Gear ratio for throwing iron?

[yaknewb]

Whats your guys thoughts on the perfect gear ratio for throwing irons? And also what reel will work best for my 8ft Heavy jig/bait shimono?

[bus kid]

In free-spool gear ratio is irrelevant.

[brotherp]

A lot of the old school iron was made to fish on a penn 500 so 5.1 was considered fast and would still do. Kind of slow by todays standards

[Nic D]

I like em fast.... 6 to 1

[dorado50]

Throw this at wall and see if it sticks... For kayak fishing, torium 16(6:2:1) fast retrive for yt reaction strike with 25# test .inexpensive and deadly.

[fishsouthcounty]

Originally Posted by dorado50

Throw this at wall and see if it sticks... For kayak fishing, torium 16(6:2:1) fast retrive for yt reaction strike with 25# test .inexpensive and deadly.

woooohoooo knew that was a smart buy....now i just need some yellowtail to show up outside of the DP harbor and im golden.

[FlyFishinYakr]

Originally Posted by yaknewb

Whats your guys thoughts on the perfect gear ratio for throwing irons? And also what reel will work best for my 8ft Heavy jig/bait shimono?

For me it depends on the type of rod I'm using 6:1 on a med action rod (for Calico/Sand Bass,WSB,or Tuna) or 5:1 on a stiffer one (Yellowtail, Scooters).
For my heavy jig rod I like two-speed reels. (ie.Talica 12 w/40# hollow ace or my Beastmaster [the original TLD] 12/30 w/60# hollow ace).
Examples: For my surface irons I like 25# on my Trini 20 matched to a Calstar 690J or my Newell 322 on a Seeker SJ85/Calstar 530 and for Heavy Yo-Yo 40# a Shimano Beastmaster 12/30 (TLD 30 equivalent) two speed matched to my Truline D8 (old Vintage) or a Talica 12 II w/Hollow Ace 40# matched to a Calstar 6465H.
These are just my preferences that have worked for me over the years.
FFY

[dorado50]

Two speeds on a kayak in so. Cal. Waters ? Seems a bit of an "overkill". Also does damage to these expensive reels from salt water intrusion. Any fish over 100 lbs could put into low gear from boat. Most of my boat rods are two speeds and I typically forget I have low gear!!

[grey zone]

The higher the better, toriums and saltist are great. These reels with higher gear ratios make it easy to get the right pressure on your lure with little cranking effort. For reel size pick one thats weight matches the rod. If the rod and reel are matched the set-up should teter some where in the fore grip. For the heavy rod I like a torium 30 and for the light I like the 20 or saltist 40.

[The Kid]

Saltist STT40H older saltist 6.4:1 gear ratio. Best surface iron reel ever!!!!!!!







Seriously.

[FlyFishinYakr]

Originally Posted by dorado50

Two speeds on a kayak in so. Cal. Waters ? Seems a bit of an "overkill". Also does damage to these expensive reels from salt water intrusion. Any fish over 100 lbs could put into low gear from boat. Most of my boat rods are two speeds and I typically forget I have low gear!!

Why wouldn't you use a two-speed in a yak? Hi-speed for yo-yoing for tails and low-speed for control (tug of war in the kelp) and in close.
As for exposure to the salt, I am meticulous in my maintenance after every outing. I have a "Water Jet" which I use to power rinse my equipment after every trip and I can/have serviced everything from Penns to Shimanos (not rocket science). That's why most of my equipment is meticulous after all these many years (have 25+ yo. Daiwa Sealines, Newells and an original TLD 30 and you'd never guess they're that old.)
FFY