10 Best Crankbait Reels in 2021

In recent times, fishing has become one of the most popular hobbies that people enjoy. When it comes to fishing, you have to get the necessary gear, including fishing rods and crankbaits. Fishing rods have become more than just a tool to perform a past-time activity; they are now seen as travel companions and even parts of survival kits.

As technology advanced, it brought about crankbait reels to make fishing a much more exciting activity. A crankbait is a lure used in enticing fish that preys on smaller fishes; in other words, it’s a form of bait that is used in conjunction with a fishing rod to catch fish.

A crankbait reel is a combination of a crankbait reel and a fishing rod made specifically for crankbait. It provides your fishing rod with more reach, speed, and depth. It makes fishing a whole lot more fun while letting you catch bigger fishes from deeper parts without any stress.

A crankbait reel provides you with a better reach of depth, and they usually come with long threads that allow the lure to go farther into the distance at a higher depth. They also cat as a simulation for live bait. When the bait has been cast, it gets to a specific depth, and then the reel starts to rotate at a specified speed which makes the bait move like a real fish taking a swim. This feature allows the bait to lure in a bigger fish from the depth of the water body.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING THE BEST CRANKBAIT REELS

In order to choose the best crankbait reel, you need to know the specification you should look out for before choosing a crankbait reel. Understanding the features and how they work will allow you to use the gear with confidence. Every aspect of a crankbait reel is essential, and there are essential aspects of a crankbait reel that has to present for your reel to function properly.

When choosing your crankbait reel, there are only a few specifications you should be on the lookout for, and they include.

Gear Ratio

The gear ratio of a crankbait reel is an important feature you need to understand. You need to know what a ratio is and what it means. In simple terms, the gear ratio is the number of times a spool rotates every time your handle makes a full rotation. If the reel you get has a gear ratio of 5:1, that means your spool makes five complete revolutions every time your handle makes a full rotation.

The gear ratio you’ll need depends on the type of fishing you intend to use the crankbait reel for and your experience level. If you want to go crankbait fishing, you’ll want to choose one with a high gear ratio that ranges from 5:1 to 7:1. When choosing a crankbait reel, it’s best to start by comparing gear ratios, as it will help you narrow down the products, so you will only consider crankbait reels within that range.

If you go for a low-speed gear ratio that ranges from 5:1:1 to 5:4:1, you’ll get firm control and smooth handling over large baits for luring large fishes.

With a medium speed gear ratio of between 6:0:1 to 6:4:1, you’ll be able to get dependable performance. It allows you to retrieve your lines faster than a low-speed gear ratio. It is the most preferable gear ratio for all types of bait like topwater bait, spinning bait, and any other bait.

High-speed gear ratios provide you with strong and fast reels. It is best for reaching fishes quickly with any technique of fishing. It ranges from 7:1:1 to 8:1:1.

A higher speed gear ratio ranging from 5:4:1 to 9:1 provides you with control and high accuracy. They allow you to retrieve your lines quickly and provide you with support in getting back your fish. They are great for fishing large fish while providing you with optimum control. It is great for water bodies that are not too deep.

Line Recovery Rate

After narrowing down your search by checking gear ratios, you can begin looking at line recovery rates. This is the number of times that the line is retrieved every time it is cranked. It is also known as IPT, which means inches per turn. It is the measurement of the number of line inches that is retrieved per every single turn of the handle.

In order to choose the best crankbait reel, choose one that has a line recovery rate range of 19 to 23 inches. This means that every time the handle is turned, it will release 19 to 23 inches of line. This range is great at allowing you to crank your bait in order for it to reach its maximum depth at a fast rate while remaining there for long enough to attract a fish before it is retrieved. After you have gained experience, you can then upgrade to reels with higher recovery rates of up to the low thirties but keep in mind that the higher the line recovery rate, the higher the crank speed control it will need. You will need to learn how to slow your handle tours to make sure you aren’t pulling your bait to the surface.

Bearings

When it comes to bearings on crankbait reels, quality trumps quantity. High-quality bearings will provide you with better results than low-quality bearings. Low-quality bearings can lock up while you’re using your crankbait reel, and it can cause a lot of problems for you. It is important that your reel has double-shielded sealed bearings for better results.

Increased Torque

One of the benefits of lower gear ratios and line recovery rate is the increased torque. Higher torque means you will use less effort to reel in large crankbaits or swimbaits. It also puts less stress on your body. If you have spent a day cranking on a regular reel, then you’ll know how tired your arms and hands can get.

Casting Lightweight Crankbaits

This can be a challenge with baitcasting gear because they aren’t well suited to 3/8oz or lighter crankbaits. You need to find a reel with a good spool and braking system and pair it with the right cranking rods. It is important that you use the baits momentum to pull the line off the reel in order to avoid massive backlashes.

Line Capacity

A higher line capacity will allow you to increase your reach, especially if you want to go far and deep. A higher line capacity makes casting a whole lot easier. But also keep an eye out for the line weight. A heavier line will let the bait dive in shallow depths.

Combination

Having the right combination of a crank rod, a reel, a fine spool, and a great braking system will give you a good package to achieve a great fishing experience.

Durability

It is important to look out for the durability and dependability of the crankbait reel. With the right information, you should be able to find the right gear ratio for any fishing difficulty.

Cost

The crankbait reel you get depends highly on your budget. Fix your budget to how much you are willing to spend on a crankbait reel. The price ranges for crankbait reels vary, and some low-budget crankbaits come with some useful features. If you’re new to crankbait fishing, then go for a basic and economical reel that you can gain experience and ideas from using it.

Body And Weight

The bodies of crankbait reels are made from different materials that include aluminum and graphite. The different materials come with their different advantages. For instance, graphite is light in weight, and it doesn’t get rusty even if they fall into saltwater. However, aluminum is durable and can withstand rough usage because they are strong. Also, keep the weight in mind; if the reel is too heavy, it will put strain on your arms and chest, which can be quite painful if you use it for an extended time.

TYPES OF CRANKBAIT

There are several types of crankbaits. They include

Crankbaits with lips; this type of crankbait dives deeper and needs a slow gear ratio to achieve its goal.

Crankbaits without lips; this type of crankbait needs a faster gear ratio to gets to its goal. It is meant to be used just above the bottom while you keep jerking it free from branches and grass. If you do this with a crankbait-specific reel, you’ll just wear yourself out.

Square Bill Crankbaits; this type of bait is usually used in shallow water ranging from 1 to 8 feet deep. The bill is made in a square shape that allows them to deflect off the shallow water and get a reaction bite. This kind of lure is suitable with any all-purpose reel in the 6.3 to 6.5:1 range.

Balsa Crankbait; these types of crankbaits are small and lightweight; they excel at catching fish during the cold months, such as early spring and winter. An example of this kind of bait is the Rapala Shad Rap. The small size of these baits makes them too light to cast with a baitcasting reel. The most effective reel for this kind of crankbait is a good-quality spinning reel that’s spooled with a 10lb fluorocarbon or braid.

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert in crankbait fishing, you need to have the right gears. This article will provide you with reviews on the best crankbait reels; we have also outlined the important features to look out for, thus providing you with an in-depth guide. With the provided information, you’ll be able to find the best crankbait reel that will make your fishing experience much more comfortable and enjoyable. Let’s check out the list.

We conducted our research and provided you with a list of the best crankbait reels, along with their specifications, key features, pros, and cons. Knowing all of this will allow you to make an informed decision.