Shimano Crucial Spinnerbait Rod. What Else Can It Do??

[mkfriedrich]

Hey guys I have the crucial spinnerbait rod and was wondering what else can it do besides a spinnerbait. here are the specs. thanks guys. 

7'2 med heavy ex-fast 12-25   3/4-1 1/4

 

 

P.S 

I posted this question on another local fishing site and i got the answer.. " What it says on the rod". No other site could ever compare to this site. Just thought you guys should know, Im very thankful for being a member on this site! 

[camman]

It can do anything you feel comfortable fishing with it...crankbaits, lipless cranks, jigs, worms, topwater, etc....

 

My opinion is that companies came out with "technique" specific rods to hook anglers into buying more rods....looking at the rating its probably a little too stiff to toss light baits on likes senkos, drop shots, etc....and may not have a enough backbone to punch a 1.5oz weight or toss a swimbait....but it can do everything in between

[mkfriedrich]

I feel the same way about companies just dong technique specific rods just to get a little more on there end. thanks for the advice man

[martintheduck]

I've got a 7'2 med/hvy x-fast Crucial casting rod and it's one of my "all around" rods. Handles weightless flukes, weighted swimbaits, spinners, square bills, med. cranks (down to 14ish feet), 1/4oz shaky heads, weighted worms, c-rig's (up to from 1/4oz to 3/4 oz), 1/2oz jigs... I literally will use it for most anything. 

[Jrob78]

I've got a rod with almost those exact same specs, only difference is mine is 7'3".  It's a very versatile rod.  I bought it primarily for 5" hollow belly swimbaits and heavy spinnerbaits but I've used it for jigs, t-rigs, heavy swim jigs, bladed jigs, frogs and even my Bull Shad.  It isn't perfect for all those techniques but it can handle more than just spinnerbaits.  Space is at a premium on my kayak, rods have to be able to pull double duty or I'm wasting space.  

[mkfriedrich]

wow awesome feedback guys! thanks so much. It is a rather stiff rod. thanks again guys. any more input would be greatly appreciated! 

[wngan9447]

wow awesome feedback guys! thanks so much. It is a rather stiff rod. thanks again guys. any more input would be greatly appreciated!

The answer you received from the other site was complete sarcasm.

6'-10" thru 7'-2" MHF are the most versatile rods IMO. I have a 7-1 crucial that I fish just about everything with if I need to.

The technique specific rods, I think is for educational purposes. Some techniques are better suited with certain rod specifications. About 90% of the members on this forum know the specs needed for each technique. The labeling is for people that do not know the difference between a ML and a MH rod.

Cheers

[Catt]

If you don't use it specifically for spinner baits it might get confused!

[jtesch]

I have the same rod and it's pretty much an all purpose action. I wouldn't have a problem throwing a jig with it if I had too. It's not a classic moderate action spinnerbait rod like some companies build so I think it is a case of Shimano using a little marketing ploy. Still a great rod for the money, I have 7 or 8 crucials and love them. It would be a great rod for swim jigs and chatterbaits, really any kind of reaction bait. Not a crankbait rod though

[Fishes in trees]

I'm in agreement with Catt here.  Fish have small minds.   So do fishing rods.   Using that spinnerbait rod for anything other than spinnerbaits might confuse it.  Don't take that chance.

[WRB]

I don't own any Shimano rods other than the Loomis brand, prior to the ownership change. The Shimano brand rods historically have over rated power marking, meaning under rated actual power when compared to the Loomis brand, for example. Medium-heavy = a 4 power in the Loomis brand, fast action = the upper 1/3rd of the flexes 3 to 1 vs the mid 1/3 under light pressure. The shimano is closer to a 3+ power and moderate fast action, about 1/2 of the upper rod bends 3 to 1, a slightly slower action.

What all this boils down to is your rod is a all around bass rod that works well for a lot of presentations. It's not ideally suited to be a jig rod for heavier jigs. It's also a little too fast action for crankbaits, however should work OK.

Hollow body swimbaits up to 6" should be good. T-rigged soft plastics, worms and creatures, up to 3/4 oz, should be OK.

Tom

[martintheduck]

Not a crankbait rod though

 

 

Tell that to this guy I pulled in last week 

 

[mkfriedrich]

Awesome info. thanks tom for taking the time to clear up a few things!