Difference in Reels ???

[Casey]

Need a little help...My question is,
Is there a difference in bait-casting reels for different applications?
Meaning, is there a reel that is better for say cranking over flipping or jerk baits?

The reason i'm asking is I was cranking with a shimano 200B yesterday and wanted to change line so instead of re-spooling I swithed reels that had the line i wanted...the second reel was a diawia. The Diawia seems much smoother for cranking than the Shimano. So what would be a great reel just for setting up for cranking?

Thanks,
Casey

[ash]

This is going to sound wierd to most. I have primarily curados or Castaics on my rods, however for cranking and spinnerbaits I use the Abu Garcia C4. The reason being is this reel is looser then my other reels and I can actualy feel the bait vibrations through the paddles of the reel. The drag on this reel is great and really I want a smooth cast and a great drag for cranking and blading.

[Casey]

Thats it....only one reply. So i take it everyone uses the same reel for every application ?

[Randy Yeager]

Ok! I like to keep things as similar as possible from one outfit to the other and have found that the Quantum Energy are very good spinning reels. I use three different sizes of the same model for different techniques. I also use Shimano Calais baitcasters on most of my baitcasting rods for various techniques, again, Same reel but different gear ratio's for different applications, 5.1-1 for cranks and such, faster for flipping and pitching.

For froggin and jigs, I've been using the Diawa with the twitchin bar. The bar comes in handy from time to time.

If your learnin, try to keep things as similar as possible and you'll spend less time fumbling with your equipment and more time concentrating on the fish.

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

I have numerous brands of reels, I use them for virtually every application, There is not in my opinion a specific reel that is best for any single application, that is gear ratio considerations not withstanding..I try to match the reel with the speed required for each application..The specific brand name of the reel is not the primary consideration..Some applications may have need for line capacity to come into play..Some applications might require the use of lighter or heavier lines..In each of these cases a specific brand name might have an advantage over another..Some people like Shimanos, some like Daiwas, some like Quantum or ABU's..Me, I like them all..Normally I use either a Daiwa or a Pflueger for crankbaits..

mac

[Casey]

Thanks guys, So what i should be looking at is gear ratio?

Now....someone want to explain the diff. in gear ratio's and I would (hate doing this) assume that I would want a slower ratio for crankin/bladin and a faster ratio for flipping?

[Blue_R70]

A lot of guys like using the Curado 200B5 and older ABUs for cranking because they're geared slower. A lower gear ratio = more torque to work large billed deep divers and it keeps you from working a bait too fast. Some guys put credence in that school of thought, some don't.

The current versions of the Chronarch and Curado both have oversized gearing coupled with a high speed retrieve (6.2:1 and 7:1, respectively). That kind of gearing gives you lots of torque along with the ability to burn a bait back as well. The Chronarch and Curado are also available in the lower 5:1 gear ratio for guys who like torque and a slower retrieve.

I'm not that big on cranking and only have two dedicated crankbait outfits. These are rigged with a Metanium XT (Chronarch 100B) for medium-larger baits and a 5:1 geared Scorpion 1000 for the small stuff.

All of my other rods for flippping/pitching (worming and jigging are my favorite technique) have the same model reel on 'em for the exact reason Randy Yeager mentioned above: to keep the feel as similar as possible from one outfit to another.