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Posts: 192
| Is there such a thing as a best gear ratio? In the market for a reel. I really like the Lexa HDs because of the speed and less reeling. But would the 8:1 be over kill? I fish rubbers, jerks and smaller blades most of the time with the occasional double 10 but mainly double 8s. There are so many options on the market it's hard to decide. The Komodo ss looks promising also in 7:1. I'm tired of 26" of line pick up it seems slow for how I fish. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | I wouldn't pay as much attention to gear ratio as I would inches per crank. Inches per crank is usually a better indicator of how the reel will perform (fast, slo, easy to crank, hard to crank, etc.).
For an all purpose reel I actually like about 26". That gives pretty good power for bigger blades, fast enough to bulge them for a while if you want, but slow enough to be able to slow it down at night if wanted.
It's all personal preference though. You could look into the Revo Toro S. With a 5.3 ratio it's doing about 29" per crank. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | What he said. ^ |
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Posts: 192
| I guess my question should have been best ipt one with lots say 40" vs 26". I like the toro s but there's also like 4 other reels I could see using also. |
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Posts: 32880
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I've been running a Rocket for a few weeks, Very nice reel for what you describe, easy to use and light, too. The Okuma looked good art ICAST. |
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Posts: 531
| For a all around reel that i would hand anyone and fish all day I would look for somthing in the 32''-37'' IPT. Myself personally I like 43" just for how I fish, I just picked up a Lexa HD 300 8:1 that does 37" as back up/ guest in the boat rod. But find a reel (any brand, they are all good) in that range you like and I think you will be very happy. |
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Posts: 192
| I have been looking at the Lexa hd's I really like the stainless gears and line pick up. I know from the podcast that's what you guys are all running. How much effort does it take to reel in blades? I wish there was a way to try reels before you buy them with different lures that would really narrow it down!!
Why do you choose the 300 vs the 400? Is the 400 that much bigger that it's uncomfortable? |
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Posts: 624
Location: S.W. WI | Alumacraft89... just my 2 cents.
I have a new 300 HD Lexa, 8-1 gear for small bucks and topwaters.
I do not know what the "HD" stands for, but from my experience I can say it's not "heavy duty".
I burned the one I had up in one weekend of throwing only small bucks.
I loved the feel of the reel, how it felt reeling small baits, and the speed it offered for small stuff in a small low profile reel- That's why I got it. But it is already sent back as we speak for replace/repair.
.. Yes, the 300 is a lot smaller than the 400 size, but the 400 size isn't that big. |
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Posts: 251
| Also keep in mind your spool size. If you get something that has a small spool and high pick up, you're going to put a lot of stress on the reel. I know that you're not looking at the Tranx but the PG is a prime example of this. Large spool with lower gear ratio makes 10's easy. I am going to be getting rid of my Abu's because the quality isn't there and going to Lexas. I have spoke with a lot of people who are having problems with them, including myself. I have a beast high speed with roughly 50 hours on it and its already screeching and grinding. I haven't used a Lexa but have talked to several people who fish daily and they are happy with the performance. |
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Posts: 230
Location: St Paul, Minnesota | In my opinion there is no such thing as a "best gear ratio" because it's the gear ratio in conjunction with the spool size plus the general ergonomics of the reel itself that lead to the overall functionality of the reel. Guys, don't let yourself get hung up on gear ratios too much because there's more to consider. Yes, generally higher speed (7.1:1 and 8.1:1) reels will be better for ripping rubber and slack line pickup, but will not perform as well when pulling heavy resistance lures. On the other end, lower geared reels (4.6:1 and 5.4:1) will reel in slower and give more torque for pulling big blades and heavy cranks, but might fall short of capability in certain circumstances. Then there's the spool size to consider (Tranx vs. Lexa 300/Curado 300e) which can make the difference of 5+ inches per crank across similar gear ratios. Lastly the ergonomics of the reel, by which I mean: Is it heavy? Is it easy to palm? Does it have a power handle or a double paddle? Is the handle shorter like the Garcia 6500 Ambassadeurs, or longer like the Calcutta D's or longer power handles? Can you use it how you fish as efficiently or more than a different reel?
A lot to think about. I myself think the Tranx PG is the most perfect blend of speed and power which is why it's on my rod that I can throw pretty much any lure from small blades to big rubber with (9'6 Predator XH). But with that said, I wouldn't want to throw jerks/glides (suicks and walk-the-dog lures) with it necessarily, for that I use the Calcutta Conquest on a shorter rod, and I also like a bit more line pickup for throwing big rubber lures so for that I opt for the Tranx HG.
-C7 |
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Posts: 192
| Rudedog - 7/21/2016 9:40 AM
Alumacraft89... just my 2 cents.
I have a new 300 HD Lexa, 8-1 gear for small bucks and topwaters.
I do not know what the "HD" stands for, but from my experience I can say it's not "heavy duty".
I burned the one I had up in one weekend of throwing only small bucks.
I loved the feel of the reel, how it felt reeling small baits, and the speed it offered for small stuff in a small low profile reel- That's why I got it. But it is already sent back as we speak for replace/repair.
.. Yes, the 300 is a lot smaller than the 400 size, but the 400 size isn't that big.
Did the gears go out? Or bearing problems? |
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Posts: 624
Location: S.W. WI | Pikemaster said the Pinion gear locked up onto shaft? ? I think.... something like that ... Not positive but he was not speaking very high about Daiwa's Lexa quality.
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Posts: 524
| Cloud 7 nailed it. |
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Posts: 32880
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I am just not comfortable with a big reel, I palm the reel and tried, wasn't my cup of tea. So I use three reels specially set up on three rods to get exactly what I need for any presentation other than Creatures, that's a spinning rod all the way. I still use an Okuma that never went into production for my Creature fishing. |
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Posts: 167
Location: Tomahawk, WI | Today Ive got four reels with three different gear ratios and line pick up. If you asked this question 10 years ago I would have said 5.3:1 is all you need. Today we have so many choices in reels that the only answer is, use the reel that fits your style. When we only had ABU 6500"s and a few shimanos to pick from , there was not much of a debate on this. When i was at the Musky shop the other day and looked at the wall of musky reels, well, WOW!!!! It sure makes the sport a whole lot nicer when you can match your equipment to your style. The best gear ratio/reel/rod/line/leader/lure/net/boat/tow vehicle will be the one that YOU are comfortable with, not the one the rest of us prefer. |
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Posts: 531
| Alumacraft89 - 7/21/2016 10:28 AM
Why do you choose the 300 vs the 400? Is the 400 that much bigger that it's uncomfortable?
The 400 size would not have a factor if it was my primary reel, I run a Tranx HG as my first choice (also mainly only choice).
I went 300 on my back up combo because on occasion (for what little i do get to fish) that I have a guest who does not have a musky combo they would be able to use that combo. With and the 300 size reel it fits a wider range of peoples hands and at 37" still a fast reel if i would pick it up it wouldnt be a huge shock from my HG.
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Posts: 1425
Location: St. Lawrence River | curleytail - 7/20/2016 10:14 PM
I wouldn't pay as much attention to gear ratio as I would inches per crank. Inches per crank is usually a better indicator of how the reel will perform (fast, slo, easy to crank, hard to crank, etc.).
For an all purpose reel I actually like about 26". That gives pretty good power for bigger blades, fast enough to bulge them for a while if you want, but slow enough to be able to slow it down at night if wanted.
It's all personal preference though. You could look into the Revo Toro S. With a 5.3 ratio it's doing about 29" per crank.
I agree and the 60 S is a great all purpose reel. I'd say 5.3 is the best gear ratio if I could only have one. My Beast 60 with the 6 gear does good though |
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Posts: 51
| 5 years on a pair of saltist 20s...small frame... positive disengage ....6.3...just change out the handle... |
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Best gear ratio for all around.