Rod For Wakebaits?

[DaveT63]

I've recently started fishing the Arashi Wakebait, and am pretty impressed.  I've caught a number of fish on it, and had even more hits on it.  But I've lost several fish as well.  I am fishing this on a 6'6" MF rod.  Would a crankbait rod be a better rod to fish it on, considering the treble hooks?  I did a search, and I've seen people mention using 7'6" XH rods for wakebaits.  Can I presume they are talking about swimbait wakebaits?  I can't see the Arashi even loading an XF rod well enough to cast.  I've also seen people mentioning using a MLXF rod.

 

I know everyone has opinions, and uses different rods for different purposes.  I'm just looking for some sort of concensus on what others fish this and similar baits with.

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

[Catch and Grease]

I throw wake baits and squarebills on a medium fast action rod.

I'm talking square bill looking wakebaits with trebles.

[iabass8]

The particular type of wakebait you are talking about, i throw on my squarebill rod..dobyns 705cb glass

[Teal]

Rod for wake baits is gonna depend on the size/weight of the wake bait and the cover that you are throwing it in.

[WIGuide]

I don't throw them much but my bet would be to throw them on a crankbait rod for best results. 

[Smallmouth Hunter]

I'd go with a graphite cranking rod like the Abu veritas winch or something similar.

[shootermcbob]

I throw a few different type wakebaits...strike king wake shad, lucky craft, manns, etc. I throw mine on either a 6'8" or 7'4" crankbait rod.

I would have no problem using a medium fast action rod either....I use the crankbait rod because I have the reflexes of a jungle cat

[JGBassinAL]

I throw mine on a custom 7' mh glass rod. Love glass for topwater!

[tomustang]

Well, the wake bait is still a crankbait.

I use croix medium heavy moderate rods for the throwing standard size wakebaits.

[ClackerBuzz]

 

I would have no problem using a medium fast action rod either....I use the crankbait rod because I have the reflexes of a jungle cat

well said jungle cat.

i used to use a fast action for my topwater b/c i liked being able to pop them free of weeds. but my hook up percentage went thru the roof when i switched to a crankbait rod. i also have fast reflexes and to add to the problem i use braid as mainline. i was literally pulling the bait out of their mouth before they had a chance to get it.  i learned to slow down my hook set with a fast action. you can absolutely do it but you also have to remember not to put too much pressure on the fish. one day i ended up throwing a buzzbait on my crankbait rod by chance b/c it was the only rod i had along.  the results were amazing and i learned why everyone recommends it. you don't have to be so precise with ur hook set timing b/c the moderate action allows the bass to engulf the lure.  AND once a fish is hooked he's pretty much pinned till he's in the boat b/c of the parabolic bend. Or a fast action rod with mono line would pretty much give you the same excellent topwater results.

[Sam]

Dave, invest in a brand name cranking ros designed for crankbaits. You want a soft tip to set those treble hooks and a crankbait rod will give you the correct hooking power.

[smalljaw67]

I like having a moderate fast action that has good flex but not a parabolic bend. I treat wake baits like square bills,it has to be stout enough so I can pull it through grass or pull a big fish away from cover quickly, yet have just enough flex so I'm not ripping the hook out of the fish. Right now I like the Fenwick HMG 7'2" M-MF, it is perfect for lipless cranks, wake baits, and square bills but I will also use my Fenwick Elite Tech 6'10" MH-MF but that rod is a little more stout.

[bigfishbk86]

Well, the wake bait is still a crankbait.

I use croix medium heavy moderate rods for the throwing standard size wakebaits.

 

Exactly what he said.  I use the 7'8" MH moderate LTB cranking rod and it works wonderfully.

[DaveT63]

Thanks for all the input, everybody!  I just snagged a nice used St Croix Avid 6'6" MM crankbait rod from another forum, really looking forward to giving it a try on these wake baits.  Hopefully that is heavy enough for these smaller wake baits.