Scud_Muffin Posted January 30, 2021 Posted January 30, 2021 Hey everyone, looking to get my first CB rod. I was thinking those St Croix Legend Glass look cool and feel nice in hand. Also see Loomis has graphite CBR rods in e6x and IMX Pro. Good idea to step up to graphite and if so is it worth spending extra coin to get the better graphite in the imx pro? Looking for an all around rod that can throw a nice variety of crank baits, maybe top water and chatterbaits as well. thanks! 1 Quote
Super User FishTank Posted January 30, 2021 Super User Posted January 30, 2021 I have two of the rods you may be looking at.... The St. Croix Legend Glass 7'2'' M and the G. Loomis IMX Pro 903C. Out of the two, for their intended purpose as a crankbait rod, I like the Legend Glass the best. It is heavier and less sensitive than the IMX but it is ideally suited for its task and seems to give better hook sets. On the other hand, I do like the IMX for chatterbaits and smaller deep divers. For topwater I would not use either one of these rods. I like the IMX 844C for those techniques. 3 1 Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted January 30, 2021 Super User Posted January 30, 2021 Graphite has 2 characteristics that endear it to fishermen: low weight and high sensitivity. If you're fishing a moving-bait technique, whether fast or slow, sensitivity means little. The only place I like sensitivity is fishing riprap with squarebills. I run them s-l-o-w, and the "tick .... tick" tells me where I am. For any other steady-retrieve technique, the tug on your line means that the fish HAS ALREADY HOOKED ITSELF, and all you need to do is bear back to put the nail in the coffin, so to speak. No sensitivity needed. As far as weight goes, I'll be 70 years old in 3 months. I have a 'glass rod that weighs five and a half ounces, with a reel that weighs 12 with a full spool of line. I have no problems with the weight; none whatsoever. YMMV The big difference between 'glass and graphite is in resistance to fracture. That probably won't make any difference to you, but I've accidentally broken graphite rods when I smacked them against something. I've done exactly the same with 'glass rods, and there was no damage. Hope this helps you make your decision. ? jj 4 1 Quote
SproDD79 Posted January 30, 2021 Posted January 30, 2021 I have used glass and graphite CB rods, when I got my hands on a good graphite crankbait rod( I like the Dobyns Champion CB series, I had a GLX crankbait rod which I regret selling) I sold my remaining glass rods. If you know anyone who has glass and or graphite cb rods , ask if you can try them out on the water and see for yourself. I believe alot comes down to personal preference. Good luck. 1 Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted January 31, 2021 Super User Posted January 31, 2021 For true cranking with large deep divers I like a glass rod, for square bills and mid runners, I go with graphite. Two different animals. 1 Quote
Scud_Muffin Posted January 31, 2021 Author Posted January 31, 2021 Thanks y’all! Never used a glass rod so really not sure what to expect or how different they will really be. I do know that I like the looks of the legend glass and I’m considering getting it just to try glass. Quote
Super User Columbia Craw Posted January 31, 2021 Super User Posted January 31, 2021 Have you ruled out a composite rod? Quote
Scud_Muffin Posted January 31, 2021 Author Posted January 31, 2021 13 minutes ago, Columbia Craw said: Have you ruled out a composite rod? Have not, any made in USA rods to consider? Just don’t know of any off the top of my head. Assuming it’s a best of both worlds scenario? Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted January 31, 2021 Super User Posted January 31, 2021 Maybe it's the best of both worlds, and maybe it's the worst. You won't know until you try it, unfortunately. But if you want to get into cranking without laying out a ton of money, try the David Fritts Perfect Cranker and Perfect Palmer composite rods sold by Lew's. They're $80-90. I like the MH/M models, but I wouldn't mind trying the H/M models, too. Just something to think about. jj 1 1 Quote
Super User bulldog1935 Posted January 31, 2021 Super User Posted January 31, 2021 pure porn - I love this rod. It's also the lightest-weight glass rod I've ever fished. Lotsa backbone, moderate action. St. Croix did good. 6 2 Quote
00bullitt Posted January 31, 2021 Posted January 31, 2021 Cranking is by far my confidence technique. Its won me a fair amount of money back when I fished tournaments.Caught many PB's on plugs. I switched from glass to graphite in 2002 and will never go back to glass. I cant walk a plug through brush or laydowns with glass like I can with graphite. Graphite can offer the same tip and moderate/slower bend of glass and does do at half the weight. I prefer light weight as it also provides better sensitivity. I lose almost zero fish with graphite too. Its 100% graphite for me....in the right action of course. I like the Loomis IMX CB and older PR rods in 7' +. 1 1 Quote
MAN Posted February 1, 2021 Posted February 1, 2021 On 1/31/2021 at 8:29 AM, 00bullitt said: Cranking is by far my confidence technique. Its won me a fair amount of money back when I fished tournaments.Caught many PB's on plugs. I switched from glass to graphite in 2002 and will never go back to glass. I cant walk a plug through brush or laydowns with glass like I can with graphite. Graphite can offer the same tip and moderate/slower bend of glass and does do at half the weight. I prefer light weight as it also provides better sensitivity. I lose almost zero fish with graphite too. Its 100% graphite for me....in the right action of course. I like the Loomis IMX CB and older PR rods in 7' +. Glass/composite has come a long way since 2002. St Croix is definitely leading that charge. 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 1, 2021 Super User Posted February 1, 2021 I have & fish moving baits with blanks made from graphite, glass & fairly recent composite. They all have their merit but I prefer the composite. Just does it for me. A-Jay 4 Quote
kayaking_kev Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 I prefer composite, because I often fish for Smallmouth and need that extra flex that the glass tips gives, especially for river smallies. I know some rods say they are glass, but are actually composite, such as Dobyns Glass rods, and the Colt Series all have 15% of Glass in them. I'm interested to know how many good pure glass rods are out there, beside the St.Croix, I believe that is all glass, correct? I've owned several Dobyns Glass Rods (Composite), 13 Defy Black Crankbait Rod (Composite), and a Custom Phenix X-10 Composite and have loved them all, but my Phenix build weighs 3.9 oz. even with Winn Grips. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 2, 2021 Super User Posted February 2, 2021 This rod can still be found used, Lamiglas SR705R is THE BOMB! http://www.tackletour.com/reviewlamiglas705.html 2 Quote
SproDD79 Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 6 hours ago, kayaking_kev said: I prefer composite, because I often fish for Smallmouth and need that extra flex that the glass tips gives, especially for river smallies. I know some rods say they are glass, but are actually composite, such as Dobyns Glass rods, and the Colt Series all have 15% of Glass in them. I'm interested to know how many good pure glass rods are out there, beside the St.Croix, I believe that is all glass, correct? I've owned several Dobyns Glass Rods (Composite), 13 Defy Black Crankbait Rod (Composite), and a Custom Phenix X-10 Composite and have loved them all, but my Phenix build weighs 3.9 oz. even with Winn Grips. There are a few lakes I fish that only have smallmouth, and the Dobyns CB all graphite models handle the smallies with no issues. I have a Major Craft Nanoace crankbait rod that is made with Toray Nanoalloy that I am starting to favor when it comes to cranking. Quote
kayaking_kev Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 13 minutes ago, SproDD79 said: There are a few lakes I fish that only have smallmouth, and the Dobyns CB all graphite models handle the smallies with no issues. I have a Major Craft Nanoace crankbait rod that is made with Toray Nanoalloy that I am starting to favor when it comes to cranking. I'm sure they do a good enough job. I also used a Tatula & Dobyns Crankbait graphite rod last year for a Whopper Plopper for Smallies and they did a good job also. But, I still prefer a little more flex for the places that I fish. 99% of the time I'm either in a small river that is 2 feet deep or less and all they like to do is jump up out of the water. And, the reservoirs that I fish get most of their Smallies from the same river, so when you put them into 20-40 ft. of depth, they do crazy things. I also started out using an Ugly Stik GX2, which is Composite, so it's kind of what I'm used to. I still think those are great cranking sticks if you don't mind the weight, but I used a 6 footer, so weight wasn't really a problem for me and I loved the short handle fishing from a kayak. I still always keep one in my Truck ready to go. Quote
Bassattackr Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 I've used both, including one you mention. I used to have an E6X 7' MH cranking rod but sold it as I didn't care for the extremely short handle. I've since switched to glass and like it MUCH better. The old glass rods were heavy and not very sensitive. Newer generations are much improved. I use the Alpha Angler Rebound now for anything from wiggle warts to a 3/8oz jackhammer. Longer handle, very light rod and surprisingly sensitive. I like the protection glass gives you as well when it comes to keeping fish pegged with smaller treble hooks. Quote
RDB Posted February 14, 2021 Posted February 14, 2021 I have several Kistler Feel and Reels and they are great for pretty much any moving bait application. 1 Quote
NALIP0351 Posted February 17, 2022 Posted February 17, 2022 On 2/14/2021 at 9:57 AM, RDB said: I have several Kistler Feel and Reels and they are great for pretty much any moving bait application. I have many Zbones and the "feel and reel" for chatterbaits....I own the Megabass "Madbull" and the Megabass Tomahawk F4-71T 2021 "ultimate cranking rod" for my cranking applications. Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 17, 2022 Super User Posted February 17, 2022 It’s hard to over look Daiwa Elites series glass/composite crankbait Rods when you consider the pro’s who designed and use them. I had pre Skeet Reese SR705R that was graphite color in lieu of yellow, best deep diving crank bait rod that owned, but not as light weight as today’s glass/composite rods. Tom Quote
NALIP0351 Posted February 17, 2022 Posted February 17, 2022 25 minutes ago, WRB said: It’s hard to over look Daiwa Elites series glass/composite crankbait Rods when you consider the pro’s who designed and use them. I had pre Skeet Reese SR705R that was graphite color in lieu of yellow, best deep diving crank bait rod that owned, but not as light weight as today’s glass/composite rods. Tom Your SoCal like me! I fly to Texas for tournaments.....have yet to fish a California lake Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 17, 2022 Super User Posted February 17, 2022 The closet “crankbait” lake in SoCal is Cachuma and Lopez or night fishing Castaic or Casitas. Texas is a better option. Tom Quote
NALIP0351 Posted February 17, 2022 Posted February 17, 2022 1 hour ago, WRB said: The closet “crankbait” lake in SoCal is Cachuma and Lopez or night fishing Castaic or Casitas. Texas is a better option. Tom Im a Chatterbait / Carolina / Texas rig guy 99% of the time Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 17, 2022 Super User Posted February 17, 2022 1 hour ago, NALIP0351 said: Im a Chatterbait / Carolina / Texas rig guy 99% of the time This thread is about crankbait Rods? Tom 1 Quote
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