Can i use xtra-fast/Medium rod for crankbaits?

[CatchNoFish]

I just got my St croix legend elite 6'8'' medium xtra-fast, and shimano stella 3000 for my soft plastics. I was wondering if i could also use this rod for some crank baits, or if it would more than likely break this rod? Or is there a different reason why people dont use this setup for crank baits?

Im saving up for another setup purely for crankbaits, but just want to know if i can throw them on this combo without damaging it temporarily. 

If anyone has any advice on that as well, if price is not an issue, Id like to get a low profile casting combo that can handle anything up to maybe a 15lb striper. 

 

thanks!

[Cgrinder]

Average run of the mill 6 foot divers? Sure. It's not ideal, but sure. It's actually going to be good for topwater and jerk baits.

[BiteFiend]

For square bills and the like, you should be fine. I would definitely be using some mono or fluorocarbon though, which will help in not ripping the hooks out of the fish's mouth. 

[BassThumb]

It will work just fine for anything but the largest of crankbaits, and it certainly won't break the rod. Quality-wise, it's way overkill for cranks. You'll be able to really feel any cover your crank bumps up against!

I prefer spinning over baitcasting for jerkbaits, light crankbaits, and poppers. That rig would be ideal for those.

[timsford]

It should be fine for everything except deep divers, and they won't damage the rod unless you try throwing one of the magnum 1 oz plus baits, but you will most likely lose fish because of the fast action pulling hooks lose. I use all sorts of rods for stripers depending on the lure I'm throwing. Everything from a med action spinning rod with 10 lb mono, to a heavy action bait casting combo designed for swimbaits. It all depends on what lure you are using and how you fight the fish when you get the hooks in a 15-20lber. You have to make sure the drag is set right and that you let the rod fight the fish and wear it down. What baits are you wanting to throw for stripers? In my neck of the woods the best baits are anything that imitates shad. Lipless cranks, larger floating minnow style baits like long a's and red fins, soft jerks like the magnum super fluke, and bucktail jigs are what I catch most of mine on. The main thing is to find the bait fish and you will find the stripers. This time of year a white or burple b15a bomber long a retrieved steadily near the surface at night is my go to. I use a mh/ mod. fast cranking rod for these, but your spinning combo would be fine with mono to compensate for the faster action. As for a baitcaster, if you want an all around rod for heavier stuff than you already fish and price isn't an issue, I'd be looking at a 7ft or so mh/ fast rod to handle everything except larger swimbaits. If you like the St Croix then the legend elite 7ft mh casting should be perfect, but edge/nfc, loomis, phenix k2 and many others are all amazing rods. I'd probably get the legend elite or have a custom made on that blank if you want different grips. As for a reel I'd look at daiwa or shimano. I like daiwas so I'd probably look at a t3, steez, zillion, or try to find a sweet tdz. Since you are just starting out though the steez sv, sv103 (og zillion with sv spool), or any of the sv reels are very user friendly when it comes to casting without backlash. In shimano their dc reels like the antares/Calais dc, metanium dc, excense dc, conquest dc are very friendly when it comes to casting. All these reels are quite expensive to most fishermen, but are of the highest quality and technology available. Sorry for the super long post I got a little carried away

[WIGuide]

No it's definitely not going to break the rod. It'll work for smaller crankbaits that fit into the weight rating found on the rod. It's not ideal, but you can make it work for now. You'll want to loosen your drag to help compensate for the extra fast action though. 

[kickerfish1]

I have a friend that pretty much uses a medium action spinning rod for every bait he owns. Alabama rigs, rapalas, jigs, topwaters, medium divers, etc. Does it work? Sure, but it isn't always ideal and he has a lot of fish come off.

[fishnkamp]

You are better off with a medium action moderately fast tip.  They will help you too keep the trebles hooked in the fish.

[blckshirt98]

I actually prefer using a MXF spinning rod for smaller crankbaits up to the KVD 1.5 size.  Once you get to the KVD 2.5 size you might start to feel it a bit when the rod loads to cast, or when you start cranking back in.  But smaller crankbaits you should be perfectly fine.

[Fishinthefish]

You can use a stick you found in the woods if you want to. You have to be the one to determine what you like. For every glass crankbaiter like me, theres a graphite cranker out there. I medium-fast rods. But thats just my preference.