How to read this glossary
Every term below is quoted the way it appeared on an official product page we read on 30 October 2026: KastKing's Royale Legend Elite and Sharky III pages, PENN's Battle IV page, Shimano's Stradic FM, Curado 150M and Tranx 200 pages, Piscifun's Carbon X II page and Sunline's Basic PE line page. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] For each term we give a plain meaning, the unit, and whether the number means the same thing from brand to brand.
The short version: a number is only comparable across brands when the unit and the order are the same and it is measured the same way. Gear ratio and bearing count fail that test more often than buyers expect; line recovered per turn and capacity pass it, once you have lined up the units.
Retrieve terms: gear ratio, IPT, Retrieve per Crank and plain Retrieve
Gear ratio is how many times the spool (on a casting reel) or the rotor (on a spinning reel) turns for one turn of the handle. KastKing and PENN write it with a colon, such as 8.1:1 and 5.2:1; Shimano's spinning spec rows drop the colon and print 6.2, while its Tranx page prints 7.2:1. [1] [2] [3] [8] On its own it is not comparable across sizes, because a bigger spool brings back more line per turn at the same ratio.
IPT, printed by KastKing as 'IPT(in per turn)', is inches of line recovered per handle turn. The Royale Legend Elite table lists 34.1 at 8.1:1 and 30.7 at 7.3:1 on the same spool. [1] Shimano prints the same idea as 'Retrieve per Crank': 40 on the Stradic 4000XG FM and 29 on the Curado 150HG M, with no unit in the row we read. [3] [4] This is the most useful speed number when two brands both publish it.
Plain 'Retrieve' is a trap. On PENN's Battle IV table the Retrieve column says Right/Left, and on Shimano's Curado and Tranx pages it says Right or Left. [2] [4] [8] It tells you the handle side, not how fast the reel winds.
| Term as printed | Example | Meaning | Unit | Compare across brands? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gear Ratio | 8.1:1 (KastKing); 6.2 (Shimano) [1] [3] | Spool or rotor turns per handle turn | Ratio | Only within the same spool size |
| IPT(in per turn) | 34.1 (KastKing Royale Legend Elite) [1] | Line recovered per handle turn | Inches | Yes, when both brands publish it |
| Retrieve per Crank | 40 (Stradic 4000XG FM) [3] | Same idea as IPT | Unit not printed in the row we read [3] | Yes, once the unit is confirmed |
| Retrieve | Right/Left (PENN); Left (Curado 151HG M) [2] [4] | Handle side | None | Not a speed figure |
Bearing terms: BB, 10+1 and 6/1
BB means ball bearings. Brands write the count three ways: KastKing's table column 'BB' shows 11+1, Shimano prints 'Bearings 6/1', and PENN's table column '# Ball Bearings' shows 6 for a reel its own description calls a '5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system'. [1] [2] [3] So PENN's 6 and Shimano's 6/1 are not the same count written two ways.
Counts are not even consistent on one page. KastKing's Royale Legend Elite description mentions 10 double-shielded stainless-steel bearings plus an instant anti-reverse, while its spec table lists 11+1. [1] Piscifun's Carbon X II lists 10+1 double sealed stainless steel bearings. [5] Treat the count as a description, not a quality score; the existing ball-bearing guide covers why.
Drag, capacity and line terms
Max drag is the most resistance the drag can produce, normally in pounds. KastKing's table heading is 'Max Drag(LBS)' with 17.64 for the Royale Legend Elite; PENN writes 10.8lb for the Battle IV 1000; KastKing's Sharky III page gives 'up to 39.5LBs / 18KG'; Shimano's spinning rows show 'Max Drag 24' without a unit; and Piscifun's Carbon X II lists 22 lbs. [1] [2] [6] [3] [5] It is comparable as a ceiling, but you fish well below it; the max-drag guide explains how far below.
Capacity is written as pairs, and the order flips. PENN's heading reads 'Mono Capacity (yds/lbs)' so 140/4 means 140 yards of 4 lb; KastKing's reads 'Mono Line Capacity (LB/YDS)' so 12/130 means 12 lb and 130 yards; Shimano's spinning rows write 10-200 (lb, then yards) and its Tranx page writes 8/180. [2] [1] [3] [8] Shimano labels its braid column 'PowerPro Line Capacity', so those yardages are for PowerPro braid; another braid of the same pound test may be thicker or thinner. [3]
PE is the Japanese size number for braid. Sunline lists its Basic PE by '#' size with a separate maximum strength, for example #1.5 at 25 lb (11 kg) and 0.209 mm. [7] A PE number tells you thickness class, not breaking strength; see the PE conversion guide.
A to Z quick reference
Use this table when a listing uses a term you do not recognise. 'Where seen' names the page where we read it; other brands may use the same term differently.
| Term | Where seen | Plain meaning | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-reverse / instant anti-reverse (IAR) | KastKing Sharky III 'instant lock anti-reverse'; Royale Legend Elite 'instant anti-reverse' [6] [1] | The handle cannot turn backwards, so the rotor or spool cannot back up | None of the pages we read printed the abbreviation IAR. Piscifun notes the Carbon X II 1000 has no anti-reverse switch [5] |
| BB / Bearings / # Ball Bearings | KastKing 11+1; Shimano 6/1; PENN 6 [1] [3] [2] | Count of bearings | PENN folds the +1 into its total [2] |
| Braid Ready spool | KastKing Sharky III [6] | Spool designed so braid can be tied on without backing | Backing can still save money on long spools |
| Drag Type: Front Drag / Star | Shimano Stradic FM and Curado M [3] [4] | Where the drag is adjusted: on the spool front, or a star wheel by the handle | Not a strength figure |
| IPT / Retrieve per Crank | KastKing; Shimano [1] [3] | Line recovered per handle turn | Shimano's rows print no unit; Curado pages also show a Lower Line Retrieve Per Crank figure |
| LB/YDS vs yds/lbs | KastKing; PENN [1] [2] | Line capacity pair | Read the header before the numbers |
| Max Drag | KastKing, PENN, Shimano, Piscifun [1] [2] [3] [5] [6] | Drag ceiling | Units may be missing or doubled in kg |
| PE # | Sunline Basic PE [7] | Japanese braid size number | Strength at one PE size varies by maker |
| PowerPro Line Capacity | Shimano [3] | Braid capacity measured with PowerPro line | Other braids at the same lb test may differ in diameter |
| Retrieve: Right/Left | PENN; Shimano casting reels [2] [4] [8] | Handle side | Not speed |
| Weight (oz) | Shimano 9.7 oz Stradic 4000XG FM; Piscifun 5.5 oz Carbon X II 1000 [3] [5] | Reel weight | Compare the same size only |
Checklist before you compare two spec sheets
Run these checks in order; most mismatched comparisons fail at the first two.
- Confirm both reels are the same size class before comparing gear ratio, drag or weight.
- Compare IPT or Retrieve per Crank instead of gear ratio when both are published. [1] [3]
- Read every capacity header for order: yds/lbs, LB/YDS or lb-yd. [1] [2] [3]
- Check whether Retrieve means speed or handle side on that page. [2] [4]
- Treat bearing counts as written differently by each brand, not as a score. [1] [2] [3]
- Check max drag units; if none are printed, do not assume. [3]
- If a braid label uses PE, convert with that maker's own chart. [7]
Questions before you decide
What does IPT mean on a fishing reel?
IPT means inches per turn: the inches of line one handle turn brings back. KastKing's Royale Legend Elite table lists 34.1 IPT at 8.1:1 and 30.7 at 7.3:1. Shimano prints the same idea as Retrieve per Crank.
Is 10+1 bearings the same as 6/1 or 6?
No. KastKing writes 11+1, Shimano writes 6/1, and PENN's table shows 6 for a Battle IV its description calls 5+1. Each brand formats the count differently, so compare the number of ball bearings, not the notation.
Does Retrieve on a spec table mean retrieve speed?
Not always. On PENN's Battle IV table and Shimano's Curado and Tranx pages, Retrieve shows the handle side (Right, Left or Right/Left). Speed appears as gear ratio, IPT or Retrieve per Crank.
Is a PE number a pound rating?
No. PE is a Japanese size number. Sunline's Basic PE #1.5 is rated at 25 lb maximum strength, but another maker can rate the same PE size differently, so use the line maker's own chart.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- KastKing Royale Legend Elite baitcasting reel: product specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- PENN Battle IV spinning reel: model comparison table Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Shimano Stradic FM spinning reel: specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Shimano Curado 150M casting reel: specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Piscifun Carbon X II spinning reel: product page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- KastKing Sharky III spinning reel: product page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Sunline Basic PE braided line: size and strength table Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Shimano Tranx 200 A casting reel: specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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