I'm looking to pick up a dedicated medium/deep cranking setup, mostly for DT10-16s. I've thrown the 10s on my shallow crank/jerkbait rod that has a 6:1 and it felt too underpowered. I've found it incredibly difficult to find reels in low gear ratios, especially ones that are budget friendly. TW has the Orra Winch on sale right now, but I've got no experience with Abu reels. I've heard their quality has gone downhill recently, but I use Daiwa reels almost exclusively so I wouldn't really know. Anyways, if anyone has experience with that reel, or another budget cranking trees, any insight would be awesome!

The orra winch is a nice reel. I had one and it performed flawlessly. It was in my deep diver combo, 8xds&10xds. I would buy another if I threw cranks anymore. 

I have three bait casters.  All Ora's.  I really like them.  The winch sounds nice.

+2 on the Orra Winch. Check Abu's web site - they have had a sale on them recently.

What's wrong with a Tatula 100P? I have 2 that I crank with and they work great!

49 minutes ago, Jeff H said:

What's wrong with a Tatula 100P? I have 2 that I crank with and they work great!

Doesn't come in a lefty  

I'm thinking about biting the bullet and getting a right handed one though....

+3 on the Ora Winch. I am super impressed by the reel for the money. I can cast a 1/2 oz crank a country mile with it. 

It is a bit louder and the materials on the reel are not as nice, but honestly for 80USD I think it is AWESOME!

Can recommend it 100% for lipped cranks and also for a budget swimbait reel!

The Pro Qualifier 2 comes in a 5.6:1 in left hand.  No experience with the reel, but it constantly gets mentioned as a very good reel for the money.

1 minute ago, new2BC4bass said:

The Pro Qualifier 2 comes in a 5.6:1 in left hand.  No experience with the reel, but it constantly gets mentioned as a very good reel for the money.

I've never been a huge fan of any of their house brand tackle, other than the stick-o's. But I'll be driving through Bristol Tennessee this weekend (the clostest BPS) so I'll pick one up and try it while I'm there!

12 minutes ago, Jerryj33 said:

I've never been a huge fan of any of their house brand tackle, other than the stick-o's. But I'll be driving through Bristol Tennessee this weekend (the clostest BPS) so I'll pick one up and try it while I'm there!

I own 3 house brand reels.  Two older gold colored Carbonlites and an older gray Cabela's Prodigy .  No idea who made the Carbonlites, but I really like the them.  The Prodigy was made by Daiwa and feels as sturdy as a Zillion.  I wouldn't fear buying house brand reels if they all performed like mine, but my reading says they aren't all as good.  That is why I prefer to stick to name brands.  However, a ton of people swear by the older Pro Qualifiers.  They can't all be wrong.  

 

EDIT:  How do you feel about round reels?  Abu makes some lefties in 5.3:1 and 5.9:1 for $100-$120 at TW.  Should be able to get them for less on ebay.  I have no idea what the IPT is though on either ratio reel.

That winch is a fairly good deal. You could also try that new RevoX as mentioned, it should be a good reel if Abu does their job right. 

 

You should also check out the Lews Spped Spool LFS, 5:1 gear ratio, bigger cranking handle and a deeper spool. 

Picked up an Orra winch in the flea market! ???

13 minutes ago, Jerryj33 said:

Picked up an Orra winch in the flea market! ???

I think it may have been mine at one point lol

I’m not sure that you need a low gear ratio. In bass fishing years ago pros said low for cranking always, but in the last few years I’ve noticed that has changed. Aaron Martens has said on some of his video Facebook posts that he uses 8.5.1 metanuims for everything. I’m not saying buy that expensive of a reel, but something high speed will be much more versital if you ever decide to throw something other than cranks on the reel or need that reel in a pinch for any other use. I think line capacity and the ability to really launch the bait with a good rod might help more then slow gears. I might be totally wrong on this one though.

 

For a budget reel you could look at pfluegar supreme has good capacity and has a low ratio model. 

I prefer a lower gear reel for deep cranking, it's just easier than using my normal 6.3:1. Go for something that's going to hold up to the wear and tear.  Not really a budget reel, but the Daiwa Tatula CT comes in a 5/5:1 and the Revo X has one in that gear range also. I believe it' a 5.4:1. The Daiwa is a bit pricey, but can be had for $100 if you're willing to do some searching.

 

23 hours ago, CroakHunter said:

I think it may have been mine at one point lol

Nope, mine ?