Cranking Rod For Small Lures

[bass1980]

Smashing these Smallies right now. Love fall weather river fishing. I'm really thinking of a dedicated setup just for these Smallies. I'm throwing shad raps, KVD 1.0, and inline spinners. I just can't go back to spinning gears if I can avoid it. This gives me a excuse to buy a Chronarch Ci4+. Again only throwing very light lures. Would you guys recommend medium light rods? Any cranking ML rods? I do not like glass rod so that's out of the question. Any suggestions is appreciated.

[retiredbosn]

BPS makes the crankin stick in a ml, great value especially when on sale. I have Quantum KVD ml 6'3", its really a hard jerk bait rod but is limber enough for cranks.

[Goose52]

x2.  I have 5 BPS Crankin' Sticks - 2 are medium-lights: a 6'  and a 7'.  Handle ligher baits well, sensitive enough to get the job done. Good values.

[JeziHogg]

Go with a M/M rod an instead of getting the CI4+ Chronarch, I'd go with the 50/51E.

[bass1980]

I'm currently using a 51e paired with a Gloomis GL2 MHM cranking rod. I can still cast fine but to get real good distance on 1/8 inline spinners I have to really sling it. Looking for a dedicated setup that I can finess cast it and still get good distance. I'm sure a MM rod will work too just wondering if I need to go to ML. Plus shad raps I'm using are number 5 so it's 3/16.

[Jrob78]

I have 2 casting set ups I throw small crankbaits on.  One is a Daiwa Sol on a custom  built on a MXF spinning blank.  The other is a Curado 50E on a Falcon Bucoo "medium action" rod.  The Falcon is a med power with a mod-fast action but it is pretty wimpy, perfect for small square bills.  Both work really well and cast plenty far.

[iabass8]

the St. Croix MM small cranker /w a 51 shimano would be great for throwing the shad raps and spinners you mentioned. the kvd 1.0 would be very easy as well. I can throw them quite a ways on a st. croix MHM /w a 51 curado.

[JeziHogg]

Ahh I didn't know that your other lures weighted less then the 1.0. I don't know if anyone makes a ML/M but you can always get a ML with a fast tip and use mono on it. As for the Ci4+ it would probably be harder to cast lighter lures because of the deeper spool as compared to the 50/51. One of my finesse baitcasting set ups is a TBC610MLXF with a 51E on it, but I have an Avail micro spool on it and Kattobi Air BFS micro ceramic bearings and I can throw a 1/16oz with a 4" senko far. If you want any real kind of distance with a baitcasting setup for extremely light lures you gotta fork out some decent cash.

[THE_Vue's]

I am using a kistler klx 66ml CRT as my dedicated 1.0 sk stick and jr 110's. And have it pair up with core51.  It cast the 1.0 and shad raps perfectly.  the moderate action feel reminiscent of some of the jdm megabass rods.  

[bass1980]

Hummmm I'm hearing that the ci4+ is a superior caster vs the CH50. Plus I just want the reel. Spring season comes I'll be chasing those walleyes and white bass so it'll be used often.

[JeziHogg]

So get the Ci4+ and throw it on your GL2 and the 50 on whatever rod you decide to get =)

[Hi Salenity]

I'm like using Rage rods this time of the year I love the grip with gloves.

Personally I use spinning rods for inline spinners but the 7'? MM casting rod should work.

[bass1980]

The GL2 was really for my square bill 3/8 to 1/2 setup and will pair it up with a lews bb1. Just haven't bought it yet. My 51e is really for my weightless fluke setup but I'm just messing around lately because LMB season is near the end up north. Now focused on Smallies before winter dooms us. I've just recently been chasing Smallies and it's so much fun that I want a dedicated setup for them even if I'm just splurging

[bass1980]

My guess is a ML will work for 1/8 inline spinners but will it be too weak for KVD 1.0?

Everyone thanks for the feedbacks. Much appreciated.

[Jrob78]

My guess is a ML will work for 1/8 inline spinners but will it be too weak for KVD 1.0?

Everyone thanks for the feedbacks. Much appreciated.

A ML in a casting rod is normally going to be more powerful than a ML in a spinning rod.  Plus, rod power in a mod or mod/fast action crankbait rod isn't going to be as critical as it would be in say, a jig rod.  Cranking is the one technique where you can get away with a less than stiff rod.  Small, sharp treble hooks are easier to set.

[THE_Vue's]

Im going to be honest, this year majority of my fish was caught on my Ml rod with the strike king 1.0.  I find that the 1.0 for this rod is the sweet spot, for the weight and size it was perfect.  And for sensitivity its insane, you can't go wrong with north fork composite blanks.

[bass1980]

I may try your suggestion on the rod.

[THE_Vue's]

if you haven't applied for kistler newsletter they give out discounts for first time buyers.

[THE_Vue's]

I just check out there website seems like they have a 7 footer in stock now. so if 6,6 to short for you they have the 7

[Skeeterboy1]

Smashing these Smallies right now. Love fall weather river fishing. I'm really thinking of a dedicated setup just for these Smallies. I'm throwing shad raps, KVD 1.0, and inline spinners. I just can't go back to spinning gears if I can avoid it. This gives me a excuse to buy a Chronarch Ci4+. Again only throwing very light lures. Would you guys recommend medium light rods? Any cranking ML rods? I do not like glass rod so that's out of the question. Any suggestions is appreciated.

 

Fenwick makes a great rod for smallmouth fishing. Take a look at the Fenwick Elite Tech smallmouth series. They make six different models to choose from. These rods are very light and sensitive and really strong to handle those strong smallies when hitting a crankbait or jerkbait. 

[Dwight Hottle]

St Croix has M power M action in the legend extreme at $380, legend tournament at $250 and the avid at $190. All these rods are rated at 8-14 line & 1/4 to 5/8 lure weight. 6'6", 7' or 7'2" long.

St Crois also makes legend inshore gulf coast 6'6" XL power M action 6-10 line 1/32 to 1/8 lure weight at $270.

Legend inshore 6'6" L power M action 8-12 line 1/16 to 1/4 lure weight at $270

Legend inshore 7' ML power M action 8-14 line 1/8 to 3/8 lure weight at $280.

Dont hesitate to look at salt water rods for freshwater if you can't find a power/action rod to meet your expectations.

I have a 7' legend inshore spinning rod that is a light power moderate action and it is a gas for smallies. Perfect for light lure tossing in open water and has handled smallmouth up to 6lbs so far.  

I use the legend extreme MM & the MHM casting for heavier baits for smallies.

[Capt.Bob]

I have great luck with the St. Croix Avid 7' MM for smaller cranks in Rivers or on Lakes, it's a sweet rod for the money.