Gear ratios for saltwater?

[Matt G]

What is the best gear ratio for saltwater fishing (specks, reds, flounder) with a baitcast? Does it really make that big of a difference?

[Salty]

7:1


Yes, gear ratio makes a difference. Try a 5:1 then try a 7:1.

["W"]

Yep 7:1 ...nothing less

[Matt G]

Damn, I just bought a Lew's Tournament with 5:4:1 ratio. Guess I should have asked first... How will that affect fishing topwater?

["W"]

Originally Posted by Matt G

Damn, I just bought a Lew's Tournament with 5:4:1 ratio. Guess I should have asked first... How will that affect fishing topwater?

Lack of speed....you will notice fishing next to someone with a 7:1..

[SaltERedneck]

I throw a 7:1 strictly for topwater... catches up to the bait nicely and there are no pauses.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Matt G

Damn, I just bought a Lew's Tournament with 5:4:1 ratio. Guess I should have asked first... How will that affect fishing topwater?

If a fish grabs that top and runs at ya.....you're screwed.

[Matt G]

Originally Posted by Salty

If a fish grabs that top and runs at ya.....you're screwed.

Well then, does anybody know if Academy will exchange a reel even if I had them spool it when I bought it?

[Micah]

Originally Posted by Matt G

Well then, does anybody know if Academy will exchange a reel even if I had them spool it when I bought it?

Shouldn't make a difference. Call first and ask, just tell em you bought the wrong gear ratio that you wanted.

[cmcnabb]

Academy will pretty much exchange anything but guns and ammo

[coastalobsession]

6:4:1 or more. It's nice to have a 7:1 because you can always slow it down.

[Salty]

The higher the ratio....the less the power. Never fished much for redfish, but, the ones I've caught never posed a problem for the higher ratio reels.

[Matt G]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm usually don't fish much topwater, but I'm hoping to get into it. It's apparent that this reel isn't what I need. I'm gonna try and trade it in and get the right set up.

[Salty]

Matt, that ratio might work fine for fishin' rubber baits on the bottom and for cork fishin'. I ain't done none of that, but, the 5:1 should work fine. The 7:1 is just a good all-around setup.

I hope they take the reel back for ya.