Northwest Fishing Reports

I am trying to educate myself on casting reels. Mainly for bass, but also for salmon and steelhead fishing.
I understand that they come in different retrieve ratios, but am trying to figure out what is the best ratio for the different types of fishing. What do you all use/recommend for the different species and different lures, etc.?
I'd love to get something that can do multiple things instead of having to buy three different reels. Is this possible?
Thanks

For bass fishing and ripping crank baits you want the fastest reel that you can get. For fishing for large fish like salmon you want a slower reel as it has more leverage. Any retrieve speed will work for anything. Just that different gearing makes a specific type of fishing a bit easier. It isn't rocket science.

anything between 5.3:1 (like 5500 c3 ambassadeurs) to 7:1 (curado) will cover most of what you want to do.

There are a few slower retrieves like 4.8:1 that are classified as cranking reels, but they're more limited in useful all-around applications, since they're designed to have the slower retrieve.

Thanks for the reply's guys. I've now done some more reading and have a better idea of what ratios are used for what, so I'm looking at getting a 6.3:1 ratio reel. Now it's on to figuring out what rod to match it with. :dj:

BentRod wrote:Thanks for the reply's guys. I've now done some more reading and have a better idea of what ratios are used for what, so I'm looking at getting a 6.3:1 ratio reel. Now it's on to figuring out what rod to match it with. :dj:

Maybe you can help me out with my Spirex. That thing is going back.

abu makes a 6.4:1. its the C4 series and it is a great reel.

So Bentrod, have you figured out what the advantage is of a low-profile reel over round one?

I'm just now starting to look at these reels myself.

curado wrote:abu makes a 6.4:1. its the C4 series and it is a great reel.

Agree with Curado...I've had a few of the C4's and agree that they are nice reels. Right now my favorite by far though is the Revo. I've seen some screaming deals on Ebay for these reels in the past month or so too so it's worth a look. the only downside to low profile over the round baitcasters (for how I use them anyways), is that most of the low profiles don't seem to have as much line capacity as the round style's have. However, this only really comes into play for me when you get up around the 17-20lb test range (swimbaits, or big bucktail spinners etc.,), and if you are using braid or any of the superlines, then it's usually not an issue either, because they have such a small diameter compared to mono, or flouro. One other advantage that I've found with low profile revo's, aside from comfort is that they have a dial on the side plate to control and fine tune the magnetic brakes. This is a huge advantage when throwing crankbaits, spinnerbaits etc., into the wind, and certainly not just a revo specific feature, many of the low profiles have that feature, but not all will, and I won't buy a new reel that doesn't have that feature. Just my .02 fwiw, good luck man!
Dave

sorry one other point with regards to gear ratios. If you are just getting hardcore about bass fishing specifically, I wouldn't get too caught up on gear ratios. The super low ratios are great if you do a ton of deep dive crankbaiting or if you are wanting to slow roll a spinnerbait, and the super fast ratios are great when you want to burn a spinnerbait, or are fishing something like a carolina rig or deep jig or frog fishing and feel like you need to be able to take up line in a hurry, but honestly, just stick with the 6:4:1 for bass fishing, it will cover 99.9% of what you need, and you can control the speeds by varying your retrieve speed, and be just about as effective. I own 1 7:1:1 that I use for frog fishing, and all the rest are 6:4:1.
Dave

Splitshot wrote: So Bentrod, have you figured out what the advantage is of a low-profile reel over round one?

I'm just now starting to look at these reels myself.

I just purchased the Curado CU300E. I have only used spinning reels up until now. When I opened the box and put my Curado on my Loomis, the words that came out of my mouth was, "I do." [love]

davidwat1 wrote:sorry one other point with regards to gear ratios. If you are just getting hardcore about bass fishing specifically, I wouldn't get too caught up on gear ratios. The super low ratios are great if you do a ton of deep dive crankbaiting or if you are wanting to slow roll a spinnerbait, and the super fast ratios are great when you want to burn a spinnerbait, or are fishing something like a carolina rig or deep jig or frog fishing and feel like you need to be able to take up line in a hurry, but honestly, just stick with the 6:4:1 for bass fishing, it will cover 99.9% of what you need, and you can control the speeds by varying your retrieve speed, and be just about as effective. I own 1 7:1:1 that I use for frog fishing, and all the rest are 6:4:1.
Dave

Well put! I myself am a 6.4:1 ratio guy, I'd rather be able to vary my retreave speeds and not get caught up in ratios.
When I'm slow rolln' or crankin', I had to dicipline myself and "learn how to sloww down" my retreave speeds! I also think
in terms of line recovery- how many inches of line is coming in "per turn of handle" it helps me. I'm more caught up in the
number of ball bearings and it being of low profile and less weight.

Any recommendations for a baitcasting reel around $75.00 ?

the c4 abus are 90 i beleive

Splitshot wrote: Any recommendations for a baitcasting reel around $75.00 ?

My experience is you need to spend closer to a hundred for a quality level wind. Personally I like Daiwa reels and have had outstanding performance from all of them. Last year I bought a Pflueger from Cabelas and it was only around $50 and casts well, it was worth the drive down there.

Splitshot wrote: Any recommendations for a baitcasting reel around $75.00 ?

Today I just purchased a 6.3:1 ratio off of ebay! It was a Daiwa, normally costs over $150, on a bidding
battle I got it for $65-used. The pictures and discription seemed like it was in new condition and there were all sorts of reels for sale of different brands and price ranges. If this works out I'm going to try to make a few purchases it was kinda fun.