The best gear ratio for crankbaits – Some fishermen find it difficult to choose the right fishing reel. Many fishermen don’t know where to start because it seems like there are so many things to think about.
The speed at which the lure is pulled back through the water is one of the most important parts of a fishing reel. When using crankbaits, the gear ratio of the reel is especially important.
The best gear ratio for crankbaits will depend on the type of crankbait you are using. On average, a gear ratio of 6.0:1 to 6.4:1 is best for crankbaits.
Key Takeaways
Here are the five key takeaways from the article:
- The speed at which the lure is pulled back through the water is one of the most important parts of a fishing reel. When using crankbaits, the gear ratio of the reel is especially important.
- Different crankbaits need to be brought back at different speeds. For each type of crankbait, a professional fisherman will usually have a different reel with a different gear ratio.
- On average, a gear ratio of 6.0:1 to 6.4:1 is best for crankbaits.
- Most bass fishermen know that different baits require different methods. It is very important to match the gear on your reel to the kind of bait you are using.
- The most common baits and the recommended crankbait reel ratios for baitcasting reels are as follows:
- Deep-Diving Crankbaits: 5.0:1 to 6.0:1
- Medium-Diving Crankbaits: 5.4:1 to 6.2:1
- Diving from 0 to 6 feet deep: 6.0:1 to 6.4:1
- Lipless: 6.4:1 to 7.0:1
- Style Minnow: 5.4:1 to 6.4:1
- Topwater: 5.4:1 to 7.0:1
What type of lure do you use the most?
Often, the baits you use will tell you which gear ratio is best for your new fishing reel. If you watch professional fishermen, you’ll notice that they often change their rods and reels when the style of the bait changes.
Different crankbaits need to be brought back at different speeds. For each type of crankbait, a professional fisherman will usually have a different reel with a different gear ratio.
Understanding Crankbaits
If you go to your local fishing store and walk down the aisle where the lures are stacked, you might be surprised by how many different styles, colors, sizes, and types of crankbaits are for sale.
Before you try crankbait fishing, you should know a little bit about these popular fishing lures.
Retrieval Method for Crankbait Depth Speed of Gear Change Suggested Gear Ratio Deep Diving 12 – 20 feet Slow 5.0:1 to 6.0:1 Medium Diving 6 – 12 feet Slow to Mid-Speed 5.4:1 to 6.2:1 Diving from 0 to 6 feet deep Medium 6.0:1 to 6.4:1 Lipless 0 – 12 feet Fast 6.4:1 to 7.0:1 Style Minnow 0–6 feet Variable 5.4:1 to 6.4:1 Topwater 0 ft. Variable 5.4:1 7.0:1
Gear Ratio for Crankbaits
Most bass fishermen know that different baits require different methods. Because of this, it is very important to match the gear on your reel to the kind of bait you are using.
A fisherman may have different rod and reel setups for different types of bait, just like a golfer has different clubs for different distances and situations.
These are the most common baits and the recommended crankbait reel ratios for baitcasting reels:
Deep-Diving Crankbaits
Deep-diving crankbaits, as their name suggests, are mostly used in deeper, open water where the bottom is hard or rocky.
The deep-diving crankbait is made so that it dives deeper the faster it is retrieved. If you keep your retrieval speed the same, you can fish at the same depth.
The best gear ratio for a crankbait that dives deep is between 5:1 and 6:1. With a lot of extra work, this gear ratio lets the retrieve speed be slow and steady.
Pulling a big deep-diving crankbait can take a lot of extra effort, and the lower gear ratio is much less tiring.
Medium Diving Crankbaits
During the time after the spawn, the water temperature in most sighing waters is between 40 and 50 degrees. This range of temperatures creates a fishing zone where crankbaits work well. The key to medium-depth crankbaits is how they look.
Crayfish are often mistaken for wide baits that move in a wide wiggle. This needs to be said more slowly. When fishing over rocks, a reel with a gear ratio of 5.4:1 is often the best choice.
In clear water, thin flat-sided crankbaits with a medium depth need more speed to get the attention of hungry fish that are patrolling. Anglers who use this type of crankbait often choose a gear ratio of 6.2:1.
Deep Crankbaits
If you like to fish close to the shore, where tangles and brush can be a problem, a shallow diving crankbait with a short bill and wider head can help you.
This kind of bait moves around in a way that fish almost can’t resist.
Crankbaits that stay near the surface need a higher gear ratio than crankbaits that dive deep. Less drag is made by crankbaits that don’t go very deep, and they don’t need the power of a very low gear ratio.
Most of the time, it’s best to fish shallow diving crankbaits with a reel that has a gear ratio of 6.0:1 or slightly higher.
Crankbaits without lips
Crankbaits that don’t have a lip don’t dive, but they do sink. When the bait is thrown back, it swims because of its thin shape and flat sides.
This makes a strong shaking motion that makes the fish interested. Most of the time, the higher the vibration and the better the action, the faster the wobble.
When fishing with a lipless crankbait, it’s important to move it quickly. Since the bait doesn’t have a lip and is usually much thinner, it moves through the water with less resistance, so less work is needed.
So, most fishermen who use these types of crankbaits choose a gear ratio between 6.4:1 and 7.0:1.
Crankbaits Shaped Like Minnows
Crankbaits that look like minnows might be thought of as hybrid crankbait. Crankbaits that look like minnows can be twitched, trolled, cranked, hung, or fished on top of the water.
Minnow crankbaits are like crankbaits with no lip. Most of the time, the minnow crankbaits are longer and thinner.
There are now crankbaits that look like minnows and have bills to help them dive down. Most of the time, the bills are small and have sharp angles. The best gear ratio for these crankbaits is based on how they are fished.
But because these baits are usually fished quickly to make them swim better, a slightly higher gear ratio usually works better. With minnow-style crankbaits, you can use something between 5.4:1 and 6.4:1.
Crankbaits that float on the water
There are more types of top-water crankbaits based on how they are fished, how they move, and how they are presented on the water.
Some of these are not crankbaits at all. But some fishing lures are usually called crankbaits because they are moved through the water to make fish bite.
When top-water crankbaits are fished quickly, they make noise and make the water move. A lot of top-water crankbaits have spinners and other things that make noise.
Most of the time, a reel with a higher gear ratio is better for fishing with these lures. Many types of top-water crankbaits can work well with gear ratios between 5.4:1 and 7.0:1.
One Last Thing
Fishing with a crankbait can be one of the most exciting ways to fish in freshwater. The best setup depends on where you fish, what kind of fish you want to catch, and what kind of crankbait you plan to use. Good luck and catch a lot!
