Hey guys just curious how much of a role gear ratio plays when crankin baits around the 6 ft mark. Ive heard lower ratio is great for deep crankin and a little higher for shallow but I wasn't quite sure where the line is really drawn if there is one at all. Im using a lot of rapala dt 6 crankbaits but I also use dt 4 and dt 10 as well. which ratio would you guys recomend for that range? Im looking at a revo stx 6:4:1 or revo winch 5:4:1

I prefer 6 and above

i like the 6.3:1 Citica.

Its a good medium for what i do..whether i need to speed to it up during active feeding time or slow it down in cold water situations like we have now.

You are correct that a lower gear ratio is needed for deeper diving cranks as it takes longer to reach the effective depth. Too fast of a ratio will leave you in your target range for less amount of time.

Since you are only diving to 6ft, it won't take very long to reach the desired depth. Having a slower gear isn't as big of a concern.

However, what is a concern is the tuning of the crankbait, meaning the speed at which they are tested and made to work correctly at. Most cranks are tuned at 5.x:1, so they are made to work correctly at this speed. The effect of your gear ratio on the correct tuning of your crank depends on the maker, but I have found that when using a 6.x:1 and above makes the wobble and correct swim pattern alter and lessen the imitation of the shad, causing less strikes.

IMO, you can't go wrong with purchasing the 5.x:1 now to use at 6ft cause when the deeper cranking season comes, you'll want the slower speed anyway.

I think either ratio would be fine. I do most of my crankin at 0-6 and use a 6:3.1 but have used a 7:1.1 and a 5:4.1. at these depths i dont think gear ratio is that important. would you be using the reel for any other application or just crankin?

Another option is to add a longer handle to a higher ratio reel for more leverage

I think either ratio would be fine. I do most of my crankin at 0-6 and use a 6:3.1 but have used a 7:1.1 and a 5:4.1. at these depths i dont think gear ratio is that important. would you be using the reel for any other application or just crankin?

pretty much just crankin. and also the rod it would be on is a 7,6 bps johnny morris elite

IMO,  6 something to 1.  5 is too slow for me.  It's easier to slow down than speed up.  For instance,  recently here in MN my fishing partner and I have been fishing different sorts of cranks.  Typically this is the time of year to slow down here.  However,  for some reason the fish have been wanting them burned.  Reeling a 7 to 1 reel fast and a 6.2 to 1 super fast.  Fast enough were a 5 som. to 1 reel wouldn't cut.

never gotten this. couldn't you just reel slower if you had a 6 to 1 reel and wanted to fishin a deep crank? even a high speed like a 7 to1, couldn't you just reel slower?

never gotten this. couldn't you just reel slower if you had a 6 to 1 reel and wanted to fishin a deep crank? even a high speed like a 7 to1, couldn't you just reel slower?

It requires more torque (strength, effort, however you put it) to crank a higher ratio reel. Many folks get fatigued after cranking big, deep diving baits for a while.

You are correct that a lower gear ratio is needed for deeper diving cranks as it takes longer to reach the effective depth. Too fast of a ratio will leave you in your target range for less amount of time.

You might be a little confused about the gear ratio, because your comment doesn't make sense.

Having your crank in the target area is the benefit of having a higher gear ratio. The downside is that it will wear you out and in situations where you need to slow down is when the lower gear ratio reels shine

Personally,  I've never been "wore out".  My problem is keeping focused on reeling slower when its needed.  That being said I would still take a faster reel over a slower one.  The last 5 to 1 reel I owned drove me nuts because it seemed so slow to me.  Its all about personal preference!

i use a curado 5.0:1 for shallow and deep cranks,  got 2 of those reels and my deep crank rod has one along with my shallow crank rod has one.

My vote for shallow to mid depth cranks is 6.4:1.  I use to use slower reels for all my cranking, but 6 foot even up to 12 foot cranks don't put up that much resistance that a 6.4:1 gear ratio will wear you out.  I found that that is easier to slow down with a faster reel than to try to burn a bait in with a 5:1. 

It will also make fishing jerkbaits and spinnerbaits a lot easier, should the need arise.

For deep cranks however you will have to pry the slower Winch mounted on a 7'11 custom cranking rod from my hands.

Get the 6:4, I throw alotta bandit 200's at that depth and much prefer my 6:3.1 revo for this. If your cruising down a bank casting at shallow cover and fighting a fish in close quarters you will at times need to take up line quickly, the 5 wont cut it.

Also note that the 5. reel is limited in what it can do.

me personally would go with a 7.1.1 for shallow cranks i consider shallow cranks anything under 10 ft