Best Reel For Light Crankbaits 2025

ChathamHill reply :

Anybody used a Chronarch 50E for light crankbaits? Im interested in putting this on a St Croix 3C66MM for shad raps and light balsa plugs mainly 3/16-1/4oz. What are some other good reels for throwing those light balsa plugs or shad raps? All opinions are welcome.

Thanks guys

MarkH024 reply :

I throw really light cranks on spinning gear, its just flat out easier to manage. I have a Chronarch 200e5 that I do manage to throw the KVD 1.5's on, but that's the smallest size I go to on that.

Darren. reply :

Daiwa Lexa 100.

I don't throw balsa cranks, but I can throw weightless 4" senkos. It will throw the smaller cranks, just above the crappie size. (Don't know the size off top of my head, but they're smaller)

LgMouthGambler reply :

Yeah, I use a Curado50E for treble hook baits with 12# YoZuri. Love it. Now if your gonna use deep divers, you might want to dip into a E5.

J Francho reply :

I use a Daiwa TD-Sol.

bassin is addicting reply :

i throw light cranks on spinning gear.

pflueger president, pinnacle perfecta, med action rod, 8lb yo-zuri ultra soft

kickerfish1 reply :

Any 50 series shimano or an alphas/sol series Daiwa reel would be just fine. Maybe dip down to 8 or 10# line and you should be set.

KYntucky Warmouth reply :

I use a Daiwa Sol, a Shimano 50 should be ok

iabass8 reply :

i use a chronarch 51e for 1/4oz kvd 1.0s and don't have any issues at all(used to use a curado 51e as well for the same thing) the rod you mentioned will work fine.

Silas reply :

On 2/9/2013 at 2:09 AM, J Francho said:
I use a Daiwa TD-Sol.

Me too!

new2BC4bass reply :

Currently using a Curado 51E on a Fenwick Smallmouth 6'10" Medium Fast. Will be trying an upgraded Sol this coming year.

Toeshots reply :

Will be using a Sol once the water softens up a bit.

Sam reply :

You wil have less problems if you use a spinning rig with....

1000 size spinning reel

6 pound mono

Light graphite rod

Note rod's specs to make sure it can handle the low test and low bait weight.

Best way to throw small crankbaits without the problems of a baitcaster.

Arv reply :

Yup, everyone's covered it.

retiredbosn reply :

This may be borderline blasphemy, but I just purchased a Quantum Energy that holds 100 yards of 10lb. I got it for light baits was practicing with 1/8oz bullet weights was surprised how well it casts, have it paired with a ML rod.

Fishin24/7 reply :

Do they still make the sol? Everyone keeps talking about it but I can't find them anywhere.

ww2farmer reply :

I have no problems casting 1/4 oz crankbaits with a Curado 51E, but it's not ALL on the reel either. You need a rod that will load and cast those light baits too.

Toeshots reply :

On 2/9/2013 at 11:26 AM, Fishin24/7 said:
Do they still make the sol? Everyone keeps talking about it but I can't find them anywhere.

They do not. You have to find them on eBay or Craigslist. A used one in good condition will run $150-$200. NIB probably $250-$300.

J Francho reply :

I doubt they are that much. They were initially $229 retail. I paid a little more than $100 for like new copies. An Alphas will run you more like those prices, but it'sa JDM reel, and they always command a premium.

Toeshots reply :

There's a used one on eBay that has a bid on it for $150 so it will only go up from there. Last week a guy had a few NIBs listed on ebay for $300.

I can only go by what I see.

J Francho reply :

Not worth that much at all. Those are inflated prices. Do a search for "completed listings" on there, and you'll see what people are actually paying for the reels. BNIB, about $200. Used, with a CF handle upgrade, $150. Even JDM Alphas are selling for less than $200.

Toeshots reply :

What something's "worth" and what people are willing to pay are two different things. At this point prices are only going to go up as these reels become more rare and people do their homework and come across threads such as this and recent others that praise this reel.

J Francho reply :

It's been discontinued for like 3 years. Used prices have been the same since they were in production. If anything, NIB copies will all but disappear, and the condition used copies will deteriorate, with dropping prices. I've seen it happen before. You don't see anyone getting $300 for a NIB Chronarch A or B or a TD-Z, do you? Those were an awesome reels. But past their time. Not saying the Sol is there yet, but it's time will come. For now, it's nice pickup. I've bought a half dozen or more in the past couple years on the used market. Kept two, and souped up the rest for resale. Sold them all for around $200, and that's with several upgrades. A reel has to be pretty special to be considered an investment that will increase in value. Not even some Megabass versions hold their value. Take a look at Alphas ITO Ai, I bought three excellent copies for under $200. Like you said, what something is "worth" is what people will pay. Guess what, no one has any extra cash around, and they aren'tpaying premiums for this stuff. It just isn't happening.

Toeshots reply :

I agree that the NIBs will eventually dwindle and the condition of the used ones will eventually worsen, but most likely wont be for at least a few years. When a thread pops up here or anywhere with someone looking for a reel for light lures, the Sol is THE STANDARD answer hands down. Until another reel comes on the market at a reasonable price point that can take over this standard, people are going to be looking for the Sol. The problem is that they are not widely available, and will only get more difficult to find, as was indicated by the creator of this thread. A smart seller will capitalize on this and bump up the price and, unfortunately for guys like me who like the reel, somebody out there will pay it, which can drive up the comparables. I hope I'm wrong because I'd love to have another one.

I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one. It doesn't feel right to continue posting in a thread that was started by somebody else and could potentially be locked due to two grown men bickering over a fishing reel.

Jrob78 reply :

On 2/9/2013 at 7:47 PM, ww2farmer said:
I have no problems casting 1/4 oz crankbaits with a Curado 51E, but it's not ALL on the reel either. You need a rod that will load and cast those light baits too.

Good advice, the rod is just as important as the reel when casting light baits. FWIW, I use a Sol and Curado 50E for light cranks.

Fishes in trees reply :

I think that the best reel for light crank baits is a spinning reel.

new2BC4bass reply :

My first Sol was $125 a couple years ago. Not too bad cosmetically, but does have several small small chips/marks in the paint. Hard to see from any distance other than close up. My 2nd (and only other Sol so far) was purchased 2 weeks ago...$155 with tuning and upgrades including a different handle and looks like new. Can't find a mark on it. Sorry, but I won't pay $200 or more for this reel. More power to those who can afford to or don't care how overpriced it may be. Guy had a Zillion 50th Anniversary with upgraded knobs for sale at $375. Now I know handles can get pretty expensive, but I bought mine 3 years ago for $225 and not a mark on it.

I realize you can get whatever someone is willing to pay. I am one of many who have taken a pay cut in the last few years. I refuse to knowingly overpay for any item regardless of how bad I might want it. I would have several more rods and reels if I were making what I was 4 years ago.

J Francho reply :

The PX68 Type R is the current standard for throwing light baits in the Daiwa lineup. There's a few trying to well them on eBay for $1000. Or you can just order one from any domestic retailer for half that. Anyone looking at eBay for a reel, better educate themselves about real world going prices, or run the risk of overpaying.

new2BC4bass, speaking of Zillions, the last time I was BPS, they were on clearance for $200, all flavors including the Type R, Cranker, and Coastal. Keep your eyes peeled, and you can find the right price.

I still think a TD-Sol is a good answer. Here's one at $160, with 45 minutes to go: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Daiwa-TD-SOL-/230923109257?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c4170389

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Best Reel For Light Crankbaits 2025

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