Best rod for crankbaits?!

[Thomas Olson]

Good evening everyone! Hope everyone is doing well and catching fish. So I ran into a slight predicament and I’m curious to everyone’s thoughts! I’m just starting to use squarebills more for bass but don’t really have a specific rod for it. I’m not sure if it’s best to get a moderate like I’ve heard. I also don’t know between a medium action or a medium heavy. I usually throw the 1.5 KVD square bills but occasionally I go bigger with the 2.5. I’m curious to everyone’s thoughts on the power and action rod I should get. 

Thanks and happy fishing!!!

Thomas O

[Glaucus]

I'm not a fan of a true moderate action, especially for a squarebill crankbait. A moderate fast action is my preferred action for squarebills. For 1.5s, which is also my primary squarebill, a medium powered rod is perfect. There are variables however. Around heavy cover and in grass some people like a medium heavy, fast action. Many medium powered rods from various companies can throw a 2.5 (which weighs 5/8oz) but you will find that it "feels" better on a medium heavy powered rod.

 

As a side note, I wouldn't stress it too much or over complicate anything because you will find that a squarebill doesn't need to get too specialized.

[NHBull]

You can look a CB specific rods or go with a more universal rod.  A good example would be a GLX MBR as it handles many things well

[Hillbilly Bennett]

If you aren’t trying to break the bank Bass Pro Shops has a crankin stick that I really like for squarebill cranks at around $80. Of course either a G-Loomis CBR or a Denali Lithium cranking Rod are very tough to beat but you are looking aground $200 and up (and up and up!) for one of the higher end sticks. I have  had success with a medium heavy or medium moderate rod for cranking. My favorite cranking rod is a Lew’s million Crankbait rod in medium moderate action that is no longer in production.  https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/lew-s-team-lews-hm85-million-graphite-7-m-crankbait-casting-rod-tlcc70mm.html

I like the moderate action for the deeper bend that the rod has. It helps with hook sets by allowing you just a split second more for the bass to get the crank because I tend to set the hook and pull the crank away with a faster action rod. I love this rod for throwing any type of moving bait for that reason. Hope this helps!

[FishTank]

It may be too early for me to recommend it (I have only used it a couple of times) but I have the St. Croix Legend Glass 7'2'' M Mod. So far this rod has been the best technique specific rod I have ever used.  It takes a few casts and few fish to get use to but it excels at all things I want in a square bill and medium sized crankbait rod>>>   It will cast light baits but has plenty of backbone, it's not too whippy, and has just the right amount of sensitivity. 

[Revival]

I’m sure it’s not the “best” but I love my Dobyns Fury 705, especially for the price point.

[Yumeya]

Love St Croix's legend glass rods.

[ike8120]

I bought a Dobyns Fury 705CB

7′ 1pc. 8-17lb, 1/4-1oz, Med/Hvy Mod-Fast Action

PRIMARY TECHNIQUES: Crankbaits / Jerkbaits / Lipless Rattlebaits / LV500 / Sammys / Staycee 90

SECONDARY TECHNIQUES: Spinnerbaits / Squarebill

 

Decent rod for the price.

 

 

 

 

[Fishes in trees]

Let's lead off by remembering that everyone has a different idea of what is and what ain't a decent crank rod.  I've went through numerous rods in the "medium" price range, which to me is $50 to $150 more or less.

 

I have a Kistler 7' Small Swim Bait Special, 7 or 8 years old now, which became a medium priced rod due to Cabelas close outs , when the KCK store decided to get out of the Kistler business.  It works OK for square bills, medium cranks.

I have a 7 or 8 year old All Star Crank Rod which I'm currently using for deeper divers, it is a little more "tippy" than the Kistler and I can throw big billed cranks a little farther with it.

 

It has been discontinued for years now, but back in the day BPS marketed a Woo Davis Special in their BPS Extreme line.   7'4", listed a medium heavy, marketed as Woo's favorite pitching rod.  Anyway, I got one and quickly found out that me and Woo have different notions about what is a decent pitching rod.   However, IMO, it makes a great square bill rod.  A year or two later, when they were discontinued and marked down to $50 each, I got a couple more.   That rod has been my square bill rod for a long time now.  So that is what I'd recommend.

 

I have 4 or 5 fishing buds who like the 7' Berkley Lightning Rod in Medium for square bills and they are generally in the $50 range, less if you catch them on sale.

 

In Kansas City, Dobyns and St Croix aren't commonly available so I don't know too much about them.

[TBAG]

I love my St. Croix 610MM Legend Glass.

[zell_pop1]

For square bills I am usually target casting so just my 6'6" St. Croix Premier glass is fine. It is M/Mod-Fast. 

[Thomas Olson]

I appreciate the thoughts everyone!! I was kinda looking at a St. Croix Mojo glass. I have a new Legend X coming to add but I don’t wanna spend too much right now since I’m just getting into squarebills.

[ChrisD46]

On ‎4‎/‎1‎/‎2019 at 5:10 AM, ike8120 said:

I bought a Dobyns Fury 705CB

7′ 1pc. 8-17lb, 1/4-1oz, Med/Hvy Mod-Fast Action

PRIMARY TECHNIQUES: Crankbaits / Jerkbaits / Lipless Rattlebaits / LV500 / Sammys / Staycee 90

SECONDARY TECHNIQUES: Spinnerbaits / Squarebill

 

Decent rod for the price.

 

 

 

 

*Hard to go wrong with this rod -  sensitivity is not as critical for cranking , so this rod gets the job done .

[Matt_3479]

I fished the IMX Pro 845 cbr hard last year and was extremely pleased with it. It’s rated as a medium heavy but it’s a light medium heavy or a heavy medium moderate fast! Super light, well balanced, and hook up ratio was excellent! Was extremely pleased 

[Rpratt]

 I use a BPS Carbonlite medium 7 foot rod. (It's now paired with a Quantum Smoke S3, had way too many issues with the Carbonlite reels) I have great feel, I rarely miss a hook set... I am just really genuinely pleased with the rod for the price I got it for. 

[Tizi]

1 hour ago, Rpratt said:

 I use a BPS Carbonlite medium 7 foot rod. (It's now paired with a Quantum Smoke S3, had way too many issues with the Carbonlite reels) I have great feel, I rarely miss a hook set... I am just really genuinely pleased with the rod for the price I got it for. 

I have the same rod for cranks and it works great.  I paired it with a Daiwa Fuego CT 6.3:1