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Want to know the difference in power between the ratios, is the bigger less strong or do you just have to cranck with a little more power on a high drag setting, I'm 190# and 6"4' so I think i have power enough to cranck a small reel with high gear if the thing has the same strenght.
Another thing can you set the cranking arm in the different holes for light tackle or heavy duty(talking about the avet MXL 4.1 or 6.1)
Gear Ratio is the amount of turns the reel makes each time you turn the handle one time.
a 6 to 1 ratio means that one turn of the handle takes up 6 turns of the spool, making the retrieve FASTER, not stronger. 4 to 1 means that only 4 turns occur taking up less line than the 6 to 1 reel. At least on Freshwater Reels... I work in a Freshwater Tackle store in Kentucky.. not much saltwater gear here..
So what you are getting is a faster retrieve. Mostly it has to do with casting for fish. If you are trolling it wont make much difference except that you are taking up more line as you reel.
Jim Dicken http://www.1fghp.com
As a rule, you want the higher ratios for casting and retreiving. IE Jigging, throwing lures etc. Also, there is a reason large (4/0 and up) saltwater reels have lower ratios, as well as a reason that two speeds have, well, two speeds. That tall ratio (6:1) will break you @$$ with heavy line and big fish.
__________________ "a doughnut is only one step above a rent rod"
Doughnut, so I understand that with the 6.1 ratio you have to put more power on the cranck handle, you know if it's because it's faster(than you can slow down) or is it less powerfull
Marti, the lower (numericaly) ratio gives you a mechanical advantage in multiplying your cranking power, the higher ratio (nemerically) increases the spool rotation speed, but decreases mechanical advantage.
Goede dag!
__________________ "a doughnut is only one step above a rent rod"
marti - think of your car...first gear gets the car moving a lot easier than 3rd gear, even though the engine is the same. The lower gear ratio provides a mechanical advantage; you won't move along as fast but you'll have a lot easier time moving. Unlike a car which rolls easier as inertia is overcome, that fish on the other end of your line may not give in so easily. Just like you can stall out and kill your car's engine if you try to get up to speed too fast under too heavy a load, so you could wear yourself out trying to overpower a big fish on a high gear reel. Had a friend who was grunting and using two hands to turn the handle while reeling in a 46# ono (wahoo)...switched to low gear and he was able to crank that fish right in with just one hand, and smiling to boot. (Of course he was a 74 year old gent, and you're stronger and prob'ly younger, but you see the point.) In the final analysis, it depends on what you're hoping to catch, 'cause if you're throwing lures, if the fish is small, or you don't mind taking a long time on a bigger fish (with the attendent increased risk of tackle fatigue/failure) then a high ratio is fine. We troll, the fish can be large, and we don't want to work too hard so we use heavy tackle with lower ratios. Tight lines.
Iawaia, thats clear, thank you all, now the last question to land a small yellowfin,say 50#
Newly restyled, a smoother more rounded look, same great Avet reel! Avets beautiful piece of engineering, loaded with the advanced features we have come to expect from Avet. A terrific 12 to 20 lb test reel, though we routinely spool them with 20-25lb Yozuri Hybrid. hold 300Yards of 25# line can I crank them with 6.1 ratio.
I'm still strong enough but will the reel be?
I know for the sails I better have 6.1 but never ever been able to try one makes me worry?? I know my car won't pull my boat out the water in the 3 gear
Mostly will be trolling or live bait don't like throwing all day unless I see fish
Hi-spped reels can be beneficial for speedy fish that may run away from the boat initially, then turn and run back at the boat. The hi-speed reel can help keep a tight line in that situation, as you're picking up more line with each crank.
Marti, to answer your question, I have fished 50LB on my Avet MXL and boated 100 lb Yellowfin, often, so yes, it is strong enough. Sailfish are sissies anyway!
__________________ "a doughnut is only one step above a rent rod"
Thanks Doughnut, kind of puts my mind at ease, like to have something that is a bit usefull overhere too, I will order the things in a hour when my friend is back from work need the Fax, must say firehouse tackle did a good job and has a nice price
I ordered the 6.3:1 well we see how they do the job anyway they be nice presents
Gear ratio 6.1 or 4.1??? 
will try for sailfish and tarpon and maybe a shot on some small yellowfin 
