Low gear ratio reels

[mase088]

I'm looking for a reel with a lower gear ratio for cranks, but don't want to pay for a Curado E5, or anything else in that high of price range. Other than the BPS Extreme, what other reels around that price have a lower gear ratio.

[ROCbass]

Pflueger Trion comes in a 5.2:1 for $100. Haven't used it though so other than that I can't tell you much about it

[vicdotcom]

Quantum also has a 5:1 older Energy PT you can get used for about 60 now I think and new for about 90

[hercdoc]

Bass Pro has David Fritts crankbait reels on sale for $69.94. There is a 4.7:1, a 5.2:1, and a 6.3:1 ratio reel to choose from. The two lower speeds have a dual pawl anti-reverse system while the 6.3:1 reel has a PowerLock instant anti-reverse. Here is a article I found about where David Fritts explains why he doesn't like the instant anti-reverse.

 

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I bought a Quantum Energy PT E750PT on ebay around christmas for $89, it's a great reel.  

[SWMIBASSER]

This is a reel that you need to pick up, and/or take apart. It is a stout reel. And it's much smoother than the specs on paper that it has.....Not that many bearings.....A spool shaft bearing in the mechanical brake area, and a lower gear set on the instant anti-reverse reel would make a killer reel.....

Hard  for me to justify buying "upgrades" for such a cheap reel though. No matter how well they are put together.

[The_Natural]

Low gear ratioed reels were the norm for crankin' in the 80's/90's and even into today. However, the advent of today's power-fishing has high-geared reels being used for crankbaits regularly. KVD cranks with a 7:1, and is in the top 2 or 3 of the best crankbait fisherman of all time (arguabley the best). I like a happy medium....a reel with 25" of line pickup or so (6.3:1). You can't go by gear ratio though....IPT varies greatly betweend manufacturers boasting the same gear ratio.. For example; the Japanese scorpion has a gear ratio of 6.3:1, but only has an IPT of 22". The zillion 6.3:1 reel picks up 27" of line I believe. Anyway...just some food for thought....

[seyone]

you can switch out the gears of the citica for a lower gear ratio.

[ngbassny]

I got Revo S a at closeout and swapping the gear from a Revo Winch to make it 5.1. It will be less than a hundred and I might be able to opt for the Winch handle also.  8-)

[retiredbosn]

I had two David Fritts reels and was real happy with their performance.  For the money I believe it is the best deal out there for a dedicated crank reel.  If not for my current infatuation with round reels I would still have both, but I have switched most of my lps to round, the round reel that I like is the Abu Garcia EXT Pro, which is only available in 6:5:1, I ordered a 4:7 gear set and changed out on my deep crank bait rod.  I prefer the lower gear ratio on deep divers as they are much easier to work at a slower speed, good luck

[Stasher1]

I think you really need to handle the Fritts in person before buying one, though. It's not the most comfortable reel in the hand, and is heavy and rather large.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I think you really need to handle the Fritts in person before buying one, though. It's not the most comfortable reel in the hand, and is heavy and rather large.

So is his American Rodsmiths signature crankin rod....it's a beast and weighs like 5lbs

[KYntucky Warmouth]

http://cgi.ebay.com/QUANTUM-ENERGY-PT-E750PT-BAITCAST-REEL_W0QQitemZ310124949444QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

[mase088]

it ended before i saw it > o well. I have a feeling I'm gonna get the Quantum Energy or save up for a Curado E5 since I love my E7 so much.

[-nick-]

you can switch out the gears of the citica for a lower gear ratio.

Where can you buy these at?

[Stasher1]

Check the Shimano forum.

[seyone]

I would ask in the shimano product support forums. but I believe they can be had a a reasonable price.

[retiredbosn]

I'm not a big guy by any stretch, 6'2" around 210, and the Fritts reel was just fine in my hand.  I will say that the round reel that I use now I find more comfortable.  The reason people think the Fritts reel is large (I believe) is that it doesn't have a recessed foot by design.  It is designed to sit higher in the reel seat, something about higher centrifugal force on the spool, line and less resistance agains the rod's eyes.  If you have small hands you may want to handle one first, but do it on a rod, as it sits higher than anyother lp reel that I've handled.

[SWMIBASSER]

I'm not a big guy by any stretch, 6'2" around 210, and the Fritts reel was just fine in my hand. I will say that the round reel that I use now I find more comfortable. The reason people think the Fritts reel is large (I believe) is that it doesn't have a recessed foot by design. It is designed to sit higher in the reel seat, something about higher centrifugal force on the spool, line and less resistance agains the rod's eyes. If you have small hands you may want to handle one first, but do it on a rod, as it sits higher than anyother lp reel that I've handled.

It's got a larger diameter, heavier spool for more inertia on the cast. I suspect the thing will BOMB crankbaits much further than other reels.....The big diameter heavy spool is the reason the Ambasadeurs are able to hang with much more refined reels.