Attention Shimano Experts: I need your help!

[Basschaser]

I am going to be buying a new Chronarch 201 for cranking. The primary use will be for mid range crank baits (8-12 feet deep) and the secondary use will be for lipless crank baits. I would like to get the highest gear ratio I can get away with. Right now I'm using a Citica 201E (6.3:1) and it isn't cutting the mustard for the deeper cranks. Being that the Chronarch is a higher quality reel, would the 201 E6 (6.5:1) be sufficient or do I need to go to the 201 E5 (5.5:1)?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Cecil]

I would go with the E6. You don't need the E5 unless you are going DEEP (16+ feet).

[Deitz Dittrich]

I with my brother cecil on this.. However.. You say that your citica is not "Cutting the mustard".. what is it not doing for you? Seems silly to buy another reel with the same gear ratio to replace the reel?

If your going to throw lipless stay away from the 5-1, you just can not reel fast enough. Its work.. and like cecil stated, unless you are throwing DD22, DT16, fat free shad, ect(Large big billed cranks), then the 6-1 is just fine.

Im more concerned with what your Citica is not doing though. Please explain.

[Basschaser]

The Citica works fine. I was previously throwing a Yo-Zuri crank bait that apparently goes deeper than I thought. I went out this morning and threw a DT-10 and it worked fine. Put on a #9 Shad Rap and it worked fine. Put on a DT-16 and it struggled about the same as with the Yo-Zuri - not enough cranking power.

Thanks for the help guys.

[Superduty]

Get the E5. I would recommend an even slower gear ratio if Shimano offered it. I have and probably alway will run Shimano baitcasters. The only exception I make is for my deep crankin reel because they don't offer slower reels. I have been schooled by partners with 4.3:1 reels too many times to disregard it as coincidence.

If you want a workout, throw a buzzbait with the super slow reels and see how long you last!