Best Shimano reel for deep cranking

[Rodney Smith]

Which reel would be better for deep cranking (6 XD, etc)? Bantam MGL or Chronarch MGL?

[mrpao]

My vote would be the bantam mgl PG.

The solid frame and 5.5 gears would make short work of any crankbait.

It's a very smooth reel and you won't get that hollow retrieve feel.

[NHBull]

The Bantam for sure.

If you want to splurge, the conquest......then leave it for your great grand kids?

 

[roadwarrior]

1 hour ago, NHBull said:

If you want to splurge, the conquest......then leave it for your great grand kids?

 

[mrpao]

I'll be honest, I have both the Conquest 100 and Bantam mgl PG.

There isn't any difference in smoothness.

Both are great reels for cranking 

[FishTank]

I have the Bantam and I do like for crankbaits but I like the Curado DC better.  It seems to work perfectly and casts a little further but on the other hand the Bantam is smoother.  

 

4 hours ago, NHBull said:

The Bantam for sure.

If you want to splurge, the conquest......then leave it for your great grand kids?

 

I am looking into getting the new Conquest DC and that thought has crossed my mind.  I have had a 251 Calcutta for 15 years and it feels like brand new.  I think it will last forever. 

[Fishes in trees]

Between the two reels mentioned, I would guess which ever one had the largest line capacity.  I still use a Calcutta 250 TEGT ( 5-1 gear ratio) for throwing deep cranks.   Another option which I like quite a bit is an older Curado D, a low profile option with decent line capacity.    My deep cranking rigs are based on the kind of cover I fish.  I seldom throw deep diving cranks more than 20 feet deep.   I'm throwing them around sunken stumps, submerged thorn trees, stuff like that.   Everything is a compromise, but I currently use 14 lb Armor Coated Trilene ( currently discontinued ).

I like the abrasion resistance of this line, and when my current supply runs out, not sure what I'll replace it with.

I have lots of deep diving cranks, but the ones I throw 90% of the time are the Timber Tiger DC13 & DC16.  These baits come through cover and get hung up less than any crank I've found.   The old Brush Babies were similar, but I like the Timber Tigers better.