Forums » Hunting, Fishing, and Camping

Sport Fishing vs. Power Fishing which do you do?

    • 144 posts
    August 21, 2010 1:15 PM CDT

    Enjoy every second of the day or catch as many fish as you can. What type of fisherman are you? You will likely get the most out of your fishing trip if you fish with the equipment that matches your personality. So which equipment is right for you? It’s not necessarily as important to select between baitcast, low-profile, or spinning reels as it is picking the correct gear ratio. Don’t believe me? Here is why.

    High gear ratios (7:1:1, 6:1:1, or 5:1:1) means that your line goes around the spool more with less crank. This gives the fisherman power. Reel the line in quick, if you have no bites then throw it back out and try again. Have you got a fish on the line, alright! Get her in the boat quick, see what kind of monster it is, and then catch another.

    On the other hand, a low gear ratio (5:7:1, 4:8:1, 3:6:1) means that you have to crank more to get your lure in to the boat. Some people see this as only a drawback, but it has its positive. A slow crank is for the true sportsman at heart, someone who wants to work every cast, and make the fish fight last longer. Also, a slow cran can give live bait and lures more of a natural look. If you’ve ever felt a nibble, but no bite you might have caught the fish if you had a slower crank.

    The gear is the first thing to consider when buying a reel because baticast and low-profile reels primarily come with high gear ratios, although you can find both. Alternatively, spinning reels are mainly found with a slower low gear ratio. Think about it, when the spinning reel rotates and oscillates up and down with each crank it is more of a in the moment and fun experience. You also have to flip the guard over before a cast. Furthermore baitcast and low-profile reels are for experienced casters as your line can backlash if you fail to stop the lure when it hits the water.

    It’s all personal preference, the more expensive baitcast reels come in 2 speed, in case you’re in a different mood that day. These are just some things to consider to get the most out of your fishing experience.