6 or 7 Gear Ratio for Cranks & Spinnerbaits?

[CC268]

Hey guys,

I've got a Shimano SLX XT 151 (6.3:1) rigged on my crankbait (Dobyn's Fury 705CB) and spinnerbait (Dobyn's Fury 733C) rods, but I'm wondering if I should have gone with the HG version which is 7.2:1? Is it worth ordering some HGs (can't find them anywhere right now) and swapping these out for the 7.2:1?

[KP Duty]

I think you're fine with the 6 gear.  A 6 ratio was the fastest available not too long ago.

[Eric 26]

I’m in the camp of slower is better for crank baits. I use (2) 5 speed reels for crank baits, square bills and sometimes spinnerbaits. I personally like slower 6:? speed reels but I also have and use 7:? reels as well. I would keep it and purchase a 7 speed when you’re able.

[Deleted account]

I would do the 6.something, but 7.something will work ok enough, particularly with smaller baits.

[WRB]

It comes down to IPT (inch per turn) after you made that 40 to 50 yard cast. Today’s casting reel increased gear ration to overcome smaller narrower spools to maintain IPT after casting to somewhere near 20”.  

The deeper diving crankbait with big bills create a lot of water resistance to overcome, that is when lower gear ratio’s with lower IPT have the advantage. 

300 size casting reels with larger diameter and wider spools the IPT doesn’t change more then 15% or so after casting 40 to 50 yards. If you have a 5.8:1 300 reel the IPT drop off from 26” to 23” with full spool of line. The 100 to 150 size reel with 6.3:1 /IPT 28” drops of about 40% to about 17” IPT. You are feeling without moving the crank bait foreword much water resistance until the lure get about 1/2 way back then loose cranking power and fighting the lure. Same thing happen with 7.2:1 / IPT 30” drops to about 18” IPT.

My suggestion is use a 300 size casting reel with 5.8:1 to keep the retrieve speed nearly the same without changing your cranking speed.

Tom

[scbassin]

For cranking I use a Antras AR (5.8:1). When fishing I like to mix up the speed & depth. I use balsa crankbaits so I can stop the retrieve & the bait will float up which I hope will trigger a strike.

[dodgeguy]

Get a Lew's BB1 Pro LFS In 6.2 

[Bird]

57 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Get a Lew's BB1 Pro LFS In 6.2 

Can't argue, like the reel and the ratio.

[FrnkNsteen]

I use 5.4 Revo Winches for deep cranks and 6.2 to 6.4 reels for shallower cranks, chatterbaits and spinner baits but as Tom said,.. It really comes down to inches per turn. That being said,.. I use a 7.1 Revo3 STX or 7.1 Tatula SV for my square bills and swim jigs where I'm throwing in around more cover. I just feel like I can react quicker and pull them out, but in all honesty,... it probably doesn't make much difference! ?

[Lead Head]

You are over thinking it. The 6 speed reels will serve you just fine for moving baits. Personally, I strongly prefer them for moving baits. Some people find it easier to slow down a retrieve and some find it easier to speed up. With moving baits, I find myself burning them in way too fast the instant I lose complete laser focus... something that is easy for me to do when making lots of casts covering water with moving baits.  

 

I would suggest not replacing them out of curiosity. Actually, for the price of 2 new reels you could just get another combo with a 7 speed reel to see what you like better.