jjconnaire Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 So I am really getting serious about smallmouth fishing and I am looking to get some more setups. I currently have St. Croix spinning Premier split grip 7' Med Fast w/ Pflueger Supreme XT 35 series - This is my first nice setup so it was a workhorse for me this past year. I used it for swimbaits, drop shot, spinnerbait, frogs, live bait Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0 MLF w/ Pflueger Trion 35 series - New this winter. Planning on using this for my drop shot rod Older Silstar casting 7' MHF w/ older Pinnacle baitcaster (Gift from my late grandpop, cant get rid of it) - I just started practicing pitching and flipping with this. It is an older setup and it does not have any braking system on the reel but i figured it works fine for flipping I have been doing a lot of reading about modern baitcasters with centrifugal breaking systems. It seems like these really help backlashes. I am seriously considering a Shimano citica or new Curado 200i. I was planning on rigging this up with a St. Croix MHF. Been keeping my eyes on craiglist for a deal on a rod. But I have been also looking for a M or MH spinning rod with a Moderate action for small-med crankbaits. I dont have all the money in the world so I am trying to build every year. Do you guys think this is a good start? Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted January 9, 2015 Super User Posted January 9, 2015 Yes you do, I would add the cranking rod next though. Quote
ChrisWi Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 Cranking rod Reaction Bait rod Texas rig/jig rod Dropshot/Tube rod. 1 Quote
jjconnaire Posted January 9, 2015 Author Posted January 9, 2015 Ok. Do you guys think a spinning cranking rod is a bad idea? I know tons of river smallmouth guys use Moderate action spinners for their cranking rods. Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted January 9, 2015 Super User Posted January 9, 2015 If that is what your comfortable with, there are no set rules. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 Ok. Do you guys think a spinning cranking rod is a bad idea? I know tons of river smallmouth guys use Moderate action spinners for their cranking rods. It depends on the reel. To small, or too high of an IPT and it may feel over powered by big deep cranks. The constant cranking can exacerbate line twist as well. If you're throwing small squarebills or traps in shallow rip-rap a spinning rig may actually be preferable for casting them. Quote
jjconnaire Posted January 9, 2015 Author Posted January 9, 2015 Yea line twist was my only concern. I was thinking of investing in a nice sinking braid (sunline fx2 and suffix 832) with a fluro leader for this rod. I'm thinking that this will minimize line twist Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted January 9, 2015 Super User Posted January 9, 2015 Inches Per Turn. It is the amount of line, in inches, taken up by one turn of the handle. It corresponds with, gear ratio, but will vary based on spools... Because a fuller spool will take up more line than an empty spool... But for example.. My Speed Spool in a 6.8:1 Ratio has 28" IPT.. Meaning that with every crank of the handle, the spool spins 6.8 times, taking up 28 inches of line Quote
jjconnaire Posted January 9, 2015 Author Posted January 9, 2015 Got it. Thanks for the explanation. So I guess IPT is more important than hear ratio then rite? Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted January 10, 2015 Super User Posted January 10, 2015 Yes, in essence, it is more 'true' to how fast your lure is moving or how much slack you are picking up compared to gear ratio... Many spinning reels will be lower than casting reels, but the IPT will be the same, or even more. Quote
MrM_vs_Wild Posted February 14, 2015 Posted February 14, 2015 If you like the St. Croix Premier spinning rod then I would suggest picking up their Premier series graphite crankbait rod. I use the MHM which throws 3/8 to 3/4 oz baits. I have it paired with a Lews Tournament MG 5.4:1 ratio reel. I like low ratio reels for cranking because it allows me to keep my bait in the strike zone just a tad longer, also it helps with low end torque and bring the big boys out of cover or from down deep. I will throw smaller cranks on my avid series rod if they are too light to throw on the Premier, but with the Lews reel that is rarely a problem. If you didn't want to spend the money for a St. Croix, you could pick up a Berkley Amp rod for much cheaper. This was the first rod I purchased for graphite cranking and it works well, just not as sensitive as the St. Croix. I have had it for 4 years though and haven't had any issues, only I don't use it as often now that I have the Premier. They also make a MM Premier rod that is much better suited for light weight cranks. Just depends on what you want to spend. Check out www.fishusa.com, they had a MM Avid crankbait rod for sale on there last week under St. Croix specials. I think they wanted 110 bucks for it which is a steal for an Avid. I just don't like cranking with the MM because they are a little too light for my liking. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 15, 2015 Super User Posted February 15, 2015 The AVC70MM is one of my favorite rods. If that is available for $110 grab it! Quote
fisherrw Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Yes you do, I would add the cranking rod next though. x2 Quote
MrM_vs_Wild Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 If you're looking for a new bait casting reel the Lews LFS Speed Spools start at 100 bucks. I have one of the older models the SS1 along with some other varieties, but in my opinion you can't beat the quality and price point of Lews reels. If you plan on doing a lot of cranking I would definitely suggest getting a baitcasting setup. They hold more line and will hold up longer than any spinning reel in my opinion. Get a low gear ratio though. I use the tournament MG 5.4:1 and love it. Their braking systems are great too... very few backlashes if you set it up right. Quote
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