cool....thanks for your response guys. I knew I would get some solid answers here. I got 8 more weeks till school is done, so maybe then I'll be able to move to a "good" reel.

For some reason, I've heard people say use a 5:1 with swimbaits so you can horse them in. That has always made me wonder. I can horse in a fish with a 6:1 much faster, so why not use that. I actually lost the first three swimbait I hooked on my cardiff 5:1. If I could of afforded it that reel woulda went strait to the drink after the third lost fish.:D Steve one of those was due to exactly what you were talking about, not picking up line fast enough. Especially with hudds, you have to keep as much pressure as possible and ski that mama in or your going to lose that fish for sure.

Looks like I'll be making the change back to 6:1 as soon as I can afford it.

Is there any instances where a 5:1 would be better then a 6:1?

thanks gents!