Crankbaits on fast action rods

[jwo1124]

I recently bought my first IM 6 graphite rod. Its a MH Berekly Lighting spinning Rod. I like this rod as it casts very well, and was great sensitivity. I opted for the MH becauses it has a lure rating of 1/4-1 oz, which is optimun bass fishing lure size. I figured I could throw smaller 1/4 oz lures as well as 3/4 and 1 oz lures on the same rod. The only problem I have had is that I lost a couple of fish when tossing a crankbait the other week.  I have always heard that you want a softer rod action when fishing trebles hooks becasuse its less likely that you will pull the hooks out of the fishes mouth.

I'm not sure if it was just a case of a poor hook set on my part or it was the stiffer faster rod action that casued these fish to get off. Does anyone else fish cranks/jerks/topwaters and other treble hookwed baits on fast action rods and are successful more than most of the time?

One more question reguarding fast action rods. DO you need to use larger line to make up for the fact that the rod is going to be less forgiving. In other words, softer rods with more bend will take more of the stress put on by the fish sparing the line of the stress. The fact that fast action rods don't give too much, I have heard that more stress is put on the line. I use 10 lb test which I don;t think anything that swims in the Northeastern ponds will break. But I just wanted clarification on this topic.

By the way, has anyone else who owned a Lighting Rod have the front grip break off? Cuz this happened to me and i'm kinda PO'ed. The rod is still in fishiable condition but...It still s.u.c.k.s.

[RobDar]

I have heard the same thing about cranks and rods.

I typically use a medium action rod with good ole stretchy mono for cranking. At the time I did not know I was really following any kind of rule, it was just what seemed most comfortable to me. It was later that I heard it said that this is the way it "should" be done...

...truth be told though...

I know just as many guys who use heavy fast action rods for cranking as I do guys that uses slower action mediums...and I do not notice that one group is more successful than the other.

I uses a medium with mono because of where i have a tendency to throw the crank and how I fish it...

usually leaves my wife going..."What are you nuts? you cant throw a crank in there!"

If my gear is too sensitive all the bumps and thumps get confusing and without some give in the rod and line I find I get snagged up a WHOLE lot more than when there is some give.

[roadwarrior]

This thread migt help:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

Generally speaking, Moderated Action or at least a rod with a soft tip is recommended for treble hook lures (crankbaits, topwater and jerkbaits).

[senile1]

I like your post on that thread, RW.  That's an excellent primer on rod characteristics.

[gatrboy53]

with your set up i would deffinitely use mono, to compensate for the lack of forgiveness of the rod.with any crankbait the hooks are the key ingredient.there are many opinions on which brand hook is best,but be sure you are useing the best trebles you can use.i have experimented w/ numerous set ups ,which i think in crank bait fishin is critical,but there is still a element that is like oil and water,trebles and bass dont mix.you are going to lose fish.yes technique helps some,the right set up helps some but your going to experience more lost fish w/ cranks than any other presentation.

i think thats why i like crankin so much.i get more excited when i get a fish on a crank cause i know if i mess up one little bit i stand the chance of losin that fish,but when it all goes as planned and the fish stays hooked ,the thrill is greater than catchin a fish on a single hook bait.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I might be a little different in my preferences. I used to use a medium power rod for crankbaits and jerkbaits and I would land a large amount of fish hooked on this rod. But for me the trouble was in hooking the fish (especially on long casts). I do not have a powerful hook set (from years of being a Crappie fisherman, I have a bad habit of setting the hook to softly on Bass), therefore, I wasn't hooking a large percentage. I switched to a medium heavy power rod and my hook rate percentage went up. I do lose slightly more (not many more though) fish on the medium heavy power rod, but since I am hooking more, I am coming out ahead. Though, in the end it is a personal preference. I have tried at least 7 different rods out until I found the one rod I am comfortible with using for jerkbaits and crankbaits.

[roadwarrior]

Interesting point and one of the reasons I prefer jerkbaits! Crankbaits are often "slapped" which can result in a hook-up, but often on the outside of the fish's mouth. This is one of the reasons they come unbuttoned. With jerkbaits, generally, the hit is a "feeding" strike. Most of the time, the lure is taken into the mouth. Still, with any hard bait, the fish has some leverage to throw the lure. It's just going to happen sometimes.

[dodgeguy]

relax your drag.

[magic]

Disadvantage to a soft medium action rod is its harder to rip the bait thru vegetation. I like a medium or MH but with a faster tip so when the bait hits weeds I can snap it and pop lure thru weeds better. For open water I do use a softer tip

[jwo1124]

Thanks guys. Special thatnks to Road Warrior, that link was very imformative. One of the main reasons I like belonging to a forum is so that you can ask questions and learned from more expeerienced fisherman.

I have been doing most of my hardbait fishing with a ML/Soft glass rod and I can;t think of a fish I have lost using it. Its a cheap Cabela's Whuppin' Stick, sort of like an ugly stik but lighter and much more sensitive even though its glass. I've fished the two side by side and the ugly stik sux compared to the Whuppin. I mostlu use lures around 1/4 oz. Its rated for 1/8-1/2. I have caught bass, slamon, and perch using this rod when fishing trebles and like I said, I can;t remember losing a fish. For the recreational fishing I do(no tournaments) Its a fine rod. I'm sure I could spend more for another rod, but if it's not broken, don;t fix it. I am planning on getting a H action rated (3/8-2 1/4 oz) [so says the Cabela's fishign customer serv. rep.]  I'll be using this for heavier stuff like 1/2-1 ounce topwaters like Zara Spooks, or heavy 3/4-1 ounce crankbaits. The lure ratings aren't printed on the rod blanks which I find odd. But my ML works fine within the lure weights he said so I guess he's on the ball.