what reel ratio is best for crank baits?

I prefer a 5:4:1

6.3:1 (or similar) is a good all around gear ratio. I like it for most all my cranking. Except for deep divers like, DD22, 6XD, etc. where I prefer a 5.3:1 (or similar) ratio.

correct me if Im wrong but the the faster you reel the deeper it goes correct? so I dont understand not using a faster reel?

Not necessarily. It might achieve maximum depth a little quicker. But if you got too fast some baits will blowout or roll over. Think of the gear ratio as if you were pulling your boat. Would you rather pull your boat with a sports car or a truck? It's more about the torque. The lower gear ratio reels can crank the bigger deep diving crankbaits with less effort.

You are better off getting a properly designed rod that allows you to make farther casts. The longer the cast you can make helps you achieve deeper depths along with line size. The smaller the line the less diameter thus less drag. You will get deeper with 10# or 12# line than with 17# or 20# for example.

In the end it's all about preference and what you have confidence in.

The slower speed is easier on your wrist over the course of a long day of cranking deep baits.

im lost

I've tried it with 7.1:1 and it works but a 5.4:1 was much easier to crank if you are going to spend much time doing it. I'll use the faster reels for about anything but I like the slower ones for something that is going to have resistance to it. More torque is better.

so on the deeper divers do yall reel it faster at first to get it down then slow down the retrieve for the rest of the way in?

Lower ratio reels keep your baits down longer and are preferred for crankbaits, higher ratio reels are better for getting your bait back to the bout faster for more casts....those are ideal in pitching, worms, jigs etc...

~30 inches per crank is ideal for me when pulling a big crankbait. I prefer a Curado 300E for monster cranks like a 10XD. Shallower cranking, a Curado 200I is my go-to. It is a 6.3:1. I have had some success with higher speed reels for deep cranking, but it will wear you out. Keith Combs uses a 7:1 for deep cranks, KVD uses a 6.2:1. The Curado 200PG is going to wear you out the least, with the 5.4:1 ratio, but I like a faster reel for fighting fish once hooked.

I use a 6-1 for mid and shallow cranks and a 5-1 for deep cranks.

5.4 to 6.2 is what I like

A lot of people who want to make cranking as easy as they can use lower gear ratios because it's much easier to fish a deep crank bait with the added torque of a lower speed reel.

A lot of people who catch good fish on crank baits do not use lower speed reels, do some research as to what the pros who are known to catch big sacks on deep cranks use.


No pain, no gain...

There is an optimum speed in which a crank bait will dive its deepest and for most crank baits that will be a medium slow retrieve.