6.3:1

[Big-Bass]

The more I fish and the more I see higher and higher gear ratios, the more I seem to fall back on the 6.3:1 ratio. What happened to this being high speed and working for just about anything? I seem to use reels between 6.3:1 and 7.3:1 the most. Now we are at 9:1 reels that retrieve close to 40" of line per turn. How many of you still use 6.3:1 as your all around reel to do just about anything and for just about any bait on the market? Thanks!

[stingray23]

I still use them. I prefer the slower ratio for a variety of techniques. I have a Met. XG which is 8.5:1, buts only for jigs and frogs. 99% of my fishing is done within 6.2- 7.4 gear ratio.

[Cracker]

I used to been saying - you only need 7.1 and higher, and ended up fish a lot with 5.5, 6.3, 6.8 gear ratio's.

[poisonokie]

I am liking the 6.3 zillion sv for t rigs. I wasn't sure I would since I'm so used to 7's and 8's now, but I tend to drag the bait around with reel and it keeps me from working it too fast. Since I never have that much slack in the line, hook sets aren't the issue I thought they'd be. I also like it better for football jigs. For pitching, though, 7.3 all day.

[LgMouthGambler]

I'm a searching Fisher. My trolling motor or the wind is usually scooting the boat along, so the fast ratios help to keep boat speed and line take up at bay. That being said, most of my reels are 50 series, and even with 7 speed gears they are only like 28IPT. That's close to a regular size reel at a 6 something gear ratio. My TD Zillions are 6.8, 7.3, and 7.9s. The HA with IP68 gears is for spinners, swim jigs, and chatterbaits. The IP68R with 7.3 gears is for punching. And the SV103XS with SV105 spool is for burning soft plastic swim baits and such. I also have a CiticaE that I have E7 gears in for frogging.

[Big-Bass]

I am trying to convince myself whether I should get the 6.3 or 8.1 Steez SV and it seems that the 35" IPT limits what I can use the reel for...but the 8.1 has brass gears and the 6.3 has aluminum which I think is weird since the 6.3 should be more versatile and wouldn't the gearing tend to need to be more durable?

I think anywhere between 25 and 30 is the perfect IPT for all around usage but all I see trending is faster faster faster...

[papabassin]

There's nothing wrong with using 6:1 gear reels for all sorts of applications...especially if it's what your comfortable with. I have a few 6:1 reels that I use for bottom applications and some I use for moving baits.

[toddmc]

I often fish bottom contact baits a long cast away from the boat and only through a short strike zone. This is often called fishing slow at a fast pace. The bait is allowed to go to the bottom, and maybe given a few shakes, and reeled back in. Fishing Senkos in clear water is a prime example of this. All of that distance between the far away target and your boat is usually dead water, and the faster that you get your bait through it and back to you will allow you to make more casts throughout the day.
Reaction baits can be fished this way also. Casting to boiling fish with a topwater is a good example of this. You are at a disadvantage using a 6.3 reel for this. The faster ratio the better.
The big limit to the high speed reels is fishing reaction baits at a medium or slower pace because it is easier for most people to get a rhythm with a slower speed reel. I use the 6.3 for medium or slower reaction baits only. The wind is famous for picking up in the afternoon in SoCal. I often fish reaction baits on long stretches of rock and dams with the wind at my back. This will push my boat a couple of miles per hour. As has been said, the extra high speed reels (7.3 or higher) help to compensate for this and any wind.

[poisonokie]

I get what you're saying about the gearing material. I've never heard about any problems with steez gearing, but Daiwa did upgrade the alloy in the newest iteration. Was that to address legitimate concerns? I doubt it. Probably just marketing, but who knows? That's why I'd rather get a Zillion sv or some variant thereof for all around use, probably in 6.3. I doubt you'd have any durability issues with the steez sv gears, though. Just keep them lubricated and don't abuse them or ever use the reel with any sideplay on the spool. Like i said before, if i got one it would be for lighter baits, lighter line, and seated on a really well balanced rod for lighter cover, but that's just because I feel a zillion or something like that is better suited for heavier stuff and basic all around bass fishing.

[Big-Bass]

Yes mine would not be for heavy cover...jigs no bigger than 1/2 at max (more like 1/4 - 3/8), spinnerbaits under 3/8, etc.

[robster80]

Used a 6.4 scorpion xt1000 last season frequently for all kinds of techniques. Didnt really think about the gear ratio. Handled everything fine. Picked up a 6.3 J Dream the other day i cant wait to use

[LgMouthGambler]

Dont be put off by the aluminum gears, they are alot stronger than you think .

[Real Pudd legend]

I was watching a tacklewarehouse video of Bryan thrift on clear lake using the Damiki air frog . He's fishing with a 6.3:1 which made me wonder why??? Can someone please elaborate on his decision to go with that lower gear ratio. Thanks !!

[DirtyD64]

I love my Zillion 9.1, matched on a 7'6" MH for light flippin, but it doesn't handle well over 1/2. I tried dragging a 3/4 Carolina rig and it was like riding a bike uphill in high gear, I could do it, but just didn't feel right, felt overworked.
I think 28-32 is the magic IPT for anything. I did successfully use my Revo Winch (old reel, gen3 still though) for 4.8 keitechs with open hook jigheads recently, but also lost fish I feel I wouldn't have if it had been a 6 or 7 gear.
I think 8 gears will be the max for a while, 9+ is a little too short on torque for me. I couldn't imagine reeling a 2oz tungsten through pads all day.
A Zillion TWS 6.3 recovered like 28" and would be a very good reel for all purpose duty.

[africanbass]

Love 6.3 for multi purpose blades and flukes.
The 6.8 on the FX reels is however perfect