Deep Crankbait Combo? Can It Also Be An A-Rig Combo?

[ctf58]

Needing a deep crank combo and wondered if it could double as an A-rig combo?

Here is what I'm looking at getting, but your opinions are all welcome.

Abu Garcia Veritas 7'11" Heavy Mod/fast and BPS Pro Qualifier 5.2:1 for about $200

or

Bass Pro Shops® Pro Qualifier® Reel/CarbonLite™ Trigger Rod Baitcast Combos

5.2:1

7'6"

Med/Hvy

Fast

for about $200 after shipping

I read that you need a high speed reel for the A-rig, but I would think it would wear me out. seems like I would be fishing them in some of the same areas around ledges and drops on KY lake.

Is this a possible setup for both or am I dreaming? Would it be a good deep crank setup? Heck would it be good for anything? I'm really questioning myself because this is the only rod reel purchase I'll make this year and I got some new deep 18"+ cranks and 3 A-rigs that I have not got to try yet!

Help!!!

Thanks

[ww2farmer]

That 7'11" H/mod fast is a flipping stick, not a deep cranking rod. But as such it shoulr be a good rig rid.

[ctf58]

Thanks ww2farmer, is there a happy in-between in rods that I could use as a dual purpose or are these two lure styles to far apart? I was mainly thinking of the weight of the lure and the resistance in the water cranking them back.

There is a Abu Veritas 7'6" MH Fast tip.

I'm stuck with Walmart and Gander Mountain to buy local on the rod and save on shipping.

Is there anything you can recommend?

From what I've read a little more flex would be good for Cranking and I hoped the Moderate/fast tip and 7'11" length might help with that. I do not want a carrot or skeet reese, I do not think I could look at them all day.

I have not bought a rod or reel over $50 before so I'm wanting to get the most bang for my buck an my butt is puckered that I'm even thinking of spending $200 total.

Edited August 2, 2012 by ctf58

[ClackerBuzz]

2 totally diff techniques. Buy a crank rod set up (plenty of info in forums). Use 1/8oz jigs for a-rig and you can keep it under 3/4 oz----throw it on a heavy rod set up you already own. good luck!

[Hooligan]

It isn't out of the question to throw the rig on a crank stick. I throw a light A rig, around 2 ounces, on a Cumara 7-11 MHXF. I'm careful with it, because the rod is rated to 1.5, but it works VERY well for that purpose.

AS a general rule, though, I'd be looking a lot more for a Swimbait stick in the 3-5 ounce range to do it. They're more powerful, have better tips for it, and generally handle the rigs better.

[ClackerBuzz]

the a-rig is the newest shiny new toy in the fish world. its easy to have 5-6+ rods in ur tool box and you can toss an a-rig/swimbait on one of them. i'm guessing you are on a budget b/c its the only rod ur buying this year. you don't yet have a good crank set up which is why i recommend focusing on it. you will most likely spend 10x's amount of time cranking vs a-rig. everyone seems to like BPS crankin stick for $79. And their carbonlites. Powell has great glass rods (703CB). cranking is a base technique in the foundation of fishing which you won't get bored with and you'll catch alot of fish in many different time/places (cranks are great search baits for the deep water you mentioned). yes its fun to throw a new toy a-rig but i can tell you from experience it gets boring quick and the time/place is limited compared to cranking. are you interested in flipping heavy mats, swimbaits or carolina rigs? if so they focus on the heavy rod set up

BPS has free shipping on orders of $75 now. i believe they always charge $6 for rods which would make that ur only shipping cost.

Edited August 2, 2012 by ClackerBuzz

[LuckyHandsINC.]

the a-rig is the newest shiny new toy in the fish world. its easy to have 5-6+ rods in ur tool box and you can toss an a-rig/swimbait on one of them. i'm guessing you are on a budget b/c its the only rod ur buying this year. you don't yet have a good crank set up which is why i recommend focusing on it. you will most likely spend 10x's amount of time cranking vs a-rig. everyone seems to like BPS crankin stick for $79. And their carbonlites. Powell has great glass rods (703CB). cranking is a base technique in the foundation of fishing which you won't get bored with and you'll catch alot of fish in many different time/places (cranks are great search baits for the deep water you mentioned). yes its fun to throw a new toy a-rig but i can tell you from experience it gets boring quick and the time/place is limited compared to cranking. are you interested in flipping heavy mats, swimbaits or carolina rigs? if so they focus on the heavy rod set up

BPS has free shipping on orders of $75 now. i believe they always charge $6 for rods which would make that ur only shipping cost.

1000% true couldn't agree more.

[new2BC4bass]

I have not bought a rod or reel over $50 before so I'm wanting to get the most bang for my buck an my butt is puckered that I'm even thinking of spending $200 total.

Funny! I was the same way when I got back into fishing a few years ago. Price shock. My previous gear (with one exception) didn't cast more than $50 for both. Now the reason i don't spend big money on gear is poverty. Problem is once you start buying good gear you want more of the same. I know my doctors and the hospital wish I had never gotten back into fishing. LOL.

[ctf58]

Thanks for the replies. I understand the A-rig is the new kid on the block, but here on Ky Lake it is what is catching fish in the fall pattern and i own 2 of them and fish local small tourney's. I have a 7' mh that I have tried throwing the A-rig on and it does work but I thought a little more length and a softer tip might help with distance. My A-rig is HEAVY 1/8-1/4 jig heads and 4"-5" swimbaits is easily over 3oz. this is the recommendation from and Al@b@m@ rig site "We recommend that you use a 7' to 8' medium heavy to heavy rod." That is why i was looking at the Abu Garcia Veritas 7'11" Heavy Mod/fast.

A custom rod builder says this "In general terms, you’re going to need a 7-8 foot fishing rod that is at least medium heavy power and with rod action in the moderate to fast action."

From Bassmaster interview

Paul Elias' Alabama rig resembled a small school of shad. Each swimbait was impaled on a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce jighead, so the entire rig weighed 2 ounces or more. He cast it on a 7-foot, 11-inch Pinnacle flipping rod and Pinnacle reel spooled with 65-pound SpiderWire Ultracast FluoroBraid. The rod's parabolic bend was critical to his success.

Again thanks for the input. I think I'll but one of these and continue to use my 7' for crankbaits. I need to learn to pitch and flip as well.

Am I right in understanding that these 2 setups are to stiff for crankbaits and I need to find a rod with more "Flex" like a moderate power, moderate tip if I want to crank. What about the reel I know it is a slower speed, would it be a good crankbait reel?

Edited August 2, 2012 by ctf58

[Fishes in trees]

A-rig rods (like all other technique specific rods for the most part) are a matter of personal preference, and personal preference is based on experience. Pick one, try it for a while and if you don't like it try something else. To me, unless you're going to throw A-rigs around 3/4 ounce more or less, I don't think a cranking rod will work real well. I'd recommend some sort of swim bait rod rated to handle weights of 2 to 5 ounces or so.

A couple of years ago, I got a great deal on a couple of Fenwick Technica AV Swim Bait rods (7'9", rated as MH) so that is what I started fishing swim baits with. Going through my collection of old rods, I found an early 90's era Team Diawa Muskie rod. Similar action, only its 7' long, so it fits in by boat and truck better. I haven't noticed any vast difference in casting distance, but distance casting skill is only one of the many fishing skills that I suck at.

I'd say look around and see what other guys in your neighborhood are using and that's a place to start.

Now about reels. Currently I'm using a 7 ball bearing Calcutta. 200 GTB I think. As soon as I get a spare $250 I'm going to get a Curado 300 E or maybe the inshore version which is a little faster.

About line . . . I'm happy using 65 lb braid, should I get a different reel I might upgrade to 80 or so braid. JMO