Crankbait setup

[fish2355]

Hey y'all, im buying a new setup soon. I need a good setup for cranking shallow and deep deep water. Im looking at buying a lews BB1L 5.1:1 (multi-stop reverse ) or the BB1HZL 6.4:1 (zero reverse). Yes, i am southpaw, makes things a little more difficult finding a baitcaster.

 

For my rod i'm looking at a Duckett or a Powell rod somewhere around a 6'6" length, medium power and a slow action. im thinking about pairing it with 10 or 12 lb mono.

 

I want all your opinions on the reel, rod, and line please.

[Columbia Craw]

That's a good reel choice. You might look at a 7' rod to improve casting distance.  A medium  power. moderate action will do well.

[Yudo1]

If you are going use deep cranks, a 6'6" medium rod maybe too light. A longer mh, moderate would be a better choice that will cover both shallow and deeper better. As far as reel, a 6.4 will do both applications. A 5.1 would be slow for shallow cranks IMO.

[Fishes in trees]

I don't have any issues throwing square bills with a 5-1 ratio Calcutta.  Back in the day, 5-1 was considered "High Speed".   I throw most reaction baits (cranks, spinner baits, chatter baits, swim baits) on 5-1 ratio reels, mostly older Calcutta 200 TEGTs.

[fishnkamp]

Well I will throw my two cents in.  "Deep Cranking" takes a very specific setup.  Here is where a 5-1 reel has its own place. I would choose a much longer rod for it and most of the time those rods are glass or a combo of graphite and glass.

 

Now I choose to not fish baits like DD22 or similar baits.  I do however often fish baits that run down to around 15 foot. I fish them on either an Irod 7 foot Medium moderate or a 7 foot MH mf Falcon Bucoo Trapcaster.

Powell makes a nice rod to handle most of your shallow to mid depth ( 15 feet) needs. Take a look at a Max3D 6104 CB G/C if you want a good all around rod to handle jerkbaits, squarebills,  or a diver like a Bomber Model 7A (13 foot max).  If you want to go more towards deeper lures look at a Max 3d 705CB G/C.  That may be your best all around rod.  I would choose a 6.x-1 reel for these baits.

 If I was setting up a deep cranks rig I would choose a 5-1 and a rod like a Max #D 7115 CB G/C.  That is a beast.

 

Powell rods and Gary Dobyns ( Dobyns Rods of course) offer something companies like Daiwa and Shimano do not. You can pick up the phone and discuss rods with them. They will help you pick out the perfect rod and they welcome the chance to give personal customer service.  This is true with Irod as well.  I have done so with all of these companies in the past and have been very glad with the decisions I made.  One of my very favorite rods I own is a Powell Max 683 CEF, it is my most versatile rod in the rod box.

Good Luck with your search.

 

[Choporoz]

11 hours ago, fish2355 said:

 I need a good setup for cranking shallow and deep deep water. ..........

6'6" length, medium power and a slow action ........

I agree with @fishnkamp.  I doubt you're looking at a single rod for both.  Now, I'm not one to suggest you need a specific rod for every application.  But, take a look at the weights of the crankbaits you are considering for 'shallow' and 'deep deep'.  For example,  Mann's Baby -1 weighs, what?  A quarter ounce?  But, I'd bet nearly all of my crankbaits in my 'Deep' box weigh an ounce or more.  Forget retrieving the lure, catching and landing fish...I don't think you could even cast most deep cranks with "6'6" length, medium power and a slow action" rod.

  What rods are already in your arsenal?  I often cast small/shallow cranks on a spinning rod.  What kinds of water will you be fishing?  And do you know what crankbaits you might want to throw?

[Robert Riley]

You'll be happy with that BB1! I have the multi-stop and I don't like it, it drives me nuts. I'm not a fan of the play in the reel. 

 

If you want a rod for everything up to 12'-15' crankbaits, I'd look at the Dobyn's 705cb. You definitely want a longer rod than 6'6" and heavier than a medium. 

 

Line choice is fine. 

[Bankbeater]

I like a 6'6" medium with a fast tip for shallow running crankbaits, and light spinnerbaits.  For deep divers and heavy spinnerbaits I use a 7'0" med. heavy with a fast tip.   

[mwh33]

I use a Dobyns 805cb paired with a Shimano Conquest 200hg and I use a Megabass Diablo Fast Move x7 paired with a Shimano Metanium for my shallow and lipless cranks.

[Angry John]

I was also going to recommend a dobyns 8 footer but the rm 805 would be my choice.  I like graphite and some like glass.  Your choice there are lovers and haters on both sides.  I would also toss on a luna 103L

[LxVE Bassin]

I know the struggle with finding casting reels when you're a south paw, we just don't have as much to choose from. I'm not sure how many set ups your looking to have but 6'6" won't be long enough for deep cranking. Most deep diving crankbaits are around 1oz and u will need a strong enough and long enough rod to increase casting distance to get to those deep depths. The 6'6" duckett rod u mentioned should be fine for shallow cranking. I would recommend the Fritts perfect crank speed stik by lews in either 7'6" or 7'11". The reel with the 5.4.1 hear ratio would be better suited for deep cranking and the reel with the 6.4.1 gear ratio would go better for shallow cranking.

[clh121787]

Imo... one set up for shallow and" deep deep" cranking is an oxymoron. No way I can throw a deep crank on my shallow set up. Could probably get away throwing shallow cranks on my deep setup but wouldn't want to. However...   To answer your question imo the perfect set up would be a  dobyns 805 rm cb with a 200 shimano 

[fish2355]

thanks guys!! I think i will do a 7' maybe 7'6" rod with the 6.4:1 Gear ratio. I will primarily be fishing the deepest of 15-17 feet i would think with this outfit and up from there. Do any of you know what the rod length limit is for the FLW and BFL? Im not sure on what to look for in my rod yet. Im thinking to go with a medium action and medium power as well. I will look into those brands that yall mentioned as well!

[Angry John]

47 minutes ago, fish2355 said:

thanks guys!! I think i will do a 7' maybe 7'6" rod with the 6.4:1 Gear ratio. I will primarily be fishing the deepest of 15-17 feet i would think with this outfit and up from there. Do any of you know what the rod length limit is for the FLW and BFL? Im not sure on what to look for in my rod yet. Im thinking to go with a medium action and medium power as well. I will look into those brands that yall mentioned as well!

Most series limit rods to 8 feet but there has been a rule change lately to allow longer rods.  You will have to check the series your in but 8 is a safe bet and i dont know any that require shorter.  If your looking for a 7'6" i have and use the dobuns rm 764.  Its a great little rod and i fish lures about in your range.  I stop at the 6xd and the norman deep N.  If your going bigger like the 8xd or dd22 you will want the 5 power rod.