Favorite Crankbait Rod?

[vintagerod]

I'm in the market for a crankbait-specific rod.  I've seen an enormous range in price, from Bass Pro's $25 rod to G. Loomis' CBR series at over $200.

I am also open to searching for older, even vintage rods on eBay.  I am also just getting back into bass fishing, and as I think I understand, a great crankbait rod also makes for a great spinnerbait rod, correct?

Just curious what everbody thinks is the best crankbait rod out there, regardless of age or price.

[roadwarrior]

Well, for an "all purpose" treble hook rod, I think the St. Croix Avid AC66MF and AC70MM fit the bill. The AC66MF has a soft tip and is the perfect rod for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and jerkbaits. The AC 70MM is more for "general" crankbaits. For heavy or deep diving baits, the Lamiglas SR705R is the ticket, but I consider this a VERY techique specific rod.

Not to be confusing, if you want a specific suggestion: St. Croix AC66MF.

[vintagerod]

Thanks Roadwarrior.  I had looked at St. Croix rods, but didn't even consider the Avid series.  I was looking at their Premier Glass casting rods that they categorize as "crankbait".  And I forgot about deep crankin' as well...excellent suggestion.

[Rob G.]

Personally I prefer the Falcon Cara Reaction series cranking rods.

[in_the_outdoors]

B&R OUTLAW rods makes a good crankbait rod ive used one now for 2 years and really like it its $129.00 and thats for any lenght or action just go to google and find B&R OUTLAW RODS all there rods are on the website

[twors]

I love my 6'6" Premier MHM crankbait rod....I have the graphite version. My my local BPS and Cabelas doesn't carry the glass versions so I know nothing of them.

[vintagerod]

Personally I prefer the Falcon Cara Reaction series cranking rods.

I always seem to forget about Falcon when I think of the "big" rod names (fenwick, shimano, gloomis, all star, st. croix, etc.)  I went to their website, and Holy Frijoles, their Cara Reaction series seems to have every crankin' technique and situation covered...from crashin' cranks to deep divin' to stuff I've never dreamed of.

I could be way off, but does any rod manufacturer offer such a diversity of crankin' stix?  Has anyone else used the Cara Reactions?

[vintagerod]

B&R OUTLAW rods makes a good crankbait rod ive used one now for 2 years and really like it its $129.00 and thats for any lenght or action just go to google and find B&R OUTLAW RODS all there rods are on the website

I've never heard of this outfit before...but now I am intrigued.  I seem to have a soft spot for the unknown, independent, "little guy".  Maybe B&R isn't all that unknown, or little.  I just have gotten back into fishing recently, and have combed tackle shops and websites and have never come across this brand.

Their E-glass rods sound intriguing...talk about retro!  But is it too retro?  I mean, E-glass is a technology from decades ago, used primarily for hoop strength once higher modulus S-glass was created.  Now most manufacturers are using a blend of slow-action graphite and fiberglass to get the best of both worlds.  I don't know of any manufacturer that turned back the clock 35 years to go to an all E-glass rod.

Still, I'm curious.  Very interesting.  Any thoughts?

[moby bass]

Gander Mtn has their own E-glass rod specifically for cranks.  It is not very expensive and I've been half tempted to buy one just for the heck of it and try it out. I am using a Shimano Clarus 6'6" MM for cranks

along with a Revo SC. It casts Rat'l Traps almost out of site and does surprising well on lighter baits as well.

[Redlinerobert]

Since you will probably end up buying a couple rods, one for light lures and one for heavier lures, check out the E21 Carrot Stick.  It weighs nothing and you will not be dissapointed.  For $150, It's a steal.  

[vintagerod]

Oooohhhh.....I've been ogling those Carrot Stix for a couple of weeks now , but couldn't justify buying another rod just based on whizz-bang technology and in-your-face aesthetics.

BUT...you say they are excellent crank rods, eh?  I didn't think about that.  Hmmm....lemme see here,

"Honey, I need a new crank rod"

"Well O.k., but no more rods after this"

"Sure thing honey bunch"

...fade in...e21 Carrot Stix.  Lust building.   Drool emanating from the left corner of my mouth.  Fantasy of me catchin' biggun's on my favorite lake.  Fantasy interrupted...wife's voice...ear splitting shrillness..."NO MORE RODS!!!"

Uh, right honey.

But wait!!  I can buy ONE rod.  And I "need" a crank rod.  Avids?  Premiers? Cara Reactions? Outlaws?  Never heard of 'em, but perhaps...Whoa...Carrot Stix?

So, I may be able to indulge in a bit of wanton lust and still fulfill a dire need with the same rod!!

I am assuming, Redline, that the model that is best for crankin' is the 6'-9" LTX with parabolic action?  I see they have a 7-footer with a fast action, but that doesn't seem to be, in my inexperienced opinion, the best for crank baits.  But I am impressed with a 4-16 lb. line rating!!

[Trent, B]

st. croix legend tournament bass big cranker

[Guest muddy]

You might want to send a PM to Alpster, he built me a sweet rod. Its built on a 7 foot MH,Moderate Fast Lamiglass blnak, It is a graphite/fiberglass hybird, perfect for treble hooked cranks. He spiral wrapped it, it is my only crank bait rod, and it is the single finest piece of equipment I own.

[hammer84]

I only have used one crankbait rod.  It is a Daiwa Light and Tough.  I really like it but have nothing to compare it too.  

I can say that using a crank specfic rod has help my crankbait fishing.

[Infidel.]

I use a TD-S Cranking rod for most of my cranking and it performs great!  I also have a 7ft ML BPS crankin' stick I mainly throw lipless cranks on.  It's an OK rod but great for the price.

[Shadcranker]

For the money, the Shimano Crucial Crankbait rods are great ($129 at BPS).

If you want to step up a bit, the Powell Crankbait series is outstanding for the $ (around $179).

I own two of the Crucials and two Powells, and I like all of them all a lot.

I would sugget 7' length in both. If you are casting a deep CB (like a DD22) the added length helps in casting ditance (which = depth) and is key in playing the fish.

Good luck.

[michbass]

Avid crankbait series. They can be bought for a good discount now. Also like American Rodsmiths cranking rods.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I love my G Loomis CBR906C.  Great lipless & deep diving crankbait rod.

[Redlinerobert]

Oooohhhh.....I've been ogling those Carrot Stix for a couple of weeks now , but couldn't justify buying another rod just based on whizz-bang technology and in-your-face aesthetics.

BUT...you say they are excellent crank rods, eh? I didn't think about that. Hmmm....lemme see here,

"Honey, I need a new crank rod"

"Well O.k., but no more rods after this"

"Sure thing honey bunch"

...fade in...e21 Carrot Stix. Lust building. Drool emanating from the left corner of my mouth. Fantasy of me catchin' biggun's on my favorite lake. Fantasy interrupted...wife's voice...ear splitting shrillness..."NO MORE RODS!!!"

Uh, right honey.

But wait!! I can buy ONE rod. And I "need" a crank rod. Avids? Premiers? Cara Reactions? Outlaws? Never heard of 'em, but perhaps...Whoa...Carrot Stix?

So, I may be able to indulge in a bit of wanton lust and still fulfill a dire need with the same rod!!

I am assuming, Redline, that the model that is best for crankin' is the 6'-9" LTX with parabolic action? I see they have a 7-footer with a fast action, but that doesn't seem to be, in my inexperienced opinion, the best for crank baits. But I am impressed with a 4-16 lb. line rating!!

The 6'9" is what I have.  There are a couple other guys on the board that bought one and rave about it also.  Give into the temptation......

[Munkin]

Since a crankbait rod does not have to be very sensitive I went with the St. Croix Premier. For 2-3 years I have been fishing these without complaints or problems.

Allen

[5bass]

American Rodsmiths David Fritts Signature Series glass rods are what I use.

Fritts knows a thing or two about crankin'.....

[roadwarrior]

American Rodsmiths David Fritts Signature Series glass rods are what I use.

Fritts knows a thing or two about crankin'.....

fivebasslimit knows a thing or two about crankin', also!

8-)