Does anyone use 6.4:1 reel for deep cranking (12+ft)?  I've heard Rick Clunn didn't use low gear ratio reels.  I don't really want to buy another reel because I wouldn't be using it that much.

Using a lower gear ratio on all crankbaits is a good idea. It lets the bait stay in the strike zone longer. Im no Rick Clunn so I wouldnt be as efficient with a 6:4 ratio, also that is 1 guy out of how many elite series pros. 

Many pros use ultra fast reels, mid range reels, and slow reels for cranking. It depends on what you want to do. For burning baits, I regularly fish a 7:1 on cranks. Not my favorite thing to do, but sometimes you have to do it. For general cranking I prefer lower ratios like a 5 or 5.5. When I am moving the bait with my rod and not the reel, I usually need to pick up line faster than normal, and use a faster reel. Squarebills, Flats, and traps are usually on a 6.5 or round about there.

I do, I even use a 7.1 on 10XD's

I use the lower ratio reels for cranking everything except square bills.  I have one of the BPS pro qualifiers in i think 4something to 1 ratio and it works great.

 

I always find it is easier to reel faster when needed rather than reel slower.

As long as you can move the bait through the water at the correct speed for the presentation...I guess you can use any gear ratio that you want. However, for deep cranking, you are usually using a heavier, larger, higher drag bait and the mechanical advantage offered by the lower gear ratios is something to be considered. You generally don't burn these baits so the lower ratio also provides a more appropriate speed for the purpose. I personally don't like to have to remember to speed up or slow down the retrieve...I like to reel with a consistent rhythm and let the gear ratio of the reel provide the proper speed to the bait. 

 

Me?  I use 19 to 21 IPT reels for deep-cranking.  I prefer 21 to 23 IPT, sometimes up to 26 IPT for mid- to shallow-cranking. I generally use 26-30 IPT for lipless cranks. 

 

IMHO, deep cranking is one application where it pays to have a specialized combo for the purpose. If you can afford to have two cranking rods...you could have a ~26 IPT reel on one for general cranking...and something like a 7'6" MH-M rod with a 19-21 IPT reel for deep cranking, and you have your cranking needs pretty much covered.

Does anyone use 6.4:1 reel for deep cranking (12+ft)?  I've heard Rick Clunn didn't use low gear ratio reels.  I don't really want to buy another reel because I wouldn't be using it that much.

I think Timmy Horton and KVD both use 6.4 to 1 ratio when deep cranking, I'll double check on that though I think I still have the fishing shows on my dvr where they say that.

Keith Combs and Aaron Martens both use 7.1:1 reels for deep cranking. Keith won and event this past year using just that technique down in Texas. He crashed into submerged brush piles almost as fast as he could.

KVD uses his 5.3:1 but he even says it's not a slow ratio as the high capacity (150 series) keeps the IPT high. That way he gets the torque needed to keep deep cranking smooth and easy but also the speed to really crash into stuff and get a reaction bite.

I use a 3.8 works fine

I'm using a 5:8 ratio. I like the 5:8-6:2 ratios for deep cranks. 7:0 and faster for everything else.