Crankbait reel question

keithdog · 07-27-09, 06:58 PM

Right now I am using two Garcia Abu C3 baitcasters for fishing my crankbaits. They are great reels, but after 20 years or so of using them I'd like to replace them. They don't give me the casting distance I want with smaller cranks. Plus I really have gotten to love the low profile style reels now as they fit my smaller size hands better. I know in the past there are several guys in here who have said they really like the BPS David Fritts baitcaster for fishing cranks. I'm just wanting to know if you still like the David Fritts baitcaster or is there another reel you would suggest for fishing crankbaits? There are several good reels I could choose, but most of them have a gear ratio of 6.3:1 or higher, and I prefer a lower ratio reel for fishing crankbaits, especially the larger ones. One other question, for those who do like the David Fritts reel, would you prefer the 4.7:1 ratio or the 5.2:1 ratio?

islandbass · 07-27-09, 07:46 PM

E5. As for gear ratio, you can't go by that alone. Compare the actual line recovery rate. The BPS catalog can tell you this. Case in point. A burner curado E7 with a 7.x:1 huffs in 30" per handle revolution. A symetre sports a 6.2:1 ratio, a "lower" ratio pulls in 35" per handle revolution. The latter reel with a lower gear actually recovers more line.

Yes, it is an apples to oranges comparison, but it does illustrate the point that it serves you better to look at the line recovery rate as opposed to the gear ratio.

I think I would choose the E5.

keithdog · 07-27-09, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandbass

E5. As for gear ratio, you can't go by that alone. Compare the actual line recovery rate. The BPS catalog can tell you this. Case in point. A burner curado E7 with a 7.x:1 huffs in 30" per handle revolution. A symetre sports a 6.2:1 ratio, a "lower" ratio pulls in 35" per handle revolution. The latter reel with a lower gear actually recovers more line.

Yes, it is an apples to oranges comparison, but it does illustrate the point that it serves you better to look at the line recovery rate as opposed to the gear ratio.

I think I would choose the E5.

Thats a good point about line recovery! Point well taken. Took a look at the Curado E and it looks like a great reel for what I need, especially the 21 inch line recovery. But at $180.00 it is unfortunately too expensive right now.

Unless BPS runs a great sale on it soon.

woody · 07-27-09, 08:40 PM

Keith, I have the 4.7 Fritts reel and its a great reel for cranking and for throwing those smaller cranks. A great reel for the money. Casts a mile.

Cons- the reels 2 and 3/8 inch tall profile is a handful to palm comfortably, now that I know how much more comfortable Abu's Revo Winches are. Still an excellent cranking reel.

~Mark

islandbass · 07-27-09, 08:43 PM

Keith,

I hear that on ebay you can find them for as low as $150.00. One thing I like about curados is that they will be able to also cast your lighter cranks fairly well, even one that is 3/16 oz. Can't promise you anything on the lure's aerodynamics though.

07-27-09, 06:58 PM	#1
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Crankbait reel question Right now I am using two Garcia Abu C3 baitcasters for fishing my crankbaits. They are great reels, but after 20 years or so of using them I'd like to replace them. They don't give me the casting distance I want with smaller cranks. Plus I really have gotten to love the low profile style reels now as they fit my smaller size hands better. I know in the past there are several guys in here who have said they really like the BPS David Fritts baitcaster for fishing cranks. I'm just wanting to know if you still like the David Fritts baitcaster or is there another reel you would suggest for fishing crankbaits? There are several good reels I could choose, but most of them have a gear ratio of 6.3:1 or higher, and I prefer a lower ratio reel for fishing crankbaits, especially the larger ones. One other question, for those who do like the David Fritts reel, would you prefer the 4.7:1 ratio or the 5.2:1 ratio?

07-27-09, 07:46 PM	#2
islandbass BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,783	E5. As for gear ratio, you can't go by that alone. Compare the actual line recovery rate. The BPS catalog can tell you this. Case in point. A burner curado E7 with a 7.x:1 huffs in 30" per handle revolution. A symetre sports a 6.2:1 ratio, a "lower" ratio pulls in 35" per handle revolution. The latter reel with a lower gear actually recovers more line. Yes, it is an apples to oranges comparison, but it does illustrate the point that it serves you better to look at the line recovery rate as opposed to the gear ratio. I think I would choose the E5. __________________ ARX "If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." Doug Larson (Shimano 2005 Reel Catalog)

07-27-09, 08:43 PM	#5
islandbass BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,783	Keith, I hear that on ebay you can find them for as low as $150.00. One thing I like about curados is that they will be able to also cast your lighter cranks fairly well, even one that is 3/16 oz. Can't promise you anything on the lure's aerodynamics though. __________________ ARX "If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." Doug Larson (Shimano 2005 Reel Catalog)

07-27-09, 08:40 PM	#4
woody BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jonesville, Indiana Posts: 3,597	Keith, I have the 4.7 Fritts reel and its a great reel for cranking and for throwing those smaller cranks. A great reel for the money. Casts a mile. Cons- the reels 2 and 3/8 inch tall profile is a handful to palm comfortably, now that I know how much more comfortable Abu's Revo Winches are. Still an excellent cranking reel. ~Mark

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