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Posts: 12
Location: Waukesha, WI | Can someone please explain to me what different gear ratios mean as far as real-world performance? My muskie reels are all 4:3:1 Abu Garcias. Thanks.  |
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Posts: 3484
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | If I am not mistaken, the 4.3:1 ratio would mean that for every 1 full revolution of the crank, the reel spool would make 4.3 revolutions. The larger the gear ratio, the fast the spool will turn. Many of the garcia reels have a 5.1:1 ratio which is a bit faster. Now...the higher the gear ratio, the harder it will feel to reel something in as well.
It is very similar to the gears in a car.
Steve |
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Posts: 2024
| I agree with VMS. You are probably ok using your Garcia's for most applications. A lower gear ratio will decrease the amount of resistance you feel bring a bait back in. If and when you decide to try using a reel that will increase the speed of your retrieves, the bigger factor there is spool diameter, but that's a separate issue. |
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Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | .
Edited by C_Nelson 6/7/2008 7:51 AM
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Posts: 330
Location: In the slop! | Chuck, I disagree. I have used Shimano Curado's with a 6.2 to 1 gear ratio for bucktails and spinnerbaits ALOT and never had an issue with wearing out the gears. These are not even 'muskie' size reels. My personal favorite for muskie size baits is a 975 Penn. 4.5 to 1 gear ratio, large handle and lots of torque. |
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Posts: 8792
| Depends on the size of the bucktail and the blade -- If you're burning big heavy bucktails with a lot of resistance? LOL take apart your reel and check it out, I'd bet it ain't pretty. Small bucktails? Probably last forever. |
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Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | .
Edited by C_Nelson 6/7/2008 7:52 AM
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Posts: 330
Location: In the slop! | I also stand by what I said 110%. I had one 6500 C4, one week at LOTW fishing bucktails, toast. I bought that first curado in 99, use it every year, still going strong. So are the other three I have purchased since. I think it comes down to metalurgy, the compisition of the bronze in the gears. |
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Posts: 58
Location: Edina, MN | The low speed Curado 200 has the same gear ratio as a Calcutta 400 but a smaller spool so actually more torque with less speed than the Calcutta. Max drag pressure is 12 lb vs 16 lb on the Calcutta. I would think the Curado would be very comparable to the bigger reel in terms of baits but not quite as much margin in the drag for larger fish. I use Curados for walleye and bass but with heavier line you get too deep into the spool and lose casting distance. |
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Posts: 3870
| Hmmm....Sledge, I believe you have had good experience with your Curado reels, but it's not what I experienced. I have a pair of Curado CU-200s and I think they are terrific. I tried using one for a dedicated bucktail rod but when retrieving the bait I could actually feel the gears struggling against the resistance. (I was throwing Buchertail 700's almost all the time back then.) I mean, I could feel a "grinding" through my palm that I never felt when throwing bass-sized spinnerbaits, huskyjerks, etc with the same reel. Not wanting to quickly wear out an expensive reel that I'm not confident I can maintain by my lonesome, I went back to a tricked out 5600ABU for the bucktail rod.
Are folks aware that it is pretty easy to change the gear ratios of the 5000 and 6000 series Abu's? Yep, you can order replacement gears in different speeds for those reels. Take a look at the "reel candy" sold by Hatterass Outfitters (they have a web site). I'm sure there are other sources; maybe Chuck (you ARE the reel man!) is a source for all kinds of parts. |
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Posts: 501
Location: Norway | Ranger - 2/28/2006 11:46 AM
Are folks aware that it is pretty easy to change the gear ratios of the 5000 and 6000 series Abu's? Yep, you can order replacement gears in different speeds for those reels. Take a look at the "reel candy" sold by Hatterass Outfitters (they have a web site). I'm sure there are other sources; maybe Chuck (you ARE the reel man!) is a source for all kinds of parts.
Mikes reelrepair is a good place for reelparts/tuning etc.
http://mikesreelrepair.com/
Fixing and trixing the reel myself is a good reason to why i stick with Abu's(and IMO theyre darn good), and the fact that one of my fishingbuddies are Pure Fishings reelrepair man, doesnt hurt either.
Michael |
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Posts: 330
Location: In the slop! | Here's my numbers, and in my mind this is what matters.
Shimano curado 6.2to1, 25" line retrieved per handle turn.
Calcutta TE 401, 25.5"
Calcutta 700, 29"
Bantam 50, 23"
Penn 975 4.5to1, 24"
7000 c3 4.1to1, 24"
7000 big game 5.3to1, 30"
6500c 4.7to1, 23.5"
I only use the curado for smaller size baits, musky candy size bucktails and candy spin size spinnerbaits. When you get up to full size tails I like the torque of the 975, 401TE or a 7000. |
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Posts: 12
Location: Waukesha, WI | Thanks everyone for your helpful advice! I appreciate it. So do you think I should stick with my C3 and Record RCN 60 or get a 6:3:1? Thanks... |
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Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | .
Edited by C_Nelson 6/7/2008 7:53 AM
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Posts: 12
Location: Waukesha, WI | Thanks C Nelson, I appreciate it. I will stick with what I have. I have other goodies I could use right now. Thanks again! |
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