Crankbait Reels Compared

Why Are Specialized Reels Needed for Crankbait Fishing?

Fishing with a diving crankbait is one of the few techniques in which a specialized and dedicated rod and reel make a strong impact. Reels can be split by type into three different groups: spincast, spinning, and baitcasting. Spincast reels are easy to use, tangle-free, and make a smooth cast. Line pick up rotates around a stationary spool placed inside a cylindrical covering.

Using a spinning reel for crankbait is especially recommended for beginners. These kinds of reels can perform with almost any line. However, they work their best with lightweight lines and lures. The best baitcasting reel for crankbaits should provide excellent accuracy and lure control. This kind of reel is recommended for use with heavier types of lines.

Important Specifications of Crankbait Reels

A good reel should have a high-quality brake and drag system and adequate line recovery rate. You don’t want your arms and wrists to suffer, and that’s where the torque becomes an important factor. Finally, you will want to choose an adequate line capacity for the fishing location that you have in mind.

Gear Ratio

Gear ratio marks the number of rounds the spool makes during one turn of the handle. It’s a common opinion that the best crankbait reel ratio lies in the range between 5:1 and 6.5:1. A 6:1 gear ratio means the spool makes six rounds during every round of the handle, and that is within the limits of average speed. If the spool makes five rounds instead of 6, it’s obviously the slower one.

Choosing the right gear ratio should be your starting point in search of a good reel. To decide what fits you as the best reel speed for crankbaits, it is crucial to know where you will use your gear. For example, if you want to fish in a lake with a square bill crankbait, and make use of anything there that your lure may bump into, the first thing is to get it to the bottom. Your gear ratio should be neither too fast nor too slow. A gear ratio of 6.4:1 will get your bait where you want it while giving enough speed to generate a reaction strike.

Some anglers feel that a low gear ratio helps maintain slow retrieves and that it affords more leverage when bringing in heavyweight bass. Another opinion claims that everything is just a matter of control. You could use a high-speed reel for medium and slow retrieves and have no difficulties to slow down a crankbait.

It's considered that cranking power isn't necessary because you get leverage on the bass with the rod. When a bass strikes, the slackline needs to be taken up immediately to maintain constant pressure on the fish. That can be done better with a high-speed reel, even when slow-cranking. A high-speed reel excels when you pump the rod tip since that is when the reel takes up the slack.

Line Recovery Rate

The line recovery rate is calculated in inches per turn. Once you’ve got your gear ratio right, you will want to pay attention to the other aspects to make the right combination: the design of the spool matters, as well as its size. As we had mentioned before, a large spool with a faster gear ratio will bring in more line, compared to a smaller one with the same number of rotations.

The recovery rate you need for crankbait fishing goes between 19 and 23 inches per turn of the handle. The best reel for deep diving crankbait will bring the lure fast down to the deep and keep it there during the retrieve. A higher line recovery rate will make it harder for you to slow down your handle turns.

Increased Torque

The lower gear ratio and line pickup also mean the increased torque you apply at the handle. That will downsize the effort you need to put in reeling a big crankbait and release the stress on your arms and wrists. It is essential to know when fishing with deep diving crankbaits. Larger fishing lures create more resistance, and you will want your lure to stay in the strike zone. The recommended gear ratio, in this case, will be around 5.1:1.

Casting Lightweight Crankbaits

That can be tricky with standard baitcasting gear, as it is usually not well adapted for lightweight baits. What you need is the right combination of the reel, the spool, and braking systems, together with the correct rods. To pull the line off the reel and avoid backlashes, you need to use the bait’s momentum.

Bearings

The primary purpose of the bearings is to support the spool. Adding more bearings to a reel doesn't guarantee an improvement in the performance. More bearings mean heavier reel, so even higher-end products, like some Shimano crankbait reels, come with the number of bearings cut down, and plastic bushings used instead, to reduce the weight.

What really makes an impact is the stainless steel construction, as it is corrosion resistant and ensures bearings to keep performing whatever the type of water you use them in. Still, if you fish mostly in the saltwater, you may find plastic bushing a better investment than bearings.

Line Capacity

If you want your bait to go far and deep, use a high line capacity reel. More line makes it easier to come off and helps you to cast further with less effort. You will be surprised at how much farther you can cast with a reel with more of the line. Also, pay attention to the line weight. With some exceptions, the heavier the line, the shallower bait run.

Which is better? A monofilament or a braided line? The truth is, there is no straight answer, and it depends on the sensitivity and speed of the fall you desire, as well as on the species you are fishing. Mono is the cheaper of the two but has to be changed more often because it loses effectiveness faster. UV rays and saltwater have their impact on a monoline.

Its stretch is useful for catching a fish that strikes with a lot of speed, such as a kingfish or a Spanish mackerel. It is also easier to cast and maintain a monoline on bait casters and conventional reels, and there is an advantage in its low visibility. However, the majority of the anglers prefer using braided lines on spinning reels. Initially being more expensive, it also lasts for five or more years.

Construction Quality

The material used in the manufacture of the body is one of the elements that need to be taken into consideration when buying a reel. The typically used materials are graphite and aluminum.

If you are looking for toughness, and you are not irritated by the severity of the roller, then look for an aluminum reel. If you prefer lightness, go for the graphite ones, but keep in mind that those can be a pricier choice.

High-Quality Brake & Drag System

Price & Warranty

The cheapest products are not quality products, but that doesn't mean you need to go straight to the other end of the range. Somewhere in the middle, you can always find some products with an excellent price/quality ratio. Try to stick with the products that come with any sort of a guarantee.

Typically, the manufacturer’s warranties will have them provide replacement products or refunds in case of malfunction created during the manufacturing process, or during a specific time frame of using (with exceptions of misuse). The best of the best products will usually come with full warranties or lifetime guarantees, but that mostly comes with a hefty price tag.

1. Abu Garcia Revo SX Low

2. Daiwa Tatula CT

3. Lews Fishing, Custom Pro Speed Spin

This was one of the most anticipated debuts at the 2018 ICAST Show in Orlando and the best Lew’s spinning reel for crankbaits. Twelve premium stainless steel bearings give this reel an incomparable level of smoothness. The aluminum body with a flush and drain port (available in 2000-4000 models) provides this reel with the power when you need it, while the lightweight high-strength C60 Carbon skeletal rotor and aluminum spool keeps the weight low.

High strength, precision-cut Speed Gears, and a smooth sealed carbon drag system means both power and smoothness, while a Winn® Dri-Tac handle knob enables a firm yet comfortable grip. The Custom Pro Speed Spin spinning reel is offered in four sizes. It provides everything you could want in a spinning reel at an affordable value under $150.

The Custom Pro has a superior drag system that is smooth as silk when fighting a big fish. A secure sealed carbon fiber drag system generates up to 24lb max drag. Not to worry, the reel’s aluminum frame won’t flex. Designed for freshwater use, the Custom Pro incorporates a flush and drain port that allows you to flush grit or debris out of the reel body easily.

Speed Lube provides exceptional smoothness and uninterrupted performance in all weather conditions from extreme heat to freezing cold. Durable stainless steel main shaft. Compatible with Lew's Custom Speed Shop knobs.

4. Pflueger President Pressp30x

Pflueger Spinning Reel is one of the most popular models, not the least thanks to its price point. It is designed to deliver both robustness and smoothness, for both seasoned and experienced anglers. The reel is a popular choice for freshwater, with several good reasons.

It features a durable, aircraft-grade aluminum handle, nine hardened steel ball bearings, and a bread-prepared coil. It has good quality construction, lightweight with a graphite body and rotor, which makes it both durable and light. The turn-around moment uses a one-way grip bearing, which improves wrench control. The twist prepared coil accompanies a distinctive gap design, which additionally reduces the weight.

On the downside, this reel is not the best to use in saltwater, due to no seals around the main shaft and bearings. The braid ready spool is ported and made out of solid aluminum. The series of vertical rubber grommets allow the slippery braid to be tied directly to spool, gripping it without the need for mono backing.

Sure-Click™ Heavy Duty Aluminum Bail – Pflueger’s Sure Click™ bail is constructed of heavy-duty aluminum and should prove to be stronger than previous models. The Sure Click lets you know if the bail is open and ready to cast.

Stainless Steel/Oil Felt Drag means consistent drag pressure, and resistant to corrosion. At the same time, Soft Touch Ergonomic Knob makes it easier for a user to grip the knob with simple but effective dimpled knob design, which makes it fit well on the fingertips.

5. Lews Fishing Tournament MB

The LFS platform means the MB series gets Lew’s smaller profile and reduced weight design; the reel weighs only 6.7 ounces. It also gets Lew’s innovative dual-braking MSB (Multi-Setting Brake) system, featuring both a magnetic cast control and a centrifugal braking system.

This reel for crankbaits features a single-piece aluminum frame with double anodized aluminum high capacity spool and aircraft-grade Duralumin drive gear. The palming graphite side plate is easily removable.

The premium 10 double-shielded stainless steel bearing system ensures the smoothness of the cast. Multi-Setting Brake (MSB) utilizes both an external click dial to adjust the Magnetic Brake System and an internal 4-pin position on/off Centrifugal Brake System.

The handle of the reel is bowed, lightweight, and comes with Lew's custom paddle handle knobs. It's a nice reel, a little noisy around the spool area, but a good caster. The reel fits in hand perfectly and balances very well with the rod.

It is smooth and very stable when reeling in bass or walleye. The high-speed retrieval allows maintaining the tension on the line while landing a fish and maintaining a hook set when fishing slow baits. The best Lew's crankbait reel is very lightweight and makes it's easy to spend all day fishing, without painful arms and hands as a result.

6. KastKing Royale Legend/Whitemax

This Kastking Royale reel is far from your average fishing reel. It’s a very solid built reel that performs flawlessly. The smooth action with multiple drag points let you very quickly tune your fishing and drop your lure exactly where you want it to go – every time.

KastKing® Royale Legend baitcasting reel features a 7.0:1 gear ratio, which makes it one of the best reels for deep crankbaits. 11 +1 MaxiDur shielded ball bearings for flawless, noise-free casts and retrieves, place it among the smoothest and most silent reels on our list.

Its dual brakes are featuring a finely-tuned, easily adjustable dual centrifugal and magnetic brake system. That is going to be useful for tournaments as well as for some weekend recreation trips outdoors. Low profile and lightweight baitcaster reel, the Royale Legend is ideal for fishing all-day without feeling like you've exhausted your wrist to the max.

Its sturdy and strong carbon fiber drag delivers 17.5 Ibs of trophy fish stopping pressure. Brass gears, machined aluminum spool with a stainless steel main shaft, give this fishing reel superior strength and durability. But this reel also wins in the matter of looks. The sleek low profile style in black with the chrome features and red inlay really makes this reel stand out.

The drag settings may need some adjustments, but it pays off, especially with the right bates. The Royale Legend Baitcasting Reel is one of the best models you can find. If you have an eye for detail to catch any faulty components, this choice will not disappoint you. There are a lot of features to take advantage of with this reel, and the low price of it makes it an affordable alternative to those high-end baitcasting fishing reels.

7. Abu Garcia Ambassadeur SX

Abu Garcia fishing reels are well-known by a fishing hobbyist. This brand provides a vast selection of specialized tools for every aspiring or professional angler's needs. This model offers an outstanding value of power and reliability.

This is one of the few reels to have both left-hand and right-hand models available. It is known for its power and performance. The Ambassadeur SX round bait cast reel is equipped with four stainless steel ball bearings for smoother operation, able to withstand up to 12.5 pounds of drag pressure. A 4 pin centrifugal brake makes it perfect for a variety of situations.

A recessed reel foot keeps this round baitcast reel low on the rod, making it easy to palm and cast. The addition of a compact bent handle and drag star delivers an ergonomic feel for the whole day of fishing without fatigue. Both the 5600 and 6600 sizes are available in left and right-hand models.

The multi-disc drag system offers forceful, smooth drag across the entire drag range. The 6-pin centrifugal brake applies consistent pressure for an exceptionally precise cast. Compact bent handle, recessed reel foot, and star wheel offer a comfortable feel. Crafted machined aluminum and a bent handle, bring the angler’s hands closer to the action.

8. Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast

Built for reliability and performance, the Revo® Toro S low profile baitcaster has been constructed to handle a wide variety of freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing conditions. The new ergonomic design delivers high line capacity, high max drag, and the ability to fish larger baits.

A heavy-duty gear system coupled with features like a counterbalanced power handle and a robust, externally adjustable magnetic casting brake make this fishing reel the perfect choice for hard fighting species. This reel is engineered to battle a hard pulling fish.

This top of the range beast of a reel has ample power to spare. Thanks to its large fishing line capacity, slower gear ratio, and longer handle, this heavy-duty reel can pull out the lures nearly effortlessly. You may find that your bates have a bit of a slow pace to them upon retrieve.

The reel’s 4.9:1 gear ratio on the size 50 variant of the Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast takes credit for this. The reel’s main gear aids in the smoothness of the retrieve since it’s made of brass. The system is in the knowledge as Duragear Heavy Duty. The aluminum alloy side plate and frame provide sturdiness with no flex.

Abu Garcia utilized a dual braking system in this reel, which is known as InfiniMax Braking System. It features an adjustable mag dial, combined with adjustable centrifugal brakes located on the spool’s rotor. The system works by controlling spin via moving a set of magnets either into or back away from the reel’s spool rotor.

Gear Ratio Explained for Crankbait Reels

Low Gear Ratio/Slow (5.1:1 thru 5.4:1)

Slow reels are suitable for deep crankbaits, big swimbaits, and deep water spinnerbaits. These reels have proved to be an excellent choice for big baits that pull a lot, like deep crankbaits, and for heavy and slow-rolling baits like spinnerbaits and swimbaits. During winter, when the water is cold, and bass is on guard, a slow reel will help you by keeping the bait in the strike zone.

Medium Gear Ratio/Medium (6.1:1 thru 6.4:1)

Medium gear ratio is useful for square bill crankbaits, medium depth crankbaits, and shallow spinnerbaits. These are the most popular gear ratios around, suitable for various techniques and presentations. Six and higher is the best reel ratio for crankbaits that go from 8 to 14 feet underwater. The decrease in speed creates a perfect balance between control and speed, and the 6.4:1 reel is best for fishing for aggressive fish.

High Gear Ratio/Fast (7.1:1 thru 8.1:1)

Fast reels are suitable for jigs and big worms, shaky heads, Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, topwaters, jerkbaits, and lipless crankbaits. A high gear ratio reel will help you catch the bigger fish without even any special effort. It gives you the ability to take up your slack quickly on getting a bite and gives you a solid hookset.

How to Reel a Crankbait

Make sure that your rod is on your dominant hand side. There is a certain similarity between fishing and golfing. The rod in the right hand and the hip rotation movement can help to send your bate far, in the same way, that it helps with the golfer's ball. Speaking of the rod, you need a proper one. Not every rod in your rod locker is good for the crankbait. Pick the rod with relatively slow action, the one that bends halfway down when pressured on top. Slower rods will help cast the lure further.

Use the right reel for the occasion. Unless you go for the big catch, you don’t need a fast gear ratio. If a 5:1 gear ratio can be good enough for KVD's crankbait reel, it can be good enough for you. Keep it in the middle. Choose the bait accordingly. Don't be overwhelmed with a variety of colors. The simple bates can work as well as the dazzling ones.

Pick the right line. Thinner lines are, in general, a better option for crankbaits, but they are also less resistant to abrasion. A long cast needs to cover both depth and length in the water, and your choice of a line directly affects the action of the lure and casting distance. Always learn from your mistakes. They will help you find the best combo eventually.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Can I use a spinning reel for crankbaits?

Yes, absolutely. Most of the spinning reels are a good choice for crankbait beginners. Spinning reels can outperform baitcasting reels in fishing with lightweight lures and during strong winds.

Are more ball bearings in a reel better?

Not necessarily. More ball bearings can add to smoothness and stability. On the other hand, depending on the material they are made of, such reels may not be suitable for use in saltwater.

What do the numbers mean on fishing reels?

The numbers are essential for picking the right reel. They mark the gear ratio, which determines the number of rotations the spool makes with each turn of the handle, and IPT, the sum of inches the line is retrieved per turn.

How fast should I retrieve crankbait?

The most effective retrieve with a crankbait is: as fast as you can. Practice some of the best techniques, like "burn it," "stop & go," and "yo-yo."

When is the best season for crankbait fishing?

Anywhere between early spring and late autumn. You will need to know what kind of bait and techniques to use in different seasons. Even during winter, while bass' metabolism is slowed down, crankbaits can still provoke a reaction.

What type of maintenance is needed for crankbait reels to extend its lifespan?

Regular disassembling, cleaning off any residue with water and alcohol, and greasing are all parts of regular maintenance. Washout and cleaning after every use in saltwater is a highly recommended precaution measure.

Conclusion