Crankbait Rod Arsenal

[Sonik]

I currently have a 7' medium and 7'6" medium-heavy cranking rod set. Do you have any recommendations for a 3rd and 4th cranking rod in a lineup in terms of length, action, and power?

I throw square bills and smaller divers on the 7' and other plugs on the 7'6".

I've thought about doing another 7'6" MH so when I'm cranking I can swap between rattling and silent deep divers. I've also thought about a 7' MH.

Thoughts?

[thirtysixit]

Falcon Cara T7 Reaction Cast 7'3" Med Hvy "Deep Cranker"

 

This is my all time favorite cranking rod.  It will throw 3/8 oz plugs as well a 1 oz deep divers with ease.  You cannot go wrong with this rod.  It's also great for lipless cranks and spinner baits.

[Sonik]

I would like to say, I'm not looking for brand and model ideas. More just length, power, and action for applications. I don't want to get into a post about who has the best rod.

[Goose52]

• 7' medium light / moderate:  ~ 1/4 oz cranks (if you have a reel that tosses 1/4 OK).

• 7' 6" to 8' heavy / moderate or moderate-fast: 1 oz to about 2 oz cranks (depending on the weight rating on the rod).

You have the bases covered with what you have - the above rods cover the "niche" baits at both ends of the weight spectrum.

[tholmes]

I like to keep a couple of shorter (6' and 6 1/2') medium/moderate rods in the arsenal for tight quarter casting. I'm more accurate with the shorter rods also.

 

Tom

[Montanaro]

7'11 deep cranker to handle baits that go 20+ feet

[supreme]

I have that same set up a 7' Med fast for most of my Cranking & a 7'6" Fast Crank rod for Lipless & deeper diving baits. I wouls suggest  a 6'6' MH fast rod with a very soft tip for Top water, jerk baits & spinners. 

[gulfcaptain]

I have the following in my crankbait lineup.

 

2  7' M Moderate (1/4 to 3/8oz) shallow water/ smaller cranks

1  7'6" M Moderate (3/8 to 1/2) larger shallow water / medium depth cranks

2  7'4" MH Moderate (3/8 to 1oz) Larger shallow/squarebill/lipless, Medium larger cranks

1  7'6" MH Moderate (1/2 to 2 oz) Larger squarebill/ Deep cranks

1  7'10" MH Moderate for Deep cranks

 

So needless to say, I have a whole line up for cranking for whatever I need.

[Turkey sandwich]

Why not just tie on with a snap instead of dropping the extra $300+?

[Bankbeater]

I have a mh 7' trigger rod that I use for anything over 1/4 ounce.  This includes spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, bladed jigs, lipless, and crankbaits.  Works great I have been using it for most of the fall.  Baits that are 1/4 ounce and less I like to use a med. spinning rod, 6'6".

[smalljaw67]

Take a look at the parameters of your crankbait fishing and it will let you find exactly what you need. I'll make a list of the things I look at to determine what I need.

 

1. What - This is for the type and size of crankbait.

 

2. Where - Is the areas, depths, and cover I intend to throw the crankbait.

 

3. How - This has to do with the way I'm going to present the crankbait and is often affiliated with where I'm going to use it.

 

Those three things help me, for example when I was looking at getting a special rod for finesse cranking, the 3/16oz to 3/8oz size bait, I was looking at 2 rod, both have the same action, one was 7' and the other was 6'6". I used the parameters I set to make my decision, not based on brand loyalty even though it worked that way, and the reasoning was where I was using these small cranks. I was using this rod to fish the small baits in tight, target situations so I needed more accuracy but I still had to consider the distance and in the end the shorter rod was the choice because I could easily cast the distances needed with the shorter rod and I could do it with a higher degree of accuracy. If you ask yourself those questions when you come across a situation in which you need another rod for a situation, you can really narrow your choices and make a better decision.

[MickD]

I think a light power crankbait rod is great for small cranks and surface, so think there would be room in your arsenal for that.  I have a couple of them and have taken fish as large as 15 pound king salmon on them.  Of course there are better rods for that use, but I'm just pointing out they may be more versatile than one first thinks.

[UKCATSBASSER]

I feel like a snap inhibits action the bait was designed for.

[Sonik]

I ended up added a 7' MH and another 7'6" MH. I'm a taller guy so I feel like I can handle a 7' rod and still maintain accuracy. I thought about a 6'6 MH but that just seems short to me.

[roadwarrior]

Pinnacle DHC5M- 7111CAMHCB/ Perfecta Optimus LTE for most crankbaits.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/perfecta-lte.html

 

For lighter weight lures:   DHC5-701CAMCB/ Optimus XLT 

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

 

For heavy lures or deep divers:  Lamiglas SR705R/ CTE200GT

 

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

I use a 7' MH/M St. Croix Pro Glass/E5 for my squarebills

7' MH/M Ethos/5.1 Pro Qual for my mid depth baits

7' 8" St. Croix Mojo "Big Crankster"/Lexa 100 for my deep runners

 

I fish my rattle baits on a 7' M/F/200B Curado

 

Small cranks get thrown on spinning gear. 

[thebillsman]

I'm trying to find a good all around cranking rod for square bills and md divers up to 10'. I'm really not trying to be over 7' and I'd like to try a glass rod.

I see that the Mojo Bass has gotten a revamp for 2016 and I'm wondering if anyone has tried the 6'10" variant. Blue is your Big Crankster the new redesign?

If there are any other M/M Glass rods worth trying in and around $120 shout em out!

[Bluebasser86]

I'm trying to find a good all around cranking rod for square bills and md divers up to 10'. I'm really not trying to be over 7' and I'd like to try a glass rod.

I see that the Mojo Bass has gotten a revamp for 2016 and I'm wondering if anyone has tried the 6'10" variant. Blue is your Big Crankster the new redesign?

If there are any other M/M Glass rods worth trying in and around $120 shout em out!

My Mojo cranking rod is 3 or 4 years old. I'm very pleased with it and the newer version seems to be even nicer than the old ones. 

[thebillsman]

My Mojo cranking rod is 3 or 4 years old. I'm very pleased with it and the newer version seems to be even nicer than the old ones.

Do you think the 6'10" would be able to handle a couple 5xd's and Little John Baby DDs?

[Bluebasser86]

Do you think the 6'10" would be able to handle a couple 5xd's and Little John Baby DDs?

I wouldn't want to fish them on that rod. The Little John you might be able to pull off but the 5XD is one of my favorite deep runners and I use that 7' 8" MH to handle them because they're a pretty hard pulling bait. 

[gulfcaptain]

If there are any other M/M Glass rods worth trying in and around $120 shout em out!

Others worth mentioning although they aren't all glass.

 

Falcon's Bucoo 7M Moderate......(Graphite rod blank).I have 2, they are a great cranking rod.  Perfect for most baits in the 1.5 size. (standard Guide $99 / Micro $129) 

 

Quantum Tour TKVD705 7'M Moderate ......(Composite rod blank) .Have seen these on E Bay and after shipping still under $100 for a $150 rod.  I have 2 of the7'4"s and a 7'10" and they are light composite rods, well balanced and comfortable to fish with.  

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I do shallow cranks only i have 2 setups for this both are the same rods .6'6" castaways in m and have one with a 3.8 GR abu 4600 and one is a royal express 4600 6.4 GR.They can sling minus 1s and shallow shap raps perfect both spooled with 10 lb big game.

[thebillsman]

Next spring will be my first dedicated go with crankbaits. I just always overlooked them..

Dobyns Fury 705CB which has great reviews and can handle baits up to an ounce which is great for what I'm looking to do, as far as square bills to 5xds.

The Kistler Mag TS is a great price right now.

The facelifted Mojo from St Croix would seem suitable in the 7'4" variant.

I just have no idea what to get. No idea.

[MIbassyaker]

Next spring will be my first dedicated go with crankbaits. I just always overlooked them..

Dobyns Fury 705CB which has great reviews and can handle baits up to an ounce which is great for what I'm looking to do, as far as square bills to 5xds.

The Kistler Mag TS is a great price right now.

The jury is still out on the 2nd Gen 13F OB cranker and the facelifted Mojo from St Croix would seem suitable in the 7'4" variant.

I just have no idea what to get. No idea.

 

I'm in a similar position, where I've never had a dedicated cranking set-up and I've been looking to get something in that same tier...but the sheer number of options is dizzying.  More and more, I am thinking the real problem is that I actually want them all.

[thebillsman]

I think I'm going to go with the Dobyns.. with Kistler doing away with the Mag TS I can't imagine the warranty would be all that great.

As a kayak angler, low weight and short(er) length is a big deal for me and a graphite 705cb will most likely be the best match.

Can anyone else provide any input?