I was looking into doing some of this type of fishing next spring. I been sucessful using braid on fiberglass rods (3-6'). But I was cranking the other day with a 6.3:1(lowest gear ratio I own) and boy my hands started to cramp up. Now I was not reeling in very fast, a full turn about every 25-35 sec. Should I got to a 5.3 or somethin slower

I use a 5.7 daiwa type R+ reel for my shallow cranking and spinnerbaits as by nature I crank fast and those baits put out some resistance and I like the 5.7.1 as its been working great for years..

Most reels made for cranking in addition to the lower gears, have longer handles and bigger paddles (grips). The combination gives the angler more leverage and a more comfortable grip, really helps when fishing big spinner baits or deep diving cranks.

Lew's makes a lot of good reels that will do well for cranking. Crank models have longer handles for more leverage, and deeper spools for more line capacity.

I'm confused on your cranking speed. 25 to 35 seconds for a full turn? At that rate I doubt the bait even dove much. It had to float near the top instead. Did you mean 2.5 to 3.5?

Now I was not reeling in very fast, a full turn about every 25-35 sec. Should I got to a 5.3 or somethin slower

Somehow I missed this part originally, that's a super slow retrieve. I find that once the crank reaches it's maximum depth it is easier to pull it thru the water with the rod. Make horizontal sweeps with the rod and use the reel to taker up the slack. This is assuming I'm using a high speed reel, over 23 ipt

Somehow I missed this part originally, that's a super slow retrieve. I find that once the crank reaches it's maximum depth it is easier to pull it thru the water with the rod. Make horizontal sweeps with the rod and use the reel to taker up the slack. This is assuming I'm using a high speed reel, over 23 ipt

 

 

Lew's makes a lot of good reels that will do well for cranking. Crank models have longer handles for more leverage, and deeper spools for more line capacity.

I'm confused on your cranking speed. 25 to 35 seconds for a full turn? At that rate I doubt the bait even dove much. It had to float near the top instead. Did you mean 2.5 to 3.5?

  I know I tried to reel in very slow because my hands couldnt take it any more

I'm using a BPS Extreme reel of a similar design to the Pro Qualifier, and actually very similar to the $100 Lew's reel also. But mine has no extended handle, just standard length but it is a 5.4:1 ratio with a 23 IPT rating (inches of line retrieved per turn of the crank). Also it does have some fairly meaty grips that make them easy to hang onto so I don't have to pinch down on them very much. I don't get hand fatigue from cranking all day, but I am only using crankbaits that dive about 12 feet. If I start to feel it I can upgrade to a longer handle. I've added bearings to the handles which helps them turn easier. I think this might actually be helping some too, however slight it may be. After several thousand handle turns in the run of a day, I could see this making a difference too.

Not trying to be funny but do you suffer from arthritis or carpel tunnel? At 16 bass fishing should not put a strain on your body

I'd suggest to try cranking with that 200d

  I know I tried to reel in very slow because my hands couldnt take it any more

Sounds like you should take up knitting.

This year I put Lews 5.4:1 Tournament Pro's on my two deep crankbait rods.  They are awesome!!!  I can really tell a difference and can crank all day with not wearing out now.

Not trying to be funny but do you suffer from arthritis or carpel tunnel? At 16 bass fishing should not put a strain on your body

I'd suggest to try cranking with that 200d

 No I dont have any problems at 16 im perfectly fine

Sounds like you should take up knitting.

 Your trying to be funny I guess. My actually taught me how to sew and do croichet

If your hands were cramping up from only 2 turns per minute, no reel is gonna help.

 

My cranking reel is a 6.3. Slow to me is about 1 turn per second, sometimes it's about 3 turns per second.

Not trying to be funny but do you suffer from arthritis or carpel tunnel? At 16 bass fishing should not put a strain on your body

I'd suggest to try cranking with that 200d

X2 ~

 

Hey Jay, that reel you already have is made for cranking and is really good.

 

It's got it all; it's small and light, has a slower gear ratio and excellent handle & grips.

 

A-Jay

 Your trying to be funny I guess. My actually taught me how to sew and do croichet

I was just messing with you man.  Seriously though, something isn't right if a shallow crankbait and glass rod caused you problems.  Definitely try a different reel.

First off do you have suspending or sinking cranks like rapala countdown? 1 turn per 30 seconds? On a normal floating crank your crank will be in the surface and you aren't covering any water at all. Did you mean something else? I'm not sure if your phone is auto correcting or your grammar is off but people are having a hard time understanding you.