New Cranking Rod/Reel Help

[jsh32]

I'm a new member here but have been reading articles for a while, so if this question has already been asked and answered I'm sorry for clogging up the feed a little bit. 

 

However my question is basically, what would be the best baitcasting reel for crankbaits (brand,model,ratio, all that good stuff) for $200 or less. I think I would like to stick with Daiwa but I am open to almost any brand. Also what are some of the better crankbait rods out there inside the $200 price range again. Ideally I would like the combo to be as close to $300 as possible. I have been looking at a few different rods including St. Croix, Phenix, and Powell. 

 

I have also been looking at some JDM reels (just for fun) and it got me wondering, are those reels that much better than the common ones normally we use or is the price increase just because of the fact of them being more rare?

 

Thanks for any help!

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

Very subjective.  The depths of lures you plan on fishing will make a big difference in what gets recommended.  If cranking deep, a reel with a ratio in the 5s is normally going to be the top suggestion.  Shallow to medium depth lures will get reels with ratios in the 6s or even in the 7s as the top option.  If you have a hard time slowing down, stick with a reel with a 6 something ratio.

Rod suggestions will also depend on the depth you will be fishing.  Phenix  X series rods have a great reputation.  Haven't read anything on the forums about their glass crankbait rods.  Here is one review.  Sounds like the rods very nice.  http://chrismasonfishing.blogspot.com/2010/11/equipment-review-phenix-red-glass-crank.html

My only Phenix rod is NOT a crankbait rod.  Going to be hard to stay around $300 with a $200 crankbait rod (X series) and a $200 reel.

Look at the Powell Max 3D crankbait rod.  My Powell is an Endurance and I like it a lot.  The Max 3D is suppose to be the best attributes of the Endurance and original Max series rods.

The new Mojo rods are getting a lot of love on here.  So selecting a Mojo, Max 3D or Phenix Glass cranking rid will keep you around the $140-$160 range leaving about $150 for the reel.  I doubt you could go wrong choosing any of those three makes.  Personally I seldom crank deep so a Medium rated around 1/4-3/4 fits me perfectly.  Let me throw this into the mix.  FFO has the Aetos 7' MM for $89....a $180 rod.  These are beautiful rods.  I own two.  The ML gets used for cranking.  Had gotten so I prefer 7' rods or longer, but this 6'6" rod is bringing me back to the shorter rods.  Great rod.

Reels.  Well I am also a fan of Daiwa.  Love the Alphas and TD-Z platforms.  I assume you want new.  However, used is a great way to go.  Look for ones in excellent shape.  I've got several used reels that look like new and cost a lot less than new.  As for specifics....the Lews Tournament MB can be found for less than $110 and is a very nice looking and casting reel.  I'd look at the 6.8:1 ratio for cranking.

No experience with the Tatula CT reels, but have used the original Tatula and Tatula Type R.  Excellent reels for the money.  A used Alphas would be good.  The TD-Z 103ML is highly thought of for a cranking reel.  Love my TD-Z 105Hs.  The new Alphas SV105 gets great reviews.  I had to send mine out for tuning.  It was a big disappointment to me before the tune.  Loved its looks and ergonomics, but it was the worst backlashing reel out of about 30 Daiwas I own.  Now I feel it will become a favorite.  I seem to be a minority of one so apparently I didn't get a reel up to snuff.

Like I said.....give a few details on the lures you plan on fishing in order to get the best options from fellow members.

[Jeff H]

What I use is a pair of Tatula's (5.4 and 6.3) on a couple of old Team Daiwa cranking rods.  The rods are the old Powermesh IM6 graphite.  One is Med/fast and the other is MH/fast.   They both have slighty softer tips than standard M and MH rods.

The Tatula's are fantastic reels. Excellent performance that can be found for under $100.  If I was to buy new crankin' rods I would get something cheap.  I don't need expensive rods for throwing crankbaits and could easily find rods under $100 that would work great.

[Poolshark]

crankbait rods can be tailored to what type of cranking you will be doing.

I own a 73 mm Abu Garcia "Ike"series glass rod for squarebills, med divers and lipless baits. This rod is a great rod. It launches baits a mile, has a nice backbone and jelly like tip. It is rated as med, but it really fishes in between a medium and medium heavy. It's a great all around small to medium crankbait rod. It goes for $129

For bigger, deeper diving crankbaits I own a 7'8 mhm mojo glass rod. It goes for $140.

As for reels, the bb1, tatula and curado are always solid choices. 

Hope that helps. 

[jsh32]

I really appreciate all the help! 

I meant to include the type of baits I usually use in the original post but guess I got caught up in my wondering mind. I usually use shallow to medium diving crank baits because I usually fish from the bank in smaller ponds and lakes. 

I guess the reason I put a combo price range at $300 and the rod/reel prices at $200 each was me wondering if I should be spending more on the rod or reel (should I look more at $200 rods and $100 reels or vise-versa). 

I know looks have nothing to do with how well a setup works but I just really want a sexy looking combo lol. I guess it just gives me a little more confidence in the stuff I'm using. 

Thanks again for the input. 

[Poolshark]

It really depends on what you think looks good. I like cork handles so  I think the mojo bass or any g loomis with a curado I looks good. but that's just me. Some people like foam. Some people like the blackout look. Whatever floats your boat I guess. 

As far as money is concerned or how to balance out the combo. A good reaction bait rod need not cost you an arm and a leg. Any of the rods I mentioned are pretty fairly priced and will work great. id make sure to research and get a good workhorse reel that will cast well and hold up over time. 

everyone has their favorites but I have had best luck with the curados/calcuttas. But my tatulas and bb1 are proving themselves. I shy away from graphite framed reels myself in favor of one peiced aluminum frames. The 150 to 200 price range in reels seems to deliver the best return for my dollar. 

Good luck 

[new2BC4bass]

Personally I'd be getting the Aetos if I didn't already have 3 dedicated rods for shallow to medium cranks.  You don't need a really sensitive rod for cranks, but I appreciate some.  The Aetos rods I have are decently sensitive.  Probably more so for people with better feel than I have.

The reel currently on my favorite crankbait rod....a 704CB Glass....is a 6.3:1 Pinnacle Primmus.  This reel sells for $225, but I didn't pay anywhere near that for mine.  It is a factory tuned reel.  Smooth, light and nice looking.  Also a set and forget reel.  Love them.  My cheapo Ballistic crankbait rod has a Sol on it.  It has a 5.8:1 ratio.  I bought an Allstar crankbait rod earlier this year while visiting Florida that stays there.  I believe I will be using a TD-Z 105H on it next time I am there.  It has a 6.3:1 ratio. 

[WRB]

Take a look at Irod 703CC and Daiwa TACT100 6.3:1 reel.

Tom

[fishnkamp]

Boy WRB hit it right on. In the last three years I have come to love the Diawas. I own an Exceler, Tatulas, Tatula Type Rs and now a Tatula CT. I own 6.3, 7s and 8,1s in both left and rights. I throw everything from hollow bodied swimbaits, jerkbaits, tx rigs and carolina rigs, crankbaits and rattle traps, and hollow bodied frogs with these reels. I will not tell you they are superior to any reel over $300, but I have thrown and owned a lot of other reels and they are superior to most I have thrown.  To date my favorite would be a CT. Get yourself a 6.3-1 in right or left depending on your preference. It will cost about $130.  If you want to splurge you could get a Tatula CT Type R for $179 but I would not bother.  

For rods I own 4 rods that would fit the "crankbait" category ( I need at least 3 on deck with different rattle traps, Red Eye shads and Xcalibur One Knockers on my boat's deck during the fall striper season, here on the Chesapeake Bay)  I love my Irod Genesis II IRG703CC The Gabe's Rip Rap Special. That will run you $149. I also own an older Powell  jig rod, and love it. Instead of a new Powell, I suggest you look at two Dobyns rods. First is a Fury series FR 705CB for $109. and if you really want a sweet rod look at the Champion XP model DC704CB for around $229. These rods were built with those lures in mind. I know the rod cost is a touch more than your max for a rod but the a standard Tatula CT saves you almost $70 off of you max budget for a reel.  Either way a CT and any of these three rods will work perfectly. My personal best caught using an original Tatula and my Irod was a 61/2 pound blue cat caught on a RedEye Shad and several 5 pound stripers. The rod felt great. 

[smalljaw67]

For the type of fishing you do I'd go to FFO (Fisherman's Factory Outlet) and look at the Fenwick Aetos 701MMC for $88.88. It will be around $100 when you include shipping but the rod is a 7' medium power with a moderate action and is designed for the type of baits you want to run. I recommend that as it will be the lightest cranking rod you will get under $200 and when casting cranks all day you'll appreciate even a gram difference in weight. For a reel, anything in the 6.?:1 range will be fine, try to stay with a reel with an aluminum frame which will normally be something in the $100 on up, a Lews Tournament MB is nice for around $140.

[Columbia Craw]

My God-son, Jay asked almost the same question this last April, His budget was about $300.00 for a combo that had to get him through this year, new baby.  He went with a Tatula CT in 6.3 and the Dobyns Fury 705CB.   He was both for about two hundred forty bucks plus sales tax.  He's fished the stink out of this set up all year and loves it.  What's crazy is I fish a pre HP Champion 705CB with an OG Zillion and the performance of each is not that far apart.  Something to ponder.

[Attila]

I just picked up a Tatula CT 5.5:1 which I'm going to match to a Tatula 7'2" MHR glass cranking rod specifically for both square bill and crank bait fishing.  For the money I think the combo will do well but I won't know until I try it out next spring for both walleye and maybe some pike.

I've found that all the rods and reels in the Tatula series have great performance for the money which is why I'm investing the money in them.  I don't fish tournaments and am more of a weekend warrior but I want gear that will last me a long while and will perform if I ever do sign up as an amateur.

Cheers, hope that you find a great combo that meets your criteria! 

[Mark888]

Depends what cranks you will be throwing - but i recommend going with a moderate or moderate fast action rod. I have a fenwick autos 7ft medium moderate action which i use for all my cranks that run at or less then about 10ft. Anything that runs deeper you want a heavier and longer rod imo.

 

As for a reel, i am using a Daiwa tatula 6.3.1 ratio - i am a huge fan of both the older tatula and the CT. They are great reels for the price. 

 

For line i like 12lb invisx for all around. If you want your lures to swim a little deeper, go lighter. if you want them to go higher in the water column, use heavier line of copolymer. Good luck!

[blckshirt98]

I really like the Phenix XG glass series for crankbaits.  I use an XG3 for chatterbaits and larger squarebills.  One crankbait rod I didn't like was the Powell Max 3D (don't know the exact model off the top of my head) but I found the rod to be too light, and the length of the handle at the butt area too short.

[Finnz922]

One more for the IROD 703cc. It's one bad stick!

[gulfcaptain]

The rod I would suggest is a Falcon Bucco 7'6" Med Moderate or the 7'2" MH Med Fast.  Both retail at $110 so the price lets you get a nice reel with I'd suggest something in the 26"IPT area.  I prefer Quantum Reels and another brand which we can't speak of on here. Both of those rods fit your budget and are light and comfortable to fish.

[new2BC4bass]

On 10/23/2016 at 8:11 AM, smalljaw67 said:

For the type of fishing you do I'd go to FFO (Fisherman's Factory Outlet) and look at the Fenwick Aetos 701MMC for $88.88. It will be around $100 when you include shipping but the rod is a 7' medium power with a moderate action and is designed for the type of baits you want to run. I recommend that as it will be the lightest cranking rod you will get under $200 and when casting cranks all day you'll appreciate even a gram difference in weight. For a reel, anything in the 6.?:1 range will be fine, try to stay with a reel with an aluminum frame which will normally be something in the $100 on up, a Lews Tournament MB is nice for around $140.

But can be found on ebay for less than $110.  Great value.  OP:  If you can't stand blue, then another rod I can recommend is the original Tatula...the 7' MLR....for about $110 at Sportsman's Outfitters.

Wow !!!!!  FFO is offering buy one, get one 50% off on the Aetos casting rods.  Get over your dislike of blue quick.     If I were you I'd buy two of the 7'MM rods, slap on your favorite reels, and have twice as much fun.  There is a shipping charge, oversize charge and tax.  I just ordered two of those 7' MM rods several of us have been suggesting to you.  Total price is just under $161 for two rods that cost $359.90 at full price.