Best Baitcaster Ratio For Crankbaits

[Blwaz23]

I'm looking to buying a baitcaster for my crankbaits. In your opinion what would be the best ratio for crankbaits. 

[roadwarrior]

5.0:1

 

 

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

5 something is what I prefer but a low 6 is good for squarebills or lipless baits. 

[MIbassangler30]

I can't afford 5 cranking rods, so on my one crankbait rod is a Gen 3 Revo S. 6.4:1, good all a around speed. Works great for me and my style.

[fisherrw]

5:4:1

[MickD]

I use  a 7.1 for lipless cranks, have no trouble getting the speeds I want with them.   However, for fat cranks, like Deep Baby N's, they sometimes work the best when hardly moving, even stopping now and then, and for them a lower ratio makes it easier for me.  Also, for slow rolling spinnerbaits I find that the lower ratio works better for me.  I know, just reel slower, but for some reason, I struggle with that.

[smalljaw67]

I fish high speed reels for lipless and square bills a lot of the time and I use to use a 5.1:1 for cranks but now I'm using a 6.4:1 most of the time. The older reels had significantly less power and torque when you got into higher gear ratios but improvements in design now make it easy to throw cranks with a higher speed, the only cranks I won't use a 6.4:1 with are the deep divers, the ones diving 15' +, but all others a 6.4:1 or something in that range is fine.

[Robert Riley]

As most have said, 5:1 is great for deep cranks. I use a 5.4:1 for 10"+ cranks, but I prefer a 6:1 for squarebill and traps. 

[gulfcaptain]

Something in the range of 22-26 IPT.  Find the reel you like with the IPT you're wanting to achieve.  

[Capt.Bob]

Everyone is different, but I prefer the 6.4-1 for big deep baits dredges and 16+ I like a 5.2-1 or a reel in those ranges.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I use a 3.8 for manns minus 1s

[iceintheveins]

A 5 ratio, a must have.

[Robert Riley]

I use a 3.8 for manns minus 1s

My lord. What reel is that? That's the lowest ratio I've ever seen, by a long shot too.

[flyfisher]

It's easier for me to reel faster than it is slower and i only have one crank bait specific set up so my cranking reel is a 19 IPT.  Don't bother looking at gear ratio as it is truly a meaningless number.  Look at IPT for comparisons.

[J Francho]

I don't use numbers, but as a general guide they help. My preference is developed from feel, and feel can't always be quantified by gear ratio and/or IPT. Most of my divers are cranked with reels that are 5.8:1 gears, or 23 IPT of pickup.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

My lord. What reel is that? That's the lowest ratio I've ever seen, by a long shot too.

i have 3 abu 4600s with that GR back then they called them Power Plus lol

[FishTank]

A 5.x to 1 ratio works for me.  I have a Shimano Calcutta that works great but I am still searching for that big reel with a slow gear ratio that has a low profile.  I have been thinking of a Revo Toro.  It's on next years list.....

[SenkoGuru]

I use a 4.9:1 baitcaster for cranking and it makes a big difference, even the wobble of the bait is better.

[DaveT63]

I use a 3.8 for manns minus 1s

I tried that once.  It turns a Minus 1 into a true wake bate.  You really have to crank that handle like crazy to get it even 6" below the surface.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Dave thats why its a minus1 lol a foot or less

[aprilbass101]

5:4.1 for most crankbaits - 23 IPT & 6:4.1 for lipless - 28 IPT (Lew's Tournament MG) Most reel companies are + or - a few inches of each others ratios!

[robster80]

6 to whatever ratio works for me. go with the 5 if u throw alot of deeper stuff