Gear ratio does not really matter, with that said. A gear ratio between 5.0:1 to 5.2:1 is generally well suited for trout fishing. Trout like a slow retrieve so no need for a high-speed ratio. You can still fish with trout with a fast ratio, just need to wind in the line slower.
If you are new to fishing, and just want to know what the best ultralight reel is then I have written a guide here where I have reviewed 12 popular trout reels.
A gear ratio of between 5.0 : 1 to 5.2 : 1 is well suited for trout fishing.
When targeting trout, a slow retrieve is usually the most productive, whether you are bouncing spoons, jerking Rapalas, or simply straight retrieving an inline spinner.
In most cases, a slow retrieve gives trout the best opportunity to strike, as they are generally lazy fish and don’t like high-speed chases.
For these reasons, I usually recommend reels with a slow or average gear ratio, ranging from 5.0:1 to 5.2:1, which happens to be the range where most ultralight spinning reels are set. However, the gear ratio is only one factor that determines the rate of line retrieval, often abbreviated as Line Per Crank (LPC).
Let’s take the Pflueger President as an example. Many trout anglers, including myself, consider it an excellent trout reel, with a gear ratio of 5.2:1 and a line retrieval rate of 20.2 inches per crank of the handle. This makes it one of the slowest retrieving reels on the market.
Now let’s compare it with the Daiwa Regal LT, another excellent trout reel in the same price range. The Regal also has a gear ratio of 5.2:1, but it has an LPC of 25.5 inches.
Despite having the same gear ratio, the Regal retrieves line about 20% faster. This is due to the Daiwa’s oversized spool, which assists in retrieval rate, and a longer handle, which retrieves more line per rotation.
I hope this comparison helps you choose the right reel for your trout fishing needs. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
A powerful cranking reel is not needed for trout.
In trout fishing, a powerful cranking reel is not necessary. Virtually all modern spinning reels have enough power to fight trout.
While a slow gear ratio does offer more power, it’s not needed to fight trout. Trout are small fish, and we typically use 4lb line to catch them. Winching them in with extra power just increases the risk of breaking the line or gear failure.
However, there are exceptions in trout fishing where the extra power of a low gear ratio reel comes in handy for some niche cases. For example, pulling massive Lake Trout from the depths or wrestling obese trout from fish farms require more power.
Nonetheless, in general, a slow or average gear ratio reel with enough power to handle trout is more than sufficient for most trout fishing situations.
It is easier to reel a high ratio slow, than a low ratio fast
It’s important to note that it’s easier to reel a high gear ratio slowly than a low gear ratio quickly. Moreover, it’s not difficult to trout fish with a high gear ratio reel.
Trout are not powerful fighters, and we don’t need to force them in by cranking the reel hard. For these reasons, even a reel with a high gear ratio, such as the Stradic FL (6.0:1 and LPC of 30in), works well for trout while still allowing for rapid retrieves if needed.
I use my Stradic reel for both trout fishing, which requires a slow retrieve, and saltwater pelagic fishing where rapid retrieves are often necessary.
The role which gear ratio plays
Gear ratio plays two key roles. It helps determines how quickly a reel recovers line and the cranking power of the gear themselves.
A high gear ratio allows for quick line recovery, while a slow gear ratio recovers line slowly but with more power. The angler can also influence the retrieval rate by adjusting the speed at which they wind the reel.
What is a reel’s gear ratio, and why does it matter?
The gear ratio is the ratio of the number of times the spool turns for every turn of the reel handle. For example, if the gear ratio is 5.2:1, this means that the spool turns 5.2 times for every one complete turn of the reel handle.
The first number in the gear ratio (in this case, 5.2) represents the number of times the spool turns, while the second number (1) represents one complete turn of the handle.
The gear ratio affects how fast the line is retrieved, and also how much cranking power the reel has. A higher gear ratio means that the spool turns faster, so the line is retrieved more quickly.
Which ultralight reel has the highest line retrieval rate?
| Model | Line Per Crank (inches) | Gear Ratio |
| ShimanoStradic C14+ FB | 31 | 6.0 : 1 |
| Shimano Ultegra FB | 31 | 6.0 : 1 |
| Daiwa KAGE MQ LT | 30.5 | 6.2 : 1 |
| Daiwa Kage LT | 30.5 | 6.2 : 1 |
| Daiwa Tatula LT | 30.5 | 6.2 : 1 |
| Daiwa Procyon LT | 30.5 | 6.2 : 1 |
| Shimano Stradic FL | 30 | 6.0 : 1 |
| Abu Garcia Revo SX | 30 | 6.2 : 1 |
| Abu Garcia Revo X | 30 | 6.2 : 1 |
| Okuma ITX Carbon | 28.7 | 6.0 : 1 |
| Abu Garcia Elite Max | 28.2 | 6.2 : 1 |
| Shimano Spirex FG | 28 | 6.2 : 1 |
Which Ultralight Reel has the highest Gear Ratio?
| Model | Gear Ratio | Line Per Crank (inches) |
| Shimano Spirex FG | 6.2 : 1 | 28 |
| Abu Garcia Elite Max | 6.2 : 1 | 28.2 |
| Abu Garcia Revo X | 6.2 : 1 | 30 |
| Abu Garcia Revo SX | 6.2 : 1 | 30 |
| Daiwa Kage LT | 6.2 : 1 | 30.5 |
| Daiwa Procyon LT | 6.2 : 1 | 30.5 |
| Daiwa Tatula LT | 6.2 : 1 | 30.5 |
| Daiwa Kage LT | 6.2 : 1 | 30.5 |
| KastKing Valiant Eagle | 6.2 : 1 |
Which ultralight reel has the lowest line retrieval rate?
| Model | Line Per Crank (inches) | Gear Ratio |
| Shimano IX | 19 | 4.1 : 1 |
| Pflueger Monarch Ice | 19.7 | 4.2 : 1 |
| Pflueger President | 20.2 | 5.2 : 1 |
| Abu Garcia Max STX | 20.5 | 5.2 : 1 |
| Abu Garcia Max Pro | 20.5 | 5.2 : 1 |
| Mitchell 300 | 20.5 | 5.2 : 1 |
| Abu Garcia Max X | 20.5 | 5.2 : 1 |
| Pflueger President XT | 21 | 5.2 : 1 |
| Pflueger Trion | 21 | 5.2 : 1 |
| Lews Laster Lite | 21 | 5.0 : 1 |
| Lews Wally Marshal SS | 21 | 5.0 : 1 |
| Okuma Ignite A | 21 | 5.0 : 1 |
Which ultralight reel has the lowest Gear Ratio?
| Model | Gear Ratio | Line Per Crank (inches) |
| Shimano IX | 4.1 : 1 | 19 |
| Pflueger Monarch Ice | 4.2 : 1 | 19.7 |
| Okuma Aria A | 4.8 : 1 | 24 |
| Okuma Alaris | 4.8 : 1 | 23.9 |
| Daiwa Strikeforce-B | 4.9 : 1 | 21.2 |
| Daiwa SS Tournament | 4.9 : 1 | 22 |
| Daiwa Exist LT | 4.9 : 1 | 24.1 |
Summary
In conclusion, when choosing an ultralight reel for trout fishing, the gear ratio plays a vital role in determining line retrieval speed and cranking power.
A slow or average gear ratio ranging from 5.0:1 to 5.2:1 is suitable for most trout fishing situations. A high gear ratio allows for quick line recovery, while a low gear ratio provides more cranking power.
However, a powerful cranking reel is not necessary for trout fishing, and virtually all modern spinning reels have enough power to fight trout.
The line retrieval rate can also vary among reels with the same gear ratio due to the spool size, handle length, and other factors.