Crankbait Reels?

[zildjian]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to buy a reel for my crankbait rods.

I have a Dobyns 705 CB and the 765 CB RM for deep running crankbaits.

My question now, is I want good gear ratio crankbait reels for them. But I didn't want to buy anything without doing research first. I hear a lot about the Diawa Zillion CC (Crazy Cranker) gear ratio of 4:9.1 and the Revo Winch. Gear ratio 5:4.1 is the winch model better for the deeper diving cranks, while the slower gear ratio Zillion is more suitable for shallower running cranks?

I just wanted to hear some opinions, and personal preferences of reel choices for my two rods for crankin.

Thanks!

-Zildjian

[zildjian]

I basically want to buy two crankbait reels. One for shallow running cranks and another for deep runners.

[Hi Salenity]

To each there own... Those reels should work fine . I have a tuned Curado e5 that I use for anything with a lip and a BPS JM Carbonlite 5.4:1 for lipless.

For me a big part of cranking is having the ability to make a long cast and I am pretty happy with the distance I can get out of my casts with these reels.

[Hi Salenity]

On a side note, I love the long handle on the Lew's MG but It only has mag breaks and I have a problem backlashing them trying to cast them further than I should...

[smalljaw67]

If the Winch and CC are the reels you've chosen to be on your cranking rods you could use any of them for deep cranks but I think both are a little slow for shallow cranks but that is just me. A good all around gear ratio for cranks in general is a 5.3:1 or 5.4:1, some prefer slower still for deep cranks but todays reels are that smooth that the added torque you get from a 6.3:1 to a 5.1:1 isn't too noticable to the average angler but guys that fish deep cranks a lot will find a big difference especially when they have the speed of their baits exactly dialed in to the reels they use. I prefer to use a reel in the 6.3:1 range for all my cranks except the DT 14 and DT 16, for those it is 5.4:1 and it works fine, I don't struggle so whatever you choose should work fine.

[zildjian]

Ok so slower gear ratio make the cranks dive deeper. So the zillion 4:9.1 will be great for my 765CB RM Rod because I can use that setup for my cranks that dive 15-20ft.

What reel do you recommend for shallow crankin like 3' - 6'?

[smalljaw67]

Ok so slower gear ratio make the cranks dive deeper. So the zillion 4:9.1 will be great for my 765CB RM Rod because I can use that setup for my cranks that dive 15-20ft.

What reel do you recommend for shallow crankin like 3' - 6'?

I use a 6.3:1 for all my shallow cranking, Square bills, floating style jerkbaits, topwater. I use that gear ratio for my mid depths also so out of the reels on the list I would say the Winch is what you want for the shallow stuff.

[21farms]

Ok so slower gear ratio make the cranks dive deeper.

nope, that's a misconception. a lower gear ratio allows you to retrieve deep divers with less cranking effort (but you'll be turning the handle faster). think of it like a bike with different gear ratios. high-speed reels work for cranking too but it's more tiring. and, for anglers like me who like to fish at a fast pace, it's next to impossible for me to slow down...a slow reel allows me to crank at the pace i like while working the lure at the appropriate speed.

i have many low-speed reels, including the zillion CC. although the zillion's 4.9:1 gear ratio is lower, the inches-per-turn (IPT) is actually higher than the 5.4:1 winch (22" vs. 20.6"). anyway, the zillion is "all that"...i absolutely love it. get one and use it for awhile and then decide on your next move.

[zildjian]

Thank you guys for all your posts! Really appricate it! So I can use the zillion on both of my cranking rods for shallow and deep runners?

[zildjian]

Well here's the thing. As of right now, I have two cranking rods with no reels. I want a reel for just my shallow cranks and another for my deep divers. And the Diawa Zillion CC might be the reel for my deep diver setup.

What reel does everyone like for their shallow divers?

[Hi Salenity]

6.4 to one. I'm partial to the Lews Tourament Pro. You can also get the T-pro in 5.4 to one. They are smooth casters for sure.

I was going to suggest a TP but once you have one you realize how bad the rest of your reels are.

[J Francho]

I like my Daiwa Alphas/Sols medium and deep divers. The ratio is 5.8:1, but that's useless info unless you know that they retrieve around 23" per turn (IPT). IPT is where you compare reel to reel. It's like using engine size in cars. size alone won't tell you as much as a 0-60 time. In the case of divers, a long cast is important. Speed isn't as much a big deal, but I will say the Crazy Cranker was too slow for me, and I simply cannot slow down a 7:1 reel. I do love my high speed Zillion SHA for traps, shallow squarebills, and little wakers. You can general recommendations, but you're really going to have to try it out for yourself.

[iabass8]

Chronarh 200e in 6:4 or 6:5 cant recall is my favorite shallow crank reel.

[J Francho]

The Chronarch 200/201e6 is 6.5:1, or 27 IPT.

[jj'sbassinforfun]

Do you have friends with any of these reels to do some actual time on the water with?

I have the winch and its great for the big deep plugs. But it doesn't do as well with the lighter stuff and I have lost fish due to not enough gear(IPT) to catch up to the ones that make a run at the boat. Plus they are in process of upgrading them soon(late Aug-early Sept). I would wait to see what the upgrades are. Specially if you don't like blue! New ones are black.

[zildjian]

Ok I'm thinking about going with the Daiwa Zillion CC 4:9.1 on my Dobyns 765 CB RM for my deep diving crank setup. Do you think this would be a good setup? If anyone has any other opinions about another reel to put on this rod, which is only going to be used strictly for deep cranking let me know!

As for my Dobyns 705 CB which is going to only be used for shallow cranking, I'm thinking about either buying the Lews Tournament Speed Spool 6:4.1 Or Lews Tournament Pro Speed Spool 6:4.1 or just buy the Shimano Curado 201E7 7:1.1 to put on my Powell Endurance rod and use that as a frog/top water setup and take the Revo Skeet Reese reel I have 6:4.1 and put that on the Dobyns 705CB to use for just shallow cranking.

Decisions Decisions Decisions.... Tell me what you think I should do!

Thanks again everyone!

-Zildjian

[webertime]

_{Regardless of the reel brands, I think you have nailed the ratios for each rod/purpose.}

[zildjian]

_{Regardless of the reel brands, I think you have nailed the ratios for each rod/purpose.}

Lol yeah! Well thanks to all you guys!

[21farms]

Ok I'm thinking about going with the Daiwa Zillion CC 4:9.1 on my Dobyns 765 CB RM for my deep diving crank setup. Do you think this would be a good setup? If anyone has any other opinions about another reel to put on this rod, which is only going to be used strictly for deep cranking let me know!

As for my Dobyns 705 CB which is going to only be used for shallow cranking, I'm thinking about either buying the Lews Tournament Speed Spool 6:4.1 Or Lews Tournament Pro Speed Spool 6:4.1 or just buy the Shimano Curado 201E7 7:1.1 to put on my Powell Endurance rod and use that as a frog/top water setup and take the Revo Skeet Reese reel I have 6:4.1 and put that on the Dobyns 705CB to use for just shallow cranking.

well, why didn't you say you already had the skeet reese revo? that makes everything easier. even though the SKT has a 6.4:1 gear ratio, its line retrieve is a shallow cranking-friendly 24 IPT (whereas most 6:1 reels have a 26-28 IPT). i'd say your plan above sounds excellent. but, for frogging/topwater, why not the lew's in 7.1:1 instead of 6.4:1? being able to quickly pick up any slack line faster is a real boon for those techniques.

[zildjian]

My plan is to take my Skeet Reese Revo off my Powell Endurance rod and put that on my shallow crank setup. And buy the Shimano Curado 201E7 and put that on that Powell Rod and use that as my frogging/Top Water setup.

Also, buy the Daiwa Zillion CC Reel for my deep crank rod setup. Just wanted to make sure that Revo Skeet Reese would be ok for shallow cranking and if the Zillion CC was a good match for my deep Cranking Setup.

Because if the Revo Skeet Reese wasnt good for shallow crankin I was going to buy a Lews Tournament Reel.

[bassinKS]

i would say get the lews you will not regret it i love both of mine and am in the process of changing all my reels to lews i have a 5:4:1 on a dobyns 705cb glass rod and it is one of my favorite combos i have.

[zildjian]

i would say get the lews you will not regret it i love both of mine and am in the process of changing all my reels to lews i have a 5:4:1 on a dobyns 705cb glass rod and it is one of my favorite combos i have.

Which Lews do you consider tournament or tournament pro?

[A-Rob]

Sometimes the gear ratio doesn't always translate into a slower retrieve...so double check the inches per turn.

I recently picked up the Abu Winch as it was on sale. I'm not saying this b/c I spent money on it, but I am very impressed with it. It casts 3/8 oz+ cranks very well. The braking system (centrifugal brakes) are simple but work great. Drag is silky. The retrieve is effortless and "buttery".

I've been more than happy with it and cannot wait for post spawn up here in the great white north. Although I will still use it to fish some shallow cranks to get some time using it!

[Capt.Bob]

I would get the Tournament Pro, same reel with one more bearing that you wont notice, I don't. But with the carbon handle and the fact it is a half oz lighter I do like, the extra bearing is just another added tweak. But you wont regret either, just don't get the MG or you will loose centrifugal breaking! all three have magnetic.

[zildjian]

Thanks guys!

Is there a list of IPT for reels around?