Anyone have ideas for a good cranking reel under $200 and the. A good rod to match up with that also under $200

Doesn’t need to be specifically for cranking just a low gear ratio

Reels:

Daiwa Tatula 100 6.3:1

Shimano SLX-XT 6.3:1

 

Rods

Any M/M or MH/M from St Croix, Dobyns, Phenix, Daiwa, Shimano

Lewis Kvd reel I don’t remember if it’s 6.3-1 or 6.5-1 they have multiple ratios, 6th Sense mfer series rod I went with a shorter length personal preference they have different lenghts.. The crank bait rod works great for cranks, chatter baits, jerbaits, and top water you can obviously use it for other stuff but they have other options for other techniques. I have mine paired with reaction tackle 60lb braid, 1-3ft suffix yellow fluro 10-15lb as a leader if I feel I need it. I use it a ton. Haven’t had a single issue. I fish it for hours at a time the pairing is very comfortable, casts well, good sensitivity and I don’t recall loosing a fish on it yet. Cranks and walking top water are 2 of my absolute favorite ways to fish.

A Daiwa Fuego 6.3:1 paired with a StCroix Mojo MH/M crank rod will get you where you want to be.

Daiwa Tatula 100 6.3

Shimano SLX XT 6.3

 

Dobyns Kaden 734CB

NFC Edge Delta 705Hybrid

Megabass Levante Flatside Special

Dobyns Maverick 705CB

Lew's Tournament 

TS1SMP

5.6:1 ratio

 

Rod would depend on what ya cranking, shallow or deep.

I like Catt's answer. Also I like a something sub 6:1 for cranking.....less wear on you with bigger baits and most of us are notorious for going too fast turning the handle so that 22-24 ipt is a big difference when you think about most are now 27-32 ipt. And for cranking, find something in a composite, or a "softer " action graphite rod. Cranking doesn't need a $200 rod, you're better off with a slower action rod.

Any and all cranking or preferred depth range/tactic?

 

You’ll want low gears (5.x) for deep, standard gears (6.x) for wakebaits down to 6’, and I like high speed  (7.x on lipless) to recover line quick after snapping it through grass.

 

If I’m picking just one, it would be a 6.x gear ratio. 

Pretty much what @MN Fisher said but I'd add Cashion to the rod list and Lew's Tournament Pro and Speed Spool 6:8 reels to the list. Then just pick up 200 yards of 15lb fluoro, throw half of it on the reel and save half for later. The Tatula 100 and new 100 SV coming out also look very good for reels. Rod wise I'm partial to Dobyn's for crankbait rods and have been using 2 of the 3 Kaden rods and have been very happy with both of them, but those other brands are mostly the 'usual suspects' that I'd be looking at. Sadly I don't own any Shimano rods...I think their spinning reels are some of the best out there and the Shimano rods I've held also seemed like they were very high quality, but I fish in a kayak and prefer a better warranty so usually stick to St Croix, Dobyns and Cashion when I'm looking at rods (although Phenix also seems to have a similar warranty so have been looking at them a bit lately too). The 6'10 Kaden is a fine jerkbait rod and also good for poppers and smaller crankbaits. For larger ones I like the KD 735CB.  Between the two you've pretty much got everything except really big deep divers covered.