Moderate or Moderate Fast Action for Cranking?

[Mark888]

Alright so I'm looking for a new crank bait rod. I am sticking to the Fenwick HMG and the Elite bass tech series rod (baitcasting), but I'm not sure what action i should go with. I have a fast action now that want to use for spinnerbaits etc. 

First of all, should i go with a medium or medium heavy? I will be using it for all of my cranks so I'm siding with medium heavy. 

Now the big question, moderate or moderate fast action tip? I am worried that with a moderate action i may have problems setting the hook or what not. 

Im new to the 'specializing' rod game as I'm in the process of doing so. This will be my first rod thats not a fast or extra fast action so any input helps... Thanks! 

[Jeff H]

Medium heavy/Mod fast gets my vote.  Nothing is more versatile in the bassin' game than MH.  I just don't care for mod actions, but mod fast is great for crankin'.  I would go with standard fast actions before ever considering mod action for cranks.  I just can't get on with rods that slow.

[smalljaw67]

If you are sticking with the HMG or ET Bass you only have 3 options, the 7'2 MH-M and the 7'8" MH-M in the ET Bass and the 7'2"M-MF in the HMG line. Now you happen to be in luck, I have the 7'2" M-MF HMG and to me this is an awesome, under the radar rod that works as both a medium and medium heavy power, it is kind of strange but I'll explain. It is a medium power, but it has a rating of 3/8oz to 1oz, I personally believe it is more of a 1/4oz to 3/4oz as I've thrown 1/4oz baits with no problem and while I was able to throw a 1oz, it was much easier with 3/4oz. The tip section is soft through the first 4 guides then instead of shutting off it starts gain power and then shuts off just a little further down than a fast action but that shut off allows you to be able to rip lipless cranks free from grass without much effort and it lets you bang square bills over rocks and through cover yet it still has the flex in the tip to keep fish pinned on small treble hooks. That rod is the one you want as I would say it is a little more stout than a medium power, but not quite a full MH, maybe better suited as a light MH, anyway this is great for square bills, lipless cranks and most shallow and mid depth baits. I have used up to a DT-14 and that would be the deepest I'd go with that rod but the wheelhouse is 12' and less.

[j bab]

I use a 7' medium moderate for my smaller crankbaits (anything that dives less than 8 feet). I have excellent landing ratios on this rod, the biggest I've caught on it was around 4.5lbs on standard SK thin wire hooks. 

[Mark888]

 

On 5/16/2016 at 5:32 AM, smalljaw67 said:

If you are sticking with the HMG or ET Bass you only have 3 options, the 7'2 MH-M and the 7'8" MH-M in the ET Bass and the 7'2"M-MF in the HMG line. Now you happen to be in luck, I have the 7'2" M-MF HMG and to me this is an awesome, under the radar rod that works as both a medium and medium heavy power, it is kind of strange but I'll explain. It is a medium power, but it has a rating of 3/8oz to 1oz, I personally believe it is more of a 1/4oz to 3/4oz as I've thrown 1/4oz baits with no problem and while I was able to throw a 1oz, it was much easier with 3/4oz. The tip section is soft through the first 4 guides then instead of shutting off it starts gain power and then shuts off just a little further down than a fast action but that shut off allows you to be able to rip lipless cranks free from grass without much effort and it lets you bang square bills over rocks and through cover yet it still has the flex in the tip to keep fish pinned on small treble hooks. That rod is the one you want as I would say it is a little more stout than a medium power, but not quite a full MH, maybe better suited as a light MH, anyway this is great for square bills, lipless cranks and most shallow and mid depth baits. I have used up to a DT-14 and that would be the deepest I'd go with that rod but the wheelhouse is 12' and less.

Thanks, i am leaning towards that rod! Its cheaper than the other one and i feel like a moderate will be to slow for my liking!

[kcdinkerz]

I'm a moderate taper guy but one manufacturers moderate is different from another's

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Look at lure wright ratings rather than power label. I like a mod action for deep divers in open water and a mod fast for square bills and popping off weeds. 

[pverdugo53]

On May 16, 2016 at 8:40 PM, Ladybass said:

Alright so I'm looking for a new crank bait rod. I am sticking to the Fenwick HMG and the Elite bass tech series rod (baitcasting), but I'm not sure what action i should go with. I have a fast action now that want to use for spinnerbaits etc. 

First of all, should i go with a medium or medium heavy? I will be using it for all of my cranks so I'm siding with medium heavy. 

Now the big question, moderate or moderate fast action tip? I am worried that with a moderate action i may have problems setting the hook or what not. 

Im new to the 'specializing' rod game as I'm in the process of doing so. This will be my first rod thats not a fast or extra fast action so any input helps... Thanks! 

Your cranking rods are gonna be made more glass than fiberglass which means your action is gonna be more parabolic meaning the rod will load up more like the bend in an archery bow than a strictly fiberglass rod. That helps with not ripping the treble hooks clean out of the fish's mouth. As your action goes all rod manufactures use the same language as far as tip action but are all gonna react differently. My advice would be to read around the forum to gather more info on the different choices your thinking about and go from there

 

[stk44]

On ‎5‎/‎17‎/‎2016 at 9:44 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Look at lure wright ratings rather than power label. I like a mod action for deep divers in open water and a mod fast for square bills and popping off weeds. 

I have a 7'3" MM mojo bass glass rod with a 6.4:1 Reel for most of my cranking. At what point as far as deep-divers go, should you switch to a stouter rod and a lower gear ratio?

[S. Sass]

I actually use that same Fenwick HMG GT72M-F-CB Crankbait Casting Rod 7'2" Medium rod power, fast rod action. It am really happy with it. That is the exact rod I just landed this 6 1/4 lber with. So yeah its tested and worked flawless.  I just hated seeing the made in China sticker on it. 

[blckshirt98]

On 5/17/2016 at 6:44 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Look at lure wright ratings rather than power label. I like a mod action for deep divers in open water and a mod fast for square bills and popping off weeds. 

This is about right for me too.  The M/MF with crankbaits also really makes whipping the lure out of the water and casting back out, effortless.

[Master Bait'r]

It's all very personal, but I have to go towards the faster end.  I can't take mod rods.  I just can't.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

1 hour ago, stk44 said:

I have a 7'3" MM mojo bass glass rod with a 6.4:1 Reel for most of my cranking. At what point as far as deep-divers go, should you switch to a stouter rod and a lower gear ratio?

It kinda depends on conditions but 16' and deeper is where you'll probably feel too light of a Rod get mushy and a reel with more torque is easier. 

[Mark888]

9 hours ago, Master Bait'r said:

It's all very personal, but I have to go towards the faster end.  I can't take mod rods.  I just can't.  

Ok thats what I'm thinking, thanks!