good crankbait rod verses a great one

[Ohio Dave]

I don't want to start any sort of shouting match as I know these topics are sensitive to some folks.  As i shop for a new crankbait rod (first time I am getting a rod specific for that task) I know that some of this will simply be personal preference, some differences are a matter of the quality of the components, etc.   I think what I am really asking is what are the qualities that I should look for in a good quality crank bait rod and what will I lose out on by not going to higher end quality.  

[roadwarrior]

A lot depends on the crankbaits you fish and how much you fish them. As a general reply I would recommend at least 7' MH Power with Moderate Action. This will cover just about everything including big baits. However, if you fish big deep divers regularly, you are going to want another dedicated rig. 

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

 

[Scarborough817]

i find it difficult to fish deep divers on a rod that is anything less than medium heavy moderate fast action. i think it is better to have a bit of a faster action in this situation because of the resistance the crank gives. i find it helps with feeling the vibration the deep divers and what's on the bottom. where as if i was using a moderate rod i think i would find it hard to tell the difference between the bottom composure and the regular vibration

[Ohio Dave]

Here in ohio there aren't that many places that I would look to a crankbait deeper than about 10 feet.  Fish in the Marinas and bays maybe that 10' mark.  the above ground reservoirs I think I would be on a jig for deeper fish 

Am I crazy??

[Fishes in trees]

People think different things about crank rods and the best/maybe only way to find the right one or you is trial and error.  I've bought 4 different rods marketed as "crank bait " rods over the years and 3 I didn't care for much and one is ok.   The rod I currently like for cranks is an older BPS Extreme 7'4".   Originally it was marketed as a Woo Davis pitching rod.   I bought one to try as a pitching rod - it sucked for a pitching rod, tried throwing cranks on it and now i have 4 - 3 in service and one back up.

I've never fished in Ohio so I don't know how deep you regularly need to go or not.  Addressing the notion of a jig for deeper fish, my answer would be that sometimes that works, other times I think that the fish ignore something tip toeing through them, like a jig does, but will but something that comes crashing through, like a crank, they will bust on.   I don't know, I do know that deep or shallow, sometimes jigs work and sometimes cranks work.  I wouldn't fish them on the same rod because it wastes too much time to stop - retie - start again.

I find my fishing time more productive when I can just set one rig down and pick up a different one already rigged.

[hawgenvy]

I just got in a Dobyns Champion XP 7' crankbait rod (705 CB XP) a few weeks ago, and am really enjoying it a lot. Using it so far for traps and jerkbaits. Light and sensitive. Probably wouldn't use it for a big deep diving crank, but it suits my purposes perfectly. However, this is my first dedicated crankbait rod, so I'm no expert. But I thought I'd throw my two cents in anyway. Good luck!

[junyer357]

I prefer a medium-moderate for all but deep divers (12'+) and rattletraps. Most of my cranks are lighter and in the middle of the range on a medium and on low or under range of a med heavy so i am more accurate with them. To me i want a softer (moderate) rod, 6'6"-7'3", but with good guides and a sensitive blank.  You dont need a super sensitive blank like you do contact lures, but one sensive enough you can detect changes in lures vibrations. I would also reccomend a lighter weight rod as well, helps with fatigue on my back, shoulders, and arms.  

[Ohio Dave]

thanks guys:  do you all through cranks on mono too?  I wondered if the softer rod would let me stay with florocarbon (which keeps my life simpler) or if the soft rod still really works better with a traditional mono line ???

[EllisJuan]

I have only used one truly great crankbait rod.  I know there are others out there, but I can not say enough good things about the Loomis GLX CBR rods.  I use the 783 because I fish a lot from wooded shores and like a shorter rod.  Check out this article about them...

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewgloomisnewglxcrankingrod.html

[Scarborough817]

31 minutes ago, Ohio Dave said:

thanks guys:  do you all through cranks on mono too?  I wondered if the softer rod would let me stay with florocarbon (which keeps my life simpler) or if the soft rod still really works better with a traditional mono line ???

i throw all of my cranks on #12-#15 abraz-x i tried mono but it wasn't for me i would rather have a little more abrasion resistance and slow down my hook-set 

[A-Jay]

In a effort to find out what I liked to crank with, I've purchased & fished fiberglass, graphite & composite rods. 

I've also played around with different lines including mono, co-poly, fluorocarbon & braid.

After a ton of trial & error, I've come up with this - For me, the most versatile cranking set up is a composite rod & braided line (with a mono leader).  If I'm fishing shallow & not in grass or weeds sometimes I'll go with an oversized mono to help keep the bait up in the water column; otherwise, it's braid. 

The Braid offers a decent hookset and the semi soft rod helps land the bass.  The lack of sensitivity that is one of the trade offs of a composite blank is partially regained by using the braided line.  

I use a QUANTUM TOUR KVD SIGNATURE SERIES TKVD746MA 7'4" MEDIUM HEAVY CRANK BAIT ROD for shallow to mid depth (like down to 10 - 12 feet)

and a QUANTUM TOUR KVD SIGNATURE SERIES TKVD7106MA 7'10" MEDIUM HEAVY CRANK BAIT ROD  for the deeper stuff.

These are not super expensive rods but they do what I need them to do and they do it well. 

Finally & just for the record,  Many of the largest bass I've ever caught (over 7lbs)  were landed with a graphite rod & mono - because that's what worked best at that time & at that place.

So there's always options - I'd urge you to find what works best for how & where you fish.

A-Jay

[Silas]

From my experience one of the great crankbait rods is the DOBYNS 704 CB GLASS!! 

It "launches" the crankbait effortlessly with a perfect tip action. 

My new DOBYNS EXTREME 742 is neck and neck with the 704 Glass. But the glass keeps them pinned better since it seems more forgiving. 

[junyer357]

1 hour ago, Ohio Dave said:

thanks guys:  do you all through cranks on mono too?  I wondered if the softer rod would let me stay with florocarbon (which keeps my life simpler) or if the soft rod still really works better with a traditional mono line ???

I prefer flouro. It sinks and is more abraision resistant than mono. I fish alot of riprap, rocks, etc.. with cranks. I prefer invisx myself. 10 or 12lb. Whichever i can find cheaper on a bulk spool when i need a new spool. In the winter i will downsize to 6 or 8lb flouro. 

[Molay1292]

To me choosing a crankbait rod is one of the harder decisions you will have to make in choosing a technique specific rod.  One of the big questions is material, are you going to use a carbon fiber, glass, or composite rod, this choice alone can be difficult.   After you choose your material then you will need to look at power and action, as well as build materials, warranty, price and the list goes on. 

Good Luck

[Chance_Taker4]

Since we are from the same area I'll throw my 2 cents in. I've found the deepest I'll cranks is 8' that means about of square bills and smaller cranks. I use a 7' Med moderate rod for the smaller cranks and enjoy it.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There are so many sizes depths and weights of crankbaits I'd hate to fish them all with one Rod. For deep divers a 7'6" Rod that loads and casts well is important for casting distance. A moderate action to keep them hooked, power in the butt to move fish from cover, sensitivity enough to feel the baits wobble and it deflecting off cover. Lamiglas SR 765 fits all the above. I think they're out of production though. 

[blckshirt98]

I use a Phenix XG3 crankbait rod and wouldn't use anything else, or at least anything but a similar moderate action glass rod.  The most important thing for me is ease of casting, because you're going to be launching that crankbait again and again and again.  The moderate whippy action of the glass lets me lift the crankbait out of the water, pull it around and back, and launch it right back out like a slingshot with little effort/stress on my arms and joints.