I need a new cranking rod, torn between glass and graphite/glass composites.

[Hook2Jaw]

Hey guys, I broke my Daiwa Tatula XT MLR, which I used to chuck 3XDs a decent distance and catch a lot of bass, including my second largest fish at 9.7 pounds.  While the 3XDs are nice, I've cracked enough bills that I'm looking to throw other options, but that's another story.  Basically, I've narrowed my selection of cranking rods to a few different sticks. 

 

The first I have in mind is the 13 Fishing Omen Black 3 7'1" Cranking, it's rated 1/4 to 1 ounce.  I have no idea about this rod's sweet spot, but I'm hoping it's either on the lighter end and I can bust more 3XD bills or it's on the heavier end and I can try a different mid-depth crank, like the SPRO RkCrawlers and Rapala DT10s.  I own a 6'7" 13 Fishing Omen Black 3 Medium Fast and it's an exceptional jerkbait stick, and I've even had success throwing a 3/16 ounce shakyhead with a ZOOM Trick Worm on it, so the love for that rod and it's ability made this rod a contender.  This rod rocks 10 ALPS guides and a tip, and utilizes a composite blank made up of 30-ton graphite with glass mixed in for parabolism.  It MSRPs for $110.

 

The second I have in mind is the 13 Fishing  Envy Black 2 7'1" Cranking, which is also rated 1/4 to 1 ounce.  Once again, I have no idea about this rod's sweet spot, and am once again hoping to either bust more Strike Kings or try some different, revered crankbaits.  This rod piques my interest because I've found that as I spend more money on a rod for better blanks and better components, the most honest the weight ranges are.  When my pricier sticks say 3/8 to 1 1/2 ounce, they mean it -- my experience is the better quality gear simply does what it says it will do better than cheaper offerings.  I have a good feeling this rod may be able to handle the waffle that is my beloved 3XD and also be capable of bombing up to 1 ounce baits, and probably throw a 3/8 ounce chatterbait or spinnerbait in a pinch.  This rod has 11 Fuji Stainless Steel K Frame Guides and a tip, and like the Omen Black 3, utilizes a 30 ton blank with glass mixed in.  13 Fishing describes it differently than the Omen Black 3, stating this blank to be made of "30-Ton Japanese T-Glass."  I'm embarrassed typing that.  This rod retails for $185, but is currently on sale for $119.

 

Now, my glass options.

 

I've always been a fan of Daiwa Rods along with offerings from 13 Fishing, but I've never tried the Tatula line.  I'm not much of a fan of the aesthetics of full cork handles, but my Daiwa DX Type-H Glass Reaction I use for chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, and swimjigs has just been an exceptional stick and is currently my only glass option.  I've noticed that rod can absolutely toss a bait, and that's an important thing for me.  I want depth.  I want to cut a ditch into the lake bottom.  I think we all want that.  That leads me to considering the 7' Medium Crankbait, rated 1/4 to 3/4 ounces.  It rocks 8 guides and a tip, the guides being Fuji Fazlite.  I fully believe this rod will throw my 3XDs, but worry about it being a bit of a noodle.  I worry it won't deal with SPRO RkCrawler 55s at 1/2 of an ounce, or the Rapala DT10s I'm also looking to try at 3/5 of an ounce.  Since more folks are aware of what Daiwa makes their sticks out of, I'm going to refrain from continuing to type about the specifications of this particular rod.  This rod retains for $150.

 

With the above in mind, I'm also thinking the Daiwa Tatula 7' Medium Heavy Crankbait.

 

So, what in the heck do I do?  Glass or graphite/glass blend?  Lighter or heavier in power?  Anyone have any experience with these sticks?  I'm at a loss.

[WRB]

Today look at composite graphite-glass.

Tom

[SproDD79]

If you are interested in all graphite,  consider the Dobyns Kaden 734cb or 735cb, both rods are super light,  have excellent parabolic bend and solid backbone, they are wonderful rods for cranking.

[Hook2Jaw]

I think I should have phrased myself a bit better, when I've said graphite you can just replace that with graphite glass blends.  The first two rods by 13 are graphite glass blends, while the last two options from Daiwa are fiberglass cranking sticks.

 

I'll edit the topic and post.

[casts_by_fly]

I'm not a fan of glass or glass blends.  You can do so much with the taper and wall on a graphite rod that glass is an inferior technical material IMO.

 

I AM a fan of DT10's and its a toss up if the 10 or the 6 is my most used crankbait.  I also carry a pretty full set from the 4 to the 20, but the 6-14 is the sweet spot for me.  I throw them on a couple different rods depending what else I'm fishing that day (I tend to only carry 5 rods in the kayak) but given no limitations one rod I'd suggest you look at is the Falcon Expert Hudson special.  In the Cara or Bucoo SR its called the deep runner.  They don't offer it in the Lowrider.  I have the expert version and its a fantastic rod for this range of crankbait.  At 7'3" you can cast a mile.  Its listed as MH/MF and I'd go with that.  It might be on the slower end of MF, but not quite a true moderate action.  I fish mine with a lot of different stuff through the year.  Its a great medium crank rod (like DT10s), a very good lipless rod (if you prefer a softer rod for them), a good plopper rod for 90/105 size, I fish a buzzbait on mine, though often with braid, and it is a great chatterbait/spinnerbait rod if you prefer the softer end of rods for those techniques (I don't, but I don't mind them on this rod).  A 1/2 oz is right on the casting sweet spot for this rod, so 3/5, 1/2, 7/16, all much of a muchness.  A 1/2 buzzbait with a trailer hook and trailer ends up closer to 1 oz and flies a mile (further than you can properly set the hook at times (same with the 110 sized ploppers).  They are $199 MSRP and rarely on sale, but various retailers do 10-15% off storewide.  TW has 10% off giftcards so there's a savings right there.  I don't know the Bucoo version so I can't recommend it but you could take a flyer on them.

 

I can recommend the Bucoo SR 6-17 though.  Its probably a little faster than you're looking since you're considering glass rods, but I use it for the bigger end of DTs at times (10-20).  Good rod overall, casts a mile, sensitive enough for crankbaits (I prefer more sensitivity for bottom contact baits).

[Scott804]

Glass all day for cranking or bladed jigs. Can't fish any other way anymore. 

[Bankc]

In my opinion, you won't really find one rod that does all sized crankbaits well.  You really need three distinct rods to run all of the common sized crankbaits: a ML for the smallest lures like the Shad Rap 05's, a M for most squarebills and roundbills up to about a DT6, and a MH for deep divers.  If you don't want to get three rods just for cranks, I'd focus on the medium power rod first, as that's the one that you'll probably use most.  And I've found that a ML/F rod will still have enough bend due to being a medium light power to do a good enough job at keeping treble hooks pinned, and with the larger baits that require a MH rod to throw, the treble hooks tend to be thick enough on their own that throwing lures isn't as common as it is with the smaller baits.  If you go to a two rod system for cranks, I'd make the second a MH rod, as that'll likely be your second most used cranking stick.  If you want a hybrid rod for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and deep diving cranks, a MH/MF rod is what I use and recommend.  Not perfect, but good enough and saves money and space.  Otherwise a MH/M would be my choice.  

 

As for glass versus composite versus graphite... that's up to you.  All three will work.  All three are a little different.  If you're doubling up on techniques with the one rod, I'd go graphite for the sensitivity.  If it's just for crankbaits, I'd consider either a glass or composite.  Personally, I'd lean towards composite to get a bit more sensitivity and a bit lighter weight.  But they're all designed to do pretty much the same thing, so the differences won't be huge.  There's so much that they can do with tapers and resins these days, that the core material itself isn't as important as you might think.  

 

And lastly, if you want to save money, cranking sticks are the place to do it in my opinion.  Even a cheap crankbait rod will usually give you enough feedback to properly work the bait.  Save the big bucks for the bottom contact stuff.  I'm not saying that a higher end cranking stick isn't better, because it is, and you'll know it.  I'm just saying that you won't be punished as severely for cheaping out here as you would elsewhere.  

[txchaser]

I think there's a lot of personal preference here, but the glass hybrids are better than the pure glass, but I like just carbon. I have a really nice hybrid glass rod and it has been good to me... but it feels dead compared to CF. 

 

I'm comfortably throwing up 2m to 5m cranks on the tatula elite MH howell with a regular action. It's one of my favorite but least expensive rods. It's about 179 retail.

 

 

[dgkasper58]

Just to chime in here. I love both my dobyn's CB rods.  The champ 764cb and the 705 cb handle all of my cranks currently, I do hope to add a 704 for the lighter cranks.  I just love the taper of Dobyn's CB

[Fishingmickey]

Maybe check out the Shimano Curado Glass?

FM

[roadwarrior]

St. Croix Legend Tournament

7'2" Carbon Cranker, Medium Heavy, Moderate

 

The next generation of Legend Tournament Bass is the latest in St. Croix Rod design, materials, and angler recognized feedback. Featuring specific handles, lengths, powers, and actions for today’s latest techniques, the next generation also delivers two new materials to your arsenal. All models will feature SCIV+ Carbon Fiber, a strategic lay-up of exclusive SCIV and SCVI, and select models SCIV + with iAct Glass, a carbon fiber hybrid with internally active

Linear S-Glass. 19 new casting models feature: 

• Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology.
• Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™).
• Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology.
• Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) blank design.
• Fuji® K-Series tangle-free guides with Alconite®rings.
• Fuji® SK2 reel seat on casting models with ergonomic complimenting componentry.
• Fuji® VSS real seat on spinning models with extended foregrip.
• Precision machined aluminum reel seat nuts and wind checks on spinning and casting models.
• Split-grip, super-grade cork handles customized per model.
• Full-grip super grade cork handles on select models.
• 3 Swimbait models feature new GRASP grip. GRASP models available October 1, 2022. 
• Model specific hook keepers selectively placed per technique.
• Single coat sealer on blank with slow cure finish.
• Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish on guides.
• 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
• Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A. 

[SproDD79]

3 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

St. Croix Legend Tournament

7'2" Carbon Cranker, Medium Heavy, Moderate

 

The next generation of Legend Tournament Bass is the latest in St. Croix Rod design, materials, and angler recognized feedback. Featuring specific handles, lengths, powers, and actions for today’s latest techniques, the next generation also delivers two new materials to your arsenal. All models will feature SCIV+ Carbon Fiber, a strategic lay-up of exclusive SCIV and SCVI, and select models SCIV + with iAct Glass, a carbon fiber hybrid with internally active

Linear S-Glass. 19 new casting models feature: 

• Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology.
• Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™).
• Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology.
• Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) blank design.
• Fuji® K-Series tangle-free guides with Alconite®rings.
• Fuji® SK2 reel seat on casting models with ergonomic complimenting componentry.
• Fuji® VSS real seat on spinning models with extended foregrip.
• Precision machined aluminum reel seat nuts and wind checks on spinning and casting models.
• Split-grip, super-grade cork handles customized per model.
• Full-grip super grade cork handles on select models.
• 3 Swimbait models feature new GRASP grip. GRASP models available October 1, 2022. 
• Model specific hook keepers selectively placed per technique.
• Single coat sealer on blank with slow cure finish.
• Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish on guides.
• 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
• Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A. 

My fishing buddy has this rod, it is outstanding in terms of weight and sensitivity for cranking.  I would say its sweet spot is 1/2oz -5/8oz cranks.

[MickD]

The main thing is to get a rod that meets your expectations for not only action and power, but weight as well.  The down sides of glass, in my opinion, is that they are often too heavy, and the butts are often very large in diameter giving them a bulky feel.

 

They graphite/glass hybrids can be very good and avoid the problems of glass, and as pointed out earlier in the string, you can get any action and power in any of the materials discussed, so the criteria I mention might be the deciders.

[Fishing_Rod]

Seasons Greetings All,

Sounds like you have had a good deal of shopping research put in already. I hope you are fully able to enjoy whatever you eventually select.

 

I don't have a great deal of experience with a large sample glass rods. Similar experience scope with different graphite grades. I only have a couple of hybrid graphite / glass. Although I hope to try more some day. So I'm reading the responses in the thread for more information on the matter.

 

The one area I assess the glass rods would have a potential advantage is durability. Obviously if you use them as intended each will flex and have a reasonable service life. Unfortunately life has those occasions to go outside of intended scope. Non angling shock loading or impacts affect the graphite rods more than fiberglass built ones. So all those times when transporting or "handling" them it is important to avoid damage. 

 

I don't believe that I'm abusive to my equipment as I'm simply a recreational angler so I tend to be reasonable when handling my gear. The only rods I've fractured have been graphite construction. I also notice with other anglers I fish with the trend is there too. I'm not sure as to why this is. It also may be that there are simply more graphite rods than the older maybe less popular fiberglass constructions.

 

I will say when dealing with dynamic moving baits (cranking or working spoons) I appreciate the slower fiberglass response to better deal with shock loading. Much like when fly fishing too there are times where I'll use the slower glass vs the faster swinging graphite is helpful.

Please update us on your choice. Looking forward to hearing more of the selection and your experience. Be well, and Cheers! 

[Hook2Jaw]

I ended up grabbing a 13 Omen Black 3 7'1" Cranking, the one rated ¼-1 ounce.  I'll be surprised if it handles that weight range well, but I'm hoping it's gonna do just fine with Rapala DT6-10s, Spro Rkcrawler 50 and 55s, as well as the Headhunter Fire Tail Craw.

 

I'll let you guys know how it does once I get it opened.  I know there still remains a big stigma against 13 rods, but I've had mostly good experiences.