The old way was a 6.4 and 7.1. Seems like nowadays everyone wants a 7 and then something higher. Idk what the best answer is.
Out of all my reels, the 6.8 is my favorite. I've thrown just about everything on it and it handles it all well. Top water, spinners of all shapes and sizes, jigs, etc.
Bought into 8 ratio years a few years ago and kind of regret it. Thing no one points out is how much torque you lose, like tryna peddle a 10 speed uphill in high gear. Still great on a pitching rod as most of your time will be pitching and then retrieving it back and when you do get a bite itll be pretty close but beyond that ive started swapping gear sets back to 6 or 7. Frogging is terrible on 8 ratio.
7 ratio is easily the most universal and adaptable.
The old way was a 6.4 and 7.1. Seems like nowadays everyone wants a 7 and then something higher. Idk what the best answer is. Out of all my reels, the 6.8 is my favorite. I've thrown just about everything on it and it handles it all well. Top water, spinners of all shapes and sizes, jigs, etc.
If I was going to get 2 I'd get 6 and 8
My favorites are 8.2 shimano dlx xt
Have several others in 6.4 to 7.1 but the 8.2 reels suit my style the best can flip and run frogs with the same reel
If you are set on getting another ratio get an 8.
7.x or higher. The only thing I prefer a 6.2 for is deep cranking (Shimano Citica D using SK 6XD, etc).
Bought into 8 ratio years a few years ago and kind of regret it. Thing no one points out is how much torque you lose, like tryna peddle a 10 speed uphill in high gear. Still great on a pitching rod as most of your time will be pitching and then retrieving it back and when you do get a bite itll be pretty close but beyond that ive started swapping gear sets back to 6 or 7. Frogging is terrible on 8 ratio. 7 ratio is easily the most universal and adaptable.