Reel Gear Ratio

[Fishrman]

I have a Curado 3.8 to 1, have only used it 3 or 4 times. Didn't really like the way it felt throwing the DD22, I also have a 5.0 to 1 Citica. I fish Table Rock primarily and want to know, of the two reels, which is best suited for throwing the deep diving crankbaits. Thanks in advance for your responses.

[Dutch]

3.8:1 will pull anything it is just slow. It will be a lot easier on you at the end of the day than the other reel.

[Nitroman]

The 5.0 should do the job for you just fine. I think you will find the most common ratios used for crankbaits to be 4.7:1, 4.8:1, 5.0:1, 5.1:1. A ratio of 3.8:1 is extremely slow, kind of the oposite of a 7.1:1 which is extremely fast. Most times with crankbaits you don't want to be to fast or to slow, you kind of want to shoot for a happy medium which is what a 5.0:1 will give you.

[Gavin]

Gear ratio is an indicator of fast line retrieve...but the true measure is how much line it retrieves with one crank of the handle. Cheers.

[Whack'emGood]

Also, don't forget-- keeping your spool full to the brim ensures an accurate measurement of line recovery per handle turn... and also ensures that your line recovery per handle turn stays relatively consistent throughout the retrieve. If you let your spool get low on line you not only lose alot of line recovery per turn, but it affects the consistency throughout the retrieve more dramatically-- it is more likely to make your line recovery per turn decrease substantially when you have alot of line out, and increase as your lure gets closer to the boat.

I hope I explained that corrrectly-- to where it made sense.

Whack'em