Explaining Reel Gear Ratio

[Catfishrollo]

Gear Ratio

Another key consideration when purchasing a reel is gear ratio, which refers to how many revolutions the spool makes with each complete turn of the reel handle. This determines, in part, how rapidly line is retrieved as the angler cranks the handle. Spinning reels, baitcasters and conventional models can offer differing gear ratios, ranging from slow retrieves (ie. 2-1 or 3-1) to high-speed retrieves (4-1 to 6-1). Reels with high-speed gear ratios are better for working lures quickly back to the boat, or gaining line in a hurry when a fish charges toward the boat. Models featuring lower gear ratios don’t offer as fast a retrieve, but provide the greater cranking power ideal for bottom fishing.


www.nccoastalfishing.com/fishing_reel.htm

[colsrob]

You should also explain about the addition of a power handle. I got into it with a guy on another site, and maybe I was being stubborn, but I refused to back off my stance.

While it obviously doesn't change the ratio... it does change the cranking power/retrieve speed. The "other guy" was adamant that the power handle did no such thing. Even after I told him to cut the crank handle on his boat trailer in half and see what happens, he still refused agree with me.

Gear ratio matters greatly, but so does leverage.

[Catfishrollo]

You are right man! rollo

[bigcatpat]

Being as i fish from the bank,I like the ratio as high as I can get it.Once I get that sinker up off the bottom,I wanna keep it off the bottom.You're doing your actual fighting with the rod anyhow.I mean who actually points their rod at the fish and winches them in with the reel anyways.

[Smoothkip]

You've never seen luckeywade setups then Pat! Lmao! Tree trunk rods and rope line! Lol

[dreadnaught]

Mar 6, 2011 0:05:57 GMT -5 colsrob said:

You should also explain about the addition of a power handle. I got into it with a guy on another site, and maybe I was being stubborn, but I refused to back off my stance.

While it obviously doesn't change the ratio... it does change the cranking power/retrieve speed. The "other guy" was adamant that the power handle did no such thing. Even after I told him to cut the crank handle on his boat trailer in half and see what happens, he still refused agree with me.

Gear ratio matters greatly, but so does leverage.

Yes, once you add an inch to the crank, it takes less revolutions to gain the same line.
Much like pully systems:
If you have a small pully on the drive motor that runs 3400 RPMs (3") and a (6") pully on the the object to be turned (pump, motor, ect...) The pullys reduce the RPMs to 1700 RPMs. If you switch the pully positions, the RPMs are muliplied to 6800 RPMs.

Now compare the Drive Motor to a Reel, the same physics apply to the reel as hey do to the motor;
Larger Handle is the same as a larger pully!!!

Hope this helps, LOL!!!