As an angler, your fishing reel is a core piece of equipment in your overall setup. Unfortunately, you can’t just pick up any old reel fishing and start fishing. There are a few critical considerations when choosing a reel, such as what is the best fishing reel gear ratio.
A reel’s gear ratio describes how many times the reel’s spool rotates for each turn of the handle. The best gear ratio that works well for many different situations is between 5:1 to 6.5:1. If you need to reel in your line quickly then use a gear ratio between 9:1 to 10.5:1.
Fishing Reel Gear Ratio Explanation
Understanding fishing reel gear ratios are far from rocket science.
We mentioned that the gear ratio is an expression of how many times the spool rotates each time you rotate the reel’s handle. For example, if a reel has a gear ratio of 6.1:1 this means every time you rotate the handle the tool will rotate 6.1 times.
The higher the gear ratio, the more rotations the spool completes for each handle rotation. Beyond this fact, a reel’s gear ratio is also a solid indicator of how much torque the reel generates when you’re cranking the handle.
Reels with lower gear ratios generate more torque as you reel in a fish, while higher gear ratios generate less torque.
Reels with lower gear ratios produce a higher torque which helps you reel in stronger fish. For this reason, lower gear ratios are popular when trolling or targeting larger coastal and pelagic species.
On the contrary, a reel with a high gear ratio will require you to use more “elbow grease” when reeling down on a fish. When fishing freshwater or targeting smaller coastal species, this works out well. But, it becomes much more challenging to reel in a heavier fish.
If you’re not too keen on doing the math, you can always use a fishing reel gear ratio calculator.
Inches Per Turn
While the gear ratio is a solid indicator of how quickly a reel retrieves line, another variable has a profound impact on how quickly a reel retrieves line. The inches-per-turn, or IPT, of a reel, directly indicates how much line you get back when you turn the reel handle one time.
Each manufacturer uses a proprietary spool, the size of the spool affects the amount of line returning to the reel when you turn the handle. Larger spools get back more line with each turn, while smaller ones get back less line.
If you are wondering how to determine what is your reel’s IPT is then you need to do some basic math.
The measure circumstance of the reel’s spool x the spool’s gear ratio
For example:
A reel with a gear ratio of 5.2:1 and the circumference of the spool measured 1.5 inches. Then the IPT is 1.5 inches x 5.2 gear ratio = 7.8 inches of line retrieved per turn.
Best Gear Ratio for Different Types of Fishing Reels
You’ll find a variety of gear ratios for every type of reel, from spin casters to fly reels. While any reel can be made with any gear ratio, a few helpful rules of thumb will ensure you’re selecting an ideal gear ratio for the type of fishing reel you’re using. Using a fishing reel gear ratio chart for your trusted brand can also help you.
- Spincast: Spincast reels are ideal for beginners, and they’re considered an all-purpose fishing reel. An average gear ratio in the 5.0:1-6.0:1 range is typically best.
- Baitcast: Baitcasting reels are incredibly versatile, and you’ll find them in every imaginable gear ratio. The most common gear ratios for baitcasters are between 6.0:1 to 6.4:1. This range is a good sweet spot for slow and fast-moving bait presentations.
- Spinning: Like baitcasting reels, spinning reels come in every possible configuration. Opt for a higher gear ratio for most applications and a lower gear ratio if you’re targeting large fish that are difficult to reel in. The most common gear ratio range is between 5.2:1 to 6.2:1 which can be used for slow and fast-moving bait presentations.
- Conventional/Trolling: A low gear ratio is generally best for trolling and conventional reels. Line retrieval is less critical with this type of fishing, and the additional torque a low gear ratio provides is more important when engaging in this style of fishing. Typical gear ratios for lower retrieves range between 1.3:1 to 2:1. For faster retrieves then you’re looking at a gear ratio between 2:1 to 3.5:1.
- Fly Reel: Fly reels are considerably different than the other reels on our list. Fly reels don’t have any gears like the other reel types. Therefore, fly fishing reels come in a 1:1 gear ratio.
- Centrepin: These reels are similar to fly reels. All centrepin reels have a 1:1 gear ratio where the spool rotates one time for each handle rotation.
Best Gear Ratio for Different Styles of Fishing
Regarding gear ratios, the type of reel you’re using is less critical than what you’re using the reel for. If you’ve ever hooked into a sizable fish using a reel with a high gear ratio, you (and your forearms) already know why it’s essential to pair the gear ratio to the fish you’re targeting.
Bass Fishing
When it comes to large or smallmouth bass, most of the techniques you’ll use benefit from using a high-speed reel. When you’re pitching or flipping or burning a lure back to the boat as quickly as possible, you’re going to want a reel with a high gear ratio.
Bottom Fishing
Ocean anglers fishing the bottom in deep waters can benefit from a reel with a high gear ratio because it makes it much easier to bring your bait back to the surface when it’s time to replace it or switch to something different.
If you’re targeting smaller species such as fluke or sea bass, a reel with a high gear ratio can be helpful. But, if you’re targeting larger species such as cod or pollock, you may want to opt for a reel with a slightly lower gear ratio to provide a bit more torque when reeling in a fish.
Trolling
When you’re trolling, a reel with a low gear ratio is your best bet, mainly if you’re trolling in the ocean for tuna, billfish, or other pelagics. The extra torque a reel with a low gear ratio provides makes it easier to bring your rig back to the boat, especially when you have a big fish on the line.
If you’re trolling the lake for smaller fish, a low gear ratio is less critical since you’ll be fighting smaller fish than you would be out in the ocean. A low to moderate gear ratio is typically best for these fishing scenarios.
Deep Diving Baits
If you’re fishing with a deep diving bait, such as a square bill crankbait, you’ll want to reach for a reel with a lower gear ratio. These baits generate tons of water resistance, and throughout a fishing session, you’ll burn up your arm, bringing those baits back to the boat unless you’re using a reel with a low gear ratio and plenty of torque.
Other Fishing Styles
For any other fishing style outside of the examples we covered above, the best gear ratio for you will depend mainly on personal preference. Many anglers gravitate towards a higher gear ratio when they can because it allows you to fish faster to spend more time in the strike zone and less time reeling in for your next cast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a higher gear ratio better?
When it comes to fishing reels, there’s no such thing as better or worse regarding gear ratios. What may be better in some applications will perform worse in others, and vice versa. Higher gear ratios allow you to reel in line quickly, but they offer less torque. When choosing a fishing reel, purchase one with the gear ratio that best matches your fishing style.
What is a good ratio for bottom fishing?
When bottom fishing, especially in deeper waters, a reel with a medium to high gear ratio is ideal because you’ll be able to quickly bring your bait up from the bottom when it needs to be replaced. Depending on how large the fish you’re targeting are, you may opt for something with a lower gear ratio that can provide more torque, so it’s easier to reel in the fish.
What is the best gear ratio for freshwater fishing?
Most freshwater anglers like a reel with a moderate gear ratio between 6.0:1 and 6.4:1. This gearing provides both torque and speed and is ideal for most general applications. If you’re flipping and pitching for bass, a higher gear ratio would be preferable, and if you’re fishing with deep diving baits, a lower gear ratio may be a better choice.
Happy Fishing & Tight Lines