Gear ration for lipless crankbait

[Leeboy]

what gear ratio do you prefer for lipless crankbaits? Jackall TN 70/LV 500. And while I'm inquiring, I might as well get your opinion on small square bills. ATV 1.5. I'll be thanking you. 

[Bankbeater]

I use 6.3.1 for just about everything.

[Jar11591]

I use a 6 or 7:1. With a lipless I’m using the rod to move the bait more than the reel, so  I want something to pick up slack quick. But on the occasion when I’m not yo-yoing the bait, a 6:1 will help me slow down a little bit. I’m fine with either ratio for lipless cranks. 

[Eric 26]

I’m going to mirror @Jar11591 but I’m going to play around with a 5 speed for steady retrieves with both baits you mentioned if the weather would cooperate a bit here in Illinois.

[LonnieP]

6.3

[DogBone_384]

6.x for me.

[Bass Rutten]

29-30ipt for both lipless and shallow cranking.

[MediumMouthBass]

I use a 7, but would prefer an 8 (for picking up the slack)

 

The only, and i mean only way IMO to fish a lipless is to rip it out of grass and yo yo it. My 7's are often fine, but when the grass starts growing they become incompetent fast.

[FishTank]

7.x:1. I can always reel slower if need be. 

[ABU is overpriced]

6.3 or 6.4 with a 90mm handle.

[rangerjockey]

I don't think it matters any.

A  cast bait.

B  retrieve bait 

C  yo yo bait and roll up slack.

Same for the squarebill, some days you can burn it .some days they want it slow.

 

[GRiver]

I use 6:8 to 7:5 for everything. I believe everyone has a natural cranking cadence so to speak… What ever your comfortable cranking speed is….. I adjust the reel to match my comfort zone…. I loot at IPT too.

[greentrout]

BPS Pro Qualifier 7.5:1 IPT 31 inches. Looking to get another faster bait caster at IPT 33 inches.

Good Fishing 

[ike8120]

You can use a gear ratio from 5.4:1 to 6.1:1 or for a faster retrieve 7.2:1.  I am using 6.1:1 but for smaller(shallow) lipless cranks I use a spinning setup.

[Peacedivision]

All my rods that throw a trap have 7ish:1 reels

[F14A-B]

7.1 on cranks and 9.1 on traps especially over weed beds.

[WRB]

Any gear ratio with 26” IPT for lipless crank baits. Crank the slower or faster depending on conditions.

Tom

[Leeboy]

wow, thanks for all the responses, as always, great advice. I appreciate it. Like most of you, I suspect, I don't need any more reels, I just want a couple more Shimano's. 

[Darth-Baiter]

I’m not sure it matters to me.   I’ve been fishing them kinda like a jig lately.  Just hopping it.  

[the reel ess]

I stopped buying any BC reels with lower than 7:1 ratio. My rationalization is that I'd want to be able to use that reel for anything in my arsenal if I needed to and I can always reel slower. But get a slow reel and you can only reel so fast. But more importantly, needlessly making more effort. 

[Darth-Baiter]

1 hour ago, the reel ess said:

I stopped buying any BC reels with lower than 7:1 ratio. My rationalization is that I'd want to be able to use that reel for anything in mt arsenal if I needed to and I can always reel slower. But get a slow reel and you can only reel so fast. But more importantly, needlessly making more effort. 

I feel the same way.   7’s is my Goldilocks ratio. 

[Leeboy]

2 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I’m not sure it matters to me.   I’ve been fishing them kinda like a jig lately.  Just hopping it.  

Me too, especially, the Jackall TN 70. thanks

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I like the same speed reel for traps and chatterbaits, a 6 speed.

[papajoe222]

The majority of my reels are 6.3:1 and they get the call for most of my cranking, lipless or not. I will break out a 7+ for burning during the summer, but that technique only works a small percentage of the time. I have slower and faster ones, but they are technique specific.

[Catt]

On 4/2/2025 at 6:23 AM, GRiver said:

I use 6:8 to 7:5 for everything. I believe everyone has a natural cranking cadence so to speak… What ever your comfortable cranking speed is….. I adjust the reel to match my comfort zone…. I loot at IPT too.