Fishing Reel Gear Ratio Explanation
Fishing Reel Gear Ratio Explanation
What is Gear Ratio?
Gear ratio is a very important concept in fishing reels and something that all anglers should understand. It's not a complicated concept but it is quite important to know what it is and how it affects your fishing reel. Gear ratio is the number of times a reel's rotor spins around for every one turn of the handle. Generally, gear ratio is expressed in a number such as 5.1:1 or 6.2:1. The first number before the colon is the number of times the rotor spins around for each turn of the handle, while the second number is the number of turns the handle must make for the rotor to spin around once. So, for the example of 5.1:1, the rotor will spin 5.1 times for every one turn of the handle.
The Benefits of a High Gear Ratio Reel
Generally, the higher the gear ratio of a reel, the faster the line will be retrieved. This is because with a higher gear ratio, a single turn of the handle will result in a higher number of rotations of the rotor. A higher gear ratio is also beneficial if you are fishing with heavy lures or baits, as the higher gear ratio will make it easier to retrieve them. It will also be beneficial if you are trying to work a bait quickly or need to make long casts, as the higher gear ratio will enable you to do so.
The Benefits of a Low Gear Ratio Reel
On the other hand, a lower gear ratio reel will provide you with more power and torque when retrieving a lure or bait. This is because a lower gear ratio will result in a lower number of rotations for each turn of the handle, meaning that more power is applied for each rotation. This is particularly beneficial for anglers who are fishing with heavier lures and baits, as the extra power will make it much easier to retrieve them. Additionally, a lower gear ratio reel will allow you to apply more pressure to a fish, enabling you to better control them.
Understanding Gear Ratio
As you can see, understanding gear ratio is essential for anglers. It is important to understand the difference between a high and low gear ratio reel, as this will help you to choose the right reel for the type of fishing you are doing. A higher gear ratio reel is better for fast retrieval, while a lower gear ratio reel is better for applying pressure to a fish or retrieving heavier lures and baits.
Choosing the Right Gear Ratio
When choosing a fishing reel, it is important to consider the gear ratio. If you are fishing with heavier lures or baits, then a lower gear ratio is generally the best option. However, if you are fishing with lighter lures and need to retrieve them quickly, then a higher gear ratio is the better choice.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, gear ratio is an important concept in fishing reels and something that all anglers should understand. It is the number of times a reel's rotor spins around for every one turn of the handle and is generally expressed as a ratio such as 5.1:1 or 6.2:1. A higher gear ratio is best for fast retrieval, while a lower gear ratio is better for applying pressure to a fish or retrieving heavier lures and baits. When choosing a fishing reel, it is important to consider the gear ratio and select the one that is best suited to the type of fishing you are doing.
