Hiya folks,

Y’know, it wasn’t that long ago that a 4:1 or a 5:1 gear ratio reel was considered fast. When we talk about gear ratios, what that means is that with one turn of the handle the spool revolves three, four, or five times. (3:1, 4:1, or 5:1).

These days we can get high-speed reels that are 6:1, 7:1 or even 8:1. Which means one turn equals eight revolutions of the spool. Now that’s what you want when you’re fishing a spinnerbait or a fast-moving topwater buzz bait. But believe it or not, there are also many times with slow presentations, ultra-slow presentations, that you want a fast gear ratio reel.

Say I’m flipping or pitching into shallow water, I feel a bite and that fish rushes the boat. I want to be able to retrieve line really quickly, set the hook, and then bring that fish into the boat. That’s when you want a fast gear ratio for a slow presentation.

Happy Fish’n,Gord “The Doc” Pyzer