Megabass launcher help

[Matt_3479]

Looking at getting my first deep cranking stick for this up coming season! I noticed that the original launcher was an f5 and the new one is an f6? Is one much better then the other as I can still get either one? Does the f6 come apart at the handle like the f5? Which of the two would you recommend to try?

[Matt_3479]

Nobody?

[Cityangler7]

From what I can find on the internet and some you tube videos, both rods are composites but the new F6 is more graphite and less glass. I am a deep cranking enthusiast, and have used all graphite and composite rods for this technique, from my experiences once I went all graphite , I could never go back to any glass in the rod. I currently use the Dobyns  Champion 764cb,765,cb and the 805cb and find them to be outstanding rods for deep cranking. I also use the older Loomis green GLX crankbait 957 CBR and absolutely love it for a DD 22 or a megabass deep six. With all that being said, if I had to try a composite rod for deep cranking again,I would consider the the Launcher F6. Good luck and let us know which you went with and how you like it. 

[gilkeybr]

I have the OG launcher and like it a lot for 1oz+ crank baits.  I mostly have thrown 6th Sense C15 or C20s with it.  I did throw a 6XD a while.  All of these were comfortable within the rods power.  An 8XD would be no problem IMO.  Not sure about the 10XD.  I haven't thrown one.

 

I couldn't imagine wanting a heavier cranking rod than this.  So if the newer one is heavier, I would default to the older model.  

 

Brian

[bunz559]

Would love to buy and try a Launcher some time in the future. As most of our lakes here in California are deep reservoirs, deep cranking setups are a must have. I currently have a Dobyn's 805 and an Irod Fred's Crank Launcher, both paired with Abu Garcia Winches, and both are able to cast and handle 8XD's and 10XD's with ease. 

[Matt_3479]

Thank you, I feel like the f5 is probably the better all around rod but since I have an imx pro 845c cbr for my squarebill and shallow, but could technically cover the into the mid depth I feel like maybe the f6 would be better to handle the deep to the magnum deep cranks. 
 

i see most of the newer style cranks seems to be a little heavier when looking at that 16-25’ range, and I don’t want the f5 to be under powered. I’m fishing lakes every summer where I seem to be only hooking then at 20-55’ and have been throwing tubes, Carolina rigs, jigs, neds, drop shots, shakey heads, worms, but want to try more reaction style on them. 

[LegendaryBassin]

The new Launcher does not come apart at the handle like the previous generation. But yes, the new Launcher does have more power than the previous generation. The new Launcher is very impressive. 

[Matt_3479]

18 hours ago, LegendaryBassin said:

The new Launcher does not come apart at the handle like the previous generation. But yes, the new Launcher does have more power than the previous generation. The new Launcher is very impressive. 

Thank you very much. Any chance you had or have both? Do you find one a bit 

ore universal. I think the f6 is probably better way to go for the real deep cranks but don’t want to feel like it’s over powered or dead in the hands.

[Hooligan]

F6 is a true one piece. It’s also a little less forgiving rod. The carbon in the rod has a much higher strain rate, which is where the power comes from. I prefer the F5, personally, for everything up to a 6XD, anything over that is too much. 
That being said my preference for a crank stick is deep flex and power very low in the blank. I prefer linear glass, or a very light composite. Glass will always be more forgiving and, in the end, more powerful than carbon or composite. It just won’t have the “feel” that a carbon rod will. Modern glass rods are very similar in weight to their carbon or composite counterparts so that argument is pretty much out the window. 
Which brings us back to F5 or F6. Both sticks are outstanding crank bait rods. Both have excellent feel and balance. Both are powerful enough to chunk and wind all day long without being fatiguing. I have no issue with either rod in any situation I’ve used them. Both will fish a 1oz bait equally well. The F6 will handle a BigM 7.5 or 10XD and the F5 will not. The F6, on the other hand, won’t cast a Wart or a Little John DD. So there’s that.  
Big baits- Go F6. Smallish to medium-large baits get an F5. 

[Matt_3479]

10 hours ago, Hooligan said:

F6 is a true one piece. It’s also a little less forgiving rod. The carbon in the rod has a much higher strain rate, which is where the power comes from. I prefer the F5, personally, for everything up to a 6XD, anything over that is too much. 
That being said my preference for a crank stick is deep flex and power very low in the blank. I prefer linear glass, or a very light composite. Glass will always be more forgiving and, in the end, more powerful than carbon or composite. It just won’t have the “feel” that a carbon rod will. Modern glass rods are very similar in weight to their carbon or composite counterparts so that argument is pretty much out the window. 
Which brings us back to F5 or F6. Both sticks are outstanding crank bait rods. Both have excellent feel and balance. Both are powerful enough to chunk and wind all day long without being fatiguing. I have no issue with either rod in any situation I’ve used them. Both will fish a 1oz bait equally well. The F6 will handle a BigM 7.5 or 10XD and the F5 will not. The F6, on the other hand, won’t cast a Wart or a Little John DD. So there’s that.  
Big baits- Go F6. Smallish to medium-large baits get an F5. 

Thank you. I am new to the deep cranking game so I don’t actually know what baits I will be throwing yet!!

 

what is your favourite deep cranking rod then? I just haven’t owned a megabass and hear wonderful things about there fit and finish, as well as heard good things about the launcher from someone I purchased some glx’s and nrx’s from.