Mid-Deep Crankbait Rod, Need Help!

[J_Mart03]

Hey everyone, 

Ive spent a lot of time on Bass Resource and Tackle warehouse lately trying for find a crankbait rod to add to my arsenal.

Im in search for for a rod that will handle mid to deep diving crankbaits up to 1oz. Would like to spend under $200

For length i want to stay under 7'6". 

 

I know theres a big debate on glass vs. graphite rods but im still considering both. I currently have a Dobyns FR705cb, its been great for squarebills (dont throw lipless much). I love this rod but it is a hassle crankbaits that dive deep. 

 

I fish mostly on Carters, Allatoona, Lanier and occasionally Chickamauga

Im considering: 

St. Croix Mojo Bass glass 7'4"

Powell Endurance 7'2" & 7'5"

Halo Cranking II 7'4"

Tatula Glass 7'2" & 7'7"

 

Im open to any recommendations!

 

 

[Riazuli]

Check out the shimano expride 7'2" mh/ m composite glass rod.  Seems like it fits your requirements well. 

 

Edit: sry that is around $260 but worth a look.  They have the previous 170mcr expride on sale for 200 at a few places online, but wouldn't use for higher than 3/4 oz

[CroakHunter]

Cabelas zx 7'5 medium heavy crankshaft

[iceintheveins]

Abu Garcia Ike series cranking rods. Halo is good too as are the others mentioned. Even the Veritas Winch is a nice rod. 

[NathanDLTH]

Powell Inferno series, under $120 and good sensitivity. 

[J_Mart03]

8 hours ago, Riazuli said:

Check out the shimano expride 7'2" mh/ m composite glass rod.  Seems like it fits your requirements well. 

 

Edit: sry that is around $260 but worth a look.  They have the previous 170mcr expride on sale for 200 at a few places online, but wouldn't use for higher than 3/4 oz

I would definitely consider the expride if it fit my budget. I did search for the 170mcr expride, pulled up a lot of stuff in Japanese, might have to dig a little deeper 

7 hours ago, CroakHunter said:

Cabelas zx 7'5 medium heavy crankshaft

Plus that lifetime warranty 

[fishballer06]

Try to get a Dobyns Champion on sale. The 706CB, 736CB, or the 805/806CB should be up your alley.

[A-Jay]

Perhaps consider a composite blank. 

This Quantum Tour KVD Crankin Rod uses a blank that blends E-Glass and carbon to deliver perfectly tuned parabolic glass actions, as well as, the added sensitivity and backbone that carbon provides. It's designed for a range of cranking applications whether you like to fish shallow running squarebills or deep diving 6XD’s.  It has premium Alp’s LXN micro guides with aluminum oxide inserts also help facilitate greater casting distance and accuracy, while helping reduce rod weight, and the Fuji ACS reel seats furnish a comfortable base for your reel. 

 It's easily my favorite cranking rod. (There's 5 of them in this pic  )

Best of all the price in the link below is set to fit almost any budget - and free shipping) 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01397SIJ0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AG5KH2U5TMIP3&psc=1

 

A-Jay

[Finnz922]

Irod Genesis II "Fred's Crank Launcher Jr". 763. Perfect rod for cranks up to 5xd IMO. Can handle 6XD but not my favorite if your cranking all day.

[Riazuli]

2 hours ago, J_Mart03 said:

I would definitely consider the expride if it fit my budget. I did search for the 170mcr expride, pulled up a lot of stuff in Japanese, might have to dig a little deeper 

Plus that lifetime warranty 

They're clearing out everywhere with the new lineup available now.  There were several available within just the last couple of weeks (I recall seeing availability in the last week) - those same places seem to be out of stock now at the clearance price (I did notice some over 300 but that's not worth it as the new models are priced less for the most part).  If you can find a legitimate JDM dealer, it might be worth a look, and there is a MH version (both composite glass).  I noticed a JDM site pricing it at around 180 US for the 170MCR.  

 

Not sure if you're referring to other brands having the lifetime warranty over Shimano, but only rods purchasing prior to I think June or July 2014 are still eligible for lifetime warranty.  Rods purchased after that have a 1 year warranty, and then after that it's 50% off retail with free return shipping for your broken rod.  Shimano states that the warranty is designed to protect against defects, and that 1 year is sufficient time to find out if your product is defective or not.  I am not as concerned about it because I take good care of my rods and have been using one of my rods for close to 20 years now and only had to replace a guide on it.  That and...if I do happen to break the rod in a few years...well...that just sounds like a good excuse to buy a new and better one

[Rusty Shackleford]

Dobyns 764RM

[long island basser]

Lews TP-1 speedstick 7’3” MH mod. Rated 1/2 thru 1 and 3/8

$99.

[fishnkamp]

I will second the Irod Genesis II rods.

[custer]

Folks, I've posted comments like this a million times. I have nothing against any mass-produced rod, but.......

 

Get into building your own rods. You can have quality equal to the most expensive rods on the market for around 50% (or less) of the cost of a high end rod.

 

The International Custom Rod Builders Exposition is coming up in 2 weeks. Google ICRBE.

 

Since 2003 I've been able to build an entire arsenal, from SW to Surf to Sweetwater. I've built 29 rods. And haven't spent over $150 on any freshwater build. I get to choose the blank, guides and seat the way I want them. For example, my mid depth cranker (7'6") would have a little (3/4") more butt for leverage. My dock cranking rod (6'6") has 1 1/2" less butt for accuracy.

 

One size doth not fit all, building your own is an awesome way to bridge between Ice and Ice off........

 

Rod building is a lot less magic then deciding what color soft plastic to use.......

 

Tight lines.

[J_Mart03]

8 hours ago, Rusty Shackleford said:

Dobyns 764RM

 

11 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

Try to get a Dobyns Champion on sale. The 706CB, 736CB, or the 805/806CB should be up your alley.

If I can find a good deal on a dobyns I would throw my money at the man behind the counter. I have 3 dobyns rods but in the Fury lineup, I'd love to have a champion

 

11 hours ago, Finnz922 said:

Irod Genesis II "Fred's Crank Launcher Jr". 763. Perfect rod for cranks up to 5xd IMO. Can handle 6XD but not my favorite if your cranking all day.

 

4 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

I will second the Irod Genesis II rods.

Somehow I have overlooked these, not sure why. Luckily there is retailer close to me, hopefully they will have that model. Not sure which series they have but I'll probably check tomorrow!

[nocluefisher]

You can get a Dobyns champion 736cb on their website for $170, look at the mislabeled rods. It will be labeled 735 but be a 736

[burrows]

All the rods you mentioned on your original post are good options you can’t go wrong with none of those brands. Minus halo I have no experience with there rods.

[npl_texas]

56 minutes ago, J_Mart03 said:

If I can find a good deal on a dobyns I would throw my money at the man behind the counter. I have 3 dobyns rods but in the Fury lineup, I'd love to have a champion

You can usually get them from American Legacy Fishing on eBay when they run a 20% off coupon. They come around pretty regular. 

[J_Mart03]

1 hour ago, nocluefisher said:

You can get a Dobyns champion 736cb on their website for $170, look at the mislabeled rods. It will be labeled 735 but be a 736

You sir, have just made my day

 

52 minutes ago, npl_texas said:

You can usually get them from American Legacy Fishing on eBay when they run a 20% off coupon. They come around pretty regular. 

I just bought from them last week. Every time on eBay I find myself looking at what they have

[dam0007]

Dobyns 764CB is a hell of a rod. You can throw from a DT 6 to a 6XD and everything between. I use mine more for DT10s and 5XDs then throw bigger on the 805CB. But I have thrown smaller stuff on it plenty of times.