Reels operate by turning the handle, which drives various internal parts.
The basic mechanism is simple: a gear rotates, causing another gear to rotate.
By the way, reels always have a gear ratio displayed on them.
What is the purpose of this gear ratio?
How does changing the gear ratio affect the reel?
In this article, we will explain the gear ratio of fishing reels.
What is a Fishing Reel Gear Ratio?
Definition of Gear Ratio
The gear ratio of a fishing reel is:
The ratio of spool (or rotor) rotations to one full turn of the handle.
For example, if the rotor rotates 6 times for every 1 turn of the handle, it is displayed as a gear ratio of 1:6.
Alternatively, since the "1:" part is universal, it is often simply displayed as "Gear Ratio 6."
What are Normal Gear and High Gear?
The gear ratio of a standard reel is called a Normal Gear. Typically, this falls around the 5 to 5.5 range.
While we say "Normal Gear," there is no strict rule. The "normal" slightly varies by manufacturer, so there's no need to worry about minor differences.
A reel with more spool (rotor) rotations than this is a High Gear (e.g., 1:5.8).
Conversely, a reel with fewer spool rotations is a Low Gear (e.g., 1:4.8).
Manufacturers also indicate gear ratios using alphabets:
[DAIWA]
* Low Gear = P
* High Gear = H
* Extra High Gear = XH
[SHIMANO]
* Low Gear = PG
* High Gear = HG
* Extra High Gear = XG
For both manufacturers, models without these alphabetical designations are Normal Gear.
Benefits of Different Gear Ratios
Both Normal Gear and High Gear reels have their pros and cons.
First, the main benefit of a High Gear is faster lure retrieval.
Because the spool rotates more times per handle turn, you can retrieve more line with a single rotation.
Additionally, the greatest advantage of a High Gear in lure fishing is excellent sensitivity. (discuss this later)
On the other hand, the benefit of a Normal Gear (or Low Gear) is strong winding power and smooth rotation.
Reel Gears Work Like Everyday Vehicles
If you understand the concept of slow or fast gears in theory but struggle to imagine it in practice, you can experience it through everyday vehicles.
Reel Gears are Like Bicycles
Have you ever ridden a bicycle with gears?
Common bicycles often have 3-speed or 5-speed gears. You can shift from Slow → Normal → Fast.
A "Slow Gear" (Low Gear) hardly moves you forward with one pedal stroke.
A "Fast Gear" (High Gear) moves you a long distance with a single pedal stroke.
What are the characteristics of a Slow Gear?
It doesn't move you far, but you can pedal with very light force. It's ideal for starting to move or climbing steep hills.
What about a Fast Gear?
It moves you far with one stroke, but the initial pedaling is very heavy. Generally, you start in a Slow Gear and shift to a Fast Gear once you build speed.
A bicycle's Slow Gear corresponds to a reel's Normal (or Low) Gear.
A bicycle's Fast Gear corresponds to a reel's High Gear.
How High Gear Reels Improve Sensitivity
When Does Reel Sensitivity Matter?
Reel sensitivity primarily matters in two situations:
- When the lure touches something: For example, if a thin strand of seaweed catches on the hook, it alters the lure's movement. Can you feel this change?
- Changes in water current: The ocean may look uniform, but tidal currents vary. Surface and bottom currents can differ in strength. Can you feel these current changes?
Why does a faster gear ratio improve sensitivity?
Weak Winding Power Translates to "Sensitivity"
The advantage of Low or Normal gears is strong winding power, making them suitable for retrieving heavy rigs or winching in fish.
High Gear reels have weaker winding power compared to slower gears. The higher the gear, the weaker the power.
This is the same as a bicycle's fast gear being heavy to pedal initially. You might think, "Isn't weak winding power a disadvantage?"
However, for fishing reels, this is not necessarily a drawback. This weak winding power manifests as sensitivity.
Weak Power Lets You Feel Resistance
With an Extra High Gear reel, which has inferior winding power, you can notice even a single thin strand of seaweed caught on your lure. You notice it because the winding power is weak.
The seaweed acts as resistance against the lure's movement. When using a fast-gear reel with weak power, you perceive this resistance as an anomaly.
To put it simply: Because the winding power is weak, even slight resistance makes turning the handle feel heavy.
This is the true nature of "sensitivity."
If you ride a bicycle in a fast gear and hit a slight incline, pedaling becomes heavy. You notice the incline because of the increased load. In contrast, a powerful slow gear would let you pedal right through without noticing.
The faster the reel's gear ratio, the more easily you can detect slight current changes or debris because they manifest as a heavy feeling when winding.
Are There Disadvantages to High Gear Reels?
High Gear reels retrieve lures quickly and convert weak power into sensitivity. It sounds like there are no downsides.
However, there is a disadvantage: Initial winding heaviness.
Starting the rotation from a complete stop feels noticeably heavier with a High Gear reel. It's exactly like trying to start pedaling a bicycle in a fast gear.
Unlike bicycles, reels do not have a shifting mechanism. Therefore, this initial heaviness remains a permanent drawback of High Gear reels.
High Gear is Even More Effective for Slow Fishing!
This is a lesser-known fact: High Gear sensitivity is actually more effective when fishing at a slow pace.
Less Inertia is Better
Once the spool or rotor starts spinning, inertia takes over. This inertia assists the rotational movement, making the winding heaviness almost unnoticeable unless there is resistance.
The faster you reel, the stronger the inertia. Therefore, winding fast makes it harder to notice slight anomalies compared to winding slowly.
High Gear reels, which rely on weak power for sensitivity, perform best in slow fishing styles where inertia is minimized.
Reel High Gears Slowly!
"Using a High Gear reel to move a lure slowly" might sound contradictory. Some tackle shop staff even recommend Normal Gears for slow fishing.
It's true that High Gears retrieve more line per turn. If you turn the handle at the same speed, the lure moves faster than with a Normal Gear. Therefore, you must turn the handle slower than you would with a Normal Gear.
How much slower? If you reel at 80-90% of the speed you would with an Extra High Gear, it matches the lure speed of a Normal Gear. For most anglers, this is merely a minor adjustment.
I Heard Low Gear Has Better Sensitivity...?
Perception Varies
Someone once asked me, "I heard Low Gears have better sensitivity?"
This isn't necessarily wrong because "sensitivity" is ultimately a matter of individual perception. Just like some people might find a bicycle's slow gear better for feeling slight inclines by pedaling rapidly.
However, for most people, the heavy pedaling of a fast gear makes it easier to physically feel the presence of an incline.
Different Definitions of Sensitivity
Alternatively, they might be defining "sensitivity" differently. Those who say "High Gear is more sensitive" are referring to the ability to feel resistance due to weak winding power.
If someone claims Low Gear is more sensitive, they might be using a completely different logic. However, I have yet to hear a convincing explanation for how Low Gear provides better sensitivity in this context.
Which Gear Should You Choose?
Faster is Generally Better
When it comes to sensitivity, the faster the gear, the easier it is to feel loads and resistance as "winding heaviness." In fishing styles like Seabass fishing, where "fishing the current" is crucial, a reel that easily feels heavy is highly advantageous.
But Initial Winding Heaviness is Annoying
On the other hand, in lure fishing—which involves constant casting and retrieving—an annoying initial winding heaviness is a fatal flaw.
Choose a High Gear Where the Heaviness Isn't Bothersome
For beginners, the best approach is to compare different gear ratios and choose a High Gear (Fast Gear) where the initial winding heaviness doesn't bother you.
If an Extra High Gear feels fine, go with it. If it feels too heavy to start, step down to a standard High Gear.
Consider the Lures You Use
Water resistance from lures also hinders reel rotation. High-resistance lures (like large blade baits or metal vibrations) place a heavy burden on your winding hand. Keep in mind that actual fishing will feel heavier than simply spinning an empty reel in a tackle shop.
Conclusion: A High Gear That Isn't Annoying is Recommended!
The mechanism of a reel's gear ratio is the same as a bicycle or car.
A bicycle's fast gear requires power to pedal, but even a slight incline places a load on your legs, making the incline obvious.
Similarly, a High Gear reel requires force to start, but even slight changes manifest as "winding heaviness," making them easy to detect.
This is the true nature of "sensitivity."
Since reels cannot shift gears, choose the fastest gear ratio available that doesn't cause annoying initial winding heaviness for your personal preference.