Can anyone recommend a reel for big spinner baits?  a 5 something ratio would be good I think.  Like to keep it under 200 bucks or so.  Thanks...Joe.

Shimano Curado 200PGK - 5.0:1 - $190

There aren’t many 5.X:1 reels on the market. At the same time, a 6.X:1 is just fine for big spinnerbaits. By big, I’m talking 3/4 oz and up with two big blades.  A great value option is the revo SX gen 4. I have the 6.X:1 as a chatterbait and crankbait reel. Built tough and reels smooth. You can get them for $120 if you keep an eye out.

 

the STX gen 4 is on sale a lot of places right now. TW has them for $179 right handed (if you’re a lefty just buy it now for $129) and that’s a good price but you can get them for $150 or so on Amazon. 

 

Daiwa Tatula 150 is available in a 5.5:1 gearing and sells for around $160. You could go with a Fuego in 6.3:1 for around $100 and if you want to go lower in gear ratio you can order the 5.5 gears for around $30. It's an easy swap.  I don't have experience with other brands, but Shimano offers a Curado in 5.0:1, I think.

Abu Garcia Revo X winch in left hand retrieve (personally own) $99.97 left handed retrieve only, Abu Garcia Revo Winch gen 4 $179.97 in right hand retrieve only. Both available on the Tackle Warehouse site as of right now. 

I think for just a little more you could have a Zillion SV TW 1000P that has a 5.5 ratio.   $230 right now from Digitaka.

 

  

28 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I think for just a little more you could have a Zillion SV TW 1000P that has a 5.5 ratio.   $230 right now from Digitaka.

 

  

This is what I would do too. If not this, the Tatula 150 would be a great choice as well.

I use a twenty year old 5/1 Shimano Calcutta 200 for spinnerbaits.  It's been rebuilt at least three times. I have a dozen newer reels including two I bought last year.  None of them throw spinnerbaits better than that old work horse.  I don't argue, I ask the bass and they tell me what they want.  ☺️

7 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

 

Daiwa Tatula 150 is available in a 5.5:1 gearing and sells for around $160. You could go with a Fuego in 6.3:1 for around $100 and if you want to go lower in gear ratio you can order the 5.5 gears for around $30. It's an easy swap.  I don't have experience with other brands, but Shimano offers a Curado in 5.0:1, I think.

Daiwa Tatula 150p $138

https://discountfishingdeals.com/shop/ols/products/daiwa-tatula-tws-150p-right-hand-cranking-baitcaster-551-ratio-tat150p
 

Same website has the 6.3 gear 150 if you prefer. 

Be careful what you ask for.  I just took my Calcutta 5.3:1 out of retirement to use on a new rod and was surprised about how slow it takes in line after using reels of about 7:1.  

 

I think it might work OK for slow rolling a spinnerbait, but I think for most spinnerbait use I'd like more ratio.  

Coming from a Shimano guy I like my Abu Winches. I’m using them for crankbaits on moderate rods. Have no complaints on the product or my results fishing them. I’ve been keeping them dry, clean and lubed. Try to catch them on sale. 

3 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

I use a twenty year old 5/1 Shimano Calcutta 200 for spinnerbaits.  It's been rebuilt at least three times. I have a dozen newer reels including two I bought last year.  None of them throw spinnerbaits better than that old work horse.  I don't argue, I ask the bass and they tell me what they want.  ☺️

 

I use sort of the same for spinner baits.... except I have a 251. Great reel. It will probably out last me.

I have 2 Curado 5.1:1 reels.  I use them for pulling 7 bladed, 3 baited Arigs.  Anything else wears me out.

The Tatula 150 at 5.5 to 1 or the Lews BB1. Which is 5.4 to 1 but has a 26 inches per turn ratio.  I like both equally.

 

The Lews BB1 is rated at 21 IPT. The lews Tournament MP in 5.6:1 is also good at 23 IPT. I think the BB1 has been discontinued but you can still find them .

My screw up. 5:1 and 21 ipt

Think there are a lot of good suggestions here. I went with Abu Winch because of some reviews and a little research. I'm sure a Shimano 5 ratio or a Daiwa tricked out to have a 5 gear ratio (that sounds really cool by the way) or a Lew's BB1 are all great. 

 

I would not settle for anything greater than a 5 gear ratio. I think you are very right in searching for that speed. Reason becomes apparent when you slow roll, use spinnerbaits with a lot of vibration and torque, or throw spinnerbaits for hours on end. I absolutely used to be able to throw solely spinnerbaits for 7-8 hours with no fatigue. Also, spinnerbaits really do shine sometimes on a slow speed and using a slow reel makes it all the easier to be somewhere in the ballpark of what the fish want.

 

I don't burn spinnerbaits fast enough to warrant any faster reel. I've burned the spinnerbaits I use on my Winch just fine. 

Tatula 150 is fantastic reel for what you want to do.

I use a Shimano Curado CU 201 B 38 That works very well for that & deep diving crank baits.

22 hours ago, MickD said:

Be careful what you ask for.  I just took my Calcutta 5.3:1 out of retirement to use on a new rod and was surprised about how slow it takes in line after using reels of about 7:1.  I think it might work OK for slow rolling a spinnerbait, but I think for most spinnerbait use I'd like more ratio.  

 

At one time, a 5/1 reel was considered High Speed.  Faster is not always better, especially when it comes to fishing.  You will catch bigger bass with a slower moving bait than a fast one. ☺️

My favorite reel for this is an OG purple Alphas, 5.8:1 or around 22-23 IPT. 

16 minutes ago, Catt said:

? Shimano with Big Game on it?

15 minutes ago, Spankey said:

? Shimano with Big Game on it?

 

Calcutta 50A 5.0:1 ?

The 50 size Calcuttas are special reels.