Did I Make A Good Choice On This Rod

[Mud River Matt]

Ok Guys, So I have posted a couple times about my crankbait rod needs. I bought one today and I hope I made a good choice. I work partime at a archery/fishing shop so I had to go through our supplier to get the best deal. My selection was somewhat limited, quite a bit actually, my first 2 choices I was unable to get. So I went with the Abu Garcia Veritas in a 6' 9" Medium Heavy Extra Fast. I was wanting a 7" Medium Extra Fast but they didnt have one avaliable. So this will be my crankbait and top water bait, and I am going to pair it with a Lew's Tournament MG in 6:4:1 ratio. So I hope I made a good choice. Please tell me what you guys think. Any and all comments are much appreciated. Thanks, Matt

[LuckyHandsINC.]

It's a nice rod, but not the right rod for crankbaits. The extra fast action is not going to be ideal. What you want is a moderate or mod/fast taper. In the veritas line the winch series is designed specifically for cranks. If you can,exchange your rod for a veritas winch series rod.

[rippin-lips]

If it works for you then be happy with your purchase. People use to catch fish with a cane pole. I used to have 1 casting setup and fished every lure I own on it and it worked just fine.

Now I use a Kistler Micro Mag crankbait rod. It's a 7' med mod/fast action.

Currently on special for $99 on their website.

[aavery2]

Congrats on the new rod, it is a rod that will be good for several techniques.  IMHO, it is not a great rod for crankbaits, it is a little too fast for treble hook type baits.   Typically you would want a slower rod, something in the moderate to moderate fast for crankbaits.  Xtra fast is a good single hook, bottom contact type rod.

 

Congrats again on the new rod.

[Brian Needham]

6'9MH ex-fast is going to be a great close quarters worm, jig, or even spinnerbait rod. Crankbaits, not so much, as you are going to tear treb hooks out all the time, IMO

 

I would be sure to play to fish very gently with that rod if used for cranks.

 

lots of guys really like those Vertias, so enjoy the new gear.

[Mud River Matt]

Ok, so I didnt do very good.... That sucks... So what would that rod be best suited for???? Some said jigs, spinnerbaits...... I really like to fish spinnerbaits alot, so I could use it for that, But what is that rod ideally suited for. Thanks guys

[LuckyHandsINC.]

Ok, so I didnt do very good.... That sucks... So what would that rod be best suited for???? Some said jigs, spinnerbaits...... I really like to fish spinnerbaits alot, so I could use it for that, But what is that rod ideally suited for. Thanks guys

If you want to use it for spinnerbaits, it will make a very nice spinnerbaits rod.

[Teal]

6'9MH ex-fast is going to be a great close quarters worm, jig, or even spinnerbait rod. Crankbaits, not so much, as you are going to tear treb hooks out all the time, IMO

 

I would be sure to play to fish very gently with that rod if used for cranks.

 

lots of guys really like those Vertias, so enjoy the new gear.

It will be a great "all purpose rod". Just for all purposes,except cranks. I like the rods in that length for skipping baits under docks. Veritas is a super light rod. You will enjoy that rod. Don't be so quick to put a label on that rod, there are lots of techniques that that rod will be outstanding for.

Did you already buy the tournament MG?

Ir you didnt buy it yet here is My suggestion on the reel choice. I am a Lews man. I love them. But spend 20 dollars more and get the Lew Tournament Speed spool. It has a dual breaking system that will make life sooooooooo much easier for you. If you have to wait a week or so extra to save the 20 bucks, it will be so worth it. The reg speed spool and tournament mgs are just a ill finicky to tune...the extra set of breaks makes all the difference.

[flyfisher]

If you are using it for cranks just back off the drag a little bit and you will be ok. I used to throw cranks on a st croix MHF and did well.

I will say I picked up a kistler helium crankbait rod a few weeks ago and the difference is night and day.....in a good way. I didn't know what I was missing and either will you till you get a crank specific rod

[LgMouthGambler]

Look, dont let anybody tell you you cant use that rod for any application you want, because you can. You can put whatever you want on that rod, you just have to consider the limited flex it will put out, and adjust your drag to make up for the difference. Im not a big fan of my rods bending too much because for me it takes away any power that I may want to have at any given time. I throw a crankbait on a MH XF rod, so what? Is it wrong? Maybe to some people who like to buy stuff that is "technique specific". Pretty much all of my rods are MH XF except 1, my hollow frog rod which is H XF. Its a good rod to have, and you can tie on whatever you want, and not have to worry about not having the power to do something.  

[Mud River Matt]

Guys, thanks so much for all the feedback. To one question about the reel. I was going to get the Tournament Speed Spool but the warehouse didnt have it avalible when I put in the order. I have the regular speed spool and I do fine with it, so  I think the MG will be fine. I was wanting the dual breaking but I needed to make the order 700$ so the shop wouldnt have to pay shipping and as I said I do fine with the regular speed spool and the only difference in the MG and SS is the breaking system, they both have the 9 bb and the brass gears and the one piece aluminum frame so I am happy with that. But the rod has be wacked out, I dont know, I am sure that with my fishing ability the rod wont make a huge difference I was just wanting to get all the help I could... I NEED IT...lol, but I am happy I guess. This is an awesome site, with awesome people thank you guys so much for the help. Thanks Matt

[HeavyDluxe]

Try it with cranks... What can it hurt to try?  I'm willing to bet that you'll learn to adjust to the action and utilize it just fine.  Is it 'the perfect crankbait' rod?  Well, maybe not.  

 

Technology has allowed us to make highly nuanced rods and reels that are specialized for a variety of applications. The downside, however, is that we can be made to feel that if we don't have the exact rod specifications for a particular application we're going to FAIL.  I doubt that's truly the case, despite what advertisers want us to believe.

[LgMouthGambler]

You will want a reel with cent. brakes, mag brakes only is a finicky reel to adjust and cast. Get a Shimano Citica, then you will have cent. brakes, and Shimanos great longevity.

[Teal]

Good stuff. Good luck with your new combo. Let us know how you like it!

[Diggy]

My friend had the same rod, fished cranks on it using braid and a 7 ratio pro qualifier and caught tons of fish. He only had one rod and it worked. He wasn't losing tons of fish either, it was a good general purpose rod. Should do well for you if you want to cover many techniques, without having a dedicated crank rod. He also caught many fish like the one in my avatar with it as well as dink bass. You'll love it, dont have buyers remorse before you fish it.

I have the same reel MG, the brakes on 4 or 5 seems pretty consistent for me. Its like the speed spool with more metal and clicking parts so you should be familiar with it already.

[5fishlimit]

Look, dont let anybody tell you you cant use that rod for any application you want, because you can. You can put whatever you want on that rod, you just have to consider the limited flex it will put out, and adjust your drag to make up for the difference. Im not a big fan of my rods bending too much because for me it takes away any power that I may want to have at any given time. I throw a crankbait on a MH XF rod, so what? Is it wrong? Maybe to some people who like to buy stuff that is "technique specific". Pretty much all of my rods are MH XF except 1, my hollow frog rod which is H XF. Its a good rod to have, and you can tie on whatever you want, and not have to worry about not having the power to do something.  

x2  I have the Veritas in a 7' and use it for pretty much everything except finesse presentations.  You'll do just fine.  It's a good rod.

[SirSnookalot]

Just enjoy the rod and adapt to it, you'll be fine in no time.  I personally use nothing but a med 7' spinning outfit for all of my freshwater fishing with any type of lure I choose.  I do downsize my rod and reel when I'm pond fishing, but I still use the same exact lures.