I know there's a current discussion on slower reels going on, but I though this was a different enough question to ask from the beginning:

Does anyone use a reel with a lower gear ratio (e.g. 5.2:1) for any other application besides crankbaits? Why or why not? - Thanks

Yes...for swimbaits.  I like to have a nice steady retrieve for some swimbaits (like paddletails) and with a higher ratio reel, I would have to reel it painfully slow to get the swimbait at the speed I want.  Therefore, I went to a lower ratio reel and my problem was solved.

Spinnerbaits.

I agree spinnerbaits.

Interesting. I actually ended my season with a spinnerbait tied on my cranking rod. Liked it too. I'm just surprised because "burning" spinnerbaits seems so popular. I see how it might make soft swimbaits swim better too. This is good. Thanks!

I use low ratio reels for alot of techniques,worm'n,dropshot,carolina rigs...etc.I fish at a slower pace and like to think I'm keeping the bait in the strike zone just a tad longer.At times I'm only turning the handles an 1/8 to 1/4 turn.Also like the advantage afforded while in moderate to heavy cover.

you mentioned burning spinnerbaits being popular but slow rolling them is popular as well and easier to do with a slower ratio reel.  For plastics or jigs I like a higher ratio so I can pick up line quicker to set the hook.

buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and sometimes worms/grubs. This is the time of year to fish slower so my daiwa crazy cranker has been gettin alot of action. I plan on gettin another one so I can keep one on my crankbait rod and one on a worm rod. The crankbait rod doesnt work as well ripping spinnerbaits free from grass, I fish mostly grass bed areas.

Glad to see someone else mentioned buzzbaits. I use a 5:2 for buzzbaits often. It is amazing how slow you can effectively work a double propped buzzbait. FWIW I use my crankin stick for any reaction bait now, that means spinnerbaits, cranks, buzz's, grubs, etc.  I like the slow action that gives me the added milisecond for the fish to get the bait in its mouth.

I like them for heavy grass like Gunnersville(late summer/fall) to pull in twenty pounds of weeds with each fish. I like the Revo winch because of the 24lb drag also, for this same purpose.

Will be trying this same reel for shiner fishing early next year in Florida. Should be a good reel for this also. I like them for several methods mentioned above, but not buzzbaits. I can see buzzbaits and can tell if I need to speed up or slow down and the high speed allows to speed up easier.........Al

perfect for paddletail swimbaits like basstrix, big hammers, money minnows, etc. i also like them for lighter spinnerbaits (1/4 to 1/2 oz.).