I recently picked up a G Loomis imx pro crankbait rod. It casts 1/4-5/8oz, and I’m looking for a reel to pair it with.

I’ve considered a Daiwa Zillion, but I’m concerned that I won’t be able to find another use for a reel with a gear ratio as low as that of the Zillion (5.5:1). And spending 320 bucks on a reel that i can only use for crankbait fishing once in a blue moon is not worth it for me really.

So is the Zillion only usable for crank bait fishing or would I be able to use it comfortably for other stuff like fishing topwater, jerkbaits and paddle tails?

If not, I would love some recommendations on reels that fit the casting weight but can be used more diversely.

Thanks in advance

The Diawa zillion 5.5:1 that I found is 24.2 Inches per turn.

I just bought another shimano curado mgl 151 6.2:1. This reel is super versatile 24 inches per turn. I got one for $180 brand new locally. MGL spool is great for this range and you can use it for spinner baits, crankbaits, chatterbaits almost anything really. Up until about 10 years ago a 6.1 was considered a fast speed reel. Its probably still my favorite speed to use.

I only use 5.5:1 ratio for really deep diving crankbait. For square bills and medium divers, I use a 7 :1 ratio reel that can serve other purposes.

for a 1/4-5/8 rated rod (a medium) you're talking about squarebills, divers up to a 10' range or so, and lipless crankbaits. You're not looking for a high capacity bomb them out there reel for all of that. Any bass reel you're happy with will do just fine for that application. You don't need a 5.x: ratio for those applications and I'd argue you want somthing a little quicker for some of those. Personally, I'd throw a 6 or 7 ratio reel for those applications (and do). Especially if you want this to be a versatile reel for other things too. My norm for almost every reel is a 7:1 type around 34" a turn. I go faster for bottom contact or topwaters. I have some 6: ratio reels and I'm putting one as a dedicated spinnerbait rod this year.

If you are going to buy a zillion, buy it from Japan from one of the reputable JDM sites and get it for around $250.

I'd go with a 6.2 gear on that rod, and you can use it for single hook moving baits as well.

1 hour ago, Hedgehoe said:

I recently picked up a G Loomis imx pro crankbait rod. It casts 1/4-5/8oz, and I’m looking for a reel to pair it with.

I’ve considered a Daiwa Zillion, but I’m concerned that I won’t be able to find another use for a reel with a gear ratio as low as that of the Zillion (5.5:1). And spending 320 bucks on a reel that i can only use for crankbait fishing once in a blue moon is not worth it for me really.

So is the Zillion only usable for crank bait fishing or would I be able to use it comfortably for other stuff like fishing topwater, jerkbaits and paddle tails?

If not, I would love some recommendations on reels that fit the casting weight but can be used more diversely.

Thanks in advance

That gear ratio is also good for cold water cranking, jerkbaits, and many topwaters, but I find a 6.3 more versatile.

1 hour ago, Tackleholic said:

That gear ratio is also good for cold water cranking, jerkbaits, and many topwaters, but I find a 6.3 more versatile.

I'm not even close to an expert but I bought a 6.3 reel specifically for cold water jerkbait fishing and I regret the purchase.

I over thought it as I figured I would be ultra slow in really cold water.

I wish it would pick up more line.

I just end up spinning the handle a bunch.

Just me but I'd rather have something faster.

I would go with a 6.x:1. Even though I have few slow Calcuttas, I don’t see the need anymore for slower reels, especially if its for a general purpose crankbait reel. You can take a 6.x:1 and speed it or slow it down as needed.

I also prefer 7 gears, but will be putting 5.7/5.8 reels on a few crankbait rods. This is because I have several reels in this range that I like. Pixy, Alphas, couple TD-Z reels. I can live with cranking faster if need be in order to use these reels. That ratio might have been 'fast' years ago but I don't consider that ration versatile today.

Firstly, welcome to BassResource.

The membership's already given you great advice. I use 5.x:1 gear ratio for deep crankbaits (15'+) and 6.x:1 for all others.

Best of luck picking out your reel.

As @DogBone_384 stated unless you’re fishing “deep” divers theres no need for a 5:x:x reel on that rod. Which @casts_by_fly noted that rod wouldn’t be a great choice for deep divers anyway.

On 1/29/2026 at 6:15 PM, casts_by_fly said:

for a 1/4-5/8 rated rod (a medium) you're talking about squarebills, divers up to a 10' range or so, and lipless crankbaits. You're not looking for a high capacity bomb them out there reel for all of that. Any bass reel you're happy with will do just fine for that application. You don't need a 5.x: ratio for those applications and I'd argue you want somthing a little quicker for some of those. Personally, I'd throw a 6 or 7 ratio reel for those applications (and do). Especially if you want this to be a versatile reel for other things too. My norm for almost every reel is a 7:1 type around 34" a turn. I go faster for bottom contact or topwaters. I have some 6: ratio reels and I'm putting one as a dedicated spinnerbait rod this year.

If you are going to buy a zillion, buy it from Japan from one of the reputable JDM sites and get it for around $250.

Perfect, I’ll get the 7.1.1 zillion off of DIGITAKA then. It has 29.4 inches per turn. Thanks for the in-depth answer!