Can I get by with this ratio until I get a better reel?

Johntom2k · February 20, 2018, 12:40:17 PM

Can I get by with this ratio until I can afford a bait caster to run with spinner bait top water crank baits and warm fishing. Basically I want you to throw the same stuff if I had a bite caster but with a spinning rod.

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SFL BassHunter · February 20, 2018, 12:54:13 PM

I see no reason why you shouldn't. Topwater, and cranks for sure will be fine.
Spinnerbaits you'll have to test. Will it have enough crank power and not wear you out. It also depends on the size of the spinnerbait I think.

For worms and bottom contact it's perfectly fine.

bigjim5589 · February 20, 2018, 12:59:22 PM

IMO, you can get by with any reel, spinning or casting. Gear ratio is not the main thing to determine whether or not the reel is suited for any application. It certainly has some affect, but the same gear ratio on a spinning reel with a much smaller spool is not going to pic up the same amount of line for each turn of the handle. Even with baitcasting reels how much line is retrieved per turn is a much better indication of what applications a reel might be used to best advantage.

You'll probably be fine with that reel for most any type of lure. Now, whether or not the rod you have it paired with is ideal for the lure type may be another consideration.

I use some big spinning reels ( surf fishing size) for some of my bigger Striper lures, and really don't even give the ratio on the reel much thought.

Ddyyak · February 20, 2018, 02:19:45 PM

Keep the spool filled so you maximize line take up per revolution. Best, most economical way to do this is use cheap mono backing so your flouro/braid mainline is less.

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Johntom2k · February 20, 2018, 03:32:23 PM

Thanks everyone for the help!

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loomisguy · February 20, 2018, 06:05:54 PM

It will be fine for now. Never over fill a spinning reel.

coldfront · February 21, 2018, 01:32:26 AM

Quote from: SFL BassHunter on February 20, 2018, 12:54:13 PM
I see no reason why you shouldn't. Topwater, and cranks for sure will be fine.
Spinnerbaits you'll have to test. Will it have enough crank power and not wear you out. It also depends on the size of the spinnerbait I think.

For worms and bottom contact it's perfectly fine.

only had ONE experience in life that indicated higher retrieve ratios were a must.

got on a buzzbait bite one summer day and after 4 hours of burning a buzzbait with a 5:1 reel, my forearms were starting to burn a bit.

you'll be fine3.

Oldfart9999 · February 21, 2018, 06:32:32 AM

It'll work for you. Gear ratios are used to give you an idea of what the line pickup will be but inches per turn of the handle is a better indicator. If you buy the reel for spinnerbaits, topwater, and worm fishing you want a fast retrieve reel. Don't rush it, wait til you can afford a better quality reel.
Rodney

SFL BassHunter · February 21, 2018, 06:39:51 AM

Quote from: coldfront on February 21, 2018, 01:32:26 AM
only had ONE experience in life that indicated higher retrieve ratios were a must.

got on a buzzbait bite one summer day and after 4 hours of burning a buzzbait with a 5:1 reel, my forearms were starting to burn a bit.

you'll be fine3.

Yep same will go for the spinnerbait. Burning one of them at 1/2 oz + trailer can tire you out with a slow reel.
But more importantly is the cranking power in that case.

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