Best Casting Rod For Cranking And Pitching Jigs?

[aquaholic]

I know you normally want moderate action for cranking and extra fast for jigs but i am limited to how many rods i can carry. So unfortunately that means i cant have specific rod combos. I dont jig very much because i have trouble with my current rod really getting any feel.  I have a *** spinning rod that i love so id like to get a casting rod from them but want to make sure i get the right action/ power/ length to get the job done. Any suggestions?

[WIGuide]

My advice would be to get a fast action. It's not perfect for either but it'll suffice, just be sure to lighten your drag up when fishing crankbaits to prevent any hook pullout.

[lmbfisherman]

My advice would be to use the spinning rod as a cranking rod and use the casting rod as a jig rod.  I'd go 7' for the jig rod and XF or F is up to you, BUT I find the action isn't the same on all brands..for instance XF from Shimano/Loomis/Fenwick isn't the same as St. Croix or Abu.  So choose your preference by checking them in store, I definitely would go MH as it would be more versatile.  

[aquaholic]

My advice would be to use the spinning rod as a cranking rod and use the casting rod as a jig rod.  I'd go 7' for the jig rod and XF or F is up to you, BUT I find the action isn't the same on all brands..for instance XF from Shimano/Loomis/Fenwick isn't the same as St. Croix or Abu.  So choose your preference by checking them in store, I definitely would go MH as it would be more versatile.  

for some reason i cant stand using a spinning rod for cranks, just doesnt feel right.

[lmbfisherman]

for some reason i cant stand using a spinning rod for cranks, just doesnt feel right.

Understand, same here!  I just wanted to give you what I thought would be "optimal".  I would probably go for M/F rod then if you wanted to do what you are doing. 

[kschultz76]

If your budget allows it check out the Megabass Orochi XX rods, they have unique tapers and blank construction that makes them pretty versatile. I'd think for you purpose the Extreme Mission Type F, Spinnerbait Special, or tour Versatile would fit the bill. Look at the Spinnerbait first it's med fast taper I think will be good for you, still fast and stiff enough for jigs, but forgiving enough for reaction and blade lures.

I have the Spinnerbait and Tour Versatile.

Good luck!

[new2BC4bass]

If you prefer *** and need to compromise, then personally I would go with a Medium Fast.  Rod length up to you.  *** offers 3 different length casting rods in MF.  I like longer rods, so mine is the 7'3" MF.  I've always thrown crankbaits on whatever MF was handy.  Wasn't until after last season ended that I bought my first crankbait specific rod.

 

The Megabass rods may do a better job at both techniques than the ***, but I will never know.  Cost is more than I can afford.

[camovan]

The best rod to use for both cranking and jigs is a spinnerbait rod of course!  Seems odd but if you think about it, it makes perfect sense.   13 doesn't label their rods technique specific but a quick look at the lineup tells me the 6'7"mh is the spinnerbait rod in the lineup.  If your set on 13 thats the rod I would get to do the job.

[NathanW]

***'s are pretty fast. I would have to be pretty desperate to throw a crankbait on an *** ( except maybe ripping lipless baits through grass). I have never seen an MF *** other their cranking rod...

 

I have been in your position before though and quite honestly it has worked great. You want to find a graphite cranking rod in about the 7-2 to 7-6 range. Use Mono when you crank, then, when you need to fish jigs/t-rig use braided line. For instance I used to have Ducket Micro Magic 7-6" cranking rod that I could do this with, and it worked great.

[mprestonSEK]

The best rod to use for both cranking and jigs is a spinnerbait rod of course!  Seems odd but if you think about it, it makes perfect sense.   13 doesn't label their rods technique specific but a quick look at the lineup tells me the 6'7"mh is the spinnerbait rod in the lineup.  If your set on 13 thats the rod I would get to do the job.

Agreed. 

[bass1980]

Ouch that's a tough one trying to get a rod that would be ideal for cranks and jigs considering their actions are pretty much the opposites. Could you spare to bring another setup? TW has sale on Daiwa Ballistics and Powell Deisel for around $55. You could get two for a little more than an *** but then you'd have to get another reel.

If you cannot then this is what I would do. Use your spinning for cranks. Im assuming your spinning *** is a Medium fast? Spinning rods is usually lighter power than Baitcast.

Then I'd go for a 7'1 MH ***. I have two of this rod and it is the most versatile rod I have. Balances so well with a reel around 7.5oz give or take. Perfect for jigs and spinnerbaits. You could get away with cranks and lipless if you use mono and set your drag lower. By getting the 7'1 MH you have a rod you can use with just about any tackle you have.....almost.

Or if your throwing 3/8oz jigs or less and not much vegetation around your body of water the 7'1 M could fish smaller jigs decent and be a better rod with mono for cranks. I have been tempted to use my 7'1 M with mono for cranks because it is more sensitive than my GL2 crank rod. Even though crank rod is not really needed to be sensitive I want it. So if you go this route then is suggest you use 1/4oz jig with trailer and stay away from heavy matts.

See jig n cranks are really two different rods needed but doable if you compromise.

[smalljaw67]

Ouch that's a tough one trying to get a rod that would be ideal for cranks and jigs considering their actions are pretty much the opposites. Could you spare to bring another setup? TW has sale on Daiwa Ballistics and Powell Deisel for around $55. You could get two for a little more than an *** but then you'd have to get another reel.

If you cannot then this is what I would do. Use your spinning for cranks. Im assuming your spinning *** is a Medium fast? Spinning rods is usually lighter action than Baitcast.

Then I'd go for a 7'1 MH ***. I have two of this rod and it is the most versatile rod I have. Balances so well with a reel around 7.5oz give or take. Perfect for jigs and spinnerbaits. You could get away with cranks and lipless if you use mono and set your drag lower. By getting the 7'1 MH you have a rod you can use with just about any tackle you have.....almost.

Or if your throwing 3/8oz jigs or less and not much vegetation around your body of water the 7'1 M could fish smaller jigs decent and be a better rod with mono for cranks. I have been tempted to use my 7'1 M with mono for cranks because it is more sensitive than my GL2 crank rod. Even though crank rod is not really needed to be sensitive I want it. So if you go this route then is suggest you use 1/4oz jig with trailer and stay away from heavy matts.

See jig n cranks are really two different rods needed but doable if you compromise.

 

This advise is spot on! You couldn't be more opposite than that, and I would think if you want 1 rod to do both you have to get pitching out of the mix because the action needed to pitch a jig really well with accuracy and distance is going to really hurt with cranks. The solution is 2 setups but if it is out of range then you have to compromise by either limiting the size of jigs you use or just using mono and low drag setting along with dealing losing a lot of fish on the cranks. You have the option to use smaller jigs, 3/8oz and under, so you can get a medium power rod with a fast action, it gives you enough backbone and stiffness for jigs but lighter line and lighters jigs yet has enough forgiveness for shallow to mid depth cranks. While a medium power is rated to maybe 5/8oz in weight, you need to limit the jig size because the rod won't have enough backbone to drive the hook on a 1/2oz jig through the mouth of the fish consistently, especially since you will need to fish mono with around 14#  test being the heaviest you will use. I would get a rod for one or the other, which ever you do more of and then save for another set up, that would be the best thing to do.

[bass1980]

Option A

Use spinning setup for cranks 3/8oz and under

Get 7'1 MH *** for jig, spinnerbaits, frogs, Texas rig worm, and a lot more.

Option B

Get 7'1 MF *** with Mono. Use 1/4oz jigs w/trailer. Use all cranks except DD's.

Option C

Get two setups, there are some great sales, just need to look.

[Raul]

Being poor sucks, doesn´t it ? ( poverty doesn´t only apply to money )

 

You don´t "need" technique/bait specific rods to fish your baits, it´s cool when you can but not always you can, yes, you can use the same rod for both purposes and the solutions is quite simple, back off your drag when you are cranking, voilá, there you have it.

[aquaholic]

Its not that im not able to afford two extra setups, its that a majority of the time i am either fishing from my buddies boat (jon boat, or small bow rider), or the bank. This really puts a limit on what im able to carry.

[Raul]

Its not that im not able to afford two extra setups, its that a majority of the time i am either fishing from my buddies boat (jon boat, or small bow rider), or the bank. This really puts a limit on what im able to carry.

 

That is why I say that poverty doen´t apply to money only, you are poor in the opportunities for whatever reason, to carry more setups.

 

I´m limited to carry 5 setups max when I fish from the tub, I mean "boat", 12 ft with me, my gear, my compadre and my nephew and their gear there´s not much room left, I´m poor in having enough boat room. I can´t own a bass boat, my garage is 1 vehicle only, I´m poor in the garage department and so on, poverty sux.

[jbrew73]

i'd say a 7' mh falcon bucoo trap caster . it has a softer tip good for cranking yet enough backbone for a decent texas rig worm rod. should be ok for up to 3/8oz jigs. may not be perfect but its pretty versatile.

[poisonokie]

Daiwa Tatula 711MHRB. It's a mod fast, so use braid for jigs and it's perfect. There's give in the tip for fish control and casting distance on cranks, just back the drag off. Or you could just carry two reels or two spools and use mono on one just for cranks/topwaters, etc.

[WRB]

A very universal rod for several lure presentations is Loomis PR845C. This isn't a bass rod, it's a inshore popping rod that works extremely good for fresh water top water lures and crank baits to 3/8 to 5/8, spinnerbaits, structure spoons to 3/4 oz, good all around rod except not good for worms and jigs. You can use any good quality 7' -7'4" MHF or HF for your jigs and worms.

Tom

[BobP]

I think how well a rod works as a dual purpose tool depends more on the tip power than the speed of the tip action.  There are some rods that have fast action but soft power tip sections, which can serve for both jigs and cranks.  One of those is a 6.5' MH Rogue 4 power MB664.   I use one for cranks, jerkbaits, and worms fished in moderate to light cover.  A rogue MH has a power that is intermediate between a Med and typical MH blank.  Their MB705 is 7' and is a half step below a true heavy power rod.  Both blanks are very light and sensitive. They cast great with their softer tip sections.  Not a blank you see much about in bass fishing circles but they are my favorites for a range of bass fishing tasks.  Not good for heavy duty stuff like frogging but very versatile for just about anything else.