Looking For A New Crankbait Rod

[jmorisaki]

Hello all, would like some thoughts on a new crankin stick. Definitely not my dominant style of fishing but looking to do more of it in the coming year. Typically will throw shallow and medium divers around 3/8 - 1/2 oz. I prefer a 7'- 7'3" rod. Was most recently using a Shimano Clarus 7M. Liked the feel but hated the short handle, I like casting with 2 hands. Would like to keep it under 200 and currently considering:

- Phoenix x10

- lucky craft fat mini magic

- *** *** crank

- Lews tournament micro (good review on ***)

Any thoughts on these or other cranking rods? Definitely appreciate any feedback.

[new2BC4bass]

First, welcome to the forum.  Second, you've listed some pretty nice gear.  Third, I can't comment on any of them since I have zero experience with them...although I do have a Lews TP.  Still...it isn't the reel you are considering.  Fourth, I could suggest a BPS Crankin Stick if you would prefer to try cranking with something a little less expensive.  They get good reviews.  Just picked up their ML.  Got out a few minutes with it yesterday (temps went  from teens to 50's) so I can't give any concrete feedback on it yet.  I can say that I am going to have to agree with others that it probably is going to fish above its price point.  Was throwing a 3/16 oz. Shad Rap and could fell it working from quite a ways out.  Was a little impressed considering it is an IM6 rod.

[sprint286]

Check out Denali Rosewood custom cranking rods. in fact I am holding one in my profile pic ,caught that bass on strike king 5xd using a Lews  5.1 gear reel .This rod can handle anything from 1.5 square bills to traps and deep divers here is the link to their site with all the specs they have 4 different models in the Rosewood line ,also the Kovert line has some nice models at a more affordable price without sacrificing quality. http://www.denalirods.com/rosewoodrods.aspx

[rockchalk06]

I have been on a Dobyns Kick for awhile now. That said, I still have yet to trade up my St. Croix Avid cranking rod. Big flex and loads well. Its under 200, 7 foot and has a full cork grip.

[smalljaw67]

Right now there is a sale going on at Tackle Warehouse, $80 gets you a 7' medium heavy Quantum Tour KVD Cranking rod. Maybe you don't like the name but these are decent rods, however they are composite meaning they are a blend of graphite and fiberglass so they will be heavier than a graphite rod but lighter than an all glass rod. If you want an all graphite cranking rod then there is none better than the G.Loomis CBR series, they are the best graphite cranking rods I ever used.

[down4ttown]

I would suggest calling Ron at ValleySports and getting a Dobyn's champion cranking stick. Dobyn's has one of the best warranties in the business, and it will have more sensitivity than you will ever need in a cranking stick. 

[KC5TTC]

I have the Denali Kovert 7'6" Cranking Stick. I paired it with a Lew's 5.1:1 Reel and it works wonders with mediuim and small crankbaits as well as lipless.

[ColdSVT]

I own the lews speed stick crankbait..nice rod overall especially in its price point. It handle square bills up the 6xd with ease and is quite sensitive for a crankin stick

[roadwarrior]

If you are asking for a rod & reel combination under $200, this does not work,

but if it's just the rod you need, the Pinnacle is killer! For other members, this

is a great set-up!

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html

 

 

 

[inrll]

I understand the need for sensitivity in a soft plastics or jig rod but how big of a roll does it play in cranking?

[roadwarrior]

I think you might be surprised. Not everyone has the ability to feel subtle clues,

but for those that do, we can feel the difference between different kinds of cover

and structure.

 

 

 

[Craiger12]

I would suggest calling Ron at ValleySports and getting a Dobyn's champion cranking stick. Dobyn's has one of the best warranties in the business, and it will have more sensitivity than you will ever need in a cranking stick.

x2

[Arv]

I would suggest calling Ron at ValleySports and getting a Dobyn's champion cranking stick. Dobyn's has one of the best warranties in the business, and it will have more sensitivity than you will ever need in a cranking stick.

x3 message him or call him. You might be surprised. Great guy too

[jmorisaki]

Thanks a ton for all the feedback! I've been reading/following the site for the last couple of years but this is my first real participation and I definitely appreciate the response and the community - even from a JayHawk ; ~)

 

I've noticed that the Dobyns seem to be really popular. One of the first baitcasters I bought when I first started educating my thumb was a Dobyns Savvy 6'6" MH/Fast. i thought it was ok, but wasn't sure it was worth the money (or i wasn't good enough to be able to notice the difference). The insert on the tip guide fell out and need to replace but I mostly fish longer rods now. I know they're for different applications, but would the Championship justify the price?

 

I think that is my real challenge - with my relative lack of skill with a crank be able to justify / take advantage of a nicer stick. Would I be better off with one of the KVDs on sale at TW or going with a Lews speed stick versus the Dobyns or other nicer rods mentioned. I also haven't really had a ton of experience with glass or composites to be able to tell if I like those better than graphite. I did like the feel/sensitivity of my Shimano and the way it loaded. But the handle was just too short and the two handed casts were a little awkward. 

 

What is everyone's thoughts on glass vs. composite vs, graphite for a cranking rod?

 

 

I will definitely chat with Ron, though. Seems like folks on the site have had a great experience with working with him.

[bass1980]

I had both the Phenix X10 and Gloomis CBR 845C and between the two I liked the X10 better. Just my opinion but the X10's blank felt better, more sensitive, and lighter. The Loomis I like the reel seat and corks better so where my hand is touching the rod n reel it felt better.

If I had to do it all over again I would take the Loomis because even though they both have great warrantee the Loomis offers the wild card on their GL2. In store counter exchange saves you time and you'll have more shops that sells Loomis over Phenix.

[ColdSVT]

My lews is composite...it really do like it for the sensitivtiy and light weight but I do prefer glass when it comes to crankin. Even though I no longer own a glass rod lol

[Arv]

Thanks a ton for all the feedback! I've been reading/following the site for the last couple of years but this is my first real participation and I definitely appreciate the response and the community - even from a JayHawk ; ~)

 

I've noticed that the Dobyns seem to be really popular. One of the first baitcasters I bought when I first started educating my thumb was a Dobyns Savvy 6'6" MH/Fast. i thought it was ok, but wasn't sure it was worth the money (or i wasn't good enough to be able to notice the difference). The insert on the tip guide fell out and need to replace but I mostly fish longer rods now. I know they're for different applications, but would the Championship justify the price?

 

I think that is my real challenge - with my relative lack of skill with a crank be able to justify / take advantage of a nicer stick. Would I be better off with one of the KVDs on sale at TW or going with a Lews speed stick versus the Dobyns or other nicer rods mentioned. I also haven't really had a ton of experience with glass or composites to be able to tell if I like those better than graphite. I did like the feel/sensitivity of my Shimano and the way it loaded. But the handle was just too short and the two handed casts were a little awkward. 

 

What is everyone's thoughts on glass vs. composite vs, graphite for a cranking rod?

 

 

I will definitely chat with Ron, though. Seems like folks on the site have had a great experience with working with him.

I'm only going to give you my opinion to your first question since I honestly don't have nearly as much experience with the glass/composite/graphite as others on here do. If you search here, or good ol' google, you should be able to find several threads (here and other forums) dedicated to that debate, with lots of good information from guys I value as experienced anglers.

 

Having fished the Savvy, Champion and Champion Extreme, I would say that the step up from the Savvy to the Champion is absolutely worth the money (especially when the Champion can be had for less than retail). While the Savvy is a nice rod, I agree with others, that for the price there is some left to be desired. Having just received my DX rods, I'm not going to try and claim to be an expert on the Dobyns line (again, there are several people on here with more experience than me), but, IMO the Champion is 2-3 steps up from the Savvy and the DX is 1-2 steps up from the Champion. I'll put it this way, with the Savvy I personally didn't feel like I had great sensitivity when fishing bottom contact techniques, some sensations were questionable to me. The Champion, I can distinguish things well and would be comfortable fishing only Champions if that was for some reason the situation I was in. The DX feels everything the Champion feels and then magnifies them.

 

While I realize this does not directly answer your question about the cranking rods, hopefully my experience will give you some insight into the differences between the Dobyns line-ups. I will also say that, based on my experience with my Dobyns rods, I just bought a Dobyns Champion 705CB (graphite) sight unseen. The verdict is out as to whether I would have preferred the CB Glass, but I'll only learn that from handling the rods first hand. This was also with the option of having a brand new Avid for considerably less. NOT bashing St. Croix rods by any means, or to say Dobyns is the end-all be-all of rod companies, but I've just been that pleased with the rods I have used from them that I will be hard pressed to buy much else.

[jmorisaki]

I'm only going to give you my opinion to your first question since I honestly don't have nearly as much experience with the glass/composite/graphite as others on here do. If you search here, or good ol' google, you should be able to find several threads (here and other forums) dedicated to that debate, with lots of good information from guys I value as experienced anglers.

 

Having fished the Savvy, Champion and Champion Extreme, I would say that the step up from the Savvy to the Champion is absolutely worth the money (especially when the Champion can be had for less than retail). While the Savvy is a nice rod, I agree with others, that for the price there is some left to be desired. Having just received my DX rods, I'm not going to try and claim to be an expert on the Dobyns line (again, there are several people on here with more experience than me), but, IMO the Champion is 2-3 steps up from the Savvy and the DX is 1-2 steps up from the Champion. I'll put it this way, with the Savvy I personally didn't feel like I had great sensitivity when fishing bottom contact techniques, some sensations were questionable to me. The Champion, I can distinguish things well and would be comfortable fishing only Champions if that was for some reason the situation I was in. The DX feels everything the Champion feels and then magnifies them.

 

While I realize this does not directly answer your question about the cranking rods, hopefully my experience will give you some insight into the differences between the Dobyns line-ups. I will also say that, based on my experience with my Dobyns rods, I just bought a Dobyns Champion 705CB (graphite) sight unseen. The verdict is out as to whether I would have preferred the CB Glass, but I'll only learn that from handling the rods first hand. This was also with the option of having a brand new Avid for considerably less. NOT bashing St. Croix rods by any means, or to say Dobyns is the end-all be-all of rod companies, but I've just been that pleased with the rods I have used from them that I will be hard pressed to buy much else.

 

 

Thanks Arv! I was pretty underwhelmed with the Savvy have a handful of cheaper rods I personally liked better so that is great information and I definitely appreciate it.

 

BTW - I noticed you're in Bolivar, I went to SBU for a couple of years in the mid 90s. Loved my time down there but wasn't into fishing then. Went to a tourney at Stockton in March and drove through town and had some good flashbacks. Did terribly at Stockton. It was my first time there and couldn't get much going on the stick bait bite. Wiggle wart was better but mostly shorts. I'll be there again in the middle of May for a two day tourney so any tips would be much appreciated.

[jmorisaki]

I had both the Phenix X10 and Gloomis CBR 845C and between the two I liked the X10 better. Just my opinion but the X10's blank felt better, more sensitive, and lighter. The Loomis I like the reel seat and corks better so where my hand is touching the rod n reel it felt better.

If I had to do it all over again I would take the Loomis because even though they both have great warrantee the Loomis offers the wild card on their GL2. In store counter exchange saves you time and you'll have more shops that sells Loomis over Phenix.

 

thanks for the thoughts. I'm really intrigued by the Phenix based on the review on tackletour and its ability to easily throw a wide variety of cranks. Since it isn't my forte, i really don't want 3-4 different rods for it (although knowing myself...). But I haven't seen anyone around st. louis carry. I've thought about buying my top 3 choices from tw and then pre-paying return postage and sending back the two I don't want. I did that last year around this time and they only charged me $6 for return shipping. 

[jmorisaki]

If you are asking for a rod & reel combination under $200, this does not work,

but if it's just the rod you need, the Pinnacle is killer! For other members, this

is a great set-up!

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html

 

 

 

thanks for the suggestion, although I'm only needing a rod right now. I just picked up a Lews BB1 5.1 for cranking. I've really liked my Tourney Pros but I'm still getting adjusted to the different feel of the BB1L. It is definitely a little less forgiving. But I will take a look at the rods. I've never really looked at them too closely.

[WRB]

David Fritts model Lew's crankbait rods are light weight and easy to cast for hours, important when cranking.

Eglass/composite will improve your hook set ratio to bass in the boat and at the end of the it's bass in the boat that count.

DF70MC is $110, not expensive!

Tomc

[jmorisaki]

David Fritts model Lew's crankbait rods are light weight and easy to cast for hours, important when cranking.

Eglass/composite will improve your hook set ratio to bass in the boat and at the end of the it's bass in the boat that count.

DF70MC is $110, not expensive!

Tomc

Thanks for the heads up on this one! Have you tried throwing baits smaller than 3/8 oz? If so how does it handle the lighter cranks? Wiggle warts are pretty popular in sw mo where I fish a fair amount and they are the bottom of the suggested weight limit.

[WRB]

Thanks for the heads up on this one! Have you tried throwing baits smaller than 3/8 oz? If so how does it handle the lighter cranks? Wiggle warts are pretty popular in sw mo where I fish a fair amount and they are the bottom of the suggested weight limit.

You shouldn't have any problems casting Warts.

Tom

[bass1980]

thanks for the thoughts. I'm really intrigued by the Phenix based on the review on tackletour and its ability to easily throw a wide variety of cranks. Since it isn't my forte, i really don't want 3-4 different rods for it (although knowing myself...). But I haven't seen anyone around st. louis carry. I've thought about buying my top 3 choices from tw and then pre-paying return postage and sending back the two I don't want. I did that last year around this time and they only charged me $6 for return shipping.

That's why choosing the Gloomis GL2 cranking rod may be a good option. Most major retail store has them. They have good warrantee and include the over the counter Wild card. Just a suggestion. I still haven't found the crank rod that is for me just yet. The GLX feels great for at $450 it's too expensive.

[smallies24/7]

Denali Kovert 7'6"