Help decide gear ratios

[Yerman]

Hey guys...I'm probably going to be picking up a few 13 Fishing Concept "A" reels during the holiday sales this year. My question has to do with gear ratios.

I know I want higher gear ratios but can't decide between the 7:3.1 and the 8.1:1 versions.

Here are the techniques I will be buying for and what I am thinking I should buy...

1. 7.3:1 - Plastics - texas riged worms, senkos, carolina rigs, etc.
2. 8.1:1 - Topwater - frogs, zara spooks,etc.
3. 8.1:1 - Flippin and pitchin - pig n jigs, beavers, etc.

What do you guys think?

NOTE: EDITED TO BE MORE CLEAR

[LgMouthGambler]

I take it you are a righty. Use the L for flipping, R 8.1 for frogging and topwater, R 7.3 for plastics.

[Yerman]

Removed

[LgMouthGambler]

OK, then just switch the 8.1's around.

[Yerman]

Thanks Gambler.

Thanks for the quick reply!

I think we are confusing each other with the Left and Right hand thing...I just removed it to keep it simple

So...do you think the 7.3:1 is good for plastics? Or should I consider making them all 8.1:1 reels? What about the other setups?

I guess I know that I want more line per crank, but don't know what ratio I should go with for each technique.

[LgMouthGambler]

I have an 8.1 in the new Metanium DC, and that thing can burn some baits, but for me would be a little too fast for fishing T-Rig soft plastics and such (worms, lizards, etc). I use it to burn soft plastic swimbaits across the surface. I think the 7 gear would be better, especially if you tie on something you want to work slow. Also, what is the IPT on the 8.1? If its around 37IPT, its freaking fast for slow applications.

[Yerman]

You know...I'm not sure. 13 fishing doesn't advertise their IPT.

I will say that when I fish plastics, all the action I put in my bait is with the rod. I never use the reel handle to work my bait back to the boat. My main concern is that when I make a long cast and/or a fish picks up my bait and swims towards the boat, I have to wind like crazy to get the slack out before I set the hook. I wanted a faster reel for plastic mainly for that reason.

When I am fishing topwater, I usually stay as far away from my targets as possible to prevent spooking the fish...after I get about 10' away from my target, I like to bring it in quick and get my bait back in the strike zone. That's why I was thinking that a high speed reel would be better for topwater.

[masterbass]

I would go with 8.1 for those techniques.

[jwfflipper14]

Although I use Daiwa Tatulas my reels are 7.3:1 and 8.1:1 and I use those reels for everything but crankbaits and spinnerbaits!! I love being able to get a cast back in and on to the next cast. Haven't had any problems with these ratios!

Jeff

[LgMouthGambler]

If this helps you, I flip/pitch/punch with a Megabass IP68 that has 7.3 gear set. I frog with a Zillion Coastal which has 7.3. I burn swim baits with a 15MetaniumDC XG with 8.1. I fish top water poppers/spooks with a Curado50E with a set of Core 7 gear set. I throw soft plastics with a Zillion HA that's 6.3 gears. I have a MetaniumMG7 that I use for jigs.