suggested specs for cranking reel

[Gr8wall]

alright, so on my long expensive road to buildin up a good arsenal of setups, i come to the cranking set up.  i know i cant have the best of both worlds (in terms of finding one universal to shallow, med, and heavy cranks), so i guess ill just chose one for med.  I have heard from others, that you want something with a lower gear ratio right?  like say a 5.0:1 ish area?  i found some really great deals one a shimano citica and curado, both in those gears ratios.  but i also saw a daiwa advantage too, but it had an option for high power cranking.  what is your recommended specs and reel selections?  thanks guys

[.ghoti.]

If you know somebody who will let you borrow a slower geared reel, try one out before investing. I bought a Quantum PT at 4.4:1, thinking, like many do, that this would be good for cranking. I hated it. I've since swapped out the gears for a 6.3:1 set. I like it now.

It's just my opinion, but I find it easier to slow down a faster reel than speeding up a slower reel. You can maybe save yourself some cash by finding out ahead of time if you like a slow reel.

I don't do much really deep cranking. I find it a low percentage technique most of the time. But when I do, I don't have any trouble with the 6.3:1 gearing.

Just something to think about.

Good luck,

GK

[Chris at Tech]

For what it's worth, the one time I threw a DT16 was on a 6.3:1 reel and it felt like I was reeling in a car.  Obviously, you'll get less resistance on an 8-10 ft diver, but this just supports Ghoti's opinion of trying one before you buy

[Gr8wall]

yeah i have been reading a couple of threads saying that too, but the thing is, these deals on the citica, curado, and daiwa advantage isnt going to last much longer (sucks cause i jsut found out about it).  so i guess im tyrin to find some quick answers.  i guess the gearing is just like a car, higher gearing less torque.....lower gearing more torque (translating into hauling a fish in).  is there a huge difference in the citica and curado, anyone? i only ask cause i feel i usually have a tendency to suck at judging these lol, but if the performance difference is there, i wouldnt mind spending the extra cash.  thats everyone.

[Banor]

I'm not bashing you Ghoti (just FYI) but I've seen alot of posts lately on the ratio preferences for cranking and for the life of me I dont see any benefits to going to a higher inches per turn for medium/deep cranking.  The "felt like I was reeling in a car" comment pretty much sums up how it feels to me too.   8 hours of cranking with a higher retrieve speed would make my arm fall off from the torquing.

I dont buy into the idea that the faster you can crank it the deeper it will go.  It may go deeper faster but you are also retrieving the bait to the boat faster, which in my humble opinion equals less time in the strike zone.  If you want to vary or speed up the movement of the bait you can sweep the rod tip while cranking (incidentally this will help give you that much wanted erratic retrieve which can generate reaction strikes).

I guess I just dont see any benefits to faster retrieve rates when medium/deep cranking.

B

[5bass]

I throw deep cranks alot.DD22's,LC-CBD20's,Mann's 20+,DT16 's etc...and I use a 4.7:1 gear ratio just for them.All day deep crankin' with a high speed reel is murder on the elbows and back.I'd never even consider deep crankin' with anything faster than a 4.7:1.

If you do test or buy a slow retrieve reel,dont expect to get used to it in 10 minutes.It's definitely got a different feel to it when you first try it.Be patient with it and you will most likely get used to it and like it really well for your deep cranks.My % of bites went up when I made the switch a long time ago.

You should at least try one if you're serious about crankin' deep.

[Gr8wall]

alright i think slow low ratio it is then, i guess the only thing out there is which reel....the citica or the curado.  i am making general outfits unitl i have more money later on to get serious.  for now, i want to make a crank/topwater set up.  i think for the price, i will get teh curado.  anyone with an opinion on this?  thanks

[5bass]

alright i think slow low ratio it is then, i guess the only thing out there is which reel....the citica or the curado. i am making general outfits unitl i have more money later on to get serious. for now, i want to make a crank/topwater set up. i think for the price, i will get teh curado. anyone with an opinion on this? thanks

The Curado is obviously a great reel.(yeah,Shimano Posse,I said it!)Gr8wall,do you fish deep cranks alot or mainly just mid depth cranks?I wouldnt buy a slow ratio reel for medium cranks and topwater baits but if thats the set-up you're trying to make you should get something a little faster than the 4.7:1 reel.Its not meant for picking up line quickly as you will need when fishing topwater baits.The low geared reels are excellent for baits that require constant cranking,not for twitching and pausing,then picking up line.....you'll work yourself to death.Does that make sense?

The deep crank set-up that I have (4.7:1 reel & 7'6"  fiberglass stick) is ONLY for deep cranks and nothing else.I have different set-ups and faster reels with my shallow and medium crankbait set-ups and an even faster reel on my topwater set-up.

[Gr8wall]

yeah im only a newb.  the only thing i have done in terms of crank would be med at most.  other than that, i have not ever used a deep diver before.  the reels that i saw were 5.0:1.  do you think i should go higher?like the norm 6.3 (or something like that):1?  thanks for all your help.

[5bass]

Yes,for shallow and mid-depth cranks and also a topwater set-up,I'd go with a 6.2:1.

Wait and try the low gear reel when you're building a deep crank set-up.

[Chris at Tech]

Of course you could also go something in the middle, like a 5.3:1 Abu Ambassador round reel...

[Banor]

Of course you could also go something in the middle, like a 5.3:1 Abu Ambassador round reel...

Watch your back man, I got a feeling the posse is about to trample you!

B

[Chris at Tech]

Of course you could also go something in the middle, like a 5.3:1 Abu Ambassador round reel...

Watch your back man, I got a feeling the posse is about to trample you!

B

I like to live dangerously.

[Gr8wall]

hmmmm...dang it, now i dont konw if i should get a 6.3:1 or a 5.0:1......anyone chime in?  and also for those that have used both, (i cant feel the difference but im jsut interested in proven performance) if there is a big difference between the citica and curado.  thanks

[roadwarrior]

Well, I have a Calais 200 6.2:1 and two CTE200GT 5.0:1. For an "all around" reel I prefer the faster speed and higher IPC. I consider the lower gear ratio, as fivebasslimit mentioned, to be a "specialty" reel for big, deep running lures (DD22, Mann's +20 & +25). I also use a CTE on my heavy jig rod and for big live baits.

[Mikey]

I throw deep cranks alot.DD22's,LC-CBD20's,Mann's 20+,DT16 's etc...and I use a 4.7:1 gear ratio just for them.All day deep crankin' with a high speed reel is murder on the elbows and back.I'd never even consider deep crankin' with anything faster than a 4.7:1.

If you do test or buy a slow retrieve reel,dont expect to get used to it in 10 minutes.It's definitely got a different feel to it when you first try it.Be patient with it and you will most likely get used to it and like it really well for your deep cranks.My % of bites went up when I made the switch a long time ago.

You should at least try one if you're serious about crankin' deep.

  4.3:1 for me the Lew Childre Speed Spool. thats all I fish really is crankbaits and rattle-traps sometimes. 4.3:1 or 4.7:1 which the Speed Spool will "power up" to when cranked quickly. not too slow not too fast. fishing a high-speed reel; well to each his own, but fishing crankbaits with one feels like your hauling up a car axle from the bottom of the lake.

[castaway]

I used to agree with the low gear ratios, but the newer designed reels seem to have less torque than they used to.I use a Johnny Morris 5.2:1 reel, but I am not always correct.Hunt down some Manns 20+ Deep hog cranks.I favor them over the Norman DD22's, but both are very good baits.Norman made a Bulldog brand crank series 6, or 7 years ago that is another great deep crankbait. Ivan

[.ghoti.]

I guess I'm in the minority on this one. No problem guys, if we all thought the same way, we'd probably still be living in caves, thowing rocks at each other. It's the agree to disagree spirit that makes this such a great place to hang out.

I did give the slow reel a good try. I had it for over a year before I bit the bullet and ordered new gears.

My comments to Gr8wall were sort of based on the idea that he was looking to add to a small arsenal of tools. I took his original post to say that he did not have a whole slew of rigs. If you have a lot of rods and reels, and the space to carry them around, then a dedicated, slow retrieve, deep-cranking setup makes sense. If, however, you're after a multi-purpose rig, the slower reel makes less sense. That was the situation I found myself in. I had a nice rod and reel setup that i was carrying around and not using much. The gear change turned it into a rig I can use on a regular basis.

Acouple of interesting points came up along the way. Bshaner is right on the money about cranking speed vs depth. A fast retrieve will not get maximum depth out of any deep crankbait. It takes thin line, a long cast, and a slow steady retrieve to get the bait down.

Gr8wall, if you're not going to be doing any deep cranking, then the higher speed would really be better for you. You also indicated topwater. That, for me, means higher speed also. As far as the choice between reels, go to your tackle shop and try them out on the rod you will be using. One may feel better to you. Both are fine reels, with excellent reputations.

Good luck,

GK

[Raul]

Ok, since I 've got more money than brains and I 'm as stubborn as a mule I fish deep divers, ultra deep divers and swimbaits with the slowest reel available, Curado 200B38 and got two of them for that purpose alone, for other cranks and some surface plugs ( jitterbugs ) I use an Alphas Type F, an Alphas Itö, a Pixy or my old XLT plus or Black Max Abus, all of them have an IPT between 20-22"; for jerkbaits and other surface plugs I use my TDZs, Curados, Chronarch SF, Metanium XT, Scorpion 1000, Scorpions Mg, Chronarch 50 Mg or Stradic; it all depends on where I 'm going, there 's no point in fishing with a slow or medium reel a jerkbait when what yopu 've got to do is pick up slack as fast as you can ( like you do when you worm fish ).

If you 've got the money and the space for a lot of rods n 'reels get specific tools for specific baits and techniques; if you don 't have either then get the most versatile reel you can get for "general purpose" use. A reel with an IPT of 20-22" inches fullfils that requirement.

[Gr8wall]

hey guys, thanks for all your help.  i decided to go with a citica 200d.  it was the next best choice since they sold out of the curados (in the 6.3:1 ratio).  i figure i shouldnt be getting anything so expensive i guess like the curado, but for 84 bucks shipped to my door (new too) im sure ill be fine though.  thanks for all the help.  but any opinions or observations about the reel would be appreciated.  also rod selection for this is appreciated too.  thanks a bunch

[MALTESE FALCON]

DON'T WORRY CHRIS AT TECH, I'VE GOT YOUR BACK.

[Bass1]

Yes,for shallow and mid-depth cranks and also a topwater set-up,I'd go with a 6.2:1.

Wait and try the low gear reel when you're building a deep crank set-up.

Like Fivebasslimit.

[Stringjam]

When you look at line recovery rates instead of just gear ratio, it becomes interesting  - - for example:

David Fritts' signature reel with a 4.7:1 gear ratio is rated at 21" IPT

The Curado with the 5.1:1 ratio is also rated at 21" IPT

So one should keep that in mind when looking for reels with a certain "speed"