Does a 5.1:1 gear ratio really make that big of a difference when DD cranking compared to 6.4:1?

Some difference. Also takes less line per crank so you have to crank faster. 6.X:1 is fine for me.

yes- it is much easier to crank the larger deep cranks with a 5:1.

Yes, it does. Enough for you to appreciate...? That's the "reel" question. Only one way to find out.

Yes, it does make a difference. What you are actually doing is talking about line recovery per reel handle turn. A 5.1:1 generally gets about 20-21" per reel handle turn (when the spool is full). A 6.4:1 gets about 25-26" per reel handle turn. So, 5/20 = ..25 percent difference 5/25 = .20 difference. So, going from 6.4:1 to 5.1:1 slows your retrieve by .20 or 20%. Make a 50 yard cast and you turn the 6.4:1 handle (1800") = 72 reel handle turns (assuming the reel is full). On a 5.1:1 it takes 90 reel handle turns. So, if you have arthritis in your hands, a 6.4:1 might be better. This is assuming you reel the same speed with both reels. Hope this helps.

Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

I like the fastest reel I can get. I can always reel slowly, but burning back when I get the lure out of the strike zone to recast saves time and puts me in the fish during more of my time I get to spend fishing. I have two "burners"...a Steez 7.9 and a Team Pro Lews that's 7.3. My "slower reels" are 7.1 reels. I had a 6.3 but traded it in. I felt like I was gonna get cramps reeling that reel 6000 times a day.

Respectfully disagree, but not with your explanation of line recovery. That's spot on. When it comes to deep cranking, I take the position of torque differences in reel ratio. I'd much rather prefer more reel cranks with less effort per turn vs. winching a DD in all day. The lower gear will aid in that.

You might want to check a reel's IPT(Inches Per Turn) as no matter the speed ratio the IPT plays a big role in it as well.

5.1.1 for slow deep cranks and spinners, saves my back and shoulders.

I prefer reels with a faster retrieve myself but just got a rod for deep cranking and a bunch of DD cranks and was wondering if it is much easier physically to reel them in with the 5.1. I only own 6.4 and up and it is quite a bit of work to crank'em.

Yes it is easier to crank in a deep diver with a 5-1 gear ratio reel than one with a higher speed.

Think about riding a 10 speed bike up hill. It is easier to get up hill in 1st gear than it would be in 10th gear, but you will have to pedal more times in 1st to go the same distance. It you try to pedal up hill in 10th gear you may not make it unless you have legs like the Hulk.

Interesting discussion........the one thing I've noticed in the reel market is the disappearance of the 3.8:1 cranking reel. I own a Quantum Crankin' Reel (3.8:1 ratio) that was built in the early 90's, it is based on the old 1310 MG platform. I threw big deep cranks for years with a 5.4:1 reel and about 30 minutes of that was all I could stand. With the 3.8:1 reel I could stay at it all day. The difference in feel of these two ratios is like the difference in driving your vehicle with and without power steering......I think the biggest draw back and probably the reason this ratio went away is because you really have to reel fast at first it to get the lure down...............

Wide spool Garcia has worked for me for 40 years

Not many people "get" the wide spool concept. It's not just gear ratio, as Mark said, "it's the inches per turn." When we fished the Amazon, it was like beating my head against a wall trying to explain how I could get my Wood Chopper on a 6:1 wide spool Garcia thru the strike zone faster than they could on their 7:1 Shimanos. For Peacocks, first one to the bubbles wins.

I had a green Curado with the 3.8:1 back in the day as well. It was too slow for me. I lost many fish 'cause I couldn't keep up the pressure if they ran towards me. The 5.1:1 is the perfect compromise for DD cranks, IMO.