Super User ChrisD46 Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 Saw a recent Timmy Horton episode devoted to crank baits (wakebaits to deep divers) . In the equipment run down of the cranking episode - all of his reels were a 6:4:1 gear ratio ...The only difference was on deep diving cranks Timmy used a larger line capacity Lews BB1 which is expected (to keep from spooling out on a long cast and thus effecting retrieve speed too much ) . * What I thought was interesting is Timmy made a brief statement that evolution in deep diving crank baits design has allowed for lures to run deeper easier and more efficiently - thus reducing fatigue on the angler so now the ability to use a 6:4:1 gear ratio effectively for deep cranking versus the old stand by 5:4:1 or even a 4:7:1 gear ratio . I thought this was interesting as Timmy loves to throw a deep diving crankbait , so if fatique was a factor with the new deep diving cranks you would see him using a 5:4:1 or slower gear ratio . The takeaway for me is it allows for 6:4:1 gear ratios (or faster) which saves $$ not having to consider having to add a slow gear ratio reel just for deep diving crank baits ... Your thoughts ? Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 I have not used that reel and am not familiar with it's performance. I use a Callcutta 200D for deep cranks. The 5.7:1 ratio, smooth powerful gearing and large comfortable knobs make cranking big baits All Day actually pleasant. I could start a day with another reel, but an hour into it, I know I'd be back to the 200D. I would warn anglers that allowing another to tell you what a "New Standard" is may not be the best method. Having some knowledge, experience & time on the water provides plenty of self confidence to make that call for yourself. Finally, your standard and my standard can be vastly different and yet still both very effective. A-Jay 5 Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 I use to use a 5.1:1 but todays reels are smooth with better gears and bearings do a 6.4:1 is ok for deep diving baits, especially with the long rods there are now. The low gear ratios were used a lot when the long rod was 6'6" to 7', and even when 7'3 to 7'6" rods became common, the 5.1:1 was still good but more and more anglers found that with the longer rods and better reels, a faster reel could work with a big crank just as good as the slower reel. Quote
Sonik Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 I am going to start deep cranking this year. I moved my Lew's BB1 Pro in 5.1:1 over to that rod and bought a standard BB1 in 5.1:1 for my regular cranking rod. I like the multi-stop anyway. I think I move fast too fast as it is. At the end of last summer I started slowing down retrieves and I believe I did much better. Maybe it makes me more thorough, accurate, and allows me to work baits better. Quote
Ozark_Basser Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 It would be nice to hear from somebody on this forum who uses a 6.4:1 for big deep diving crankbaits. I've yet to find one that felt comfortable cranking 6xds or even 5xds. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 One guy's opinion doesn't set a new standard. A new bait design may minimize lure drag, but I don't see it going away completely. The only way to know is to try it for yourself and see what works for you. Personally I'm not ditching my C3's or Winch any time soon. 3 Quote
ColdSVT Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 I like my 6.4 stx for cranks most of the time...but when its time to go deep with big cranks i get out the calcutta 201b 1 Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 I guess it depends on what one calls a "deep-diving" crankbait. If you mean down to 12-14 feet, then sure, I can "make-do" with a 6.4:1 (say 26IPT) gear ratio. I sometimes do that if I want to limit the number of rods I've got with me. But if I'm not rod limited, or if I'm cranking below that 12-14 foot range, I'm going down to 19-23 IPT. AND, if the water is really cold, I might want to go down to 16-19IPT. Another factor for ME is that I have a natural rhythm when I'm cranking, To keep the bait at the speed I want for the presentation, I will match that rhythm with a reels gear ratio to make sure I'm running the bait at that speed. Why "standardize" gear ratios? If you're not $$$ or space limited, why not use the best tool for the job? 3 Quote
Ozark_Basser Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 In remember seeing a video with Randy Mcabee about deep diving crankbaits. He uses a 7.1:1 zillion for DD22's....Not for me. Quote
junyer357 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 I notmally use a 6.4 for cranks to 12' as well but my deeper ones i use on either a 5.2 or 4.9 ratio. Ive always done this more for ease of use as well as how i like ti fish them. I normally use them more this time of year when temps are cooler and they are still deeper. I prefer to slow roll them as well and the lower speeds are easier for me. I pwrsonally have found it easier to speed up my retrive over slowing down. With a 6.4 its hard for me to slow down to where i like without it being uncomfortable and rythym worse than my dancing. This is why i also use a 5.2 for spinnerbaits as well alot Whrn i want to keep them slower and deeper. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 On 3/10/2015 at 10:08 AM, Goose52 said: I guess it depends on what one calls a "deep-diving" crankbait. If you mean down to 12-14 feet, then sure, I can "make-do" with a 6.4:1 (say 26IPT) gear ratio. I sometimes do that if I want to limit the number of rods I've got with me. But if I'm not rod limited, or if I'm cranking below that 12-14 foot range, I'm going down to 19-23 IPT. AND, if the water is really cold, I might want to go down to 16-19IPT. Another factor for ME is that I have a natural rhythm when I'm cranking, To keep the bait at the speed I want for the presentation, I will match that rhythm with a reels gear ratio to make sure I'm running the bait at that speed. Why "standardize" gear ratios? If you're not $$$ or space limited, why not use the best tool for the job? X2 ~ It's all about repeatability for me. If I can use the reels gear ratio / IPT to regulate the baits speed to where I can keep my "Routine Cadence" I'm much more effective. A-Jay Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 I have always used a 5. something :1 for deep cranking. But the 5xd, and 6xd's pull very easy compared to the deep divers of old. This year I am going to use a 6.3:1 with a 95mm handle and see how that goes, I have already used it a lot for 5xd's and it's fine, and that is my "go to" deep crank. If I end up hating it, I'll go back. Quote
Super User WRB Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 All I will add to this thread is check your cranking reels inch per handle turn at the distance you cast your crank bait. Reel gear ratio isn't as important as the IPT during the retreive. All you need is a Sharpie pen, mark the line at the rod tip after you cast,crank the reel 1 turn and mark the line agian at the rod tip. Measure the inches between the marks =actual IPT. Larger wider spools maintain IPT within a few inches during the retreive, smaller narrow spools lose about 12" IPT at casting distance. Tom Quote
KevO Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 I'll keep my curado 200DPV or E5 for deep cranking, or any cranking for that matter. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 I can tell whether a reel is right without decimal points or three-letter-acronyms. I do it by feel. I think the best feeling reel was a Daiwa Sol, so now I have a few more and some Alphas (JDM version). I think that the IPT is about 23, from the 5.8:1 ratio. 1 Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 I can tell whether a reel is right without decimal points or three-letter-acronyms. I do it by feel. I think the best feeling reel was a Daiwa Sol, so now I have a few more and some Alphas (JDM version). I think that the IPT is about 23, from the 5.8:1 ratio. Yes - 23 IPT for a Sol (Daiwa listed it as 23.6). I used my Sol last season for squarebills. Hadn't fished it much for a couple seasons and then used it quite a bit last season and kept thinking...this is a very nice reel... Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted March 11, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 11, 2015 I appreciate the replies ...I will add Timmy was fishing extreme deep diving crank baits (20+ ft.) with a 6:4:1 Lews BB1 ... What caught my attention was I thought for sure I would see a 5:x:1 slower gear ratio for that application ! I suppose it's up to individual feel - but it has me wondering that even with modern rod lengths , better reels , etc. today if a 6:4:1 gear ratio is good for deep diving cranks - wouldn't a 5:x:1 slower gear ratio be that much better ? Quote
Frogfather Posted March 11, 2015 Posted March 11, 2015 I appreciate the replies ...I will add Timmy was fishing extreme deep diving crank baits (20+ ft.) with a 6:4:1 Lews BB1 ... What caught my attention was I thought for sure I would see a 5:x:1 slower gear ratio for that application ! I suppose it's up to individual feel - but it has me wondering that even with modern rod lengths , better reels , etc. today if a 6:4:1 gear ratio is good for deep diving cranks - wouldn't a 5:x:1 slower gear ratio be that much better ? Out of curiosity, what rod did he pair this with? Power, action... Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted March 11, 2015 Super User Posted March 11, 2015 Deep cranking is a technique that benefits tremendously from dedicated gear. I fish the Lamiglas SR705R/ Shimano CTE200GT (5.0:1) 1 Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 11, 2015 Super User Posted March 11, 2015 Paul Elias, Mark Davis, & David Fritts all use 5.1:1! That'll work for me 1 Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted March 11, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 11, 2015 Out of curiosity, what rod did he pair this with? Power, action...Timmy Horton used a : Duckett Ghost Cranking model 7'6" MH for Deep Cranking . 1 Quote
Super User Team9nine Posted March 11, 2015 Super User Posted March 11, 2015 No idea what "the standard" is, but I have no plans of changing from my 4.4:1 and 5.0:1 reels for any of my deep crankin'... Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted March 11, 2015 Super User Posted March 11, 2015 5.0:1 = about 20 ipt in the "best reel" ever made for such work.. As RW stated " Shimano CTE200GT" with a hawgtech 102mm handle of course! Makes the work so very easy! Quote
Super User WRB Posted March 11, 2015 Super User Posted March 11, 2015 20 years ago I bought a Lew's David Fritts cranking rod & reel combo from BPS as a entry level outfit for my 12 year old son to learn and take care of. The reel is a Lew's RB3 "round baitcasting reel" I believe made by ZEBCO/Quantum back then. The reel is still in very good condition, smooth powerful cranking for DD14 To DD22 type lures, caught lots of good size bass over the years. I don't know what the gear ratio is, need to check. The RB3 reel is similar to a Cardiff 300 in size, today I would buy the Cardiff for a good entry level cranking reel and also use it for swimbaits. Tom Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted March 12, 2015 Super User Posted March 12, 2015 I dont deep crank but i do use a 3.8 reel to slow roll big bladed spinnerbaits.and i also use the same setup to fish manns minus wakebaits. Quote
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