Fishing small crankbaits with a big rod?

[TH-Outdoors]

Recently I was able to come across Lew's Custom Speed Stick Magnum Crankbait rod for $80. However, I was needing a rod that was able to handle 3/8oz cranks well and this rod is rated at 1/2oz to 1n3/8oz. It is a 7'6 Med-Heavy Mod. Fast

Will this rod still perform well with smaller cranks? I was hoping for this rod to be an all around CB rod since my arsenal isn't too large. 

 

Also, this is my first post after lurking the forums for a while now. Cheers!

[bigturtle]

a MH is fine if you are fishing around heavy cover, but otherwise you want a M for 3/8oz cranks

[wdp]

I use a medium action/moderate for most of my small to medium size cranks. The flexible tip also helps with casting distance. You'd be surprised at how well you can bomb a 1/4 oz crank. 

[rippin-lips]

Mess around with the rod and see if it feels like it's too much for a smaller 3/8 crank. The ratings suggest it's not a good choice but ratings are just suggested guidelines. I throw my 1.5 squarebills and bandit 300's 'both 3/8oz' on a mh/f. Bandit 200's I use a medium mod/fast since they only weigh 8 grams and the taper allows for better distance. 

[Guest]

If your going to be fishing a lot of 3/8 squarebills this might not be the rod for you?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The sweet spot for casting weights usually lies near the middle of the posted range. Trial and error on the water is the only real way to tell. 

[new2BC4bass]

Only way to know for sure is to try it.  I've got a rod with a 3/8 oz. rating on the low end that will cast a 3/8 oz. popper the proverbial country mile, and another rod with the same 3/8 oz. low end rating that will barely cast 1/2 oz. a decent fishing distance.  The rods do have different high end ratings, tho.

[S. Sass]

Just barely out of the weight range you might do OK depending on how forgiving the rod is. Every manufacturer seems to tilt a little one way or another vs their ratings. Probably still won't be optimal. If you haven't purchased the rod I would suggest finding a rod that is in the proper ratings. I use a Fenwick HMG Crankbait rod that throws the small Bandit 100, 200's, and Mann's 1-Minus extremely well. But as you can see it is 1/4 to 1oz ratings do put the 3/8oz lures right in the sweet spot.  

If that is a great deal you might go ahead and get it for your larger crankbaits and see how it performs in the real world with the lighter ones If you throw or plan to throw bigger crankbaits. On the flip side if you're like me and don't throw many large cranks a $ bargain it won't be a deal not so much if its hated or never used. 

[IndianaFinesse]

8 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

cast a 3/8 oz. popper the proverbial country mile

There's that country mile we were just discussing.  How far is a country mile again?

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

There's that country mile we were just discussing.  How far is a country mile again?

[Fishes in trees]

If you like that rod and you think it might work go ahead and buy it.  IF it doesn't work like you'd like, then get a different one.   The line you use will make a difference.   If you're throwing 17 or 20 lb mono (like I frequently do throwing square bills into brush & woody cover ),  then it might not work so well.   Put some 10 mono or copolymer line on it and it might throw & retrieve great.   No way to tell without purchasing the rod.

 

Save the receipt and they might let you take it back if you don't like it, OR just keep it and keep trying it on different reaction baits until a fit is discovered.

[TH-Outdoors]

I should've been more clear, I don't want it to mainly use small cranks I just wanted to know if the rod could still load up if I did use a smaller crank. I was thinking that maybe the mod fast action would allow for more bend and whip in casts which would load the blank and still cast it a good distance. At this point, I'm just gonna have to go try it out. Thanks for your guys input.