Few questions about the recomendations I often read about for using the lower gear ratio baitcaters for cranking. How beneficial is a low gear ratio reel for crankbait fishing. And secondly does anyone make a smaller capacity reel with a low gear ratio.. Somthing similiar to a curado/chronarch 50 size in line capacity and ability to cast smaller lures. I mostly use crankbaits like the SK 3XD, Bandit 300s. Id also need somthing offered in a left hand retrieve. It seems that there arent very many low gear ratio baitcasters in left hand version. I am looking to put togeather a good crankin set up for next season. Right now I am using a curado 51e with a cruicial 6'8" medium. The rod has taken some getting used to, I think this rod might be better suited for things like shallow squarebills. I would like to find a good low gear ratio lefty for a 7' MH cruicial, but id like something with a smaller line capacity. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Calcutta 50 TE

I use a lower geared reel (curado 201dpv) for the power to make pulling bigger cranks like a 6xd easier, not for retreive speed. I toss 3xd's on my 51E and they pull easy, when I want to fish them slower, I reel slower. IMHO, you have a reel that will work just fine. You might want to look at your rod insted, something longer (7'+) with a more moderate action that loads up a bit with lighter baits will help fling those smaller cranks alot further.

I have an Abu Garcia Revo Winch 5.4 reel - (not the gen 3 version) that I use for crankin and it is by far the best real I have used.

I use it on my Abu Garcia Revo Winch 7'0 M rod and my BPS 7'0 MH Crankin Stick and it works great.

Actually, there is a great deal at the TW sale since you are looking for left handed retrieve - you can get 20% of the already reduced price of $159.

Unless you plan on using the set-up strictly for deep cranking, you don't really need a slower gear ratio. I used a 6.3:1 for years, but then my favorite lake is only 14ft. deep at the deepest. I have a 4.9 Daiwa that I use for my DD22's and Deep Little N's and occasionally in the spring for spinnerbaits. The only reason I use the lower gear is because it's easier to crank those deeper baits not so much for the slower speed. If you only throw the big boys for short periods, on rare occasions I'd invest the money in a quality crankin' stick. If, however, deep cranking becomes your strong suit, you'll be in the market for one.

Daiwa makes the Exceler in a 4.9:1 left hand version. It'ls a little larger than a Shimano 50 series and lists for under $100.

I have an Abu Garcia Revo Winch 5.4 reel - (not the gen 3 version) that I use for crankin and it is by far the best real I have used.

I use it on my Abu Garcia Revo Winch 7'0 M rod and my BPS 7'0 MH Crankin Stick and it works great.

Actually, there is a great deal at the TW sale since you are looking for left handed retrieve - you can get 20% of the already reduced price of $159.

x2 Pulls the bait through the water like nothing at all. Great reel.

Thanks for the suggestions..