Crankbait rods, am I thinking about this right?

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

I am by no means a big crankbait fisherman, to be honest my crankbait box is normally the last one that comes out on a rough day on the water. But one of my best days came from throwing a crankbait on a lake where I didn’t know there was a crankbait bite to be had. I was throwing them on a 7’3 MH/F with braid, and as you can imagine I landed only ~50% of my fish. 
I’ve been shopping for a crankbait rod to throw stuff from a DT6 to a 6XD, figuring that I’ll need a whole different set up for deep divers, and that I could throw small squarebills on the 6’10 medium I use for jerkbaits. Would this be the way you’d go about it? If so what rod would you recommend? I was looking at the Shimano zodius 7’6 medium heavy moderate, Shimano poison Adrena glass 7’2 MH on sale at tackle warehouse for $250, and a couple of the dobyns champion XP rods. I also saw @A-Jay review the St croix legend tournament 7’4 medium heavy moderate, but that’s a bit more than I’d like to spend. 
Thanks everyone. 

[Glenn]

 

[WRB]

For 30 years my custom 7’ Fenwick custom popping rod was my deep crank bait DD22 and Poe’s 300 lures.

Do you need a 7’6” crank bait rod…. Not really but you do need to cast 40-50 yards.

Tom

[MickD]

A medium heavy rod is too powerful for DT6's.  For the full range of cranks you probably need more than one rod.  But you need to match the power to the weight of the lures being cast in order to get the loading right for casting.  Then you get the action you like, and for cranks, most like medium or medium fast.  The longer the rod the less important the action is for keeping the fish "pinned."  

[rangerjockey]

I don't think your going to throw a DT6 and a 6XD on the same rod. The 6 XD pulls pretty hard.

It's really pretty tough to beat the Fury 705 cb for a lower priced option. 

It will fish the DT6, RK Crawler up to a deep little N.

I have one along with too many higher priced options and it catches 'em.

I'm not the biggest Dobyns fan when it comes to draggin' rods but their moving bait actions are really good.

 

[Dwight Hottle]

I have discovered the best rod for 1/2 oz cranks & heavier is a swim bait rod rated 1-3 oz & 7’-6” in length. It’s rated MMH. Specifically the Loomis IMX+ swim bait rod. It throws a 3/4 oz lipless a country mile & handles a 10XD without problem. The longer length gives better leverage for distance & helps keep fish pinned after your hook set. Plus it serves double duty with swim baits & cranks & makes a good wild shiner bait rod too. 

[Brian11719]

I use a Kaden 6104cb for jerkbaits and 1/2oz lipless crankbaits (along with poppers and an occasional mini max at the pond). It would probably handle a DT6 ok although I generally don't like to go much lighter than 1/2oz on casting gear. I really like this rod for jerkbaits and have been very happy with it in general.

 

I also have a Kaden 735cb that I use for crankbaits that weigh 1/2oz-7/8oz. It's rated up to 1oz but I generally don't like to throw anything over 3/4oz (maybe 7/8oz depending on the lure) on it with a couple of exceptions. I also use that for 3/4oz lipless cranks, bladed jigs and spooks.

 

If I had to do it over again I'd probably swap the 735cb with a champ xp glass 736cb. I've owned both graphite and glass at this point and feel like I like composite feels the best (personal opinion) for the larger treble lures that I throw. That one is also rated a little higher so you could probably get away with a 6xd type lure on that...although I prefer the Berkley Dredger series anyway and those weigh a little less and are a little easier to throw than the 6XDs. 

 

If I was going to have just one crankbait rod the 735cb is a good all around middle of the road rod and handles everything from squarebills up to deep divers...but again even though it's rated up to 1oz I would argue that one does best with lures that are in the 5/8-3/4oz range...but having said that there are plenty of options that cover most of the water column that you can use in this range.

 

Overall I'd say I have a similar (two rod) setup and you can get it to work without having to buy a 3rd extra deep cranking rod although it will limit you (somewhat) in terms of what you are going to be able to throw and you might have to get a little creative towards the edges of the lure ratings.

 

TLDR if you are only going to get one crankbait rod I'd suggest the Kaden 735cb. If you are only going to get 2 I'd recommend the Kaden 6104cb and the 736cb glass. 

[FishTank]

By what I read, this sounds like two different rods one for 3/8 to 1/2 oz cranks and one for 1/2oz to 1oz deep diving baits. 

 

There is one rod in that price range that I can think of that might fit but I do not have experience with it.  

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Orochi_XX_Casting_Rods/descpage-MBOXXC.html

 

The Megabass 7'11'' Orochi XX Launcher.  These are getting replaced and can be found on sale for $200. 

 

Another one but it might be out the price range.... Megabass P5 Super Destroyer. It will do all that but  even at the JDM price it's still around $325 shipped. 

 

 

[webertime]

What crankbait-ish rods to you have now?  (Swimbait rod or glass chatterbait rod?).  If you don't fish them much then no need to go hog wild. 

 

I'm with Dwight on a Swimbait rod for 5xd-10xd type stuff.  Kill 2 birds with one stone.  The 7ft 10in HF BassX Swimbait rod is great for like $150 or so and will do big cranks and things like Magdrafts and 2oz glides really well.  I've used mine with OSP Blitz Max DRs (2+oz dives up to 30ft) and it was great.

 

The St Croix (not full glass) Medium Moderate and Med Heavy Moderate rods are great crankers in my opinion. I also really enjoyed the Powell Diesel Cranking rod. 

 

No I am not a St Croix Pro-Staffer...   

[WRB]

Irod IRG763CC MH Crank bait rod, 3/8-3/4 diving lures can handle the lures mentioned at $150 price point.

I suggest using your boat to troll deep diving crank baits to learn how deep they actually dive and ideal speed. Simply make a long cast and troll at a slow walking speed to detriment how the lure feels and rod loads up, tip bounced plus determining strikes. Cover lots of water at ideal depths using a lazy S boat pattern.

Tom

[MediumMouthBass]

22 hours ago, August said:

I’ve been shopping for a crankbait rod to throw stuff from a DT6 to a 6XD, figuring that I’ll need a whole different set up for deep divers,

 

9 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

I don't think your going to throw a DT6 and a 6XD on the same rod. The 6 XD pulls pretty hard.

OP unless youve bought a huge amount of 6XD's then consider switching to Berkley Dredgers for deep divers. I fish from a kayak and almost all deep divers will start pulling me towards them, this is the main reason i only fish Dredgers when im on the kayak, theres alot less drag. And like ranger said these types of cranks can cause alot of drag.

I have a few cranking rods now, 1 and 2 are way too short and can only throw 1.5 KVDS, the 3rd is way too stiff and can only throw lures over an ounce, however after switching to Strike King for shallows, SPRO for Mids, and Berkley for deep divers i can throw almost all on the 4th rod since they are within a certain weight range. Example, the 1.5/2.5 KVD's weigh 3/8 and 5/8oz, the SPRO RKCrawler 55 MD is 1/2oz, and the Dredger 14.5 is 5/8, Dredger 17.5 is 3/4 but is very small and feels lighter, 20.5 is 7/8. Now this rod will struggle with 1.5s so ive taken them and all the other smaller cranks out of the rotation. The rod i throw this on is rated 1/2-1 1/4 but it feels more like 3/8-1. Paired with a BB1 Pro or SLX MGL and 10-12lb line i can throw most squarebills, mid and deep divers (that arent over 1oz or cause a lot of drag).

 

Finding a balance between both types of crankbaits while only using 1 rod is definitely able to be done, but will require some experimentation with using different brands, weights, etc... 

22 hours ago, August said:

6’10 medium I use for jerkbaits.

This can work, 6'10" to 7-2" is generally considered the standard for smaller/lighter cranks.

[mcipinkie]

I'd go to BPS and buy a couple Crankin' Sticks.  1 - 7'-6 or longer MH or Heavy for big cranks.  I - about 7'-0 M for small stuff.  If you can afford only one, or three, get a 7'-0 MH.  Won't handle the little stuff well, but good all purpose rod.

 

$80 - $100 as good of a crank bait rod as you can buy for twice a much.  Pick what ever reel you can afford.  I like the Lew's LFS for about $100.  I like it because you can get a 5:1.  Revo X is nice.  Same price range.  You can spend a lot more money, but this is good tournament level equipment.  Think "Tools" not "Status".

 

 

[Munkin]

St Croix Premier 7' MHM is a great all around crankbait rod. There's no need to spend $400 on a moving bait rod. 

 

Allen 

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

On 1/1/2025 at 10:38 AM, webertime said:

What crankbait-ish rods to you have now?  (Swimbait rod or glass chatterbait rod?).  If you don't fish them much then no need to go hog wild. 

 

I'm with Dwight on a Swimbait rod for 5xd-10xd type stuff.  Kill 2 birds with one stone.  The 7ft 10in HF BassX Swimbait rod is great for like $150 or so and will do big cranks and things like Magdrafts and 2oz glides really well.  I've used mine with OSP Blitz Max DRs (2+oz dives up to 30ft) and it was great.

 

The St Croix (not full glass) Medium Moderate and Med Heavy Moderate rods are great crankers in my opinion. I also really enjoyed the Powell Diesel Cranking rod. 

 

No I am not a St Croix Pro-Staffer...   

 

On 1/1/2025 at 6:55 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

I have discovered the best rod for 1/2 oz cranks & heavier is a swim bait rod rated 1-3 oz & 7’-6” in length. It’s rated MMH. Specifically the Loomis IMX+ swim bait rod. It throws a 3/4 oz lipless a country mile & handles a 10XD without problem. The longer length gives better leverage for distance & helps keep fish pinned after your hook set. Plus it serves double duty with swim baits & cranks & makes a good wild shiner bait rod too. 

This is definitely something I'll consider being that I don't fish deep cranks much, and I need a swim bait rod.

@Dwight Hottle You don't have issues throwing 1/2oz crankbaits on a rod with a minimum rating of 1oz?

 

If a swim bait rod is what I used for 1/2oz and up, what would you recommend for 3/8 to 1/2oz? I'm not a big crankbait guy like I said, so could I just throw them on the IMX pro 883 BRJ that I'm planning on getting for my chatterbait rod? I know that this would not be ideal and less moderate that you would probably want but in a pinch it might be okay?

[WRB]

Chatter bait isn’t a crank bait, it’s a jig with a blade. You don’t need to use a moderate action rod with a jig that has a heavy big hook whereas a crank bait has treble hooks that tend to tear out.

Now you are talking about using swimbaits, size and weight determines rod, reel and line choices.

Tom

[DogBone_384]

On 12/31/2024 at 6:22 PM, August said:

I’ve been shopping for a crankbait rod to throw stuff from a DT6 to a 6XD

I agree with other members that you’ll be hard pressed to find a rod that throws both well. I have BPS, Diawa, Abu, St. Croix, G. Loomis, and Kistler crankbait rods. My 7’3” M/M Feel ‘N Reel throws both OK, the 6XD getting the edge. My 7’ ML/R Tatula does a good job with lighter cranks like the DT6, but a 7’ M/MF Kistler KLX spinning rod sees the majority of time on the water.

 

My MH St. Croix and Kistler KLX’s are my go-to 6XD and larger crankbaits. 
 

Good luck picking out your rod(s). Remember that how the rod feels in your hand is most important.

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Chatter bait isn’t a crank bait, it’s a jig with a blade. You don’t need to use a moderate action rod with a jig that has a heavy big hook whereas a crank bait has treble hooks that tend to tear out.

Now you are talking about using swimbaits, size and weight determines rod, reel and line choices.

Tom

Thanks.  Yeah I understand that crankbaits and chatterbaits are very different, but from what ive heard some people will go for a slower for bladed jig rod being that they are a moving bait. (not saying that  this is the "right" rod for bladed jigs). I was wondering if a slightly slower taper like the imx pro 883 bjr would work okay for the occasional times I'd throw a mid depth crankbait. 

[WRB]

Would you use the IMX rod for 1/2 oz bottom contact jigs? chatterbait has the same hook to set and I recall you have a low hook set average.

Tom
 

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

6 minutes ago, WRB said:

Would you use the IMX rod for 1/2 oz bottom contact jigs? chatterbait has the same hook to set and I recall you have a low hook set average.

Tom
 

low hookset average? I'm not exactly sure what you mean. 

I haven't handled that specific rod yet, but depending on how much backbone it has id throw a standard jig on it if I didn't have a chatter bait tied on. 

 

[WRB]

“I landed about 50% of my fish”

Tom

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

11 hours ago, WRB said:

“I landed about 50% if my fish”

Tom

Oh I understand now, your saying that if I throw crankbaits on a chatterbait rod with enough backbone to drive in a jig hook, it will handle a crankbait similar to how my MH/F did, and I’ll not have good luck. Sorry I wasn’t following there for a second. Thanks! 

[Huckfinn38]

The closet rod you will find to throw both would be a Dobyns Champion 705 cb (not the glass). Great rod but might be little over loaded with a 6xd.