what gear ratio do you prefer for lipless crankbaits? Jackall TN 70/LV 500. And while I'm inquiring, I might as well get your opinion on small square bills. ATV 1.5. I'll be thanking you. 

I use 6.3.1 for just about everything.

I use a 6 or 7:1. With a lipless I’m using the rod to move the bait more than the reel, so  I want something to pick up slack quick. But on the occasion when I’m not yo-yoing the bait, a 6:1 will help me slow down a little bit. I’m fine with either ratio for lipless cranks. 

I’m going to mirror @Jar11591 but I’m going to play around with a 5 speed for steady retrieves with both baits you mentioned if the weather would cooperate a bit here in Illinois.

6.3

6.x for me.

29-30ipt for both lipless and shallow cranking.

I use a 7, but would prefer an 8 (for picking up the slack)

 

The only, and i mean only way IMO to fish a lipless is to rip it out of grass and yo yo it. My 7's are often fine, but when the grass starts growing they become incompetent fast.

7.x:1. I can always reel slower if need be. 

6.3 or 6.4 with a 90mm handle.

I don't think it matters any.

A  cast bait.

B  retrieve bait 

C  yo yo bait and roll up slack.

Same for the squarebill, some days you can burn it .some days they want it slow.

 

I use 6:8 to 7:5 for everything. I believe everyone has a natural cranking cadence so to speak… What ever your comfortable cranking speed is….. I adjust the reel to match my comfort zone…. I loot at IPT too.

BPS Pro Qualifier 7.5:1 IPT 31 inches. Looking to get another faster bait caster at IPT 33 inches.

Good Fishing 

You can use a gear ratio from 5.4:1 to 6.1:1 or for a faster retrieve 7.2:1.  I am using 6.1:1 but for smaller(shallow) lipless cranks I use a spinning setup.

All my rods that throw a trap have 7ish:1 reels

7.1 on cranks and 9.1 on traps especially over weed beds.

Any gear ratio with 26” IPT for lipless crank baits. Crank the slower or faster depending on conditions.

Tom

wow, thanks for all the responses, as always, great advice. I appreciate it. Like most of you, I suspect, I don't need any more reels, I just want a couple more Shimano's. 

I’m not sure it matters to me.   I’ve been fishing them kinda like a jig lately.  Just hopping it.  

I stopped buying any BC reels with lower than 7:1 ratio. My rationalization is that I'd want to be able to use that reel for anything in my arsenal if I needed to and I can always reel slower. But get a slow reel and you can only reel so fast. But more importantly, needlessly making more effort. 

1 hour ago, the reel ess said:

I stopped buying any BC reels with lower than 7:1 ratio. My rationalization is that I'd want to be able to use that reel for anything in mt arsenal if I needed to and I can always reel slower. But get a slow reel and you can only reel so fast. But more importantly, needlessly making more effort. 

I feel the same way.   7’s is my Goldilocks ratio. 

2 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I’m not sure it matters to me.   I’ve been fishing them kinda like a jig lately.  Just hopping it.  

Me too, especially, the Jackall TN 70. thanks

I like the same speed reel for traps and chatterbaits, a 6 speed.

The majority of my reels are 6.3:1 and they get the call for most of my cranking, lipless or not. I will break out a 7+ for burning during the summer, but that technique only works a small percentage of the time. I have slower and faster ones, but they are technique specific.

On 4/2/2025 at 6:23 AM, GRiver said:

I use 6:8 to 7:5 for everything. I believe everyone has a natural cranking cadence so to speak… What ever your comfortable cranking speed is….. I adjust the reel to match my comfort zone…. I loot at IPT too.