Sherlock 60

You must have a lemon. My Exceler has always been very quiet and smooth.

Thanks, everybody. I didn't mean to get anybody all riled up, but it has been lots of fun following the conversation. Kind of like getting the Ford guys and the Chevy guys going at each other when I was a kid. Chances are I will not be pulling deep divers all day, so unless somebody else comes up with an extremely compelling argument otherwise I am going to get the 5.2:1 reel.

That's what I am hoping for.

Since we kind of got off track I thought I would re-post the original question. Which should it be for medium to deep divers: 4.7:1 or 5.2:1?

I'm more concerned about the reel choice than the ratio. From what I have read in many places on this site the PQ is a fine reel for the money. My reels are mostly in the $85-$110 range, with the Daiwa Exceler being the cheapest reel I use ($65 range). So far my Shimano(4), ABU Garcia (8), and Daiwa (2) reels have served me very well. Considering that I will be using the PQ for maybe 10-15% of my fishing, it would be foolish of me to spend much more on a reel for deep cranking.

I have one and like it. Good reel for the money.

The Revo Winch has a 5.4:1 ratio, so shouldn't the 5.2:1 PQ be adequate?

I am going to get a BPS Pro Qualifier reel for medium and deep cranking. Should I get the 4.7:1 gear ratio model or the 5.2:1? It will be for a MH 7' cranking rod and crankbaits that run 10+ feet (such as the Strike King Series 5 and 6, Norman DD22, Fat Free Shad BD7, etc).

Yesterday Gander Mountain had a bin full of Bomber Square A's and a variety of other Pradco crankbaits for $2.95 each. Lots of Bomber cranks, but also Arbogast (Hula Poppers and Jitterbugs), Bandit and Rebel products.

I am going to get a PQ for medium and deep crankin'. Should I get a 4.7:1 or the 5.2:1? It will be for a MH 7' cranking rod and crankbaits like the Norman DD22, Fat Free Shad BD7, Strike King Series 5 and 6, etc.

I fish them pretty much the same as I would a Senko, and have had success. The only difference is that I don't pause as much with the Beaver as I do the Senko. I figured that since they are crawdad (as we call them up here) imitators they should keep moving most of the time.

Gander Mountain is having a clearance on Bomber, Strike King, Bandit, Norman, Cotton Cordell and Arbogast cranks, as well as lots of plastics and misc odds and ends.

Thanks for all the info. Lots of pads here, so this should help me catch a few more bass this summer.

Are they really all that good? I have never seen them in Indiana. This may be a new look to show the little fishies up here.

I'm a big fan of the Bomber Square A, but they are increasingly hard to find in the stores. As mentioned above, BPS carries them online. Oxbow Bream is my favorite color.

Somebody mentioned the ABU Soron STX a bit earlier in this thread. Anybody have one?? Your thoughts??

After you took the recommendation from Gary, do you fish any better on soft plastics with spinning gears? In a word, yes. I really can't explain it, but it seems to be a better match for those baits. When I switched from baitcasting gear for Senkos it immediately was a more natural fit and felt more comfortable. I fish them weightless 99% of the time, by the way. Two more benefits: 1) longer casts; and 2) should a Senko fly off the hook there are no birds nests to deal with. He also said to be sure to use a small swivel to eliminate the line twist several posters have mentioned. I wish I could find that article again, but no luck. Maybe it was a dream...

x2. This is exactly what happened with me. It was the only line I ever used that caused a birds nest on spinning gear.

X2 Better idea yet Or get a Shimano Symetre. Great reel for $100.

Two weeks ago Gander Mountain had Strike King Pro-Model Crankbaits on sale for $1.95 each, so I loaded up. Some of the colors were a bit unusual, but for under two bucks I couldn't complain. I will be in the area on Saturday, so I expect my plastics collection will grow a bit this weekend. Thanks for the info.

About 4 years ago I read an article about Gary Yamamoto switching to MH gear with braid for Senkos. I made the change myself three seasons ago and now use a MH spinning set-up with 20# PowerPro for Senkos and all other soft plastics (except tubes). I use baitcasting gear for most other applications, but will stick with spinning gear and braided line for soft plastics.

For the last three years I have used 20# PowerPro on a MH spinning rod/reel set-up for Senkos and all soft plastics.

X2

Do you do anything differently for the Muskie-sized Jitterbug? I picked one up recently and will use it this season.

I often use a black Jitterbug on a shallow flat near my pier as I am wrapping it up for the day and the skeeters are beginning to bite (me, of course). And I almost always catch one. If you think you are fishing it too slow...then slow down.