5:2 vs 6:4 for shallow/medium crankbaits?

[Max-4]

Hey guys I just picked up a BPS 7' med/hvy Cranking Stick for all my crankbait needs both bass and walleye. I will be throwing anything from 1' wake baits to 10' deep cranks. I want to get a BPS Pro Qualifier left hand reel but I'm in a toss up between 5:2 or 6:4. For my needs of what I would call shallow to medium or on the brink of deep maybe 12' what ratio would you guys pick if you had the choice? Thanks

[sawbill]

I want as quick a recovery as I can possibly get when flatlining or trolling shallower running baits. Same with jigs which is what we mostly do for 'walleye'. For me this is especially important if you're using mono that stretches. Braid has little, if any stretch so hook set is more positive.

I know with crankbaits even walleye will hit hard and can set the hook themselves but I still want to gather up enough line quickly enough that the fight goes immediately to the rod. I think pickerel are more likely to hit from below and behind which gives you that moment of slack. I believe the 6:4 gearing gives you the slight advantage to gather up this line quicker.

[Bandwagon]

I do not troll at all so my preference would be the 5:2 gear ratio and I would not use mono, it floats and stretches too much. I would use fluro or braid with a fluro leader.

[Max-4]

Yes sorry I should clarify this will not be used for trolling, only casting for bass, walleye and pike.

[sawbill]

Bass and pike hit entirely different from how a walleye hits and casting/retrieving for walleye is not a common method for them--at least around this neck of the woods.
With a 7 ft rod and braid I can't see much advantage in either reel for pike or bass but I'd always lean towards faster retrieve still.

[Rugger]

Ya, I think either would be fine. Not a huge difference in gear ratio. The only time low gear ratio is important is when you're cranking deep divers with lots of resistance. I don't do a ton of cranking but I find sometimes they want it slow and sometimes they want it a little faster. I would lean towards the 6.4:1 and just turn the handle a little slower. Like Sawbill I like to have a little more speed for when they charge at you. However I'm jumping on with BW as I prefer to have lower stretch line and and a whippier rod for cranks.

[Oxaye]

I have 5.1:1 and a 7.0:1 baitcasters, very much prefer the 5.1 for crank baits.... With the 7:1 I find I have to crank too slowly to work most baits

[Habs]

I do not troll at all so my preference would be the 5:2 gear ratio and I would not use mono, it floats and stretches too much. I would use fluro or braid with a fluro leader.

Braid floats dude

[McNeilOutdoorsA]

For crankbaits you will want to use something with a lower gear ratio. If you use a faster gear ratio reel, you will tire quicker.

for example. i could throw cranks all day with a 7:1:1 or even the 8:1:1. but at the end of the day my arms are exaushted.
when i use my 5:1:1 ratio caster for cranks, its effortless.