Lew's David Fritts Cranking Rod vs. BPS Crankin' Stick ?

[ChrisD46]

The above rods are the same price - which do you prefer as a sub $100 crankin' rod ? ... Thanks in advance for your experiences with above rods !

[Tizi]

I have had the David Fritts, not a bad stick, but the guides wore out quickly.  I ended up giving it to my son and getting a Daiwa Tatula XT cranking rod from Sportsmans Outfitters for $79.99 shipped.

[WRB]

Guides wore out? Are you using braid line? Why give you son a defective rod?

Fritts cranking rods were made by Lew's and the only negative To me when I pick it up for feel,was the reel trigger felt odd and wider then any other rod.

Tom

[tander]

Never used the BPS Crankin Stick but I have used the Lews for years. Only problem with the 2 I owned is one of the eyes came out of one guides.I really like mine for cranks.

[CrankFate]

The BPS Crankin stick is the ideal crank rod. I have 2, the 6’6” ML and 7’ ML - it is not fancy high end gear, but there is no fancy high end gear that will be able to match its action. I recommend it over any other rod once price is considered. I would also say it is the best normal size rod available for finesse applications.

[Fishes in trees]

Never used either one of these rods, however, Academy Sports has an All Star cranking rod ( in the purple series ) that I think works great, as sub-$100 cranking rods go.

[FishTank]

Keep you eye out for the Quantum KVD Tour Cranking rod.  I found two for $60 each and so far I have been really impressed.

 

I did have a David Fritz Cranking rod years ago and one from Rick Clunn.  Both got returned.  I am sure they have improved since I bought the ones I had but they sort of left a bad taste in mouth, so to speak (the rods and BPS).  

[Tizi]

10 hours ago, WRB said:

Guides wore out? Are you using braid line? Why give you son a defective rod?

Fritts cranking rods were made by Lew's and the only negative To me when I pick it up for feel,was the reel trigger felt odd and wider then any other rod.

Tom

Yes I was using braid.  My son builds rods, so he simply replaced the bad guides.

[ChrisD46]

On 11/2/2019 at 9:55 AM, CrankFate said:

The BPS Crankin stick is the ideal crank rod. I have 2, the 6’6” ML and 7’ ML - it is not fancy high end gear, but there is no fancy high end gear that will be able to match its action. I recommend it over any other rod once price is considered. I would also say it is the best normal size rod available for finesse applications.

OP here : I was looking at the 7' MH BPS Crankin' Stick  for lipless cranks and 1.5 / 2.0 shallow cranks ... Not sure of the action of these rods but at $79 ea. I could see having possibly a heavier / longer version for lipless cranks and a lighter / shorter version for shallow 1.5 cranks .

[Tizi]

Sportsmans Outfitters has Daiwa Tatula XT on sale for $69.99.  They have several cranking rods available.  I have a ML and MH and they are fantastic rods for $99.99 let alone $69.99.

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, Tizi said:

Sportsmans Outfitters has Daiwa Tatula XT on sale for $69.99.

(whimpers) I've got a Tat-XT - MRB on my wishlist, and right now no money

[new2BC4bass]

Never handled a Fritts, but an older 7' ML Crankin' Stick is one of the rods I used to learn casting a #5 Shad Rap.  Full cork handle...a bit larger diameter than most, but I don't mind it.  I see the new ones are split grip EVA and from the picture I'd say better looking than the older model I have.  I'd have to say it is a pretty good rod for the money.

[CrankFate]

3 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

OP here : I was looking at the 7' MH BPS Crankin' Stick  for lipless cranks and 1.5 / 2.0 shallow cranks ... Not sure of the action of these rods but at $79 ea. I could see having possibly a heavier / longer version for lipless cranks and a lighter / shorter version for shallow 1.5 cranks .

The action is a soft tip. They usually have a few on the racks at BPS to pick up and bend. The ML would be considered a very soft tip by bass rod standards. But it’s stiffer as you go up in rated power/weight. It’s a great rod, because I don’t think there’s anything else like it currently on the market. 

[johnD.]

I have the new 7'6 bps crankin stick. Nice enough blank ,the quality control really sucks. Make sure the reel seat and guides all line up before you take it home.

Check out the Lew's Custom Speed Stick Crank Rod 7'6" Medium Magnum.

[jimmyjoe]

   I'll go against the trend here, because I really like the Fritts rod, especially in medium power.  The only place I don't really like it is in riprap.  I like a stiffer-tipped rod in riprap.      jj

[ChrisD46]

13 hours ago, Tizi said:

Sportsmans Outfitters has Daiwa Tatula XT on sale for $69.99.  They have several cranking rods available.  I have a ML and MH and they are fantastic rods for $99.99 let alone $69.99.

Good to know - usually though with rods in this price range I feel safer to view in person and select the one with a straight blank , guides which line up , etc. Of course , when I bought my Dobyns rods with no worries as they arrived perfect

[Tizi]

1 hour ago, ChrisD46 said:

Good to know - usually though with rods in this price range I feel safer to view in person and select the one with a straight blank , guides which line up , etc. Of course , when I bought my Dobyns rods with no worries as they arrived perfect

Never had an issue ordering from SO, rods come in a tube.  Everyone I have purchased from them has arrived in perfect condition.