Fellas,Help me with crankbait Rod

[Wild Idaho]

Hey fellow fishing guys! Finally warming up a little in northern Idaho and I'm itching to get fishing! Already got a few nice rods and this year I want to kick it off with buying rod specifically for throwing cranks in shallow to mid depth range. I want to be around  $100- $200. Really like what I've read on st.croix premier crankbait rods just not sure if I should get a 6'6 rod or 7' and if I should go with mhm or mh... help me out fellas. 

[fishnkamp]

Crankbaits are lures you usually toss a good distance, so I would lean towards the 7 footer.   If you were trying to setup a rig to fish small cranks and wakebaits around docks and tight to cover than I would go for the shorter rod for more accurate casting. It sounds like you are better off with the longer rod. It will cast farther and you will have better line control and easier hooksets on a long cast.

 

Another really nice rod to look at, in the $160 price range,  is an Irod Genesis II rods. Take a look at the IRG703CC Gabe's Rip Rap Special. That has become my go to rod for small to med cranks, traps and square bills. It is light, well balanced and has a very comfortable feel in my hand. I did just sell two ST Croix Premier rods, they are okay but I liked the feel of the Irod better. Just my 2 cents. 

[Fishin' Fool]

You can't go wrong with a Dobyns Fury 705cb either.

[MickD]

Sounds like some good experience-based advice above.

 

The power of the rod should be determined by the lure weights you intend to cast.  You want the rod to load properly.  The action should ideally be (for cranks) moderate to moderate/fast, although if it is the right power, even fast will work, especially if you're going to use a lot of long casts. (better hook sets).

 

The trend now seems to be fast action for everything, but I notice on TV that there are one heck of a lot of moderate actions being used by the pros, for all techniques.  You see posts about the really aggressive hook sets by the pros.  One reason is they are using a lot of moderate action rods.  IMHO

[Finnz922]

x2 Irod's Rip Rap Special

[Spankey]

The Premier Crankbait rods are my rods. I use both, I've owned the 6'6" M for a handful of years now. The 7 foot M  I bought two years ago. I like the Moderate feel of the tip. I don't like a fast tip for crankbaits. I don't use my rods for anything other than Crankbaits. I don't have a problem casting 1/4 oz. Bandits with them.

[offsidewing]

As a total St Croix fanboy I recommend the Cabelas Tournament ZX crankbait rod on sale right now for $70.

[kschultz76]

 

[nameiztaken]

I use a Abu Veritas (1.0) 7' Medium Power, Fast action. I love it for bouncing squarebills off of rubble/stumps, Very sensitive and I havent confused a stump for a fish on it yet.

[NHBull]

I played this game last yr and went with the Loomis E6X.  More than what I originally wanted, glad I made the reach.  You will run out of money before good options.

 

Also, imho the jig rod do is where you should spend more $$$$$

[GreenGhostMan]

On 3/19/2017 at 8:56 AM, Fishin' Fool said:

You can't go wrong with a Dobyns Fury 705cb either.

 

^^ This!  Love mine for shallow to mid cranks.

[robster80]

Heck im still using my 705 Powell Diesel. Has worked perfect for my cranking needs. Considering upgrading tho im liking the winn grip rods more

[blckshirt98]

I really like the Phenix XG series glass crankbait rods.  I have a manufacturer made XG3 rod, and liked it so much got a (used) custom XG3 with a left-spiral wrap.  I use it mainly for crankbaits and chatterbaits, and it's a great rod and casting it all day is effortless.

 

Full disclosure - I did get a Megabass Orochi XX Swingfire for small-medium crankbaits (KVD 1.5-ish size) but for larger cranks (KVD 2.5 and above) and chatterbaits with beefy trailers, I do prefer the Phenix XG.

[Wild Idaho]

Thanks for replies,you guys are awesome. Can't get enough of these forums and how everyone helps each other out. I have a couple quality rods just nothing worthy for throwing crankbait. Thanks fellas 

[trouttracker]

Unless your preference is to stay with pure Graphite rods you should also consider the Dobyns 705CB Glass composite before making your decision.  Since crank-bait fishing does not require a highly sensitive rod, taking advantage of the more flexible tip action that the composite rod offers can help with not ripping treble hooks out of the fish's mouth when setting the hook as well as allowing more erratic escape behavior close to the boat when trying to land the fish.  "Beat the Big Box Boys" has re-opened under new ownership and can most likely keep you under the $200 price point if you opt for a higher quality Dobyns glass-graphite composite rod.

[roadwarrior]

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