Selecting New Rod

[FishingCO]

So I'm looking to buy a new cranking rod. Up until now I've been looking mostly at Kistler and St. Croix (but have also heard good things about Lews, G Loomis, etc...) I love St. Croix and have used them in the past, love the warranty, weight, and sensitivity, but am also looking to try out other sticks. I'd love to know your opinion.

 

Also I forgot to add, I'm looking at the Kistler KLX Feel-N-Reel and the St.Croix Tournament Elite (obviously a large difference in price but that isn't a huge priority, I'm looking for quality).

 

Thank you.

[fishnkamp]

Here are the rods I would consider and I love mine.

Look at the Irod Genesis II series. I fish a IRG703CC when throwing square bills, shallow and mid depth cranks, traps etc.  They also have several others to consider.

Fred Roumbanis helped developed two cranking rods.  One is known as the IRG7113CC, "Fred's Crank Launcher, which was specifically designed to fish deep cranks.  He also designed the IRG763CC-MH, Fred's Crank Launcher JR., which was designed for mid sized cranks and other reaction baits.  I would check into all three.

 

Dobyns makes some really nice rods as well. I fish several including my frog rod, a Champion XP series rod called the DC705C.  If I wanted a great crank rod from Dobyns I would consider one of the Champion XP series rod called a DC 735CB Glass, a DC 736CB Glass, or a DC 765CB (graphite blank).

Both of the first two are also available as a brand new rod that was mismarked (double marked) at a good discount.

 

I also fish a Falcon Bucoo Trap Caster. It is a 7 foot MH that suggests lures as cranks, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and I also like it for traps as well.

[clh121787]

Can't go wrong with dobyns champion R.M. line of rods. I've used glass but prefer graphite. I like to crank down fast and then really slow down once I'm on bottom but work fast enough to keep it on bottom and feel the bait through the timber and lay downs. Graphite allows me to distinguish bites from cover. Imo. If you ain't cranking on bottom and knockin off all the trash you can you ain't doin it right 

[new2BC4bass]

I don't have a St. Croix, but I think most people would agree you couldn't go wrong with one....especially since you already fish (and like) them.  I know tomustang and his wife fished St. Croix exclusively at one time.  (Haven't seen either in awhile.  )  He still visits here occasionally, so maybe he will chime in with an opinion.

 

I cranked using standard MF rods for a long time.  I now have a couple dedicated crankbait rods.  One is the 703CB Glass.  No idea how it compares to the graphite model, but I am liking it a lot so far.  Would love to add a couple that fishnkamp mentioned to my arsenal.  Never owned a Kistler, but the KLX get good reviews as does the Phenix X10 series.