I need to buy a new reel for a big cranking rod that I have.  This rod pulls duty as a deep diving crankbait rod.  But it will also be my rippin' stick for big jerkbaits.  

I need to buy a reel for it.  I know a slower reel is preferred for working big cranks, but I prefer a faster reel.  I'm sort of torn as to what I should get.  I'm wondering what speed everyone else is using, and what their preference is (and why).  

I checked 5:3.1 I have no experience with the 4 to ones so I am no help there

Fishing a lot of Rapala DT's gave me an appreciation for the 5 to's over the 6 to's because it was easier once down to the depth to keep it moving at the right speed with the least amount of strain

Micro I also rarely, very rarely fish water over 20 ft. deep

my cranking rod is a 6'6" med trigger with a 5.3:1 Trion

Curado 200E5.

Give it some consideration.  

I use a 4.7:1 for any and all deep crankin' and I use a 7.1:1 for all my jerkbaits. I guess if I had to pick one to do both as effectively as possible I'd go with something in the 5.4 range, leaning more toward the slower side of things.

I would go with the 5:3 reel.  I use a 4:7 for my deep divers and a 5:3 for the remaining treble hooks.  It is easy to fish buzz baits on my 5:3 without any fatigue, so speeding up a little is no problem.  To go deeper with out fatigue just slow down a little.  The difference between a 5:3 to a 7:1 is roughly 8" per turn, give or take an inch or so for reel size.  The difference between a 6:3 and 5:3 is about 4-5" per turn, now think how fast you reel typically when the reel is taking up 23" per turn (5:3) and the 6:3 is taking up 28" per turn, you see that it would take right at 1/8 turn to make up the difference in speed, not that significant.  I find it easier to speed up my retrieve rather than slowing it down.

I like 5:3 for everything. The only exception is topwater 7:1. {jerk baits,buzzbaits,sammys,poppers.}Thats because I wont crank myself to death with any topwater like I would plowing through water with a diver.

I know you tried the Curado DPV and Winch... How about giving the new E5 a try?

Micro the Crazy Cranker has your name on it.

The 5:1 is my first choice with the 6:1 a close second.

If you would consider a round reel, take a look at the CTE200GT.

The reel is 5.0:1, a pleasure to fish and indestructible. I have two

and would be glad to send you one if you want to try it out before

making your decision. The reels are 5 and 4 years old, were serviced

by Reel Mech earlier this year and are 10/10 aesthetically and mechanically.

They are not for sale, but you can keep one as long as you like.

-Kent

I chose 5:1...that's what I use....don't do much deep crankin but it is well suited for all my needs

Micro,

My TD-Z 100M takes care of all of my cranking with a 5.8:1 ratio. This version of the TD-Z has the longer handle (90mm, I think) which seems to make a significant difference in having enough 'power' for deep cranks and not wearing you out.

I'll throw out the same offer as RoadWarrior-I have one just sitting around...if you want to give it a test drive, say the word.

FD

Deep cranking for me is 12'-16' deep. When I'm using my DD-14's and similar diving crankbaits I use my Revo SX 6.4:1 with no problems.

Falcon

If you would consider a round reel, take a look at the CTE200GT.

The reel is 5.0:1, a pleasure to fish and indestructible. I have two

and would be glad to send you one if you want to try it out before

making your decision. The reels are 5 and 4 years old, were serviced

by Reel Mech earlier this year and are 10/10 aesthetically and mechanically.

They are not for sale, but you can keep one as long as you like.

-Kent

That's an incredible offer and I appreciate it very much.  But I just sold my last EXT round reel, and have retired my remaining C4s.  I'm going go to all LP reels for my bass fishing.  

Micro,

My TD-Z 100M takes care of all of my cranking with a 5.8:1 ratio. This version of the TD-Z has the longer handle (90mm, I think) which seems to make a significant difference in having enough 'power' for deep cranks and not wearing you out.

I'll throw out the same offer as RoadWarrior-I have one just sitting around...if you want to give it a test drive, say the word.

FD

Man, this site never ceases to amaze me.  I appreciate the offer.  I'd love to try a TD-Z, but I just can't bring myself to take one on loan.  Only because I don't think I could be generous enough to make the same offer.  Besides, If I knicked it I'd feel terrible.

Never used a 4:1 ratio so i chose 5:1

I have 2 Pflueger Trions that are 4.3:1, I use them for cranking and slow rolling spinnerbaits, suits me just fine.

Micro,

My TD-Z 100M takes care of all of my cranking with a 5.8:1 ratio. This version of the TD-Z has the longer handle (90mm, I think) which seems to make a significant difference in having enough 'power' for deep cranks and not wearing you out.

I'll throw out the same offer as RoadWarrior-I have one just sitting around...if you want to give it a test drive, say the word.

FD

Man, this site never ceases to amaze me. I appreciate the offer. I'd love to try a TD-Z, but I just can't bring myself to take one on loan. Only because I don't think I could be generous enough to make the same offer. Besides, If I knicked it I'd feel terrible.

Understood. If you change your mind, just shoot me a PM.

I just ordered the Daiwa Zillion Crazy Cranker.

I would (do) use a 5.1 .  If you ever get a chance to try an old 3.8 to 1 Quantum Crankin' reel, please do so. It makes a dd22 feel like a zara spook!  The drawback is that your wrist gets dizzy after a couple of hours. Hmmm - a battery powered 3.8....i think i'm on to something..

I'm in the same boat Micro.

I'm torn between the revo winch & the crazy cranker.

I'd probably have bought the Curado E5 if they had a left hand model.

BPS has a David Fritts bc reel also for only $89.00

but only in a right hand model

No love for lefites:(

I have 2 Pflueger Trions that are 4.3:1, I use them for cranking and slow rolling spinnerbaits, suits me just fine.

I have owned many Trion Baitcasats, my single favorite reel. They do not come in 4.3:1 toi the best of my knowledge the lowest ratio the come in is 5.2:1

This has been the Trion lineup for a long time now:

PFLTrionLP 160/12 6.3:1

PFLTrionPL* 160/12 6.3:1

PFLTrionLPCR 160/12 5.2:1

PFLTrionNLP 130/12 6.3:1

The Round Trions are 5.1:1 and 5.2:1

The only issued I had with the Winch was that mine didn't cast lighter baits all that well - at least not as well as my other Revos.  It cast heavy baits very well.  DD22s it would cast a mile.   And all that was fine since it was primarily a heavier bait reel.  But I wanted the versatility of being able to handle a wider range of baits.  In this respect, I thought my Curado 200DPV was better.  The ONLY thing I didn't like about the Curado was the size.  I think the Winch would make a great swimbait reel.

I just ordered the Daiwa Zillion Crazy Cranker.

Atta boy!!  

I haven't bought a cranking reel since the old shimano 200 5.1:1 reels.  The zillion crazy cranker has to be good because the rest of them are fabulous.