All - Graphite Crankbait Rod Power / Action Options ?

[ChrisD46]

The three all graphite rod options for shallow 1.5 crankbaits  and  1/2 oz. lipless crankbaits are :

 

1.) 7' Medium Power / Moderate action

2.) 7' Medium Heavy Power / Moderate action

3.) 7' Medium Power / Medium action .

 

For sake of argument , I chose the 7' rod length for comparison ... First of all , the Medium power / Moderate action seems to be popular with the those mostly throwing a shallow 1.5 crankbait and the 1/2 oz. lipless crankbaits in mostly little to no grass areas while in grassy areas the 1/2 oz. lipless crankbait guys move up to the Medium Heavy / Moderate action al graphite rod . The 3rd option is the Medium Power / Medium action all graphite rod which may work for both shallow 1.5 crankbaits AND 1/2 oz. lipless crankbaits (by switching to #30 lb. braid from #12 lb. FC line and vice versa) .

 

Long story short , I'm trying to eliminate #2 choice above (can only afford one rod now) and choose between #1 and #3 rods above again for shallow 1.5 crankbaits and 1/2 oz. lipless crankbaits by alternating between a reel with #30 lb. braid and a reel with #12 lb. FC line on the same rod to cover my crankbait and 1/2 oz. lipless crankbait (grass cover / no cover) options . Also , which between #1 and #3 rods above would be the most versatile for secondary techniques such as weightless senkos , spooks , poppers , etc. also by alternating between braid and FC line ? ...Thanks in advance for replies !

[bigbassin']

I'd say none of the above.  I prefer a medium fast for lipless fishing.  The fast action lets you rip it out of the grass more effectively than a moderate, while the medium power gives it a little more give than a mh which I feel helps me land more fish on trebles.

 

As far as secondary techniques, I wouldn't even consider throwing a senko on a moderate action.  When I've tried in the past my hookup ratio has been terrible, plus the extra give the rod has seems to let the fish tangle you up in cover more often.

 

I only fish mono, so if you use braid maybe you wouldn't have these issues but I have no plans of ever purchasing another moderate action rod.

[Westcoast]

The medium power and fast action would be your most versatile of the three. When you get up to baits that are 1/2 oz I’d always go for a medium heavy rod though. I have a MH Kistler crank rip twitch model that more than excels in all those baits you mentioned. 

[WRB]

Explain the difference between moderate and medium action crankbait rod and who makes the medium action? 

Action as I know it how fast the rod bends from tip down towards the handle. If a rod bends evenly it's parabolic.

The difference between glass, glass blends and graphite is how fast the tip recovers. A crank bait needs to cast the lure with ease because you make a lot casts. If you are target casting the rod needs to allow you to make accurate casts. If you are casting for distance the rod and reel needs to perform launching the lure and the reel perform for optimal casting distance. Glass rods can do all of the above except the rod tip doesn't recover fast with lure shakes or vibration loosing feedback, glass blends have similar tip action to glass with better feedback and graphite rods have fast tip reaction that tend to bounce with lure shakes or vibration, less accurate casting to targets. 

Power is simply the rods maxium lifting strength from rod handle to tip, the force you can apply to the fish.

So what does medium action?

Tom 

[webertime]

I'm going to go in a slightly different direction.  I am advocating #2.  That rod you describe is a model of St. Croix rod that is super versatile.  I have a ton of high end stuff, but I also have a beat up gen 1 Mojo 7ft MH Mod.  This rod is great for cranks (whatever line you like), Square Bills and Traps (braid), Super Spooks, Shower Blows, Ploppers up to 130mm (12lb mono), and even jerkbaits in the 100-128 sizes (I throw Pointers, slender pointers, and flash minnows on it with lighter mono).  I guess braid with different leaders would make this rod a great all purpose treble rod.

[ChrisD46]

3 hours ago, bigbassin' said:

I'd say none of the above.  I prefer a medium fast for lipless fishing.  The fast action lets you rip it out of the grass more effectively than a moderate, while the medium power gives it a little more give than a mh which I feel helps me land more fish on trebles.

 

As far as secondary techniques, I wouldn't even consider throwing a senko on a moderate action.  When I've tried in the past my hookup ratio has been terrible, plus the extra give the rod has seems to let the fish tangle you up in cover more often.

 

I only fish mono, so if you use braid maybe you wouldn't have these issues but I have no plans of ever purchasing another moderate action rod.

*Valid Points ...

[Deleted account]

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking, but I will say that I don't fish square bills and lipless cranks with a typical cranking rod. Particularly around grass I prefer a faster crisper rod, which I fish with 12-15 lb mono. For actual cranking in say 8-20 ft +, I'll use a medium or medium heavy cranking rod with a moderate, even slow taper. 

[ChrisD46]

4 hours ago, WRB said:

Explain the difference between moderate and medium action crankbait rod and who makes the medium action? 

Action as I know it how fast the rod bends from tip down towards the handle. If a rod bends evenly it's parabolic.

The difference between glass, glass blends and graphite is how fast the tip recovers. A crank bait needs to cast the lure with ease because you make a lot casts. If you are target casting the rod needs to allow you to make accurate casts. If you are casting for distance the rod and reel needs to perform launching the lure and the reel perform for optimal casting distance. Glass rods can do all of the above except the rod tip doesn't recover fast with lure shakes or vibration loosing feedback, glass blends have similar tip action to glass with better feedback and graphite rods have fast tip reaction that tend to bounce with lure shakes or vibration, less accurate casting to targets. 

Power is simply the rods maxium lifting strength from rod handle to tip, the force you can apply to the fish.

So what does medium action?

Tom 

*Tom - check out the BPS Carbonlite 2.0 rod specifications  listings (as an example) ... I see more rods listed as : "MH / Moderate" or MH / Moderate Fast" as examples versus : "MH / F" or "MH XF" (which most everyone is familiar with) . When I am in a store I put a rod upright with the butt on the floor braced against my foot in the proper orientation for the rod guides - then slowly bend the rod  tip down with one hand  while holding the rod down lower on the butt  near the handle with my other hand to check the rod bend . I would say the "Moderate" action rods would correspond to a parabolic bend as you shared .

1 hour ago, reason said:

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking, but I will say that I don't fish square bills and lipless cranks with a typical cranking rod. Particularly around grass I prefer a faster crisper rod, which I fish with 12-15 lb mono. For actual cranking in say 8-20 ft +, I'll use a medium or medium heavy cranking rod with a moderate, even slow taper. 

* reason : Your post exposed a mistake I made - I meant to say :

 

1.) 7' Medium Power / Moderate action

2.) 7' Medium Heavy Power / Moderate action

3.) 7' Medium Power / Fast action .

[ChrisD46]

4 hours ago, Westcoast said:

The medium power and medium action would be your most versatile of the three. When you get up to baits that are 1/2 oz I’d always go for a medium heavy rod though. I have a MH Kistler crank rip twitch model that more than excels in all those baits you mentioned. 

*Westcoast : Corrected - I meant to say: 3) Medium Power / Fast action

[WRB]

The ? was medium action that you clarified that with your answer to Reason.

You should test rods action using line and light pulling force downward, it matters how the blank reacts to the guide train.

Tom

 

 

[ChrisD46]

12 hours ago, WRB said:

The ? was medium action that you clarified that with your answer to Reason.

You should test rods action using line and light pulling force downward, it matters how the blank reacts to the guide train.

Tom

 

 

*Thanks Tom - I will compare further but I'm leaning towards a 7' Medium Power / Fast Action as the previous poster stated for the crisper tip and the medium power back bone to provide a little more "give" ideal for treble hooks .