Replacing 3 rods...Best crank bait and spinnerbait rods?

[RPZ]

I am a big megabass rod fan, and have several Evoluzion rods.  I still have 15-20 year old G loomis crankbait rods and spinnerbait rods, and would like to replace them.  I need a rod that works for spinner baits and chatter baits, a rod that works for rattle traps, and a rod that works for medium and deep diver cranks....maybe also for topwater action,. 

 

I've been looking at Dobyns rods and reading great things about them. St Croix, G loomis and Megabass all seem to have good reviews.

 

I want the best of the best and I'd like some recommendations!

[FishTank]

Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits>  I go back and forth as to which rod I like for this but I an old G. Loomis 783C GLX.  This rod works for a lot of stuff.  I general I like a MH fast rod that has a softer tip.  The MBR series from Loomis fits the bill.  

 

G. Loomis 903C IMX Pro Crankbait> Rattle Traps.  Even though it's a Mod. rod, it has a faster hook set than most crankbait rods.  It's also pretty sensitive for a crankbait rod.

 

St. Croix Legend Glass 7'2'' M > Crankbaits all of them. This, to me, has been the perfect crankbait rod.  There are more expensive options out there but this rod does everything perfectly for crankbaits> hook sets, the way the rod loads, it's sensitive but too sensitive and it's fun to fish. 

 

[RPZ]

Any feedback on Sixgil rods?  They have a BOGO going right now, and I could pick up two Kranken rods to try for only $150 ish..  I'm a sucker for a deal, but I want the BEST. 

[swhit140]

I've been using using Dobyns for a good number of years. I've been very happy with them. I think if you stay with popular brands you should be happy.

If I was too look around I'd look at ALX, Daiwa, Dobyns, Falcon, G.Loomis, St Croix.

[00bullitt]

For Spinnerbaits/Chatterbaits: Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium

 

You can overkill it with more expensive rods, but the Zodias is sensitive enough to feel fish swat and miss and also to be able to identify various types of cover.

 

I have 5 CB rods and struggle to use one for everything.

-For Deep(12'+)CB's, I LOVE the G.Loomis IMX Pro 903CBR

-For Medium 6-12') CB's, I use the IMX Pro 841CBR

-For Lipless, I like a slightly stiffer rod to rip through grass, but still soft enough action and tip to not rip the hooks out, so the IMX Pro 855CBR gets that job. Also works for topwater.

 

I am strictly a graphite guy. I do not use glass or composite and have not for 20 years. I am very big on the overall weight of my rod/reel combo too. 

 

[jimmyjoe]

22 hours ago, RPZ said:

I'm a sucker for a deal, but I want the BEST. 

  

  Are you equating price with satisfaction?  That's the path to a garage full of expensive junk.

   As for reviews ... they're just another form of junk mail.

 

   The "best" is the one you like the best, that fits you the best and does the best job in your hands. Unfortunately, you need to try things out for yourself to find what works "best" for you. It's a process you can't bypass.

   OTOH, you might be asking about the "strongest", or the "most durable", or the "lightest for the power". Those questions might be answered by other people, but that's not the same as asking about the "best". It's much more specific. "Best" is not specific enough.

   And another thing; you haven't told us where you are or where you fish. We've been trying telepathy for a long time, but we found out it doesn't work.

 

   We're here and we'd like to help you. You need to help us do that.   ?        jj

  

[huZZah]

I like any Lews 7’ medium heavy to heavy for bigger spinner bait/cranks. But I like my 6’6” Daiwa medium for smaller crank baits, especially lipless. Left off the models cause I agree that you gonna like what you like. (I once tried a $100 Abi Garcia rod and hated it. Despise it still.) I also agree that if you stay in certain brands you can find anything you looking for. 

[BBuck]

3 minutes ago, huZZah said:

I like any Lews 7’ medium heavy to heavy for bigger spinner bait/cranks. But I like my 6’6” Daiwa medium for smaller crank baits, especially lipless. Left off the models cause I agree that you gonna like what you like. (I once tried a $100 Abi Garcia rod and hated it. Despise it still.) I also agree that if you stay in certain brands you can find anything you looking for. 

Ha. This comment made me laugh. I feel the same way about Lew's rods as you do Abu Garcia. I haven't used anything  of theirs over the $80 range though, so maybe that is why. 

[huZZah]

2 hours ago, BBuck said:

Ha. This comment made me laugh. I feel the same way about Lew's rods as you do Abu Garcia. I haven't used anything  of theirs over the $80 range though, so maybe that is why. 

Oh gosh, my favorite lews rod is md heavy 7’. $50-$60 Walmart. 

[Eric 26]

3 hours ago, huZZah said:

Oh gosh, my favorite lews rod is md heavy 7’. $50-$60 Walmart. 

I’m partial to throwing cranks (no deep divers) on a Lews 7’-3” TP1 med hvy mod fast action.  It’s 2 years old so I’m not sure about the newer model and it’s certainly not the best rod even in Lews lineup, but hey it works for me. Although I’m not in the position it sounds to me like you might want to look into site sponsor Delaware Valley Tackle for a custom build. Good luck and happy rod shopping.

[Dens228]

I am a huge Megabass OrcohiXX fan.

What I currently use

 

Chatterbaits........the SpecR

Spinnerbaits.........SpecR but sometimes I use the Tour Versatile...

Crankbaits.........I use both the Flatside Special and the Swingfire, if I had to choose I prefer the Swingfire but they are pretty interchangeable. 

 

I do throw bigger cranks and deep diving cranks on a SpecR though. 

[TxRaider]

24 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I’m partial to throwing cranks (no deep divers) on a Lews 7’-3” TP1 med hvy mod fast action.  It’s 2 years old so I’m not sure about the newer model and it’s certainly not the best rod even in Lews lineup, but hey it works for me. Although I’m not in the position it sounds to me like you might want to look into site sponsor Delaware Valley Tackle for a custom build. Good luck and happy rod shopping.

I have a 7’0” Med MF TP1 black speed stick that worked well for lipless cranks.
But my first squarebill catch ripped a bad hole on a LMB. Felt like a nice smooth sweep on the hook set, but since then I am now looking at a more crankbait specific rod. Looking at Dobyns Champion XP 705CB for up to 5/8 or so cranks. Still haven’t decided between that and a Cashion CB rod.

[Sir Shamsalot]

St Croix Legend Glass H/M "Rip n Chatter." I use it for chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, oversized crankbaits, ripping Rapala Rip'n Raps, and deep cranks.

[RPZ]

Good info so far... to clarify... BEST to me is light weight, yet strong, with the ability to feel everything you need to feel.  

 

The BEST rods I've ever had are the Megabass Evoluzion rods fast taper with the titanium fibers running down the blank.  Simply incredible and nothing else comes close IMO for any type of bottom contact fishing.  

 

For cranking, blades, and swim jigs I'm just trying to get insight, since I'll likely buy sight unseen online.   I did just pick up a Megabass Shamrock Evoluzion with a mod taper for light crank baits.  I think I'll end up with a dobyns rod 736mh?  for chatter baits. 

 

I'll look into the swing fire....

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, RPZ said:

to clarify... BEST to me is light weight, yet strong, with the ability to feel everything you need to feel.  

 

   Thank you!              jj

[NOC 1]

On 2/15/2021 at 9:32 AM, BBuck said:

Ha. This comment made me laugh. I feel the same way about Lew's rods as you do Abu Garcia. I haven't used anything  of theirs over the $80 range though, so maybe that is why. 

I feel the same about Lews AND Abu rods. I have at least 6 Abu Villains gathering dust right now as well as a few Veritas, a few Volatile, a Vigilante and a Vengeance, so you can't say I haven't tried with them. Only fished with one Lews but it had all the hallmarks of cheap rods common to the lower priced rods of all but a few makers (like Daiwa and Falcon.) 

[NOC 1]

On 2/14/2021 at 3:17 PM, RPZ said:

I am a big megabass rod fan, and have several Evoluzion rods.  I still have 15-20 year old G loomis crankbait rods and spinnerbait rods, and would like to replace them.  I need a rod that works for spinner baits and chatter baits, a rod that works for rattle traps, and a rod that works for medium and deep diver cranks....maybe also for topwater action,. 

 

I've been looking at Dobyns rods and reading great things about them. St Croix, G loomis and Megabass all seem to have good reviews.

 

I want the best of the best and I'd like some recommendations!

Why replace the Evoluzion rods? Those are some of my favorites. They still stand up well to the newer rods in my opinion. You are not going to be stepping up with a Dobyns, but for crankbaits I guess that the lack of sensitivity might not be an issue, and they are well built and balanced nicely. Maybe the top two tier of St Croix rods, but for sure not the Legend Tournament Bass and below.

 

Or, might I suggest sticking with Megabass, maybe some of the Adrena rods, Maybe check out the Phenix K2 rods?

 

Loomis is still Loomis... sort of (since he sold the company to Shimano), but if you want Loomis I would go with a custom build using of of Gary Loomis' new blanks at North Fork Composites. The X-Ray blanks are the bomb, in the same ball park as the NRX rods. Plus he is still making many of the old Classic blanks too, but with updated materials. Some of the old IM blanks made with IM6 graphite make great cranking and jig rods.