What’s your favorite Crankin’ Reel?

My favorite is my old Curado 200 in the 5:1 Gear Ratio but I’m looking to get another reel.

So, what’s your favorite? I’m looking for baitcasters that can cast big deep divers a mile and will pass the test of time.

Right now, I’m thinking about trying the new Curado in the 5:1 ratio. I have a 7:1 now and it’s pretty sweet.

———————————————————————————————-

On a side note, a few years ago, when the 7:1 gear ratio reels all came out I bought a couple BPS Extreme reels to test the new style out at a low cost. Decent reels but not very smooth. Not long after, they changed the design again and I was able to pick one up the other day, felt a lot smoother than before. Anybody have a newer one of these? They have what would look to be a nice crankin’ model

I use all Quantum and love’m. From the accurist PT to the Tour Edition PT. Haven’t been able to burn one up yet, and I have been using all mine for the last couple years on trout and salmon. I have the E100SPT and the E101SPT (both left and right handed) those two models hold 135yrds of 12# and have 6.3:1 Very smooth
I think those Curados were about the $200. mark. I would look at the Energy PT. Its’ list is $189.00 and here is the feature list of it.
Ceramic drag system
Polymer-stainless hybrid PT bearings
Right- and left-hand models
Durable multi-coated finish
Lightweight aluminum crank handle
ACS™ external adjustable centrifugal braking
Continuous Anti-Reverse™
Titanium-coated line guide
One-piece aluminum frame
MaxCast™ skeletal spool
Quick-release side cover.

Good question Otto!

I don’t understand all the hoopla of needing to have a special lower geared reel to use cranks
I have several reels, mostly Quantums, that have 6.5 or 7.0 to 1 gearing. They all work fine with everything… I perfer the new higher speeds because I can just reel slower if I have to with a crank or swimbait…but if I am burning a Spinnerbait or running a buzzbait it sure makes it easier.
If I could find a deal within my price range I would look at a Quantum Tour Edition…

Quote:

---

I don’t understand all the hoopla of needing to have a special lower geared reel to use cranks

---

It’s pretty consistant across the board that most of the pros use the lower gear ratio reels.

I hear you though, I seem to be able to slow down with other techniques but for some reason, it’s really hard for me to slow down with crankbaits.

I did try a 3.8:1 once and it was way too slow for me, felt like I couldn’t keep up with the fish when hooked. 5:1 feels just right to me for grinding cranks…

I guess if a guy was to pull big deep divers all day it would probably be worthwhile…
I just don’t do many deep water cranks much up here…I am usually using a 3/4 oz football jig or Carolina rig for the deep summer bass.

For deep… deep cranking I LOVE the old david fritts 4.7:1 DF10C and for shallow cranking the 5.1:1 version.

Oh and if I am trap fishing then I am using a 6.3:1 reel.

I use all Quantum reels as well and I found for me a happy medium is a 6.3:1 gear ratio. Its slow enough to where you can slow down if you need too but still has enough speed if you want to speed things up. I used the quantum catalyst last year and got a good deal on an energy pt I will try out this year

I am still waiting for a Quantum Smoke review. Stupid winter.

Lots of Quantum users here. I’m not sure if I’m just unlucky of what. I’ve given Quantum another try 3 or 4 times over the last 5 years and always end up having problems with them rather quickly. After my last try 2 years ago I said never again. After getting away from Shimano Currado’s for a few years I picked up a new one last season and was really happy with it. Only time will tell if it will hold up at well at the originals. I have several old Currado’s that are going on 10 years old now and still work great. I have also been fishing with Revo STX’s for a few years now and have been happy with them so far.

You gotta go with what makes you happy.

Quote:

---

Lots of Quantum users here. I’m not sure if I’m just unlucky of what. I’ve given Quantum another try 3 or 4 times over the last 5 years and always end up having problems with them rather quickly. After my last try 2 years ago I said never again. After getting away from Shimano Currado’s for a few years I picked up a new one last season and was really happy with it. Only time will tell if it will hold up at well at the originals. I have several old Currado’s that are going on 10 years old now and still work great. I have also been fishing with Revo STX’s for a few years now and have been happy with them so far.

---

Vary curious to know what type of trouble your having with your quantum and which model(s). I have each model from the accurist to the KVD PTs and no significant issues. I had one with a stripped handle stud, and it was replaced with no questions asked. Between flipping and fishing salmon with them, I have had outstanding performance from them. Most importantly to me, the Accurists have seen the greatest amount of use, and have held up to the abuse perfectly. I do maintain them throughout the year and I believe the extra effort goes a long ways. As an example, last June in Boulder Junction, WI it rained every night and day for the week that I was up there. My gear sat saturated in water for days. After 8 days of fishing in the rain, I dried everything out and lubed them with a few drops of Hot Sauce. I also re-lube them just before ice fishing. All my reels are used year round.

I’ve owned a couple EX500s, a couple Pro2Cs, a US 300 or 600, can’t remember (my brother’s company actually made the mold for that one; the prototype? A Shimano Calcutta , seriously, they had one marked up in the shop.) and a 1310 MG.

A very 90’s collection. Of all those reels the only two that work any more are the US300/600 and the 1310 MG (a good crankin’ reel but no infinite anti-reverse.

I fished with a buddy who would always sit so far off of our targets it was very frustrating, I could never get the distance I needed and being in the back of the boat just compounded things.

Well, he ran Lew’s Speed Spools and eventually Shimano Curados and Scorpions, Chromarch MGs. Nice stuff but spendy.

After casting them once, I saw the light and bought my first two Curado 100s, WHAT a difference! Suddenly I was in range most of the time , the casts were effortless and smooth. When set up right, I can cast as hard as I want without backlash and rarely have to thumb the spool.

If they still made the old Curado 200s I would buy another for my next cranking reel, and I might just use my Curado 200 6:1 anyway but I’m interested in other people opinions.

I’m really surprised at all of the Quantum supporters on this sight. At first I thought that the site may be sponored, as most places I’ve ever seen online, Quantum has a bad reputation.

My buddy used to be sponsored by Quantum and he used to really talk them up but since has admitted that he likes Shimano better.

Have any of you Quantum supporters ever tried a Curado or a Revo?

If you have I just may try my first new Quantum in several years. I will say, even when I watch KVD casting them I often can hear the reel screaming and it doesn’t sound good to me…

I recently purchased 4 high end, high speed (7:1 GR) reels (over probably a year to year and a half time frame) to compare and contrast the newer models: Daiwa Zillion, Shimano Curado D (the first new Curado), Shimano Curado E, and the Abu Garcia Revo STX. I like them all, when it was new, I think the Daiwa was nicest but it does seem to be degrading slightly. I would say, Curado E in a close second, Revo STX and then the Curado D.

Tackle Tour did an interesting test themselves here.

I’m with Tom on this one, the need for the really big cranks up north has not hit me yet. I have 3 glass crankbait rods, all 7ft, I throw traps, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits with them. all have 6.4 reels on them. Revo STX is a sweet casting reel with adjustability that will help your casts… I’d say any high end reel will work.
I do have one old 5 to 1 reel that gets in the boat a couple times of year. very old diawa… casts like a dream. load it up with 10# mono… saving it in case I run into a deep crankin bite down south…

Otto – you’re comparing lower/middle end Quantum’s to High end quality Shimano’s…not really a valid comparison. Not to mention it’s a different type of reel all together. Have you picked up a tour edition recently? I’ve been using the same burners w/zero maintenance for 5 years now…HISTORICALLY Quantum has had some negative press yes, but for the better part of the decade their reels have made a push back towards the top. Nothing against Curado’s b/c they have, and always will be a solid reel…just saying Quantums have come a long way.

Quote:

---

I will say, even when I watch KVD casting them I often can hear the reel screaming and it doesn’t sound good to me…

---

KVD has had 5 backlashes in as many years (twice this past classic which nearly meant hell froze over) – I’d say he knows his equipment pretty well and that “whiz” you’re hearing is from all the force he puts behind his cast…

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

---

Vary curious to know what type of trouble your having with your quantum and which model(s). I have each model from the accurist to the KVD PTs and no significant issues. I had one with a stripped handle stud, and it was replaced with no questions asked. Between flipping and fishing salmon with them, I have had outstanding performance from them. Most importantly to me, the Accurists have seen the greatest amount of use, and have held up to the abuse perfectly. I do maintain them throughout the year and I believe the extra effort goes a long ways. As an example, last June in Boulder Junction, WI it rained every night and day for the week that I was up there. My gear sat saturated in water for days. After 8 days of fishing in the rain, I dried everything out and lubed them with a few drops of Hot Sauce. I also re-lube them just before ice fishing. All my reels are used year round. [/quote

Randy

I really don’t remember what models I have tried – Most were in the mid range price point ( Around $120.00 ) They just did not seem to cast as well as the other mid range reels I was or had been using. They also seems to get rather Loose feeling with only a year or so of use and started to make a fair amount of noise while both casting and reeling. Like you I take rather good care of my reels. I open them up each year and remove the old grease and regrease with hot sauce. I may pick up another quantum to give it a try. Do you have a suggestion of one to try? Maybe one in the $150.00 or so price range.

Quote:

---

Otto – you’re comparing lower/middle end Quantum’s to High end quality Shimano’s…not really a valid comparison. Not to mention it’s a different type of reel all together. Have you picked up a tour edition recently?

---

The Pro2Cs were pretty tops back then as well as the US300/600, but I do agree, I haven’t tried anything current and Quantum has certainly made some more high end reels in the past decade.

I’m not buying your KVD argument though. A reel shouldn’t sound like that, even with KVD making it beg for mercy.

Maybe he hasn’t had more than 5 backlashes in that many years because of all the friction in those bearings!

Maybe I can meet up with one of you Quantum guys some time and take a test drive. You’ve certainly got my interest…

KVD has had 5 backlashes in as many years (twice this past classic which nearly meant hell froze over) – I’d say he knows his equipment pretty well and that “whiz” you’re hearing is from all the force he puts behind his cast…

---

Keep in Mind KVD also fishes out of a Nitro Boat – I’ve never know anyone who has owned or fished out of one of them that had much nice to say about it – So I guess he does not know his equipment all that well

Quote:

---

A reel shouldn’t sound like that, even with KVD making it beg for mercy.

---

You’re not casting hard enough then….give me any reel and i’ll make it beg…

Quote:

---

Keep in Mind KVD also fishes out of a Nitro Boat

---

For the money he’s getting – I would keep my mouth shut too

all of the quantums ive owned or other ones that my buddys have had over a year or two just feel like crap. they still work yes and do the job, but grind and grind and grind. i cant stand a reel that was insanely smooth at the start begin to do that. as dumb as it sounds i loose focus on fishing and focus on how crappy they feel. JUNK!

Fishthumper – That is the Energy PT that I listed the specs for up above with the pic. List price is $189. but I’m sure a little shopping (HINT: Bass Pro and Cabelas Spring Fishing SALES WILL START THIS WEEKEND)

I agree prior to the “PT” series of Quantum reels, quality wasn’t where it should have been. Zebco/Quantum was educated on this as sales declined. They have put a huge investment into engineering and re-design, and that is paying off.

As for the cranks I throw with my cheaper Accurist (I pick on those because they are the cheapest ones I own) I throw from the old #4 shadraps to Poes Competition Cedar 1oz cranks that dive 17′ to 20′. Those 20′ diver put some serious torque on a reel! If you want to hear a reel sing, get in my boat when I’m fish’n suspended largemouth.

Thanks for the Info. I may give ANOTHER one a try this year.

Quote:

---

I’m not buying your KVD argument though. A reel shouldn’t sound like that, even with KVD making it beg for mercy.

Maybe he hasn’t had more than 5 backlashes in that many years because of all the friction in those bearings!

---

I’ve had some Shimano’s and there isn’t a comparison between the two when it comes to casting/overall performance! Quantum hands down wins in that category! Not to mention, I have an older gold accurist that has ran through the works for 4 years straight and is still in fine working order today. So their quality is on the right track as well. Kudos to Quantum!

Brantner do you even use baitcasters? Senko’s and Spinning rods are your specialty

Quote:

---

I’ve had some Shimano’s and there isn’t a comparison between the two when it comes to casting/overall performance! Quantum hands down wins in that category!

---

Not saying this is the hands down ultimate test but they didn’t win here:

Low Speed Reel Casting Test

or here:

High Speed Reel Casting Test

Quote:

---

My favorite is my old Curado 200 in the 5:1 Gear Ratio but I’m looking to get another reel.

So, what’s your favorite? I’m looking for baitcasters that can cast big deep divers a mile and will pass the test of time.

Right now, I’m thinking about trying the new Curado in the 5:1 ratio. I have a 7:1 now and it’s pretty sweet.

———————————————————————————————-

On a side note, a few years ago, when the 7:1 gear ratio reels all came out I bought a couple BPS Extreme reels to test the new style out at a low cost. Decent reels but not very smooth. Not long after, they changed the design again and I was able to pick one up the other day, felt a lot smoother than before. Anybody have a newer one of these? They have what would look to be a nice crankin’ model

---

Ditto on the old curado.

I have the newer model too- but it is a high speed

Who won? I didn’t get past this…

Quote:

---

Who won? I didn’t get past this…

---

Well, correct me if I’m wrong but I do believe that’s the Quantum in her hand soooooo…Quantum!

Quote:

---

all of the quantums ive owned or other ones that my buddys have had over a year or two just feel like crap. they still work yes and do the job, but grind and grind and grind. i cant stand a reel that was insanely smooth at the start begin to do that. as dumb as it sounds i loose focus on fishing and focus on how crappy they feel. JUNK!

---

Kris, just curious to what you mean by how they feel like junk? as in how they feel in your hand or when you cast? Just curious. But to me it still comes down to preference just like anything else..dodge vs. chevy etc. To me a quantum reel just feels better in my hand with a rod than a shimano does, could be the size of my hands. I would have to agree with the previous posts as well about how quantum has come a long ways with engineering their products. I dont know if all you quantum haters keep getting lemons but my reels dont make that screaming noise on a long cast, just make sure they are lubed up.

gears grinding. nuff said.