Beginner Crankbait Questions

[CM-fisher]

I'm just getting into crankbait fishing and I have bought a Rapala DT6, Storm wiggle wart, Bandit 300, and a Strike king 3XD. I want to buy a new crankbait casting reel and I'm wondering what gear ratio to get? I have a small budget (around $100) and I am thinking of something like the Lews speed spool LFS reel. It has a 5.6:1 and 6.8:1 options, and I'm wondering which is best for these types of baits. I am going to pair it with 7' Medium moderate action casting rod, and spool it up with 10-12 lb fluorocarbon. If you have any tips or favorite crankbaits please let me know as well, thank you!

[MN Fisher]

For most crankbaits, I like the IPT to be between 25" and 29". The 5.6 is 23IPT and the 6.8 is 28IPT - so I'd go with the 6.8. The 5.6 is more suited to deep-cranks IMO.

[jimmyjoe]

   Most people have a definite preference; magnetic cast control or centrifugal cast control. The Lew's is magnetic. The Shimano SLX is centrifugal. Both good reels. I'd personally tend to take the Shimano, but you are good to go either way.                  jj

[CM-fisher]

5 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Most people have a definite preference; magnetic cast control or centrifugal cast control. The Lew's is magnetic. The Shimano SLX is centrifugal. Both good reels. I'd personally tend to take the Shimano, but you are good to go either way.                  jj

If I were to go with the SLX (I'm assuming that you're talking about the $100 one), would the 6.3:1 gear ratio work well? 

[jimmyjoe]

3 minutes ago, Colin Mahon said:

If I were to go with the SLX (I'm assuming that you're talking about the $100 one), would the 6.3:1 gear ratio work well? 

 

   Yes. I like lower gear ratios, especially for throwing smaller lures. Smaller lures represent smaller creatures, and smaller creatures don't dash around the lakes and rivers at 90mph; they swim slower.

 

   jj

[CM-fisher]

Do people have a preference for magnetic control or centrifugal for all of their reels? or just for crankbaits?

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Colin Mahon said:

Do people have a preference for magnetic control or centrifugal for all of their reels? or just for crankbaits?

I have a preference for certain reels based on budget/quality. All but one of my reels is magnetic, that last one is dual - magnetic and centrifugal; Pflueger Patriarch that I bought used for a great price.

[CM-fisher]

 

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I have a preference for certain reels based on budget/quality. All but one of my reels is magnetic, that last one is dual - magnetic and centrifugal; Pflueger Patriarch that I bought used for a great price.

I have just one baitcast reel right now, an old Pflueger purist and it has centrifugal brakes. I've never really thought about magnetic vs. centrifugal until now. I am just looking for quality $100 reels. btw thanks guys for your advice it helps a lot

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, Colin Mahon said:

I am just looking for quality $100 reels.

Diawa Fuego CT - the Magforce-Z system is probably the easiest and most 'reliable' magnetic brake system in the $100 range for reels.

 

My crankbait rig has a Fuego CT-H (6.3:1 26.3IPT) on a Fury 705CB

[Deleted account]

For the cranks mentioned a 6 something or even a 7 will do. For larger deeper cranks, something that starts with a 5 would be my choice. I use a 200 sized 6.3 reel 3/4 filled with 10 lb mono for square bills and mid diving smaller cranks.

18 minutes ago, Colin Mahon said:

Do people have a preference for magnetic control or centrifugal for all of their reels? or just for crankbaits?

Folks who can cast prefer 6 pin, those who can't magnetic...

Large bucket with extra butter please...

[CM-fisher]

2 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

For the cranks mentioned a 6 something or even a 7 will do. For larger deeper cranks, something that starts with a 5 would be my choice. I use a 200 sized 6.3 reel 3/4 filled with 10 lb mono for square bills and mid diving smaller cranks.

Folks who can cast prefer 6 pin, those who can't magnetic...

Large bucket with extra butter please...

With my centrifugal brakes, I learned to cast pretty easily...for the reel you mentioned, what brand and model is it?

[garroyo130]

22 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Diawa Fuego CT - the Magforce-Z system is probably the easiest and most 'reliable' magnetic brake system in the $100 range for reels.

 

I second this suggestion. For a budget crankbait rod the med/mod berkley lightning rod is great. For a budget option with more backbone, the Lews Carbon Fire MH/Mod is good.

[CM-fisher]

The reels in contention are the Shimano SLX, Lews speed spool LFS, and the Daiwa fuego. For a crankbait rod, I've done research and I think I'm settled on the Falcon Bucoo 7' Med. Moderate Casting rod

[new2BC4bass]

Good rod choice.    You will have people that favor each of those reels.  More than likely it is a case of "You can't go wrong."  I have those 3 brands and a few others.  However, I own more Daiwas than any other brand so I tend to lean that way.  I would like to try an SLX, tho. 

[MN Fisher]

14 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Good rod choice.    You will have people that favor each of those reels.  More than likely it is a case of "You can't go wrong."  I have those 3 brands and a few others.  However, I own more Daiwas than any other brand so I tend to lean that way.  I would like to try an SLX, tho. 

Of my six BC reels - 2 are Diawa and the rest are Pflueger...though I am looking at upgrading from the Pres and Pres-XT as I get the cash.

[islandbass]

1 hour ago, Colin Mahon said:

 

I have just one baitcast reel right now, an old Pflueger purist and it has centrifugal brakes. I've never really thought about magnetic vs. centrifugal until now. I am just looking for quality $100 reels. btw thanks guys for your advice it helps a lot

You’re fine with what you have. DTs have excellent castibility. To me, it shouldn’t matter brake type. It’s the angler that is a more crucial factor. 
 

One last thing. Not all cbs are equal in their casting. Some are better than others in castibility. Good luck!

[VGT]

put them each on your rod of choice and see how they feel, not sure if youll need it but may want to double check the handle length on that rod just in case you find your self 2 hand casting. I got a phenix x13 and had to extend the handle. 

[Eric 26]

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Diawa Fuego CT - the Magforce-Z system is probably the easiest and most 'reliable' magnetic brake system in the $100 range for reels.

 

My crankbait rig has a Fuego CT-H (6.3:1 26.3IPT) on a Fury 705CB

I agree with this, I fish crank baits with a Revo X and a Kast King both have magnetic brakes. But owning a few Tatulas & a SLX I can say I prefer the Magforce Z braking system.

[CM-fisher]

3 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Good rod choice.    You will have people that favor each of those reels.  More than likely it is a case of "You can't go wrong."  I have those 3 brands and a few others.  However, I own more Daiwas than any other brand so I tend to lean that way.  I would like to try an SLX, tho. 

 

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

I agree with this, I fish crank baits with a Revo X and a Kast King both have magnetic brakes. But owning a few Tatulas & a SLX I can say I prefer the Magforce Z braking system.

It's amazing how many good reel companies offer awesome $100 reels....

If I had enough money I would just buy one of each (Shimano, Daiwa, Lew's, Abu Garcia) and form my own opinion

[MN Fisher]

17 minutes ago, Colin Mahon said:

 

It's amazing how many good reel companies offer awesome $100 reels....

If I had enough money I would just buy one of each (Shimano, Daiwa, Lew's, Abu Garcia) and form my own opinion

Add Pflueger Supreme to that - I have one and it's one of my MH/F rigs.

[CM-fisher]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Add Pflueger Supreme to that - I have one and it's one of my MH/F rigs.

Oh yeah I forgot Pflueger!!!!

[Bankc]

Gear ratio doesn't matter to me unless you're throwing something like a buzzbait where you need the high speed to get it started, or a deep diving crank where a high speed will wear you out.  Other than that, I'm fine reeling slow, fast, or in the middle.  So I use a Daiwa Tatula CT-H 6.3:1, which is in the middle.  

 

To me, what's more important, is castability.  That's why I chose the Tatula and it's Magforce-Z brakes.  Some reels handle lighter baits better, and I'm often fishing in the wind.  So for me, any reel I own needs to have externally adjustable brakes, as I would have to adjust the brakes depending on if I'm casting into the wind or with it.  Centrifugal, magnetic, or DC doesn't matter.  So long as it's externally adjustable.  That's especially important with a crankbait reels as some smaller balsa cranks are really light. 

 

Some people prefer a reel without infinite anti-reverse for crankbaits as well.  They allow you a little better feel when bumping into cover.  I used to use an old Shimano Bantam B-100 mag for that reason, but lost it in the lake.  The Lew's BB-1 has the old style anti-reverse, but don't have an externally adjustable brake.  So it was either buy used, or get used to infinite anti-reverse, and I chose the latter.  

 

In the end, it's the all about personally preference.  That, and I'll say the rod is a lot more important than the reel when setting up a crankbait rig.  So I'd be willing to skimp on the reel and get a good cranking rod.  Luckily, there are some great options on the cheap for crankbait rods, like the Berkley Lightning rod, which in medium power will have a medium/fast action on a fiberglass/graphite composite blank, which is just about perfect for cranking.  

[Fishes in trees]

My opinions on crank bait reels.  Get a $100 + or - reel and it will last for a while.   Take reasonable care of it and it will last for a longer while.  Get some iteration of a Shimano Calcutta or a Tranx and take reasonable care with it and it is more or less a lifetime purchase.  Looking at cost over time, the Calcutta/Tranx purchase becomes a better deal.

Given your budget - the first nasty, non-fishable day you have off, I'd take the afternoon and drive around, take a tour of the pawn shops within your drivable area, and maybe, if you're lucky, you'll find a treasure - a Calcutta, maybe a Morrum at a considerable discount.

Any of the previous reels mentioned are fine - and they will last, for a while, some more than others.

The only reason that I'm suggesting a Calcutta, or a Tranx , maybe a Morrum is that you're in Minnesota.  Sooner or later a pike or muskie is going to bite that crank, and those fish can tear up a

mid-range priced bait caster.  At that point, you'll either have a great story about how a big fish trashed your bait caster, OR with a Calcutta or Tranx, you can land the fish, unhook it and go on about your business.

[CM-fisher]

3 hours ago, Fishes in trees said:

My opinions on crank bait reels.  Get a $100 + or - reel and it will last for a while.   Take reasonable care of it and it will last for a longer while.  Get some iteration of a Shimano Calcutta or a Tranx and take reasonable care with it and it is more or less a lifetime purchase.  Looking at cost over time, the Calcutta/Tranx purchase becomes a better deal.

Given your budget - the first nasty, non-fishable day you have off, I'd take the afternoon and drive around, take a tour of the pawn shops within your drivable area, and maybe, if you're lucky, you'll find a treasure - a Calcutta, maybe a Morrum at a considerable discount.

Any of the previous reels mentioned are fine - and they will last, for a while, some more than others.

The only reason that I'm suggesting a Calcutta, or a Tranx , maybe a Morrum is that you're in Minnesota.  Sooner or later a pike or muskie is going to bite that crank, and those fish can tear up a

mid-range priced bait caster.  At that point, you'll either have a great story about how a big fish trashed your bait caster, OR with a Calcutta or Tranx, you can land the fish, unhook it and go on about your business.

Do you think that these reels are well-suited for the crankbaits I mentioned earlier? They seem a little bit heavy-duty to me, but that's just my novice opinion.

[ErieCan]

As mentioned, the Daiwa Fuego CT is a great reel in that price range. 6:3:1 ratio would be great for the purpose.  It has the magforce-Z break system. Basically a Tatula without the T-wing. 

 

I have the 8:1:1 and like it so much I ordered the 6:3:1.  I've only used it for pike so far (bass season is closed here) but It's easy to set up and I've yet to backlash it. Casting 3/8oz up to 3/4oz so far with 30lb braid. I keep the tension knob pretty loose to where the spool moves side to side ever so slightly and the break setting around 8.

 

I own a Curado K 200 among other reels as well. The Fuego isn't as smooth and refined as the more expensive Curado, but it's definitely a work horse and more reel for the price point.