I'm overwhelmed by all the different reel choices Shimano has. Can someone help me out? I want to get a reel for cranking. Right now its going on a medium moderate rod, but may end up on a medium heavy moderate. 

Spinning or casting?  I am assuming casting. I just bought a tranx 151. I haven’t got to try it out yet.  I’d say look in the 150-200 range for a good casting reel. I am just a tranx guy from the years of musky fishing. 
 

spinning I tend to go in the lower end. I run Sahara’s. 

Really liking the Shimano Bantam MGL A Casting Reel BANTAM150A

Have it on a MH/M St Croix Big Cranker rod

A-Jay

What’s your budget? I’d say anything with a 6 speed or 5 speed gear ratio would be suitable for cranking. 

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Really liking the Shimano Bantam MGL A Casting Reel BANTAM150A

Have it on a MH/M St Croix Big Cranker rod

A-Jay

What he said.  I have both the rod and the reel but currently I have the Bantam on a Loomis IMX 903 CBR for square bills and an old Shimano Calcutta TE 101GT on the same St. Croix rod.

I like something in a  5 gear ratio for cranking.

 

Curado 200/201 PG

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-SHIMNOREEL.html?from=basres

 

Engetsu 100/101 PG

https://www.ebay.com/p/1581693699

 

Engetsu BB 100/101 PG

https://www.ebay.com/itm/372562302110

 

Bantam PG

https://www.ebay.com/p/25013896721

 

I know you are looking for Shimano, but these reels may be worthy of consideration,  I had the previous generation Winch which was a great cranking reel but it was bulky and wide making it uncomfortable for me, this one has a new more ergonomic frame. The Catalina with its 4:9:1 is a big bait workhorse.

 

Abu Garcia Winch 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Revo_Winch_LP_Casting_Reels/descpage-RWINSC.html

 

Daiwa Catalina

https://jdmtackleheaven.com/collections/daiwa-catalina-tw

Daiwa 21 Zillion SV TW 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133638115841

 

Daiwa 18 Steez a TW 1016l- Crazy Cranker 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265749782184?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=Ad5pg_F2nrh1as8yCg5J7spejcbdm-pPVDZAPCDgAOAO4Uvd2dbBFf0yT5g

9 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Really liking the Shimano Bantam MGL A Casting Reel BANTAM150A

Have it on a MH/M St Croix Big Cranker rod

A-Jay

I have the same exact rod just in the medium.

5 hours ago, SproDD79 said:

I like something in a  5 gear ratio for cranking.

 

Curado 200/201 PG

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Curado_200K_Casting_Reels/descpage-CRDK.html?from=gshop

 

Engetsu 100/101 PG

https://www.ebay.com/p/1581693699

 

Engetsu BB 100/101 PG

https://www.ebay.com/itm/372562302110

 

Bantam PG

https://www.ebay.com/p/25013896721

 

I know you are looking for Shimano, but these reels may be worthy of consideration,  I had the previous generation Winch which was a great cranking reel but it was bulky and wide making it uncomfortable for me, this one has a new more ergonomic frame. The Catalina with its 4:9:1 is a big bait workhorse.

 

Abu Garcia Winch 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Revo_Winch_LP_Casting_Reels/descpage-RWINSC.html

 

Daiwa Catalina

https://jdmtackleheaven.com/collections/daiwa-catalina-tw

Daiwa 21 Zillion SV TW 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133638115841

I'm open to Daiwa. I'm just confused at the difference between everything. I just need a left handed low gear ratio cranking reel. If you had to pick one or two of these which would you pick??

14 hours ago, ckurdziel said:

I'm overwhelmed by all the different reel choices Shimano has. Can someone help me out? I want to get a reel for cranking. Right now its going on a medium moderate rod, but may end up on a medium heavy moderate. 

Shimano Conquest 100

https://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-calcutta-conquest-100-200-baitcasting-reels.html

On 1/28/2023 at 1:57 PM, ckurdziel said:

I have the same exact rod just in the medium.

I'm open to Daiwa. I'm just confused at the difference between everything. I just need a left handed low gear ratio cranking reel. If you had to pick one or two of these which would you pick??

If I had to pick one for overall cranking,  I would do the Bantam PG , it's 5:5:1 , it's built like a tank, casts anything 3/8 oz and up a mile and it's super smooth. The newer  BANTAM151A is 6:2:1 which will definitely work for cranking and comes in lefty. I use the the BANTAM151XGA  for heavy duty applications and love it. The Bantam PGs are getting harder to come by, if you are actively searching the internet , sometimes a good deal may come up on the Bantam PGs , when the exchange rate was  really favorable towards the dollar, I picked up 2 Bantam PGs for around $170 each. Really anything 6:2:1 or under should work for a majority of cranking situation's. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Bantam_MGL_A_Casting_Reel/descpage-BNTA.html

 

https://www.digitaka.com/item/5/4/2/4969363038562

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312219485723?epid=28013904636&hash=item48b1bb461b:g:dokAAOSwRHtbeZB5&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8PtZSDw0iDeyppRRulvPPKg3pOEBCdv0CCygWzhMPWhbEuGGwY4wqhkIlQljBL%2BS58faaej%2BySOfwbm3BTHeMAxbtMiEf%2FyMglRWE1Gt6nZDm4OKfKdKmhu7PK26xVQ7GQqhrva1OM8fFSc67Z4L%2BVeU3qhiQ3vpFskr%2Bt8uu2bgV7wwK2Uaggnj4xZxLuxp0fGVNdDTAx%2FybtFS4HdnBspD7ck09GdcyBH6NB35eW3xSetzN2afnBjAZt9I8R05nQ3UKUJ0dMj%2F6j7yh2qn2K9cBxIe2MtEHSuitVmZ4w6kH7ar9QfCqngumS6nzyvyGg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4iP2Ka_YQ

 

 

On 1/28/2023 at 2:13 PM, SproDD79 said:

If I had to pick one for overall cranking,  I would do the Bantam PG , it's 5:5:1 , it's build like a tank, casts anything 3/8 oz and up a mile and it's super smooth. The newer  BANTAM151A is 6:2:1 which will definitely work for cranking and comes in lefty. I use the the BANTAM151XGA  for heavy duty applications and love it. The Bantam PGs are getting harder to come by, if you are actively searching the internet , sometimes a good deal may come up on the Bantam PGs , when the exchange rate was  really favorable towards the dollar, I picked up 2 Bantam PGs for around $170 each. Really anything 6:2:1 or under should work for a majority of cranking situation's. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Bantam_MGL_A_Casting_Reel/descpage-BNTA.html

 

https://www.digitaka.com/item/5/4/2/4969363038562

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312219485723?epid=28013904636&hash=item48b1bb461b:g:dokAAOSwRHtbeZB5&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8PtZSDw0iDeyppRRulvPPKg3pOEBCdv0CCygWzhMPWhbEuGGwY4wqhkIlQljBL%2BS58faaej%2BySOfwbm3BTHeMAxbtMiEf%2FyMglRWE1Gt6nZDm4OKfKdKmhu7PK26xVQ7GQqhrva1OM8fFSc67Z4L%2BVeU3qhiQ3vpFskr%2Bt8uu2bgV7wwK2Uaggnj4xZxLuxp0fGVNdDTAx%2FybtFS4HdnBspD7ck09GdcyBH6NB35eW3xSetzN2afnBjAZt9I8R05nQ3UKUJ0dMj%2F6j7yh2qn2K9cBxIe2MtEHSuitVmZ4w6kH7ar9QfCqngumS6nzyvyGg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4iP2Ka_YQ

 

 

Sweet! So you think this one will pair up well the throw lipless, DT 6, DT 8 on a medium rod (smaller crankbaits)?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312219485723?epid=28013904636&hash=item48b1bb461b:g:dokAAOSwRHtbeZB5&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8PtZSDw0iDeyppRRulvPPKg3pOEBCdv0CCygWzhMPWhbEuGGwY4wqhkIlQljBL%2BS58faaej%2BySOfwbm3BTHeMAxbtMiEf%2FyMglRWE1Gt6nZDm4OKfKdKmhu7PK26xVQ7GQqhrva1OM8fFSc67Z4L%2BVeU3qhiQ3vpFskr%2Bt8uu2bgV7wwK2Uaggnj4xZxLuxp0fGVNdDTAx%2FybtFS4HdnBspD7ck09GdcyBH6NB35eW3xSetzN2afnBjAZt9I8R05nQ3UKUJ0dMj%2F6j7yh2qn2K9cBxIe2MtEHSuitVmZ4w6kH7ar9QfCqngumS6nzyvyGg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4iP2Ka_YQ

My vote is also for the Bantam PG.

Its a smooth casting, smooth retrieving reel. I still have two in my lineup.

I prefer them over my Conquest 100 and Calcutta 100D reels. 

12 minutes ago, ckurdziel said:

Sweet! So you think this one will pair up well the throw lipless, DT 6, DT 8 on a medium rod (smaller crankbaits)?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312219485723?epid=28013904636&hash=item48b1bb461b:g:dokAAOSwRHtbeZB5&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8PtZSDw0iDeyppRRulvPPKg3pOEBCdv0CCygWzhMPWhbEuGGwY4wqhkIlQljBL%2BS58faaej%2BySOfwbm3BTHeMAxbtMiEf%2FyMglRWE1Gt6nZDm4OKfKdKmhu7PK26xVQ7GQqhrva1OM8fFSc67Z4L%2BVeU3qhiQ3vpFskr%2Bt8uu2bgV7wwK2Uaggnj4xZxLuxp0fGVNdDTAx%2FybtFS4HdnBspD7ck09GdcyBH6NB35eW3xSetzN2afnBjAZt9I8R05nQ3UKUJ0dMj%2F6j7yh2qn2K9cBxIe2MtEHSuitVmZ4w6kH7ar9QfCqngumS6nzyvyGg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4iP2Ka_YQ

Yes,I think think the Bantam would pair well with those lures, but nothing lighter, I tried throwing 1/4 oz traps on it and I had to do a lot of adjusting and it just didn't seem like the right tool for the job, that's where the Engestsu 101 PG came into play. Watch out with this cranking business , it can be like going down a rabbit hole, I have way too many cranking rods and reels then I need and yet I am always on the lookout for new and improved cranking equipment. 

39 minutes ago, SproDD79 said:

Yes,I think think the Bantam would pair well with those lures, but nothing lighter, I tried throwing 1/4 oz traps on it and I had to do a lot of adjusting and it just didn't seem like the right tool for the job, that's where the Engestsu 101 PG came into play. Watch out with this cranking business , it can be like going down a rabbit hole, I have way too many cranking rods and reels then I need and yet I am always on the lookout for new and improved cranking equipment. 

Awesome, I just bought it. I have a Curado currently and love it. How did you find out about each type of Shimano reel? I'm looking to buy more in the future, but there's just so many models and I don't really understand the difference between them.

34 minutes ago, ckurdziel said:

Awesome, I just bought it. I have a Curado currently and love it. How did you find out about each type of Shimano reel? I'm looking to buy more in the future, but there's just so many models and I don't really understand the difference between them.

Time on this site will certainly put you around lots of knowledge, it's helped me for sure.  I have 3 jdm 18 bantams and one jdm 22 bantam.  Fantastic reels, I think you'll love it.

 

scott

1 hour ago, softwateronly said:

Time on this site will certainly put you around lots of knowledge, it's helped me for sure.  I have 3 jdm 18 bantams and one jdm 22 bantam.  Fantastic reels, I think you'll love it.

 

scott

 

1 hour ago, ckurdziel said:

Awesome, I just bought it. I have a Curado currently and love it. How did you find out about each type of Shimano reel? I'm looking to buy more in the future, but there's just so many models and I don't really understand the difference between them.

Like softwateronly said" Time on the site" is one way. Another way is the rabbit hole I spoke of, I have purchased all those cranking reels I mentioned above , none at full retail price by the way, I don't have the new Winch yet,  but when I find a good deal on it,  i'm probabaly going to add it to the collection, but info from the site (this is a wonderful place)often influences my purchase decisions. One other way is fishing buddies who share the same interest in fishing tackle you do, spending time on the water with them chasing green and brown fish can teach you quite a bit as well. Good luck with the Bantam PG, I'm sure you'll love it.

the 22 bantam has the power the infinity drive is underrated