More uses for my moderate rod than just cranks?

[ciarlill]

First off I want to say I'm mostly a kayak/bank fisherman, not a boater, so I'm usually only carrying 2-5 rods. That being the case I like to get a lot of use out of each setup. Lately I've noticed I get very little use out of the cranking rod I picked up. I like throwing cranks, but the amount of time I am in an area where it's appropriate technique is limited. So what else should I be throwing on a moderate action rod (7', 1/4-3/4oz, 8-17lb test. Paired with 6.3:1 reel).

 

The first thing I was thinking is changing out the line from 12lb floro to maybe copoly? I know it might take a little off my cranking depth, but would allow me to throw spooks and maybe poppers on it. I'm not sure if I'll get the proper walking action without a fast tip though. I was also thinking maybe jerk baits? Again not sure what line would be good. I don't even have any jerk baits yet, mostly throw a fluke for that presentation. Possibly spinners or chatterbaits?

 

Any other ideas on what else I might be able to throw on it? Should I change out the floro for something with neutral buoyancy?

 

For reference my other rods are: 2x 7' MH (6.3:1, 7.1:1) 30lb braid to leader (1 mono, 1 floro). 7' M spinning setup, 10lb braid to leader. 7'6" H, 50lb braid.

[Angry John]

i fish in a yak and try to get every rod to do the most.  I use a medium fast for cranks because it works with a lot of other baits like spinnerbaits and bladed jigs.  I have no place for a glass rod in my inventory, but dedicated cranking guys swear by them.  I normally only carry three rods a 7' MHF, a 7'6 mhfm and a 610mlxf.  This group seems to be the best diversity for me.  I shift out the 7'6 for a 66mf sometimes if i am doing shallow work like squarebills and small spooks near shore....

[Dwight Hottle]

I like to fish braid on moderate action rods with or without a leader. That combo can be used for all treble hook baits; topwater, jerk baits. crank baits & vertical jigging blade baits, spoons & lipless traps. You can use that same rod for bladed jigs & some swimbaits too. 

[Boomstick]

I use a MH/MF glass Tatula rod for cranks because it works well with all moving baits, like spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Overall it's similar to using a M/F rod, but it's better for spinnerbaits where a M/F is better for non-weighted soft plastics, so that's a toss up which way to go. Both are good to pull a square bill through heavier grass (at least as heavy as you'd ever fish a crankbait in).

 

A M/M or M/MF rod would be more ideal for open water, but as I have a limited number of one piece rods I can fit in my car, that's going to wait until I get a boat.

[ww2farmer]

Some guys like moderate rods for bladed jigs (chatterbaits)...I don't, in fact I don't like true moderate rods for much of anything, as grass is the primary cover I fish. Moderate fast is as slow of a taper as I like, and it's so subjective between mfg's, I never know how a rod is going to behave until I get my hands on it and put it to use.

[Adam.love05]

I'm in a similar position right now.. I've got a medium cranking rod.. but it's a little light to throw jerkbaits on.. so I'm thinking about going with a MH/mod fast for jerks, blade baits and deeper cranks.. 

[detroit1]

Braid / dropshot

[Will1248]

Deep jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and topwaters with a MH. Poppers with a M. 

[WRB]

You can fish every bass lure within the rods recommended weight range using a MH fast baitcasting rod including a crankbait, that is all we used for decades.

Tom

[Deleted account]

Slow rolling mid sized spinnerbaits with braid, and most things with trebles.

[iceintheveins]

Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and all topwaters besides frogs are best in my opinion on a glass or composite cranking style rod. You lose a lot fewer fish and the hookup rate is higher.

[Angry John]

50 minutes ago, iceintheveins said:

Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and all topwaters besides frogs are best in my opinion on a glass or composite cranking style rod. You lose a lot fewer fish and the hookup rate is higher.

Some of us just use good hooks and they stay where they should

[bigbassin']

Personally I don't like moderates for spinnerbaits.  I've never tried one for chatterbaits but I think I've seen articles on people that prefer the moderate action.  Basically the argument was that the fish often gets hooked in the softer parts of it's mouth rather than through the corner of the lip, and the moderate action helps keep the fish from pulling the hook.

 

Topwaters would for sure work, walking the dog might actually be easier due to the soft tip.

[J Francho]

On 3/17/2018 at 10:54 AM, ciarlill said:

So what else should I be throwing on a moderate action rod (7', 1/4-3/4oz, 8-17lb test. Paired with 6.3:1 reel).

Spoons and inline spinners work well, too.

[roadwarrior]

All "treble hooks".  Topwater, jerkbaits and crankbaits.

[Deleted account]

55 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Spoons and inline spinners work well, too.

Your multi species slip is showing, but yes both casting and trolling them...

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On 3/18/2018 at 10:24 AM, ww2farmer said:

Some guys like moderate rods for bladed jigs (chatterbaits)...I don't, in fact I don't like true moderate rods for much of anything, as grass is the primary cover I fish. Moderate fast is as slow of a taper as I like, and it's so subjective between mfg's, I never know how a rod is going to behave until I get my hands on it and put it to use.

Exactly. It's all so subjective and it depends on the over all rod what it will work well for. only fishing it will tell you for sure. 

[Mobasser]

Topwater baits for sure. Many guys prefer a moderate action for this.