Crankbait Rod Questions.

[RF813]

I know the tip action on rods isn't necesarily a standard, but I see a lot of what appears to be conflicting information. I've read alot of sites as to what makes up a good crankbait rod, and it actually makes the decision a bit harder. Below I have posted 2 links, and a quote from each site. One says fast action, one says moderate.  I'd love to hear people's opinions, as I am looking to buy a cranking specific rod in the next month / month and a half. Preferably one that could be used light / moderate crankbaits & jerkbaits. (if something can be found that can cover all those).  So if people with a bit more experience could give their opinons on the conflicting info, and maybe suggest a rod that would fit the bill, I'd appreciate it. I have a budget of around $150, give or take.

 

 

I like using 7-foot rods for crankbaiting. The longer rod makes it easy to fling the lure out there for big distance, and that's important when fishing clear-water reservoirs. The longer rod also gives you more leverage for wrestling those bruisers out of the shallow weeds and cover. My personal preference is a 7-foot medium or medium-heavy Kistler Rod. Kistlers have nice, fast-action tips that help both in casting and hooksets.

And believe me, that fast tip is important. No matter what brand of rod you choose, make sure it has a fast-action tip. (use a fast tip)

 

 

 

A fast action rod does not “give” they way a moderate action for would.  If you were to use a faster action rod while fishing a crankbait, the moment you set the hook the bait is going to instantly be pulled away from the fish.  (do NOT use a fast tip)

[roadwarrior]

Well, the "perfect" rod is actually two different rods, but both of these will work just fine:

 

St. Croix AVC66MF 

This is my dedicated jerkbait rod. The tip is soft, but the blank is crisp.

Excellent for working this class of lures.

 

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

The rod is designed for all treble hook lures, especially crankbaits and topwater.

[RF813]

Thanks for the quick reply RW, from hanging around here I know how specific things can get. Hah.  For now I need to keep things as "general" as I can since I can't afford to pick up half a dozen setups immediately. 

 

Slowly but surely is the plan. 

 

I always appreciate the input from all the experienced anglers here.  Thanks again.

[roadwarrior]

The Perfecta is a great value at it's pricing point and that is the one I would recommend

to start with. The rod is priced very close to your target. 

[dam0007]

I sorta concur with roadwarrior.

 

Lets look at it like this, baits with treble hooks. For instance jerkbaits I prefer Medium Fast thus allowing me to use a rod with more back bone. My science is if I let the lure pause for a long time and say a bass grabs it but doesnt take off running. My next unknowingly move to snap the lure could be a hookset. So thats where the backbone comes into play. My 6'7" M/F also doubles as my dedicated fluke rod which obiviously is single hook and requires a stronger rod for a hookset. - Now off to moving baits I prefer a noodle. Lipless cranks, shallow divers, squarebills etc. I'm running a 6'8" Medium Moderate. The extra flex in the rod allows the fish to remain pinned on the treble hooks. It also gives a little extra giveto a lure thats bumping into cover reducing chances of getting snagged. *allows added deflection*

 

Hope this information helps. By the way I didnt mention a brand and the post you quoted was pushing one.

[RF813]

I was just wondering where there was such a wide discrepency on action the rod should have.   The links I provided were just to show the variety of answers i'm finding, not for specific brands.  Maybe i'm trying to compare apples to oranges?

[Lucky Craft Man]

As has been said before, I think a jerkbait requires a different action and length rod as opposed to just a crankbait rod.  With a jerkbait, you work the lure, so I think a shorter rod (6'6" to 6'10")  with a faster action (I actual like a moderate fast action) is ideal.  With a crankbait, there is more of a straight retrieve (though you can rip and work the crankbait a little), so a longer rod (7'1" to 7'11") with a moderate action is ideal. 

 

To move on to your question.  If you are looking for an all-in-one rod, you may have to ask yourself which of the two techniques will you fish more.  After you decide which techniques you may favor, I would gravitate towards a rod that is a little closer aligned with that technique.  For example, if you think you will throw a jerkbait more often, then maybe look for a moderate fast action rod that is a little shorter (like a 6'11" or 7'0").  If you think crankbaits will be more of what you use, look for a moderate or moderate-fast action rod that is a little longer (like 7'1" to 7'5").  Either way, there will be a little sacrifice away from one technique vs. another.

 

Good luck in your search!   

[roadwarrior]

Well, lets see if this helps:

 

Generally, the taditional recommendation for treble hook lures is Medium or Medium Heavy Power/

Moderate Action.

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/35514-rods-power-and-action-%C2%A0defined/

 

 

 

[tbone1993]

For those baits a 66mf is the happy medium to cover jerkbaits & crankbaits. I dont have my dedicated jerkbait rod yet so I throw them on a 66m moderate action fenwick. I plan on getting a 68 mxf fenwick elite tech small mouth rod for the purpose of throwing jerkbaits. You want a f to xf ( preferably) action on your jerkbait rod to impart the proper action. Using a 66m moderate doesnt pop the lure as much. 

[mjseverson24]

Personally I would not use a fast action rod for crankbaits, for jerkbaits it works fine. If I had to combine these two rods together I would get a 7' M/M. A few good choices are the skeet reese 7' S-glass crankbait rod, or the quantum KVD crankbaits rods, a good rod that can kind of work well for both would be the shimano compre reaction series rods, with the blend of glass and graphite it is kind of the best of both worlds.

 

Mitch 

[black94gt50]

I have noticed since using glass cranking rods, that I've lost a lot less fish. I use moderate-fast tip. Now people will say you lose some sensitivity withthe glass rods, but to me that's not a huge deal when cranking to me. I can still feel the rocks and any structure I'm fishing with them. I also feel with the glass rods that I don't get hung up near as much.

I've recommended this rod a lot and it's a good rod for small to medium cranks, and seems to do well with jerkbaits also. The Powell diesel glass cranking rod. http://www.***.com/Powell_Diesel_Glass_Crankbait_Casting_Rods/descpage-PDCCR.html

It's 7'0 long and very light. Don't let the price fool you, it's a great feeling rod and very well balanced, and at 55-60 bucks, you can't go wrong. It's cheap enough to try and I believe you would be happy with it.

I mostly throw squarebills on it and smaller body cranks with it. Now I said earlier that sensitivity is usually lost with glass, but with this rod it's not the case, when throwing the squarebills I can feel the cover I'm knocking into very well.

Like I said this is a light rod and I have a citica 200e on the rod, I can fish all day with the squarebills on this thing and not be worn out a bit. Try the rod, it's cheap, and I almost garuntee you will like it. Just my 2 cents.