Gear ratio tells you how many spool or rotor turns happen during one handle turn. Inches per turn—IPT—tells you how much line comes back. IPT is usually the number you feel on the water.

Two reels can share a gear ratio and recover different amounts of line because their spool diameters differ. IPT also drops as line leaves the spool. Faster pickup helps recover slack, catch up to a fish moving at you, and keep control after a close pitch. Moderate pickup makes many crankbaits and moving lures easier to keep in their speed window. Check both numbers, then match them to the cadence you actually fish.