Wrong Rod? Falcon Lowrider Xg Xd Cranker

[dfris]

Hey guys,

 

I was at Cabela's today and seen this rod, Its 7 ft 9inch, and is a heavy action and M flex. I purchased the rod, and didn't see its a XD Cranker. duh.

They had a duckett rod that was 7 ft 6 heavy action, but It had micro eyes, not sure if that was a good thing or not. That I almost got, but decided on the falcon for the length.

 

I was planning on using it to pitch and cast jigs mostly 1/2 oz with rage tail trailers.

 

So will this rod work?

 

I can take it back, but just wondering. I like the length of the rod. but I don't know about the M flex.  Its rated for 3/4oz to 2 oz.

 

thanks

[TNBassin']

I have no experience with heavy rods, but I do own a few jig rods that are MH-XF. I don't think the medium action of that rod would be ideal for your application honestly, especially with 1/2oz jigs on a rod that is rated for 3/4-2oz. MH-XF rods have proven ideal for myself and many others on here, but let's hear what others have to say on here before you return that rod.

[Jrob78]

The rod you bought was designed to throw magnum crankbaits, like the SK 10XD.  I'm sure you could use it for jigs but it wouldn't be ideal.  The Duckett would be a better choice.  You want something with a fast or xfast action.

[dfris]

Yea, I was just wondering since its a Heavy, and  Moderate action, if it would act stronger. seeing its overpowered. 3/4 oz to 2 oz. and Im throwing a 1/2 oz jig?

 

I have a skeet reese jig/worm rod im using now, and its a bit weak feeling with the 1/2 oz jigs.

[TNBassin']

Is it a MH-XF?

[dfris]

The Skeet Reese rod? I don't know, its only shows Taper as Fast

[Jrob78]

Yea, I was just wondering since its a Heavy, and  Moderate action, if it would act stronger. seeing its overpowered. 3/4 oz to 2 oz. and Im throwing a 1/2 oz jig?

 

I have a skeet reese jig/worm rod im using now, and its a bit weak feeling with the 1/2 oz jigs.

It might but it won't be as efficient as a rod with a fast action.  The cranking rod will probably be much heavier and the moderate action will require more force to generate the same hook setting power as a fast action.

 

Like I said, you can probably make it work but it won't be ideal.

[TNBassin']

The Skeet Reese rod? I don't know, its only shows Taper as Fast

Try to find a MH-XF rod. I really think that will work well for you, as I too mostly throw 1/2oz jigs with mine. I have a 7'2 Shimano Crucial FWIW.

[timsford]

I would take it back and get the duckett or another 7 ft + fast or extra fast rod. It will b hard to get a good hookset with a moderate rod woth a jig with a weedguard or texas rigged plastic with that rod. Moderate action rods are designed for treble hook baits and IMO its hard to get a good hookset with jigs with a moderate rod. Ive tried a one time when i fell on my worm/jig rod and broke it fishing on the bank from rip rap and lost fish on all 3 bites i got as soon as tbey thrashed on the surface and my hook point only made it a 1/4 inch out of my t-rigged creature bait when i reeled it in after losing the fish. I had a good bite going and i was so frustrated i left as i lost 3 3-5 pound smallies in 30 min

[dfris]

Thanks for the input guys, Ill prob just take it back

[JGBassinAL]

I guess I'm the only one on this forum who doesn't use an x-fast action, or even fast action, for jigs. First of all, the tip on that cranking rod should be too limber for efficient hook sets with a jig. You will be better off picking up something else. I have three jig outfits: 7'4" Heavy/Mod-Fast, 7'6" Heavy/Mod-Fast, and 7'6" Medium Heavy/Mod-Fast. A good moderate fast tip on a crisp blank has just as easy of hooksets as a fast or extra fast tip IMO. Also has just a little more bend to it, which helps keep fish pinned. But I also fish mostly deep water, so thats why I like the moderate fast tip. A stiff tipped rod and deep water is not a good combination at all, from past experiences. I would be fine with a fast tip in shallow water. So for me, it just depends on what depth water you are fishing. Also, a mod-fast tip on a heavy power jig rod and a mod-fast tip on a heavy power crank bait rod are two totally different tips, before anyone starts comparing the two.

[Jrob78]

I guess I'm the only one on this forum who doesn't use an x-fast action, or even fast action, for jigs. First of all, the tip on that cranking rod should be too limber for efficient hook sets with a jig. You will be better off picking up something else. I have three jig outfits: 7'4" Heavy/Mod-Fast, 7'6" Heavy/Mod-Fast, and 7'6" Medium Heavy/Mod-Fast. A good moderate fast tip on a crisp blank has just as easy of hooksets as a fast or extra fast tip IMO. Also has just a little more bend to it, which helps keep fish pinned. But I also fish mostly deep water, so thats why I like the moderate fast tip. A stiff tipped rod and deep water is not a good combination at all, from past experiences. I would be fine with a fast tip in shallow water. So for me, it just depends on what depth water you are fishing. Also, a mod-fast tip on a heavy power jig rod and a mod-fast tip on a heavy power crank bait rod are two totally different tips, before anyone starts comparing the two.

I think this is the key.  

[aavery2]

I guess I'm the only one on this forum who doesn't use an x-fast action, or even fast action, for jigs. First of all, the tip on that cranking rod should be too limber for efficient hook sets with a jig. You will be better off picking up something else. I have three jig outfits: 7'4" Heavy/Mod-Fast, 7'6" Heavy/Mod-Fast, and 7'6" Medium Heavy/Mod-Fast. A good moderate fast tip on a crisp blank has just as easy of hooksets as a fast or extra fast tip IMO. Also has just a little more bend to it, which helps keep fish pinned. But I also fish mostly deep water, so thats why I like the moderate fast tip. A stiff tipped rod and deep water is not a good combination at all, from past experiences. I would be fine with a fast tip in shallow water. So for me, it just depends on what depth water you are fishing. Also, a mod-fast tip on a heavy power jig rod and a mod-fast tip on a heavy power crank bait rod are two totally different tips, before anyone starts comparing the two.

I honestly don't think that I have ever seen a Heavy power Moderate Fast Action rod labeled as a jig rod from a MFG, what rod are you using?  Also I am interested in your statement that a Heavy power Mod/Fast jig rod and crankbait rod  with the same specifications have very different actions.   How would you describe them as different.

[JGBassinAL]

I honestly don't think that I have ever seen a Heavy power Moderate Fast Action rod labeled as a jig rod from a MFG, what rod are you using?  Also I am interested in your statement that a Heavy power Mod/Fast jig rod and crankbait rod  with the same specifications have very different actions.   How would you describe them as different.

 

My rods are custom made by Tigerodz. I don't know that I have ever seen one labeled as mod'fast from a MFG either, but have you ever used Dobyns? The tip on their 734 champion is a mod-fast tip, if you have ever used that rod. Actually, I find most of the tips on their rods to be mod-fast, especially compared to other companies. A lot of MFGs have mod-fast tips they are just not advertised as so. All companies have different meanings to the actions on their rods anyways. For example, the tip on a 7'3" heavy Dobyns is rated as fast, and the tip on the 7'3" heavy Duckett White Ice is listed as fast, yet the tip on the Dobyns has a lot more flex in it. And yes I used to have both of those rods so that is spoken from experience. To the second part, a crankbait rod is going to be more limber in the tip, a lot more limber. I am not an expert on rod blanks, but I know in the series of blanks that my rods are built on, they have a general blank for all purpose rods/jig rods/etc. and then they have crankbait blanks and flippin blanks. So, the action of the blanks may be labeled the same, but they are different. Just like a heavy power with a fast tip flippin rod is a lot more stout than a heavy power fast tip non flippin stick. One piece of advice tho, don't buy rods based on what a MFG has it labeled as lol many of us know that it might not be the best application for that rod.

[aavery2]

I do own a 734C Dobyns, and I agree the action does seem to be a little lighter than advertised, but I kind of always thought of it as a rod with a   Fast Action with a soft tip.  I guess in my mind I have always thought of action as referring to the point in the rod where the backbone begins and the flex ends, with the difference between MFG's being the amount of force required to create that flex, ie.. soft vs fast tip.  I have also heard it explained that action has nothing to do with where the rod flexes and more to do with recovery of the rod after casting, and that taper is what we most often associate with being action.  

 

I do appreciate you taking the time to explain your thoughts, I am no rod builder so I take the opportunity to pick others minds and hope to learn something.

[JGBassinAL]

No problem man. I have always thought of a moderate fast tip as a soft tip like on the 734 but I could be wrong. Heck who knows haha.

[K_Mac]

Speed and power is so different from one manufacturer to another , it is hard to know what a rod will do until you use it. I have a E21 Cranking rod that is rated 3/8-1 oz with a moderate action. It is a very poor cranking rod, but it is a great worm and jig rod. I have an older BPS Pro Qualifier MXF that is very fast, but the tip is soft enough to make pitching lighter baits very easy. My point is finding the right rod is a very subjective thing. Good luck.