Gear ratios for saltwater?
 

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

7:1


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

Yep 7:1 ...nothing less

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..

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

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?

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

Academy will pretty much exchange anything but guns and ammo

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

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.

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.

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.