New rod for the old man

[Matt_3479]

The older my dad gets the more he wants to fish. Last 2 years he has been enjoying it and getting out as much as he can but has never owned a good rod before. This year for his birthday I bought him a 7’ st. Croix avid x mh fast action rod with a diawa tatula sv as an all around casting rod. He owned a really crappy setup and loved the concept but never used it cause it just was terrible. He loves the new set up so much it’s all he uses now and he started upgrading some of his spinning rods.

 

im looking into possibly getting him another set up for this upcoming birthday and wanted some advice. Seeing as you know about the medium heavy avid x, what would you recommend. One of his absolute favorite techniques is crankbait fishing. I fish a loomis imx pro 845c cbr and love it and was debating on trying the e6x for him. He still likes the idea of 1 rod covering a larger then likely area. He normally throws lipless and medium depth cranks. But has started throwing a lot of square Bill’s and occasionally deep diving cranks. What rods would you recommend in graphite not class? 

[CroakHunter]

Maybe a daiwa tatula 7'2 mhr? That rod would be a good rod to throw a lot of moving baits on and sensitive enough to throw a jig or work on as well. 

[burrows]

never mind I thought you meant not graphite I misread?

[kschultz76]

I think the Kistler KLX Crank Rip Twitch rods are worth a look, I really like mine, I’d recommend the 7’3” MH version which is a Medium Fast taper. I also have the 6’9” version which is good if you like a little shorter rod but the handle is shorter so not great for deeper baits. These are both likely a stiffer feel then your Loomis, but still versatile enough with the right line to really cover the gamut of moving baits. 

 

I also really like my Orochi XX Flatside Special but mine is the first gen, and it’s just as versatile. 

 

Last year i also bought a Hammer Rods 7’3” MH ModFast rod out of their regular line up, not the crank specific rod, and is a great cheap and light crank rod, very sensitive. The tip is very supple easily throwing 1/4 oz baits with my Tatula SV.  Build fit and finish not the finest and I’ve seen some posts/reviews on quality as well. But if you get a good one it’s a great multipurpose moving bait rod. This rod is the lightest power and most mod action of the ones I’ve listed. 

 

My Dad loves the 6’6” Avid MH/Mod Crank rod I got him a couple years ago, full handle, more traditional build, great sensitivity. He personally likes shorter rods but you can get that in a 7’0”. 

 

Good luck I’m sure your Dad will love whatever you choose. 

[J Francho]

If he likes the current setup, get him the same, but in a cranking taper, and lower gear ratio. AXC70MHM and a 5 or 6 gear Tat.  I have the original Avid graphite crankers, both 7' MM and MHM, and they are great.

[WRB]

How old is this old man?

Tom

[Matt_3479]

Thanks gentleman. I own a kistler helium medium heavy fast and love the rod but they aren’t the easiest to get around me and are very expensive in Canada. I don’t want to cheap out but they are in the 400 range. Plus another tatula for him would put me in the 650-700 area. 

 

The reason I was looking at the e6x is cause from just feel it feels relatively close to my imx pro and he wants to try a loomis rod as I have a couple now and just love them. The imx pro’s range from 370-450 ish before tax but the e6x are on sale everywhere around me regular price being in the 250 range sitting closer to 160 ish. 

 

I looked at the avids and legend tourneys as he’s a fan of his avid x and they sit around 260-370 as well but no sales around. If I was paying regular price I’d probably go for another avid as I think bang for buck there tough to beat. But knowing he wants to try a loomis it’s got me looking at the e6x series. 

1 hour ago, WRB said:

How old is this old man?

Tom

He’s 58 lol

[WRB]

I have a daughter that old!

Crank bait rods need to be balanced properly and launch lures with ease because you use them a lot casting to targets and distance. Deep diving crank bait that have high water resistance when retreiving a lower 5.3:2 to 5.8:1 gear ratio reel can be an advantage. lipless, medium divers, square bills etc can be effectively fished with 6.3:1 to 7:1 ratio reels easily.

Does your dad prefer a rod with a foregrip? My suggestion is Dobyns FR 705CB, well balanced and composite, no foregrip.  The new Daiwa Tatula 100 reel with aluminum frame should be a good choice.

Tom

[Vilas15]

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

If he likes the current setup, get him the same, but in a cranking taper, and lower gear ratio. AXC70MHM and a 5 or 6 gear Tat.  I have the original Avid graphite crankers, both 7' MM and MHM, and they are great.

X2. I think the graphite cranker would be a little better for the lipless cranks while sacrificing a bit for the occasional deep crank. Seems like it would be a good middle ground. I just got a Premier 7'0 MHM but haven't had a chance to really try it out.

[J Francho]

I have zero issues with deep cranks.  Over the past decade, I've probably caught hundreds of fish with that rod.  It's also a nice stick for small treble hooked swimbaits up to an ounce.  For traps, I actually prefer a fast taper.  I want to be able to react quickly when the bait contacts weeds or rocks.  With a lipped bait, it's the opposite.  I want a slower rod for better deflection, and a split second to kill the retrieve and let the bait back out of cover.

[GateToWire]

17 hours ago, Matt_3479 said:

The older my dad gets the more he wants to fish. Last 2 years he has been enjoying it and getting out as much as he can but has never owned a good rod before. This year for his birthday I bought him a 7’ st. Croix avid x mh fast action rod with a diawa tatula sv as an all around casting rod. He owned a really crappy setup and loved the concept but never used it cause it just was terrible. He loves the new set up so much it’s all he uses now and he started upgrading some of his spinning rods.

 

im looking into possibly getting him another set up for this upcoming birthday and wanted some advice. Seeing as you know about the medium heavy avid x, what would you recommend. One of his absolute favorite techniques is crankbait fishing. I fish a loomis imx pro 845c cbr and love it and was debating on trying the e6x for him. He still likes the idea of 1 rod covering a larger then likely area. He normally throws lipless and medium depth cranks. But has started throwing a lot of square Bill’s and occasionally deep diving cranks. What rods would you recommend in graphite not class? 

If money isn't an option then go with the Avid X. If you want to go cheaper than there a bunch of CB specific rods that will fit the bill.

I for one don't believe higher end rods make a huge difference in cranking like they do in other applications....so IMO you could easily find a great CB rod for much less than what the Avid X sells for if you wanted to save a few bucks

[FishTank]

My thoughts....

 

Shimano Curado 7'6'' MH ModerateFast and Revo Winch.

[MickD]

I respectfully submit he is your father, not the "old man." 

[Matt_3479]

Thank you everyone. Money isn’t really an issue I guess, but 700 dollars might be a touch much. Like I mentioned with Canadian prices right now for example a kistler or legend tourney with a tatula sv would be 675 and 698 out the door. Just a little steep. That’s why I was looking at the e6x 845c cbr as it’s on sale currently and can get that and the reel for 428 out the door.

7 hours ago, WRB said:

I have a daughter that old!

Crank bait rods need to be balanced properly and launch lures with ease because you use them a lot casting to targets and distance. Deep diving crank bait that have high water resistance when retreiving a lower 5.3:2 to 5.8:1 gear ratio reel can be an advantage. lipless, medium divers, square bills etc can be effectively fished with 6.3:1 to 7:1 ratio reels easily.

Does your dad prefer a rod with a foregrip? My suggestion is Dobyns FR 705CB, well balanced and composite, no foregrip.  The new Daiwa Tatula 100 reel with aluminum frame should be a good choice.

Tom

Unfortunately dobyns rods aren’t the easiest to get around my neck of the woods so there probsbly out for now. He will definately throw square bills, shallow and medium depth doubtful on anything really large or deep

 

[WRB]

21 minutes ago, Matt_3479 said:

Thank you everyone. Money isn’t really an issue I guess, but 700 dollars might be a touch much. Like I mentioned with Canadian prices right now for example a kistler or legend tourney with a tatula sv would be 675 and 698 out the door. Just a little steep. That’s why I was looking at the e6x 845c cbr as it’s on sale currently and can get that and the reel for 428 out the door.

Unfortunately dobyns rods aren’t the easiest to get around my neck of the woods so there probsbly out for now. He will definately throw square bills, shallow and medium depth doubtful on anything really large or deep

 

Buy direct from Dobyns. I am not sure what the import issues are other then duty and time for shipping.

Tom

 

[fishnkamp]

Go to Tackle Warehouse I know they have shipped some  rods to a Canadian member on here before. I was helping him get a Powell rod back then.

Take a look at the Irod Genesis II rods. I fish a IRG 703CC and love it for rattle traps, square bills, and shallow to mid depth cranks.  Match it with a 6.3-1 Tatula CT and that will match my setup. I use it for bass and rockfish.

I just checked with Tackle Warehouse and they regularly ship into Canada. just give them a call and they can help you.

 

[Matt_3479]

Well rolling through the store today while getting some tackle for my upcoming annual moose hunt and walleye fishing trip the e6x was on a wicked deal for 130.00 off retail. So I grabbed the 845c cbr and another daiwa tatula sv tws, spooled up 15lbs invisx and through a nice little squarebill picked up my dad and gave it too him way early seeing as his birthdays not till January lol! We headed out to a local pond to give it a shot and he was loving it!  He was Picking up large mouth like It was going out of style lol! We are heading to a lake next weekend where we have done really well the last few times and when I saw the deal on the e6x I couldn’t pass it up