Based on your experience what is the best gear ratio to look for when buying a reel for crankbaits?

Thanks

It depends on water depth. Alot of people I know use 6.2:1 reels for Lipless cranks and shallow crankbaits and use 5.3:1 for mid to deep divers. I use a Shimano Citica w/ a 5.1:1 reel for cranking except for lipless cranks in which I use a Shimano Curado w/ a 6.2:1 gear ratio. The 5.1:1 makes cranking deep divers less of a chore and is easier on ur arm and wrist.

Some say use the 3.8/1 for crankbaits.  I bought one and hated it.  I bought a set of gears and changed it to 6/1.  I can always slow down.

6.2.1 Abu Garcia Ambassedeur 1003LP

All my deep cranks are winched in with a 4.7:1 reel. I throw deep cranks alot and sometimes all day long. The slower gear ratio really helps the fatigue factor and I have a better bite ratio with a slower geared reel. If you're serious about crankin' deep, I would at least give one a try. It will feel really weird at first but give it a chance, you'll be glad you did.

I use the David Fritts crankin' reel (4.7:1) for all deep cranks....it doesnt have the instant anti-reverse like all the newer reels because its a true crankbait reel....you can use a little play in the handle once a big one jumps on your crankbait, trust me.

not to thread jack but i can get a good deal on the older green curado with the 3.8:1 gear ratio like $60. that slow of a ratio seems pretty slow but I am trying to use more crankbaits than I have in the past so I am trying to get set up. has anyone used a reel that slow and did you like it. I do tend to crank a little fast so it might be the ticket. other wise I have two reels with the 5.1:1 gear ratio that I use for cranks.

kms399, I use to own the same curado w/ the 3.8:1 gear ratio. Personally I didn't like it at all. It was waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy to slooooooooooooow for me.  I'm sticking w/ the 5.1:1 Citica.

I used a 3.8 Curado until it broke down then I moved up just a little into the 4 range....obviously the 3.8 is really slow but if you can get one for $60 bucks, I'd at least try it out. If you dont like it, trade it for something in the 4 range....there's always somebody somewhere looking for an old green Curado.

I like the cranking ranges from 3.8:1 up to the 5.0:1, just depends on how deep i'm trying to get.

Tight Lines All!!!

I agree with Fivebasslimit, the David Fritts 4.7:1 is perfect for me. The 3.8:1 Curado was just not fast enough to get the big crankbaits down, and a lot of effort to keep them there. The 4.7:1 works very well for me......................Al

The IPT of the David Fritts sig reel is the same as the 5.1 Curado (they both retrieve 23" per turn) - - - so check out the IPT to really compare retrieve speeds.

I fish deep cranks a lot, and don't like reels any slower than those - - - I feel like I lose contact with the bait too much.  These are a happy medium for winching.      

The IPT of the David Fritts sig reel is the same as the 5.1 Curado (they both retrieve 23" per turn)

The Fritts reel that I use is 21" IPT (4.7:1)  

The IPT of the David Fritts sig reel is the same as the 5.1 Curado (they both retrieve 23" per turn)

The Fritts reel that I use is 21" IPT (4.7:1)  

Oops!  Correct comparison, wrong number -- -- the Curado 5.1 is also 21" IPT   (not 23")