Is there any advantage to throwing cranks on a casting reel or can heavier (3/8-1/2) be hard on a spinning reel?

[Ohioguy25]

Since I don’t have a dedicated cranking setup I started throwing the KVD 1.5 on my 7’1” MF Legend Tournament versatile spinning setup with a Stradic 2500.  This seems to do the job although I notice a sort of grinding friction and mild sound when reeling it in, I’m assuming this is because of the resistance given by a diving crank.

 

Is this anything to be concerned about? I really love this reel and don’t want to damage it. Also, is there anything about this setup that isn’t ideal for cranking, or any added benefit to getting a casting crank bait reel?

[flyfisher]

grinding isn't good no matter what but it is probably stressing the gears more due to the resistance.  I own multiple stradics and never use them for baits that require movement by the reel and I have yet to hear any grinding.

 

Biggest advantage to a cranking set up for me is the rod being more parabolic which helps to keep trebles hooked up and cranking reels are generally slower IPT.  For me spinning reels just feel weird, i know very scientific, when cranking constantly.  You are also put a lot of stress on the roller as opposed to the spool with a baitcaster.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

25 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Since I don’t have a dedicated cranking setup I started throwing the KVD 1.5 on my 7’1” MF Legend Tournament versatile spinning setup with a Stradic 2500.  This seems to do the job although I notice a sort of grinding friction and mild sound when reeling it in, I’m assuming this is because of the resistance given by a diving crank.

 

Is this anything to be concerned about? I really love this reel and don’t want to damage it. Also, is there anything about this setup that isn’t ideal for cranking, or any added benefit to getting a casting crank bait reel?

Cranks can be tough on reels, but that Stradic should handle a 1.5 without issues, you just have to take good care of it and keep it lubed.  Shimano uses a coating on their gears and that will wear off quicker using cranks.  The Stradic is one of the most popular reels out there.  If you go to any jetty during the spring or fall bass run in north jersey or LI you're going to see multiple guys tossing 1oz+ metal lips and darters with Stradics in current and sweep that you wont see in FW and those reels, hold up fine, you just have to maintain them.  Granted those guys are using 4 and 5k reels, but the weight of the plugs they throw is more than double.  Gear ratio plays a factor as well.  You want to the lowest ratio you can get to get max torque and the USDM Shimano reels don't cater to that at all.  

[Ohioguy25]

28 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Cranks can be tough on reels, but that Stradic should handle a 1.5 without issues, you just have to take good care of it and keep it lubed.  Shimano uses a coating on their gears and that will wear off quicker using cranks.  The Stradic is one of the most popular reels out there.  If you go to any jetty during the spring or fall bass run in north jersey or LI you're going to see multiple guys tossing 1oz+ metal lips and darters with Stradics in current and sweep that you wont see in FW and those reels, hold up fine, you just have to maintain them.  Granted those guys are using 4 and 5k reels, but the weight of the plugs they throw is more than double.  Gear ratio plays a factor as well.  You want to the lowest ratio you can get to get max torque and the USDM Shimano reels don't cater to that at all.  

Got it, sounds like I need a cranking rig. What rod/reel do you recommend?

[dodgeguy]

get a lews bbi in a 6 speed and get a 7 -2 rod with a soft tip..

[WRB]

The problems with spinning reels retrieving a water resistant lure like a crank bait are 2 fold 1) is line twist, 2) IPT is too fast. You shouldn’t reel against a fight fish with a spinning reel, drive train isn’t design for high forces.

You don’t need a high end crank bait rod imo. Any decent composite rod like KVD Lew’s series Medium Heavy power works good.

Casting reel in gear ratio 6.2:1, 1 IPT around 24” works good with shallow to medium divers. Lots of good choices depending on budget. Shimano Curado 150 MGL.

Tom 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

9 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Got it, sounds like I need a cranking rig. What rod/reel do you recommend?

To be honest for KVD 1.5s and other shallow SBs I prefer a 7' M F that has a good tip.  I like to have a little bit of rigidity to the rod when bouncing a crank off cover.  For a reel I like a lower 6 like a 6.3.  My favorite SB reel is my Met MGL.  The lighter spool helps with lighter SBs like the KVD or IMA Bill Lowen.  Obviously you don't need to spend all that money on a Met, an SLX MGL would be a good alternative.

[Ohioguy25]

10 hours ago, WRB said:

The problems with spinning reels retrieving a water resistant lure like a crank bait are 2 fold 1) is line twist, 2) IPT is too fast. You shouldn’t reel against a fight fish with a spinning reel, drive train isn’t design for high forces.

You don’t need a high end crank bait rod imo. Any decent composite rod like KVD Lew’s series Medium Heavy power works good.

Casting reel in gear ratio 6.2:1, 1 IPT around 24” works good with shallow to medium divers. Lots of good choices depending on budget. Shimano Curado 150 MGL.

Tom 

You think I’ve potentially already damaged my Stradic? Only been throwing cranks on it a few trips.

[padlin]

Try throwing something else with the setup and see of you get the “grinding”. If I throw something like a crank or similar I can feel it thru the reels, mine being Stradics, but they feel fine with other baits like t rigs. I write it off as just the way the baits feel.

[Ohioguy25]

6 hours ago, padlin said:

Try throwing something else with the setup and see of you get the “grinding”. If I throw something like a crank or similar I can feel it thru the reels, mine being Stradics, but they feel fine with other baits like t rigs. I write it off as just the way the baits feel.

Yeah I have, and only experience it with the crank so that’s good news. Gonna switch back to my Curado for my cranking setup.

[JackstrawIII]

The SLX XT is a great inexpensive option for a crankbait reel. Or something like a Lews LFS is solid if you want to go even cheaper. 

[WRB]

On 9/12/2023 at 10:35 PM, Ohioguy25 said:

You think I’ve potentially already damaged my Stradic? Only been throwing cranks on it a few trips.

No

[islandbass]

@Ohioguy25: I don’t think so. If that really damaged a Stradic, then Shimano better go back to the drawing board. 
 

I really can’t add to the great input given. I can only second what’s already been said and from personal experience, I learned that the greater resistance a lure has on the retrieve, you really “feel” or “sense” with a spinning rig, even if it has a “low” gear. 
 

I was in a situation just earlier this week where I only had a Medium spinning rig and I threw on a tandem spinnerbait and it felt like I was retrieving a boot, lol. But you use what you have on hand. 

[BeenAroundAndBack]

I've thrown cranks and spinnerbaits my whole life (40+ years of fishing) on spinning gear without problems.

 

If your reel is well built it isn't an issue and one can buy parabolic spinning rods if one feels the need.