Reel Question

[FrankN209]

All of my reels are 7.1 g/r. I'm contemplating on getting a lower g/r for crankbait use, like a 6.5 or so. Will I notice a big difference between the two? 

[bigturtle]

For me, no. I use a 7.3:1 for cranks up to 12ft deep and im fine with it for hours of usage. As long as i turn the handle slower, i dont get tired

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Deep cranking benefits from a 5:1 18" ipt give or take, up to that point it's all about preference. 

[Raul]

Grab a 15+ deep diver, tie it to your 500:1 gear ratio reel, fish it for an hour and then come back and tell me how did it go.

[burrows]

Yes

[Yudo1]

Some 6.xx reels have very similar "inches per turn" as some 7.xx reels.  Check the "ipt" to be sure. 

[FrankN209]

7 minutes ago, Yudo1 said:

Some 6.xx reels have very similar "inches per turn" as some 7.xx reels.  Check the "ipt" to be sure. 

I was looking at the Shimano  16 Met MGL 6.2 g/r. It has 24" ipt and the Shimano 16 Aldebaran 6.5 g/r has 25" ipt. 

[Yudo1]

For cranking and other reaction type baits, I'd definitely opt for the Met MGL. 

[tander]

I like my Lew's BB1 5:1.1 reel. I like the slower ratio especially for deep crankbaits. It just feels better than trying to slow down with a faster ratio or maybe I am just old school.

[iceintheveins]

For most cranking, use a 5:1 ratio. You can use a 6:1 for shallow cranks though.

1 hour ago, tander said:

I like my Lew's BB1 5:1.1 reel. I like the slower ratio especially for deep crankbaits. It just feels better than trying to slow down with a faster ratio or maybe I am just old school.

 

I'm like you in that regard, I'm not into this faster reel revolution. I wish they would still make some lower 5 ratio reels, though a 5.5:1 or 5.6:1 doesn't seem to be too fast.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Want really slow try a 3.8 i use this ratio for big wake baits

[A-Jay]

48 minutes ago, Maxximus Redneckus said:

Want really slow try a 3.8 i use this ratio for big wake baits

 

I'm in the slower reel preference myself.  5 Speed reels are the way for me when throwing most cranks & big bladed spinnerbaits.

I have a 3.8 reel (old Qunatum) and it's just TOO SLOW for anything I fish.   Works the baits OK I guess but once I hook-up it's next to impossible to catch up to a spirited bass coming at me.  Costs me fish so now it sits on the shelf as a nice "display"

A-Jay

[CTBassin860]

Id buy 5.4:1 Abu Orra 2 Winch and save 320 bucks.

[Raul]

5 hours ago, Maxximus Redneckus said:

Want really slow try a 3.8 i use this ratio for big wake baits

 

I got a 3.8 Curado 200B, does just great with those deep divers and it's fantastic for slow rolling those double size double willow spinnerbaits.

[FrankN209]

I ended up getting a Lew's Tournament MB 5.6:1. Not too many people make a lower g/r in left handed...