The faster gear ratio supplies less power to pull the fish to the boat. Depends on the application you are using.

I use the 7.1 when fluke fishing with a MH rod. I would use a slower model if I were fishing a spinner bait or anytime I am fishing really heavy cover.

the ETX10HFC i think is just a higher speed than ETX10HE

I wouldn't use them

NO....DON'T HAVE A STRONG ENOUGH DRAG SYSTEM

absolutely good for salt water! i use this on my bluefish, mackerel rod. great for reds too. lots of cranking power.

you can pretty much go by your rod rateing as far as the line poundage. i've had 10lb on here and had 50lb braid. although i broke a rod with the 50lb braid, the reel held up great..lol

this reel does not have a clicker, but it will handle big cats no problem. you should also check out bass pro's cat maxx reel. low priced and will pull up a car door.

No this reel does not have a bait clicker on it . I recommend looking into Abu Garcia Ambassadeurs like the C4 or C3 ,( in a 5500, 6500 or 6600 size ) or a Shimano Cardiff ( in the 300 or 400 models ) if your looking for quality at an affordable price . If price is not an issue go with a Shimano Calcutta B ( in the 400 or 700 size ) or a Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Record ( in a 5500 or 6500 size ) . All these reels are great catfishing reels yet the more expensive reels will cast lighter weights into the wind much better and will be much easier to learn to use and last longer in theory anyway . The Shimano Calcutta even comes in an even more expensive model , the Calcutta TE . If you plan on chasing huge cats ( trophy cats 50 # plus pigs ) and plan on spending a lot of time on the water chasing them down then you will be happiest with the Calcutta's or even larger Ambassadeurs like a 7000c3 or a Ambassadeur 9000 Big Game which is my latest buy and I'm totally Impressed with it for hunting down the big fattys , but the big game reels don't have any breaking system on them so it is not really a good real for a beginner . Go round reel for sure and not a low profile and you will be much happier . Anyway thats my two cents worth concerning the reels . Oh yea I would like to suggest you try out Danny Kings punch bait (original flavor)and the Team Catfish Secret 7 dip bait . Use size 6 trebles with the punch bait and size 6 trebles or 3/0 circle hook with a tube lure for the dip bait like this item 38-449-030-09 ,catfish charlie dipbait worms . I prefer the smooth tubes with holes over this kind with the ribs but I didn't find them here on line . Tie the hook or tube and hook combo to a 8 in leader tied to a swivel . I push the hooks down into the bait with a steel ruler from an old combination square that I put a handle on it by wrapping masking tape around and around the top 5 inches or so . Above the swivel use an sinker (1oz-8oz depending on the current ) and a glass or plastic bead between the sinker and the swivel to cushion the knot from the sinker . I use 30# pound main line with a 20# flourocarbon leader so if I get hung up the leader will break and I don't loose my sinker and line . I promise you that these two baits will call em from a long ways off . If you are in the right place you will catch a ton of fish . Most of the time you can only use one rod at a time because the action is to fast for more than one .They both are really going to catch you mainly fish in the 1# - 15# size but It will ocassionally call in bigger cats .You can order both baits online direct from each of the companys . I'm not sure why BassPro doesn't offer them online . They are both available in most bait shops too . One last tip take a bar of soap with you and when you get home rub plain vineager on your hands vigarously after washing them and it will kill the smell . I would like to tell you that many times when every one else is striking out using live or cut bait we will be absolutely slaying them . I do recommend live suckers or hearing or shad about 10- 15 inches long for the huge catfish . If they swim within 20 ft. it will not be able turn down the suckers . You can usually buy them in some of the bait shops . Ok I believe I can get off my soap box now . I just wanted to share this with you so you can enjoy catfishing as much as we do . Hope that helps you out in some way .Good luck and tight lines .

Time to get it serviced. the Pin on the line guide could be wore out and dirt plays a big roll in this as well. clean the reel and oil and grease it back up should go right back to working again. if not send it to the guys at BPS and they will make your reel come back to life.

You may need to oil and grease the worm gear and shaft. If that doesn't work replace the worm gear. Call outdoor rod and reel repair. They will help you. They're great.

No, they're all fairly cheap, I still wouldn't recommend them to anyone, but that's me.

I HAVE FOUND WITH BASS PRO SHOPS PRODUCTS TO WAIT FOR THEM TO GO ON SALE. THIS REEL IS REGULARLY 79.95 BUT FREQUENTLY GOES ON SALE FOR 59.95.

your question should be called in for that info, what i could say as a customer is that they do go on sale every now and then. i picked mine up as a cheap bait caster and now its one of my favorite reels

Whenever you find a product on sale on line but its not in the store just tell the sales clerk and they will pull up the online website and verify its on sale online and honor that price for you in the store . I've done this too many times to count and in different stores around the country . Hope that helps you out in some way . Good luck and tight lines .