Bass fishing and reel speed

[dazzle]

Over the years and as what we can see today the fishing
tackle seemed to have become more technique specific.
And reels is part of that. Reels now come in multiple
speeds in the same body and model.
I guess I am mainly talking about baitcaster here since
it's the main type of reel I use for bass fishing.
I have reels in all different speeds and I use each for
different applications. For winter months and worming
I like using the slower speed. I think we all know why.
Spring and Summer using the faster for other applications.

But for a beginner who wants to choose one reel,
what would you guys recommend for them?

Fast, medium, slow?

--Daz

[bitesize]

I like to use the faster speed because I rather slow
down a retrieve rather than trying to crank as
fast as I can with a slower speed reel.

[danbass]

I agree with bitesize. I resently started taking my grandson fishing and it gives him a good workout on spinner baits when he uses my slower retrieve baitcaster

[bitesize]

Yeah, that's how I felt when I used slower speed reels
while ripping spinnerbaits and working fast topwater baits.
But now you can tell people that fishing is a good exercise.

[swear by senkos]

I would go with a faster as well, this makes it much easier. On a slow summer day even with a fast reel you can fish soft plastics just as well, you just have to be careful of the speed. I would defenitly go for a faster reel, Also if you are fishin spinerbaits at the top, you can get them up faster with a higher gear ratio with less effort.

[Lightninrod]

Yep, gotta agree with the others; a faster(6/1) reel is preferable if you have to limit yourself to one. I just got a 5.8/1 for the first time recently after using only 6/1's for years. I'll use the slower ones for crankbaits and slow-rollin' spinnerbaits.

Dan

[Reno Reeler]

I also agree that if it's your first and possibly only reel, go with the hyper fast gear ratio.

[quantum angler nt]

dittos to what everyone else has been saying, (6.1) is a great
gear ratio.