Let's Talk Crank Bait Rods...

[RLinNH]

     I have been using a Skeet Reese 7' 10" Fiberglass Crank Bait rod for years. I want to say that I have had this rod for over 14 years. Lately I have found it to be to damned heavy for me. After about an hour of casting my crank bait with it, my forearm wants a break. I've been looking around at lighter weight crank bait rods, but I'm looking for recommendations here. Have graphite crank bait rods caught up to the "forgiveness" of fiberglass rods yet? I like the flex that my current rod has. But, as mentioned earlier, it's just to damned heavy. And crankin' is my thing. I LOVE my crank baits. What are you using currently and would you recommend it? Looking for a lighter weight crank bait rod.

[A-Jay]

I have & fish the St Croix LTB Power Glass Cranker Rod ~

I like it.

More info here . . .

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/249928-st-croix-ltb-power-glass-cranker-review-video/

 

A-Jay

 

[A kid from Canada]

After trying some different rods made of different materials I settled on staying away from Crank Bait specific rods and using Moderate Fast graphite rods with Mono line. I like my 7'2 Zodias and 7'2 Combat Stick depending on lure weight. I stay away from longer rods because the casting distance isn't worth the tip heavy feeling to me as a non competitive angler. 

[DogBone_384]

7'10" ???  What size crankbaits are you throwing?  I use Kistler rods, which weigh in around 3 1/2 - 4 ounces.  The three I use the most are a 7'3" KLX MH/MF, a 7'3" Feel 'N Reel (graphite/glass, M/MF), and a 6'9" KLX M/MF (spinning).  The biggest crankbaits I throw are 3/4 - 7/8 oz, which my KLX handles perfectly.

 

Kistler rods are made in Texas.  If they don't have what you want, they'll build you what you want.  If you have any questions, call or email them.  Someone will get back to you.

 

I called them to pay a bill and Trey answered the phone. 

 

Best of luck searching for a new crankbait rod.

[garroyo130]

Ive never really found rod weight to be a factor. The resistance of the crankbaits though ... thats another story

[PBBrandon]

Dobyns Fury 705cb is a great all around crankin stick for the price. Anything from lipless to medium divers. Most of my rods are in the $200+ range and this rod still stays in my starting lineup because of how balanced and versatile it is. My main crankbait rod is the 7’2” MHM Legend Tournament carbon cranker. It’s softer, slower and lighter than the Fury, feels weightless in hand with a 6oz reel. Pricey for a crankbait rod but it is amazing. I haven’t fished with glass but holding them I just don’t like how heavy and unbalanced they are. Moderate action graphite rods are slow enough for me

[ne_dan]

Abu Veritas Winch isn’t bad, and you can find them on sale now for around 110.

[Eric 26]

I have a Lews TP1 (previous model) in 7’-3”  medium heavy moderate that is still available in the TP1X series that is completely graphite which might fit your needs. 

[FrnkNsteen]

Most of my crankbait rods are Dobyns Fury 705cb mentioned above, Champion 705cb, amd Champion 704cb. I also have a Dobyns Champion 735cb Glass that I use for 5XD and 6XD and a couple 736cb Glass I use for heavier chatterbaits. The 735cb glass and 736cb glass are composite carbon/glass rods that are lighter than typical glass rods.

 

Beyond that I have a St Croix Legend Glass, a couple Mojo MHMF "Spinnerbait" rods that also work well for small cranks and Whopper Plopper/Choppo and a couple Daiwa Tatula "Regular" action rods.

 

I have always thought that a moderate or moderate fast were slow enough in action for me and don't have many pure glass rods.

 

I just recently bought a little digital scale and have been weighing some rod and reels. The 704cb and 705cb seem to be running around 4.5 - 4.7 ounces and I like the way they fish!

[waymont]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

I have & fish the St Croix LTB Power Glass Cranker Rod ~

I like it.

More info here . . .

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/249928-st-croix-ltb-power-glass-cranker-review-video/

 

A-Jay

 

Nice rod, but not very light in weight.

[A-Jay]

OK ~

Define light.

A-Jay

[Columbia Craw]

Pretty difficult to narrow down a model without knowing the specifics of what baits you throw and how you fish them. Rod technology has come far faster since the Eagle Claw Reese series.  Some consideration should be given to Champion 705CB, 764CB, 805 CB, 765CB Glass and the Alpha Angler Rebound and Mag Rebound.  If your budget doesn’t permit those options, the Lews KVD series of crankbait rods might be another option. There’s plenty more.  Happy shopping.

[Eric 26]

@A-Jay Unfortunately some of us prefer to age like a fine wine, slow and sedentary 😆🤣

[RLinNH]

4 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

7'10" ???  What size crankbaits are you throwing?  I use Kistler rods, which weigh in around 3 1/2 - 4 ounces.  The three I use the most are a 7'3" KLX MH/MF, a 7'3" Feel 'N Reel (graphite/glass, M/MF), and a 6'9" KLX M/MF (spinning).  The biggest crankbaits I throw are 3/4 - 7/8 oz, which my KLX handles perfectly.

 

Kistler rods are made in Texas.  If they don't have what you want, they'll build you what you want.  If you have any questions, call or email them.  Someone will get back to you.

 

I called them to pay a bill and Trey answered the phone. 

 

Best of luck searching for a new crankbait rod.

     I typically only throw cranks that dive 3' to 6'. I OCCASIONALLY throw a deep diving crank. But that's maybe once a season. So, not really throwing anything that dives deep the majority of the time. And I rarely, if ever throw a lipless crank. I like square bills. And, thanks to all for the recommendations. I have some shopping to do. The gear monkey is YELLING my name...🤩

[RLinNH]

I'd like to pull the trigger on the MHM Carbon Cranker. I'd like to buy it from a supporter of this forum though. Can anyone point me in the proper direction?

[FishTank]

I like the Loomis IMX Pro Deep Flex. The one I have has been the least fatiguing on my hands and wrist.

 

I also just got the Megabass P5 Z-Crank. It's too early to be sure but so far this rod has been great. Light weight, no fatigue,  and it works great for 3/8oz square bills and jerkbaits as well.

[GReb]

Go graphite. 3-6 ft there is no need for a long rod. I have 3 primary crankbait rods and all are graphite and I shallow crank a ton. Kistler and Cashion make great graphite cranking rods. If you like a longer rod the 7’6 Falcon Cranker is a good stick and won’t break the bank. I think most brands make something that will fit your needs that is shorter and lighter than your current rod. There’s no need for any rod to weigh more than 4.5oz these days. My jig and frog rods don’t even weigh that 

[WRB]

Lews custom Lite series crank bait rod CLMC2, 7’4” 3/8-1 oz lures, $150

Tom

 

[PBBrandon]

4 hours ago, RLinNH said:

I'd like to pull the trigger on the MHM Carbon Cranker. I'd like to buy it from a supporter of this forum though. Can anyone point me in the proper direction?

Tackle Warehouse sponsors Bassresource.

Here’s the link to the $200 Victory carbon cranker (7’2” MHM)

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/St_Croix_Victory_Casting_Rods/descpage-CTV.html?from=gpmax&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAv8SsBhC7ARIsALIkVT3seWs5qy8hLodGz6u_tOY4Dd9C5ovaHoUXc3zoxsGYEPfcsCJiqtMaArxeEALw_wcB

and the $315 Legend Tournament version with a better blank and guides. I’ve never fished with the Victory but I imagine the action is similar to the Legend Tournament.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/St_Croix_2022_Legend_Tournament_Series_Casting_Rods/descpage-SLZC.html?from=gpmax&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAv8SsBhC7ARIsALIkVT26rVesWXsq3NgqguJ25cocRyUWrQEYYp8TiWlaQHGRXVz7Ms4jWjQaAg8MEALw_wcB

[rangerjockey]

I have the SC Victory power Target Cranker 7ft2 MHM . It's a great mid depth and squarebill rod.

I think you could cheat it up to a 5XD but after that it's out of gas.

[DogBone_384]

13 hours ago, ne_dan said:

Abu Veritas Winch

That's what I used before I discovered Kistler.  They're a a great value for $119.

[waymont]

14 hours ago, RLinNH said:

     I typically only throw cranks that dive 3' to 6'. I OCCASIONALLY throw a deep diving crank. But that's maybe once a season. So, not really throwing anything that dives deep the majority of the time. And I rarely, if ever throw a lipless crank. I like square bills. And, thanks to all for the recommendations. I have some shopping to do. The gear monkey is YELLING my name...🤩

I'd get a Dobyns champion 704cb rod.

[Peacedivision]

Another vote for dobyns 70Xcb. Also fantastic top water rods.

[LonnieP]

I do a lot of crankbait fishing and I use a Dobyns Champion glass 704cb and 705cb. They’re light and comfortable to fish with, the only thing I don’t like about them is the cheap cork they use. I also have a medium glass Tatula rod but it’s a lot heavier than the Dobyns. For deeper cranks I use a graphite Cashion Icon 7’ 6 MH deep cranking rod and I love that rod.

[Beboson]

The problem of this rod It is are very short handle. I love glass rods and only fishing crankbaits Whit them. My preference for Deep crankbaits It is phenix glass 7,9. A lot better than the skeet reese 7,10 ( i had too and didnt like, for short handle and excesive weight)