Technique Specific Rod Lines

[WhiteMike1018]

Hey all. Im looking for some lines of technique spefici rods for around 100-200$ in price.

 

What I need for next year:

 

Crankbait rod for lipless crankbait/medium diving/deep crankbaits

 

Drop shot rod

 

 

 

Thats pretty much it...spinnerbaits/pitching/flipping im pretty good on

 

Lines i know of:

 

Skeet

St.croix mojo bass

 

Edit: I know the KVD Tour rods are on sale right now at *** for around 100$ before shipping....do you think i should grab one for crankin? has anyone had any experience with these rods?

[.ghoti.]

At the top end of your range are the St Croix Avid line of rods. I'd suggest those, hand's down, over any of the one's you mentioned.

[Cgrinder]

The Shimano Crucial line has a drop shot and reaction (crankbait) rod, I believe.

[Mike L]

Check out The Phenix "X" series composite crank rods.

 

Just got my 3rd Phenix rod and very impressed..

 

 

 

Mike

[rockchalk06]

I am cranking with an Avid MHM 7'. It's the most sensitive cranking rod I've ever used.

[5fishlimit]

Duckett rods fits in your budget.

[Hi Salenity]

Don't overlook the veritas

[flyfisher]

Don't worry about what is on the blank saying use this or that for a specific purpose.  I have the spinnerbait mojo rod and don't like it for spinnerbaits at all but i do like it for frogs and jigs.  I prefer my 6'6" MHF jig/worm rod for spinnerbaits.

 

Figure out the power and action you want and go with that.

 

Drop shot is generlaly going to be a 7' M or ML F rod.  Crankbait rods you are looking for a moderate action.  I am not a lipless crank fisherman but many posts on here indicate people like the Fast action rods for this technique when ripping out of the grass.

 

I will also echo the Avid or for the same blank and a few bucks cheaper you can go with the rage series.

[WhiteMike1018]

At the top end of your range are the St Croix Avid line of rods. I'd suggest those, hand's down, over any of the one's you mentioned.

 

Thanks ghoti, i actually have some avid series rods already but ive become a huge fan of the newver split-grip style of rods, my hands are somewhat smaller anyway so it allows me to handle the rod much better this way, the cork seems to be a bit too bulky on my 7 MH avid -mike

[WhiteMike1018]

I am cranking with an Avid MHM 7'. It's the most sensitive cranking rod I've ever used.

 

 

is it a composite or full graphite? I dont necessarily believe sensitivity is all that important when cranking, many times i rip the bait out of the fishes mouth with my premier 6'6 medium F...I think its best for me to go glass or some type of compositie

 

 

bps cranking stick would be great, but the grip is somewhat crappy imo

[WRB]

It comes down to personal preferences like cork, split handles or one piece, fore grip or none and how the rod balances with the reel you use. What feels right to me may not be right for you. Crank bait rods come in longer rod lengths as a general rule and have slower action to properly load the rod for ease of casting, you cast a lot using crank baits. If you plan on deep divers 15'+ models that weigh 3/4 oz+, the a med/hvy to heavy rod in the 7' to 7'6" length works good.

The drop shot rod could be a spinning outfit depending on line sizes you choose and ligther weight rods are a advantage feeling bites. You can use a bait casting rod for drop shot if you keep to lighter weight reels. Drop shot rods have moderate fast action, usually between 6'6" to 7'3" long.

Off the shelf rods like Dobyn's, Lamiglass, St Croix offer good customer service and warranties.

Tom

[rockchalk06]

is it a composite or full graphite? I dont necessarily believe sensitivity is all that important when cranking, many times i rip the bait out of the fishes mouth with my premier 6'6 medium F...I think its best for me to go glass or some type of compositie

bps cranking stick would be great, but the grip is somewhat crappy imo

It's a graphite rod designed for cranking. Acts like glass, feels like glass but more sensitive and lighter.

Until you have fished with a graphite cranking rod you will never know.

Your ripping the hooks out cause you rod is a fast action. A graphite cranking rod has a moderate action to help prevent this. Same action as a glass rod.

[smalljaw67]

From what you listed, I'd say you need 2 cranking rods, one for lipless and shallow and another for mid depth and deep cranks. I like graphite for the lipless and shallow diving baits, these are the cranks that are going to be in and around cover so the graphite will transmit better and give you more backbone to rip a bait free from weeds. A glass or composite rod will be fine for mid to deep cranks, the Avid line is really good but since you want a split grip, well go to TW and look at the sale page. The Quantum KVD cranking rods are on sale for under $100, you may not like Quantum but for $100 they are really decent cranking rods with a lifetime warranty. One aspect of glass and composite rods that you may not be aware of is their weight, if you only have experience with graphite you'll be in for a shock when you first pick it up. My mid depth and deep cranking rod is glass, it works great for that purpose but it is too soft to rip a bait away from weeds or other cover consistently so be sure you get the right rod.

[WhiteMike1018]

Thanks all for your input and replies. I been looking at the Shimano Clarus crankbait rod. From what I've read thus far a lot of people really love this rod for the price, and I love the split grip handle and the design.

[rockchalk06]

Thanks all for your input and replies. I been looking at the Shimano Clarus crankbait rod. From what I've read thus far a lot of people really love this rod for the price, and I love the split grip handle and the design.

You can't go wrong with it. I've got one in a MXF, and its a great quality rod. Probably the best rod for the 80-90 range you can get. It's got a lifetime warranty, double footed guides all but 4 from the tip, good craftsman ship and the lifetime warranty is worth mentioning again.