle. The "slower" 5:1 reel, however, will retrieve approximately 47" of line for every turn of the handle! In terms of how fast these two reels can pick up line, the "slower" 5:1 reel is actually about 27% faster than the 6:1 reel. Don't be fooled by gear ratios – they're only a small part of the overall performance of your reel.

Source: http://www.tiburonengineering.com/html/faqs.html

redhead · April 05, 2013, 13:25:24 CET

Exactly as Skip explained. In fact the best maunfacurers also specify the amount of line retrived per handle turn (with a full spool) not only gear ratio. Today's modern quality spinners are still fast even if they have a low ratio. In fact super spinners made for jigging with low gear ratio will still retrive 100cm per turn.

malvizzu · April 05, 2013, 13:59:47 CET

Quote from: skip on April 05, 2013, 13:03:30 CET
You've got the retreieve rate as well to factor in!

Even though gear ratios are important to know and understand, they are only part of the equation. The measure of the speed of a fishing reel is determined not by how fast the spool is turning, but by how fast it can pull line through the water – the line retrieval rate.

The retrieval rate is the product of two factors: spool speed and spool diameter. A reel with a high gear ratio and a small spool diameter will not necessarily retrieve line as fast, or pull a jig as fast, as a reel with a slower gear ratio and a larger spool diameter. An example of this would be to compare a reel with a 6:1 gear ratio and a 2" diameter spool to a reel with a 5:1 gear ratio and a 3" diameter spool. In this case, the "faster" 6:1 ratio reel will retrieve about 37" of line for every turn of the reel handle. The "slower" 5:1 reel, however, will retrieve approximately 47" of line for every turn of the handle! In terms of how fast these two reels can pick up line, the "slower" 5:1 reel is actually about 27% faster than the 6:1 reel. Don't be fooled by gear ratios – they're only a small part of the overall performance of your reel.

Source: http://www.tiburonengineering.com/html/faqs.html

Wow!!! Very interesting write-up as well. Fishing is sooooooo complicated at times. It's so technical as if you are studying science at school

Thanks Skip!

benri · April 05, 2013, 14:05:34 CET

Yes, a very interesting topic. The retrieve rate also depends on the amount of line on the spool! That's why it is important to fill as close to the maximum as possible and to use a backing when spooling with braid to widen the diameter.

malvizzu · April 05, 2013, 14:43:33 CET

Quote from: benri on April 05, 2013, 14:05:34 CET
Yes, a very interesting topic. The retrieve rate also depends on the amount of line on the spool! That's why it is important to fill as close to the maximum as possible and to use a backing when spooling with braid to widen the diameter.

What do you mean "to use backing when spooling with braid to widen the diameter"? To start spooling with thick mono and than continue with thin braid?

maltembu · April 05, 2013, 15:04:14 CET

Quote from: malvizzu on April 05, 2013, 14:43:33 CET
Quote from: benri on April 05, 2013, 14:05:34 CET
Yes, a very interesting topic. The retrieve rate also depends on the amount of line on the spool! That's why it is important to fill as close to the maximum as possible and to use a backing when spooling with braid to widen the diameter.

What do you mean "to use backing when spooling with braid to widen the diameter"? To start spooling with thick mono and than continue with thin braid?

what benri means is that the more line you have on the spool the more line you retrieve with each turn of the handle as the circumference is bigger.. the more line goes out or less line is spooled the less line is retrieved with each turn of the handle.. because the circumference is getting smaller..