03-02-2008, 11:49 PM
Usually you will want a lower geared reel, 5.1 or even 4.something, for cranks. Reason being, the lower geared reel makes it easier to crank a big bait and will allow a crank to reach it's max depth. The faster geared reels are better for retrieving your lure after a cast, say pitching a jig to a dock. The strike zone is very small, so you want to get the bait back fast to cast again. The faster geared reel is also good for fishing deep structure and keeping up with a fish that is burning to the surface. You can make modifications by adjusting the speed that you crank, but those are the reasons that you have different gearing. Currently, faster geared reels are the rage, 6 & 7's.