Gear ratio

[Sparky4711]

What is the best gear ratio for a fluke reel for bay and ocean? read other reports that favor a slower one, thinking about buying a small baitcasting reel something like a Lexa or Curado, what do you think.

[MVP]

What is the best gear ratio for a fluke reel for bay and ocean? read other reports that favor a slower one, thinking about buying a small baitcasting reel something like a Lexa or Curado, what do you think.

I am not a big fan of high gear ratio reels for bottom fishing. Can not go wrong with eather of those choices. I have been using the Lexa 300 with the lower gear ratio with great results last year. Bought from Yon at jigging world. I like the power handle that he provides.

[Gerry Zagorski]

I've heard great things about the Lexa too... Team it up with a Jigging World power handle (not a big fan of the paddle handles that come standard) and nice light weight pole and you should be set.

[Sparky4711]

Alex read other reports too, just wondering why a slower is better, lexa comes in 3 different ratio, I would think higher is better more time in water. Thanks for your input.

[hammer4reel]

Alex read other reports too, just wondering why a slower is better, lexa comes in 3 different ratio, I would think higher is better more time in water. Thanks for your input.

used t be that faster reels didnt have the winching powers of the slower reels, and the gears were finer to create the speed.
Today much of that has change in most fast reels use a drop down gear box to use bigger gears with the same size teeth as the slower one.
Gives you the best of both worlds.

The lexa is a decent reel for the money, but if looking to step it up a notch the Abu Revo NACL is the reel to look at, much smoother with more drag
And it comes standard with both , a double paddle handle as well as a power handle.
so in the long run the price of the 2 become a lot closer.

It makes the Lexa feel like a coffee grinder

[frugalfisherman]

Fluke don't give a rat's behind what reel you are using. They just care about the bait.

[hammer4reel]

Fluke don't give a rat's behind what reel you are using. They just care about the bait.

And using a quality reel that keeps the bait in the feeding zone more catches more fish.

Fishing with todays better rod and reel combos, allows guys to stay at the rail longer and effectively fish without fatigue.

My crew fishes sun up to sun down, and using the right equipment makes that possible

[Blackfish Doug]

I own the lexa I love it make sure you get the model with the power handle. If you don't get the upgrade & then decide you want To upgrade to that handle can turn out be costly.The paddle handles I feel are better suited for fresh water fishing. For fluke it's a great real that you won't have to break the bank on.

[HighHook94]

I like the Diawa Saltist for everything (fluke, blackfish, stripers, etc). Can't afford a bunch of $200+ reels so i just have one that's good for just about everything. It's a 6:1 gear ratio or something along those lines. It's pretty darn fast, plus it has a lot of power to yank blackfish out of the wrecks. If you're a bait dragger, then it really doesn't matter what reel you use for fluke, but if you're bucktailing, i think it makes a difference to get a nice reel. The only vice of the Diawa reels would be that they're a little heavy, but they are solid and last forever.

[MVP]

Alex read other reports too, just wondering why a slower is better, lexa comes in 3 different ratio, I would think higher is better more time in water. Thanks for your input.

It is just the opposite as lower gear ratio will keep you in the water longer.
I like the lower gear ratio for winching power when bottom fishing rather than the 6-7 ratio reels. As hammer said bigger gears on the newer reels help eliminate so of the short falls of higher ratio reels. Talk to someome who does a lot of tile /tuna fishing. You would think a higher gear ratio would be better suited for fishing deep water and gaining more line. In reality you will just tire yourself out more and reeling in fish will take longer. I went with the Lexa because of the power handle that was included with purchase from jigging world as I am not a fan of paddle handle. I also liked the light weight as with rod I matched it up too it totally balances perfectly and with light weight of set up bucktailing all day is not an issue. the ABu NACL is also a great choice. Went with the lexa because it was lighter reel. Still may get myself the Abu NACL to use for inshore blackfishing as that reel puts out some sick drag
Make sure to go with the 50 size and not the 60.

[MohawkJD]

I use the Revo Winch, Gen 3. 6.9oz, 5.4:1 Doesn't come with a power handle, but it's so small & light, it doesn't need one. I've pulled in blue fish with it. For heavier fluking, like Ambrose, the Lexa 300 or NaCL are fine. No need for high speed. You're not fishing that deep. Have the torque ready for the 10 lber.

The Revo Winch, Gen 3 or Lexa 100P is all you need for bucktails & bait up to 6 oz.

[Sparky4711]

Thanks guys for your input.

[reason162]

On the small, 200 sized baitcasters, I prefer 6.2:1. I find picking up slack quickly to set the hook more important than any winching power, since usually it's a shallow water/under 1 oz type of jigging with that setup. On windy days where you're pitching the jig uptide this is esp important imo.

With the 300 sized baitcasters (ie Lexa 300, Abu toro etc), the 5:1 ratio is ideal. You get the power, and the spool is large enough that you're picking up line slightly faster than on the 200 sized "power" models.

[cool hand fluke]

I'm a creature of habit, especially in fluke tourneys. I like my old Calcutta TE's....both of my reels are like 7 years old or so and have slow retrieve but don't want to rush those big flatties in...def sacrifice speed on all those drops when I'm reeling in after casts though

Al

[MrAC1980]

It def all depends on the brand/model reels and how they are designed. I've tried the Avet JX and LX in the 6.0:1 and hated them because they didn't have the balls as the lower ratio counter parts. For cod/offshore seabass my goto has always been the Avet SX in the 5.3:1. Inshore under 100ft I've tried all the Lexa 300 models and have settled on the 300H at 6.3:1 to be perfect speed and power mix right up there with the Avet SX and SXJ's. Use it for for fluke, seabass, tog, etc. Also have switched out to the power handle from the paddles. This year I may even give the Lexa 400H a try for cod/offshore seabass and see how I like them.

[Capt. Lou]

Learn to use UR rod & ratio goes away , fast retrieves R best for most applications!
Not super fast but 5 to 6 I've used forever in most depths is just fine!
If u can't raise a fish then don't forget there's a rod attached to UR reel!
If u rail rod on big tougher fish then lower ratio has the edge, since now UR just reeling not using rod , but again without using rod it makes moving fish tougher ! No matter ratio.
Short stroking is the way to go use rod !! :cool:

[Fin Reaper]

Love my Calcutta 401 TEs for Fluking. I've started bringing a heavier set up along in case heavier bucktails become the order of the day and that has an Avet SX LH 2speed. Little extra $ but then you got your bases covered

[hammer4reel]

Love my Calcutta 401 TEs for Fluking. I've started bringing a heavier set up along in case heavier bucktails become the order of the day and that has an Avet SX LH 2speed. Little extra $ but then you got your bases covered


Thats like playing basketball in work boots. While that equipment can def be used it is cumbersome and will wear you out during a long day of fishing.
The newer low profile reels have twice the drag capabilities and matched to the correct rod they feel like a fresh water bass outfit in hand.
at days end there is a GIANT difference in how your body feels.

The easier your gear is to fish the more productive you can be with it

[MohawkJD]

Thats like playing basketball in work boots. While that equipment can def be used it is cumbersome and will wear you out during a long day of fishing.
The newer low profile reels have twice the drag capabilities and matched to the correct rod they feel like a fresh water bass outfit in hand.
at days end there is a GIANT difference in how your body feels.

The easier your gear is to fish the more productive you can be with it

Agreed. I have my Revo Winch on a light CTS rod with 20lb Power Pro - Total weight 15.7 oz. Good for most bottom fishing up to 6 oz.

[Capt. Lou]

Love my Calcutta 401 TEs for Fluking. I've started bringing a heavier set up along in case heavier bucktails become the order of the day and that has an Avet SX LH 2speed. Little extra $ but then you got your bases covered

Novel idea ! Thought my buck tail outfits were a tad light !

[MrAC1980]

Learn to use UR rod & ratio goes away , fast retrieves R best for most applications!
Not super fast but 5 to 6 I've used forever in most depths is just fine!
If u can't raise a fish then don't forget there's a rod attached to UR reel!
If u rail rod on big tougher fish then lower ratio has the edge, since now UR just reeling not using rod , but again without using rod it makes moving fish tougher ! No matter ratio.
Short stroking is the way to go use rod !! :cool:

I'm lazy, lol. I just like to hold the rod and CRANK! You saw that when I got that big cod last year on the RR. Pumping a fish, esp fluke, pulls hooks in my book. Bottom fish anyways. Blues/Bass/Tuna is diff.

[Capt. Lou]

I understand UR point, however I landed well over 200 cod last season up to 30 + lbs & 100's Pollock. / Haddock. & I cannot remember ever losing a few because I used my rod properly .
My description on the pump style may have been misleading it's a steady lift not akin to a big game stroke .
The fast action rod & fast retrieve type reel work very well in unison when this method practiced properly.
What causes lost fish on any pump style of angling is simply rods that display limited tapers or if u will heavy tapers . They simply don't allow the tackle to work in unison.
I've used this method of bottom for many species around the world & got several 50 lb plus cod , hundreds of big grouper , jacks etc no issue !
This just takes the note out of any light tackle anglers handbook , including fly tackle pump never pull works out fine.
If u ever fought any BIG fish not using the pump rod method u would need a swivel fixed holder sans Wicked Tuna , their even those rods must have tapers to o ward off line breakage & limit hook pulls !
I've taken many giants & believe me if u did this in a chair & u just reeled immt'd be a long day .
Most anglers struggle needlessly due to the fact they just reel not using their rods taper to its fullest potential , might as be using hand lines.
:cool:

[Gerry Zagorski]

I'm all for as light and small a set up as possible, especially when bucktailing or any other fish that you have to feel the bite and set the hook. If your rod and reel are in your hands and you are working them all day, you will appreciate the difference. Lighter and smaller gear is also less clumbsy.

I also feel like I can detect bites better with lighter gear as well.

Give this a try.... Fish with light gear then in a few hours switch to a heavier set up....Like Hammer said... It's like playing a game of basket ball in your sneakers and at half time you switch over to work boots.

Once you go light/small you will never want to go back to heavy, especially with some of the newer small reels with more drag and higher gear ratios then their heavier peers. I personally fish with Avet SX and SXJs but might try one of these new low profile bait casters a shot as well...

[reason162]

Once you go light/small you will never want to go back to heavy, especially with some of the newer small reels with more drag and higher gear ratios then their heavier peers. I personally fish with Avet SX and SXJs but might try one of these new low profile bait casters a shot as well...

Less than 50ft I'm using something like this all day everyday:

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/reason162/20140730_061755_zps255fc50b.jpg~original

[Joey Dah Fish]

Blah blah blah blah blah I don't care what reel you are using it matters not!!!! You know what's important? What ever feel you're using set the damn drag right and you're goid to go!!!! Hi ratio low ratio crap!!!

[Fin Reaper]

Blah blah blah blah blah I don't care what reel you are using it matters not!!!! You know what's important? What ever feel you're using set the damn drag right and you're goid to go!!!! Hi ratio low ratio crap!!!


Well damn....
Ya just can't say it better than that.

[aduma1107]

Love my Shimano Curado 300EJ for bucktailing. The EJ comes with the power handle as opposed to the E model. High gear ratio doesn't bother me. 15lb drag

[kurtisb]

I bought an Ocean Max reel 4.5:1 for tog this year. It was fine until late January fishing at over 150 feet. It kicked my ass.

[frugalfisherman]

Blah blah blah blah blah I don't care what reel you are using it matters not!!!! You know what's important? What ever feel you're using set the damn drag right and you're goid to go!!!! Hi ratio low ratio crap!!!

Great minds think alike!

[Capt. Lou]

Whew glad that's over ! The rental rod will still win the pool ! :cool:

[phil]

no love for abus around here huh. I use a 5601 and 6501 from my yak and love them. swapped out the stock drags and put a power handle on the 6501.