Let's talk Cranking reel ratios 2024
Jaderose reply :
I've been looking around for something to pair up with a Mojo cranking rod I have and I know conventional wisdom is to go with something like 5.4;1 or even lower. And then I got to thinking about it.......why? I simply do not understand why I would want a slower reel for something like this. I watched the Aaron Martens video on this and he says basically the same thing I am thinking. Why? It seems to me that the opposite would be true...that you would want a fast reel if a fish grabbed the lure coming towards you, and a faster reel would help with hook set, no? Just looking for some opinions.
bigturtle reply :
I use 7.3:1 on my cranks up to around 12~15ft range. I dont have any problems. I just reel a bit slower than I normally do.
WRB reply :
What lures are you planning to use and what power rating is the rod?
Tom
Jaderose reply :
Glass Crankster 7'4" Med/Mod and I will throw pretty much all my cranks on it Nothing huge. I don't do a LOT of cranking with the exception of Lipless.....I do throw a lot of those but I throw those on a MH fast with a fast reel
bigfruits reply :
you get more power for deep cranks with a slower retrieve ratio. like the little uphill gear on the mtn bike.
Jaderose reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 7:45 AM, bigfruits said:you get more power for deep cranks with a slower retrieve ratio. like the little uphill gear on the mtn bike.
But I have to wonder if that only applies to older reels. I have no problem ( at least I haven't so far) throwing a crank with a faster reel
Besides.....define "power". That is what I always hear but it doesn't really mean anything without an explanation. I'm actually not trying to be obnoxious.......I just want real some explanations and not hear..."more power"
bigfruits reply :
yep. i dont deep crank but i have no problem crankbait fishing with a 7.x:1 on a newer Shimano reel. Im throwing things I wouldnt have on my older 6.x:1 reels. I actually just bought a 6.2:1 scorpion to see what difference i feel between that and a 8.2:1 scorpion when throwing 10ft divers.
Catt reply :
Mark Davis, David Fritts, & Paul Elias all use 5.1:1!
Works for me! 
riverbasser reply :
I'm no expert by any means but the slowee ratio is mainly reccomended for deep diving cranks. It has to do with the dive angle and keeping your bait in the right depth. When your cranking the first third of the cast it diving the middle is the desired depth and the last third the bait is ascending up to the boat. The slower real is suppose to make it easier to keep the bait in that middle depth for as long as possible. This can be done with any ratio but is easier with a slower gear.
WRB reply :
The rod you have is rated for 1/4-3/4 oz lures, medium power, mod action. You will be limited to lures in the 1/2-3/4 oz size. The only time you may need a reel with more torque via a slower gear ratio would high resistance retreive deep divers, otherwise it's your choice, most bait casting reels will work.
If diving lures are your choice I would seriously consider Berkley Dreager series 10.5 and 14.5 that are similar to Bomber 6A and 7A, Norman DD15 except dives deeper with less resistance and your rod can handle these lures.
Tom
Jaderose reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 8:03 AM, WRB said:The rod you have is rated for 1/4-3/4 oz lures, medium power, mod action. You will be limited to lures in the 1/2-3/4 oz size. The only time you may need a reel with more torque via a slower gear ratio would high resistance retreive deep divers, otherwise it's your choice, most bait casting reels will work.
If diving lures are your choice I would seriously consider Berkley Dreager series 10.5 and 14.5 that are similar to Bomber 6A and 7A, Norman DD15 except dives deeper with less resistance and your rod can handle these lures.
Tom
and maybe that's the thing. I don't throw great big cranks and I'm not throwing much below 15 ft or so and don't really foresee a time when I would.
On 2/7/2017 at 8:00 AM, Catt said:Mark Davis, David Fritts, & Paul Elias all use 5.1:1!
Works for me!
Good answer....lol
I suspect I see a new PQ in my future to pair up with it. As I don't throw a huge number of cranks the $50 PQ at the classic will do just fine. MIGHT go 5.4:1 but I will probably do 6.3:1. That doesn't mean I'm not interested in other opinions...you guys that throw big cranks...do you use a lower geared reel? Obviously Catt does.
riverbasser reply :
I do as well. And I'm using a 5.2.1 pro qualifier
blckshirt98 reply :
The difference might be slight and not very noticeable unless you go into the extremes and do something like try to crank a 10XD on a Revo Rocket.
WRB reply :
I have used several different reels for various crankbaits that range from 4.3:1 to 7.1:1 over the years. Gear ratio isn't the major factor, IPT at the casting distance you make is more important. My old Lews RB3 is 6.4:1 and works good using DD22's without any retrieving issues at 40+ yard casts, wouldn't suggest trying that with your med-mod rod however.
Tom
fissure_man reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 7:49 AM, Jaderose said:
But I have to wonder if that only applies to older reels. I have no problem ( at least I haven't so far) throwing a crank with a faster reel
Besides.....define "power". That is what I always hear but it doesn't really mean anything without an explanation. I'm actually not trying to be obnoxious.......I just want real some explanations and not hear..."more power"
All else equal, to maintain a given retrieve:
High gear ratio = turn the handle a little bit slower, with a little more force
Low gear ratio = turn the handle a little bit faster, with a little less force
It makes sense that as lure resistance increases, people are going to start to favor lower gear ratios to avoid having to apply an ‘uncomfortably’ high level of force to the handle all day. But where you draw that line comes down to personal preference (and there are other factors to consider, like keeping up with a hot fish).
I’m with you 100% that most “power” claims related to fishing reels are confusing. It takes a certain (definable) amount of power to reel a crankbait at a certain speed, regardless of gear ratio. The real question is: how much effort does it take to deliver that power with different gear ratios? – or – which gear ratio lets me deliver that power most comfortably?
For a lengthy and unnecessary discussion about gear ratios, power, and effort (that still won’t tell you which reel to buy), check out the last several posts in this thread 
Mosster47 reply :
A 5 ratio for magnum cranks for fatigue reasons.
Anything else is preference.
MickD reply :
The only technique that I feel makes a low ratio better than a fast one is slow rolling spinnerbaits. I just find it hard to slow down enough with a high ratio reel. So I use my old 5.2 Calcutta for that.
RoLo reply :
Big bass bury in nasty cover.
When you're winding a subsurface swimbait thru cow lilies all day,
you appreciate the power of a 5:1 reel for bulling thru heavy cover to keep the lure coming.
Rather than think in terms of Fast and Slow,
I think in terms of Power and Weakness (the greater the speed, the lower the power).
Roger
Jaderose reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 10:59 AM, RoLo said:
I think in terms of Power and Weakness (the Faster your reel, the Weaker your reel).
Roger
and this is what I'm not wrapping my head around. I'm not saying you guys are wrong...I'm just saying I don't understand. It isn't like a "faster" reel is just going to stop working or become too hard to turn the handle.
Darren. reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 11:05 AM, Jaderose said:and this is what I'm not wrapping my head around. I'm not saying you guys are wrong...I'm just saying I don't understand. It isn't like a "faster" reel is just going to stop working or become too hard to turn the handle.
Maybe think of it in terms of the gearing on a mountain bike.
The rear cog, specifically. The smaller the cog the faster you
will go...but trying to muscle up hill?
The larger ring the slower you go, but you have power to
muscle up a hill more easily than the smaller ring...
Oh darn it all. I think I'm not helping here...
I'll see myself out.
Mosster47 reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 11:05 AM, Jaderose said:
and this is what I'm not wrapping my head around. I'm not saying you guys are wrong...I'm just saying I don't understand. It isn't like a "faster" reel is just going to stop working or become too hard to turn the handle.
Thinl of it like riding a bicycle from a stop. In first gear the sprocket is much bigger and much easier to turn because it doesn't turn very much. Now think about that bike in tenth gear. It's way harder to get going because the sprocket is much smaller and turns way more.
RoLo reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 11:05 AM, Jaderose said:
and this is what I'm not wrapping my head around. I'm not saying you guys are wrong...I'm just saying I don't understand. It isn't like a "faster" reel is just going to stop working or become too hard to turn the handle.
If you wind a big weedless swimbait thru cow lilies all day using a 7.5:1 reel,
there'll be dozens of times when the cover abruptly stops the reel handle (a rude interference)
The low gear on a car (first gear) has more crankshaft revolutions behind each rotation of the tire,
the result of which is more power & less speed. The high gear (3rd gear) on a car has fewer rotations
per wheel rotation, so there's less power but more speed. It's just like a seesaw:
as the end representing 'speed' rises, the opposite end representing 'power' falls, and vice versa.
Roger
bagofdonuts reply :
I use a lews 5.4 for cranking and like it. Mostly just personal preference. I like to just toss it out and crank it pretty fast and just can't slow down enough with a fast reel. Had to get use to hook set though, got to reel until the rod loads or you won't catch up. I did like it for slow rolling spinner baits but my hook ups were much better barely reeling a faster reel. On the spinner bait bite they'll knock slack in the line and I missed a couple pigs before switching to a 6.4.
sgibby88 reply :
Think of it as torque and acceleration. The slower ratio has the torque where the higher ratio has the accerlation. In other words the more torque you have the easier it'll be. So that torque will make it easier to keep that deep diver in the desired depth longer and slower where that high ratio will burn right through. all comes down to the what technique your using. Everything has its purpose. Easiest way I can think of on how to explain it
bagofdonuts reply :
I actually found a old Abu c4 wench in 3.8 when I was going thru some storage boxes the other day. I traded for it 20 years ago and have never used it. Can't wait to break it out this summer deep crankin.
Smelter96 reply :
All i know is i have a Curado PG that i use for crankbaits and I havent had any issues with its speed. Great reel. To each his own, though.
Jaderose reply :
Thanks guys.......I'm starting to get it. I drive a 1968 Ford Pick up truck....3 on the tree. In First gear, I can't do over about 10 miles an hour but I could pull down a tree if I wanted to. In 3rd gear, it won't pull anything from a start but I can do highway speed.
tander reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 8:00 AM, Catt said:Mark Davis, David Fritts, & Paul Elias all use 5.1:1!
Works for me!
This ^^^^. I might use a higher ratio for shallow cranks but for deep, 5:1.1.
A-Jay reply :
This
or this ~
A-Jay
.ghoti. reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 7:49 AM, Jaderose said:
But I have to wonder if that only applies to older reels. I have no problem ( at least I haven't so far) throwing a crank with a faster reel
Besides.....define "power". That is what I always hear but it doesn't really mean anything without an explanation. I'm actually not trying to be obnoxious.......I just want real some explanations and not hear..."more power"
First, a reel produces no power. You do. The reels is a transmission. It "transmits" power, supplied by you, to whatever is at the end of your line. So the most common statement made, in this context, is buy a lower ratio reel because it has more power. Nonsense.
you said "define power". OK, power is work over time. One horsepower = 33000 ft/lbs per minutes. Move 33000 pounds one foot, in one minute, and you have used one horsepower.
Another way to look at it; if the force increases, the distance and time remain the same, horsepower is increased. If force and distance remain the same and speed decreases, power is reduced.
To make this relate to the topic at hand, consider this. When you reel in a crank bait you are supplying power to move a bait a certain distance. The force part of the equation is the resistance of the bait plus some friction. That force applied over the distance is the work. Factor in the time it takes to get it all the way back, and you get the power required.
if you retrieve the same bait the same distance in the same time, the required power output power from the reel is the same. Gear ratio has nothing to do with it.
Now, let us look at input power; the part you supply by turning your crank. Using the same bait, moving the same distance, at the same speed. When using a 4:1 ratio reel, you will turn the crank X number of times. Using an 8:1 ratio reel you will turn the crank X/2 times, half as many revolutions. Each revolution requires you to move your hand a certain distance. The force required to turn the crank will be different. The 8:1 reel will require twice the force of the 4:1 reel. The 4:1 reel will move the bait half as far as the 8:1 reel.
So, twice as many turns at half the force, versus half as much force at twice the turns, gives you an identical amount of work.
The last piece of this puzzle, is then the speed. If you move the bait at the exact same speed with both reels, the power required is identical.
Now, stop obsessing over it, use whatever reel you have, and go fish.
J Francho reply :
I have a "comfortable cadence" I use when retrieving moving baits. For large billed cranks, I prefer a slower reel. I don't really like a high speed reel, even though it should be as simple as slowing down. It's a preference I developed over time. I'm not the only one with that preference. So much so, reel makers keep making slow reels, and marketing them for this.
fissure_man reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 10:41 PM, .ghoti. said:
First, a reel produces no power. You do. The reels is a transmission. It "transmits" power, supplied by you, to whatever is at the end of your line. So the most common statement made, in this context, is buy a lower ratio reel because it has more power. Nonsense.
...
I agree 100% with all of this – the term “power” is constantly misused.
But there is still some validity in preferring a different gear ratio depending on lure speed/resistance, even though the power is unchanged. Personal preference comes into play when you answer the question “would I rather crank a little more slowly and forcefully, or a little faster with less force?” Power is the same in either case, but the ‘angler experience’ changes. Handle length and spool size also come into play, as well as any other advantages/disadvantages of reel speed (slack take-up, ‘keeping up’ with fish).
I was typing a post about how the car analogies in this thread need to consider that the reel is the transmission, and the angler is the engine, but you beat me to the punch! 
On 2/7/2017 at 11:32 AM, RoLo said:
The low gear on a car (first gear) has more crankshaft revolutions behind each rotation of the tire,
the result of which is more power & less speed. The high gear (3rd gear) on a car has fewer rotations
per wheel rotation, so there's less power but more speed. It's just like a seesaw:
as the end representing 'speed' rises, the opposite end representing 'power' falls, and vice versa.
Roger
Replace “power” with “torque” and this is more accurate. Power is supplied by the engine, and the gear ratios through the transmission determine how that power is delivered to the ground - wheel torque and wheel speed. “Low gear” results in higher torque/lower speed at the wheels, and “high gear” results in lower torque/higher speed. In either case, “power” is the output of the engine (minus losses), regardless of how it’s geared.
Changing gears in a car depending on load keeps your engine running in a “happy” range of RPM and engine torque. Operating far outside that range will result in inefficiency, excessive wear, or it simply won’t work (think of driving on the highway in first gear, or starting from a stop in high gear).
Stretch this idea a bit, and you have a justification for why anglers ('engines') prefer different reel speeds for different presentations ('loads’)…
Jaderose reply :
On 2/7/2017 at 10:41 PM, .ghoti. said:
First, a reel produces no power. You do. The reels is a transmission. It "transmits" power, supplied by you, to whatever is at the end of your line. So the most common statement made, in this context, is buy a lower ratio reel because it has more power. Nonsense.
you said "define power". OK, power is work over time. One horsepower = 33000 ft/lbs per minutes. Move 33000 pounds one foot, in one minute, and you have used one horsepower.
Another way to look at it; if the force increases, the distance and time remain the same, horsepower is increased. If force and distance remain the same and speed decreases, power is reduced.
To make this relate to the topic at hand, consider this. When you reel in a crank bait you are supplying power to move a bait a certain distance. The force part of the equation is the resistance of the bait plus some friction. That force applied over the distance is the work. Factor in the time it takes to get it all the way back, and you get the power required.
if you retrieve the same bait the same distance in the same time, the required power output power from the reel is the same. Gear ratio has nothing to do with it.
Now, let us look at input power; the part you supply by turning your crank. Using the same bait, moving the same distance, at the same speed. When using a 4:1 ratio reel, you will turn the crank X number of times. Using an 8:1 ratio reel you will turn the crank X/2 times, half as many revolutions. Each revolution requires you to move your hand a certain distance. The force required to turn the crank will be different. The 8:1 reel will require twice the force of the 4:1 reel. The 4:1 reel will move the bait half as far as the 8:1 reel.
So, twice as many turns at half the force, versus half as much force at twice the turns, gives you an identical amount of work.
The last piece of this puzzle, is then the speed. If you move the bait at the exact same speed with both reels, the power required is identical.
Now, stop obsessing over it, use whatever reel you have, and go fish.
Excellent post. A LOT of excellent posts. The last line is the best part and the best advice I've heard all day. I asked.....you guys answered. THIS, my friends, is why I love this site so much. I understand this now. I'm actually a pretty smart guy...this was just eluding me.
the reel ess reply :
At this age, I only have so many revolutions of the handle left in my wrist and shoulder. I'm slowly replacing all my reels with 7:1 or better. I don't use many deep divers as much as lipless cranks. But if I did, I'd probably just replace the handle with a larger diameter (longer lever). I can always slow the reel down, but you can only get so fast with a slow reel.
I'm on the Lew's bandwagon and they make several reels with longer handles or I suppose you could just put a longer hadnle on.
Hulkster reply :
if you have ever tried to retrieve a large lipped crankbait (eg. 1/2oz rapala X rap shad) or large in line spinner (eg. #5 mepps) with a high ratio gear reel you get fatigue very quickly and it sucks. you are fighting it the whole time
I use a 5.5:1 curado for baits like this and its awesome.
it goes double for trying baits like this on a spinning reel.
related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.