Custom blank for light cranking

[Bdnoble84]

I’m considering making my first custom rod and im leaning towards making one for light cranking applications (3/16 to 3/8 shad raps, little dt’s, maybe an occasional #7 or #9 original rap).

I want to maximize casting distance so im looking at >7ft rods. Im looking at glass/composite rods on rod geeks as well mud hole. Im curious if i would be able to go with an ML/M option or if i should stick to a med power for being able to drive in the hooks and handle the fish better.

[casts_by_fly]

For a spinning or casting reel?

[Bdnoble84]

18 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

For a spinning or casting reel?

Sorry, for casting.

I should add i want to keep it reasonable priced. I was looking at the 60-90$ blanks

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I’ve used the rod geek blend rod with the glass top and graphite butt. They’re light and have a nice action.  You’ll want something that loads really well to baitcast those light weights.  

[Logan S]

I built a rod for similar baits on an MHX CB841 and it's working our very well.  I built mine for finessey cranks like balsa flatsides, shad raps, Frittsides 5's, etc....Light cranks with light wire trebles.

[Bdnoble84]

These are the two different 1’s I was looking at. Well actually 3. The rod geek considerations are marked with yellow.

[Lead Head]

Look into american tackle Bushido CB blanks. I like them much more than MHX cranking blanks. I have never used the StCroix though. 

[Bdnoble84]

8 minutes ago, Lead Head said:

Look into american tackle Bushido CB blanks. I like them much more than MHX cranking blanks. I have never used the StCroix though. 

What is the difference between the two for you?

[spoonplugger1]

One of the Batson SP blanks in the right power ought to work great, and you can get them in colors. GetBit, Angler's Workshop, Utmost, and others. Batson's #1 selling series.

[Lead Head]

For me-

They have better vibration and contact feedback (in short, more sensitive.)

They are the perfect moderate-fast for long accurate casting while still getting a good deep bend on hookup.

 

Just keep in mind, this is my opinion. Someone else may dislike the Bushido for the same reasons I like it.

[Bdnoble84]

12 hours ago, spoonplugger1 said:

One of the Batson SP blanks in the right power ought to work great, and you can get them in colors. GetBit, Angler's Workshop, Utmost, and others. Batson's #1 selling series.

Thanks, I will check those out.

[Bdnoble84]

I should mention the rod will see time trolling these same baits, not just casting them. But my primary desire is to be able to cast light balsa cranks quite far to maximize running depth and water coverage. The extra length is important for line pickup as well as im fidhing in current and need to manage slack when casting across current.

[Chris Catignani]

On 4/3/2023 at 8:39 PM, Logan S said:

I built a rod for similar baits on an MHX CB841 and it's working our very well.  I built mine for finessey cranks like balsa flatsides, shad raps, Frittsides 5's, etc....Light cranks with light wire trebles.

I am lovin that blank...I also have MHX CB843 and love that one too. Thinking back on all the years I've wasted with the wrong crank bait rods...

[Bdnoble84]

3 hours ago, Chris Catignani said:

I am lovin that blank...I also have MHX CB843 and love that one too. Thinking back on all the years I've wasted with the wrong crank bait rods...

Sold out on mud hole but i did fing it on lpo. 
thats the exact reason i would make my own crankin rod. Seems hard to find one that is going to really do what i want on the market without spending a couple hundred dollars.

[spoonplugger1]

Batson SP blanks work just fine for trolling, than you have the selection of kokonee jigging and trolling blanks that are in the 7 - 8 ft. lengths. Frankly I think a one or two power spin jig blank in the 6 to 10 - 6 to 12, 1/8 to 3/8 lure range would also work. Made a lot of ultralight bass rods back in the 80's throwing the new small lures, be they spinnerbaits, baby cranks, finesse worms, etc. on those blanks. Be advised when they say 3/8 max. they mean it, things go from brisk to lob casts fairly quickly trying to go heavier. 

[KCFinesse]

I absolutely love my Bushido cb72-6/12 as my 'Ozark' cranking rod (warts, flat sides, bandit 200s, etc).

 

-Jared

[Bdnoble84]

17 hours ago, spoonplugger1 said:

Batson SP blanks work just fine for trolling, than you have the selection of kokonee jigging and trolling blanks that are in the 7 - 8 ft. lengths. Frankly I think a one or two power spin jig blank in the 6 to 10 - 6 to 12, 1/8 to 3/8 lure range would also work. Made a lot of ultralight bass rods back in the 80's throwing the new small lures, be they spinnerbaits, baby cranks, finesse worms, etc. on those blanks. Be advised when they say 3/8 max. they mean it, things go from brisk to lob casts fairly quickly trying to go heavier. 

Great to know. I was really wondering about that 3/8 ceiling. Not really a concern for me because once im over 3/8 i switch to my mh.

[Chris Catignani]

10 hours ago, KCFinesse said:

I absolutely love my Bushido cb72-6/12 as my 'Ozark' cranking rod (warts, flat sides, bandit 200s, etc).

 

-Jared

I have that CB72-8/15...Im throwing a Paddle Tail bait I make with it.
But really love that Bushido line of rods.

[Mbirdsley]

I havnt build a lighter cranking rod yet.  I’ve built 1 Bushido graphite deep cranking rod and 1 deep cranking rod from rod geeks on fiberglass blank.  I either company I would recommend. 
 

when I do build a replacement for my Okuma EVX that I use for 4–10 ft ill be using one of the 2 above mention blanks. 
 

I believe either blank from either company can be purchased for around $50-$60 for that application.