The fishing community is very familiar with the word crankbait because it is used a lot. Yet, a lot of people still do not know what the word crankbait means. Well, it is simply a lure carved well enough to find prey even while submerged.
Crankbaits are either built with a lip below the head that allows easy diving or swimming action and a towhead to remain at a uniform speed.
Appearance-wise, they resemble little fishes and are mainly used to trap big fishes that consume others of smaller sizes.
These lures are very adaptable. They are useful in catching every species of fish every year. They are similar to live bait when submerged underwater and resemble small fishes so that big fishes can get trapped when they come to feed. For this reason, they need a unique reel.
The rod and reel are two important tools in crankbait fishing. With them you can easily throw fast to a good depth. In addition to a crankbait reel, more distances are covered unlike the normal baitcasting reel.
This post highlights amazing crankbait reels. People who have trouble finding the crankbait reel that is suitable for them will find this post helpful in making their decision.
It is very difficult to choose a crankbait reel if you have to make your choice from many options. That is why this post has reviewed the best products in the market for you. Now getting your crankbait reel will be an easy job.
Top 5 Best Crankbait Reels
OUR TOP PICK
Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile
EDITORS CHOICE
Abu Garcia Revo SX Low
BEST VALUE
Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel
OUR TOP PICK
Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile
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Summary
With Abu Garcia, you have to spend just a meager amount of money on a high-quality reel. It has a ball bearing system made of 4+1 stainless steel. It is framed with graphite and is made lighter with side plates made of graphite.
This aids retrieval. The action of the Garcia is accelerated by its power disk and to cap it all, this cheap reel also has an amazing braking system known as MagTrax magnetic.
You can use any kind of angler because of the MagTrax system, there are also several kinds of lures you can use with it.
Pros
- Befitting and sleek casting
- The reel is compatible for heavy use
- Can capture budget real easily
Cons
- The adjustment has to be done often
- Small reel grips
- Lightweight design with one piece graphite frame and side plates
- 4 stainless steel ball bearings
- Power disk system
- MagTrax brake system boosts range and accuracy of casts
- Compact bent handle and recessed reel provide an ergonomic grip
EDITORS CHOICE
Abu Garcia Revo SX Low
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Summary
Abu Garcia's second crankbait reel is the Revo SX Low. With a weight of 11.2 ounces and a gear ratio of 7.3:1, this particular crankbait is currently the heaviest.
The reel is a piece of top-quality equipment. The weight and durability is evidence that anglers can have a lot of weight and still be reliable. The dual bearing system is made of stainless steel and big fishes are reeled in easily.
There is a carbon matrix drag feature that intensifies the experience of dragging and reduces the roughness.
The reel grips are created from EVA foam to allow for easy handling without any pressure. It is designed ergonomically to create ease of reeling and casting with zero obstacles to cross over.
This reel comes in handy both in saltwater and freshwater usage. When the reel gets wet, there is no need to fear about corrosion.
One disadvantage of using this reel is that it is only used for trapping big fish. You cannot use it to trap small fish because there is enough room for them to escape. Also, the weight puts off some fishermen from using the reel despite the great design.
Pros
- Can be held comfortably
- Very long-lasting
- Suitable for saltwater and freshwater
- Smooth draglines
Cons
- Not suitable for catching small fishes
- Heavyweight
- 9 stainless steel ball bearings + 1 roller bearing provides smooth Operation
- C6 carbon sideplates provide significant weight reduction without sacrificing strength and durability
- Duragear brass gear for extended gear life
BEST VALUE
Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel
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Summary
This Torrent reel from Piscifun is fitted with brass gears. Its low budget design is created to allow the crankbait to perform properly. The gear ratio of 7.1:1 allows for accurate control and contributes to its noiselessness. With the torrent you can drag the weight of 18 pounds and that gives room for capturing the big species of fish that hide in between rocks and reeds.
Piscifun is built to give you a great cast because it comes with a magnetic brake. You can change the cast distance, style, and other features on your crankbait with the 11 settings provided.
The Torrent's cranking system and bearing are easy to maintain because it is fitted with an oil port at the side to keep the bearings properly lubricated.
Pros
- Easy to retrieve because of the double wind shafts
- Beginner's choice
- Performance is also appealing to experienced users
Cons
- Frequent adjustment of breaking and drag even without adding a new lure
- A limited number of line
- POWERFUL- Advanced, 4-washer, gives the low profile baitcasting reel physically powerful 18LB carbon fiber drag to handle the big fish you are after
- DURABLE - Industrial durable-strength, climate-resistant Japanese Hami cut 3604 brass gears, these are all top quality gears you expect for baitcaster fishing reels
- PERFORMANCE - Low profile design bait caster featuring 7.1:1 gear ratios specifically designed for the versatile angler. The Super Silent high speed 7.1:1 Gear Ratio baitcasting fishing reel is perfect for getting fish quickly out of cover and faster fishing tactics
- UNIQUE - Unique side-plate oil port for prolonged maintenance for Novice to Pro to maximize your baitcast reel life and performance
- UNPARALLELED - Strong double wind shafts and backlash-eliminating 0-10 magnetic dial-in settings
RUNNER UP
KastKing Royale Legend/Whitemax Low Profile
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Summary
This low budget crankbait is high class. The 11 + 1 ball bearings are corrosion resistant and it allows the cast and retrieval process to be done without hassle.
The bearings bear collective pressure and it reduces the wear and increases the reel's durability. A good reel is that which you don't need to replace after a few usages.
The Kastking Royale is built as a lightweight object from aluminum and this increases its strength. The components of its drag and gears system are carbon and brass fiber and it is able to accommodate a drag weight of almost 17.5 pounds while keeping the weight-to-power ratio at a great level.
The KastKing is built for accurate casting. The brake system is both centrifugal and magnetic and can be customized depending on the type of lure and caster. Both experienced users and beginners find the adjustable brake suitable enough to practice casting.
Pros
- Cheap but delivers high quality
- Casting is strong and smooth
- Suitable for use in saltwater and freshwater
Cons
- Proper adjustment of drag and braking has to be done before it can work well
- Gear ratio is too high for crankbait fishing
- GREAT FOR BEGINNERS – The 1st Generation Royal legend baitcasting reel has one of the best dual brake systems with a quick, easy to fine-tune reliable centrifugal and magnetic brake system for superior casting control. If you are new to baitcasters or get frustrated with backlashes, the Royale Legend is the perfect choice.
- BIGGER LINE CAPACITY – Royale Legend I is a bigger baitcasting reel than the 2nd generation. It’s a good fit when you need to have more lines on your reel.
- PERFORMANCE - Low profile design bait caster with a super silent high speed 7.0:1 line retrieve. Two color anodized aluminum forged multi-ported whiffle-style spool offers maximum strength while reducing weight.
- UNMATCHED – Precision cut brass gear structure and carbon fiber drag system delivering 17.5 LBs of drag offer the ultimate in a high performance low maintenance baitcasting reel package.
- PROVEN - 11 + 1 double shielded MaxiDur ball bearings for super smooth casting, retrieve, and long life.
RUNNER UP
Abu Garcia BMAX3
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Summary
This Abu Garcia crankbait reel is sturdy and works efficiently despite having some minor faults.
This reel is built to weigh little and it has several materials and parts that are almost weightless. The total weight of his reel is 7.3 ounces. The reason for this is the graphite in its component which is long-lasting though thin.
The gear ratio permits it to be adjusted smoothly. It stands at 6.4:1.
It allows for easy line casting without minding if the mono is between the range of ten and twelve pounds. It permits easy line dragging with fewer complications.
It has a comfortable grip and that places you in charge of your angling. This reel is well-built to ensure that you fish without problems for a long time.
The bad side of this reel is that it has really small handles. And due to the fact that these reeling handles are small, the grip on it is not that easy. If you apply enough force to drop it you may end up putting more pressure on your hands.
The reel handles would be much better if their size was increased but the makers probably reduced it so that storage will be easy. Can't fault them on that.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Used for smooth dragging of lines
- Can be held comfortably
- Very lightweight
Cons
- The handle is too small
- Lightweight design with one piece graphite frame and side plates
- 4 stainless steel ball bearings
- Power disk system
- MagTrax brake system boosts range and accuracy of casts
- Compact bent handle and recessed reel provide an ergonomic grip
Best Crankbait Reels Buying Guide
Before you buy a reel ensure that you have checked for the drag and brake system and you're comfortable with their action. These two have to be of high quality including the rate of recovering the line.
It is a bad product if your wrists and arms ache after using it which is why you should consider the torque. Also the fishing location you intend to use will determine your line capacity.
Gear Ratio
This ratio measures how many rounds are made by a spool when the handle turns. The popular choice is that a crankbait reel ratio is better to fall from 5:1 to 6.5:1. If one round of the handle produces six rounds on the spool then the gear ratio is 6:1 and it is still average.
But a slower spool will have to be less than 6.
When you want to buy a good reel ensure you're getting a product with the right gear ratio. Before you select a reel speed for your crankbait, ensure you already have a gear location in mind.
For instance if using a square bill crankbait to fish in a lake while also using components for your lure to hit, is your choice, then you have to drop it at the bottom.
That's the initial step. For this to happen your gear ratio should be at 6.4:1. This drops your lure at the exact location you choose and also makes it fast enough to create a rebound strike.
Some anglers prefer their gear ratio to be low because it keeps the slow retrieves. Some other people feel control is the only important thing. It is possible to reel in slow and medium retrieves with a high-speed reel and still find it easy when it comes to reducing the speed of your crankbait.
Line Recovery Rate
The calculation of the line recovery rate is done in inches per turn. On getting the correct gear ratio the next important part is to combine it well with other factors like design and size of the spool. Attaching a big spool to a speedy gear ratio increases the line. A small spool will produce only a little line.
The optimal rate of recovery is at a range of 19 - 23 inches for every time the handle turns. If you have to carry out deep-diving crankbait, then a suitable reel will quickly submerge the lure and it never leaves the spot while the retrieve is ongoing.
Your handle turns can not slow down very easily if you use a recovery rate.
Increased Torque
If the torque increases then there is a reduced gear ratio. This reduces the effort required to reel in a large crankbait and your wrists and arms are saved from the stress. It is important that you are aware of when it's right to use deep diving crankbaits.
The resistance is higher when using a big fishing lure and it is important that your lure doesn't leave the attack zone. Using a gear ratio of 5.1:1 is optimal here.
Casting Lightweight Crankbaits
The casting crankbaits are often not modified to suit lightweight baits. To use this, you have to adequately combine the spool, braking system, reel, and also a suitable rod. The momentum of the bait is mostly needed to separate the line and the reel with zero backlashes.
Bearings
Bearings function mainly to give the spool support. The performance of a reel won't improve just because you choose to add extra bearings. The reel becomes heavier with an increase in bearing. Many high-quality products come with small bearings and the weight is kept at a minimum with plastic bushings.
The most impact is made of stainless steel. It does not corrode and for this reason the bearings can function in any kind of water. But plastic bushings are better off in saltwater.
Line Capacity
If the line capacity of the reel is high, the bait goes deep and far. It becomes very easy to release and you can also cast more with little effort. If you haven't tried it before you will be surprised at the lengths a reel will go when there is more line. The line weight is also worthy of note.
Some people try to compare the braided line with the monofilament line. None of them is particularly better than the other. The species of fish you're trying to catch, the kind of speed of fall you like, and the sensitivity all determine the choice of a line.
The cheaper option is the mono but it requires frequent change because it dwindles in quality very easily. A monoline is greatly affected by salt water and UV rays.
The way it stretches makes it very adequate and reliable for catching very fast fish like Spanish mackerels or Kingfishers. The monoline is also very simple to catch. The maintenance is easier on conventional reels or bait casters.
It also has low visibility which turns out to be a beneficial feature. But despite these most spinning reel users choose to use the braided lines.
Buying it costs a lot upfront but it is durable and can be used for more than five years.
Best Crankbait Reels - FAQ's
What makes a good crankbait rod?
To know a good crankbait rod, focus on those that act slowly. This means that if you add a good level of pressure the rod may begin to sway from the half part. If the upper third section starts to bend on the application of the same pressure, then it is regarded as fast action.
When Should You Throw a Crankbait?
The best period that experts recommend for throwing crankbaits is in the fall. This is mostly due to the fact that the fall season is the period of activity for many bait fishes.
Throwing crankbaits in fall means there is a very large chance of catching a big fish because the predators are roaming in search of food - smaller fish.
Do Crankbaits Have to Hit Bottom?
It is not compulsory for your crankbait to drop to the bottom. First you have to know that a crankbait is mostly a lure that is more effective in contact. The whole point of it is to touch something. The bottom of the water body can be that something.
However, other things can replace it, like stumps, rocks, and other structures. The only way it can mimic the evasive movement is when there is contact. This lures the prey into striking and it does not matter whether it is hungry or not, it just strikes.
Can you use crankbaits on a spinning reel?
Yes. It is possible to attach your crankbait to a spinning reel but you have to select the spinning tackle carefully. If you have a crankbait that weighs less, you can use the spinning reel while the heavier lures will be more suited to a baitcasting rig.
However if you are interested in fishing, chances are you will need to own both the spinning gear and the baitcasting.
Conclusion
Going on crankbait fishing is not as easy as most experienced people may paint it to be. You can only succeed if you do a lot of practice, have time and patience. Crankbait is a famous word in the fishing niche but people still are not clear about how it works.
For a lot of people, buying a crankbait reel is one difficult thing to do and we believe that this post has helped to straighten up a lot of things that may be confusing.
This post also mentioned many crankbait reels that you can choose from so that you will eventually settle for a product that fits your desires.