Can you all help me pick a decent rod?

[Mike 12345]

Hi folks-

I'm about to wrap up my first season of really applying myself in the sport, and looking for some advice.

Over the course of this year, I purchased several 'cheaper' baitcasting reels in combo packages, and have learned to use them. I bought them because they were affordable, and I needed something cheap to learn on.  I've accomplished that, have caught quite a few fish, and am learning all the time.

That being said, I'm getting a little better at this, and want to see just how wide a gap there really is between quality products and the cheap stuff I've been pounding on.

As as decent starter reel in the 'quality' category, I recently bought a Curado 200DHSV off of eBay, and it is waayyyyyy smoother, nicer, etc than anything else I have.  I would like to find a decent quality rod to pair it with.

I would like to stay somewhere in the $100 range for this rod, and get the best I can for that amount.  I've done some preliminary pricing, and have seen several different brands that have models in that range......Shimano, Kistler, All Star, Falcon, etc.

I would primarily be using this rod for crankbait casting, I would imagine.

So, I'm open for suggestions......what do you think I should be looking for to make myself a good quality combination that would really show me the big difference between cheap stuff I have and good stuff?

Thanks in advance!

[flechero]

Mike,

I'll usually be one of the first people to argue quality in rods, however, I don't see the value in a "nice" crankbait rod.  In any "feel" application  (worms, jigs, etc.) you can see a tremendous difference in rods.  What is sensitive by cranking standards is not the same as other needs.  

I think you're on the right track by looking to upgrade some equipment, but I think you'll be better served to buy a nice soft plastics or jig rod instead.  Sorry.  Others may have a different opinion.

[roadwarrior]

Mike,

I'll usually be one of the first people to argue quality in rods, however, I don't see the value in a "nice" crankbait rod. In any "feel" application (worms, jigs, etc.) you can see a tremendous difference in rods. What is sensitive by cranking standards is not the same as other needs.

I think you're on the right track by looking to upgrade some equipment, but I think you'll be better served to buy a nice soft plastics or jig rod instead. Sorry. Others may have a different opinion.

Use what ever you have for treble hooks and save your money until

next spring for a new jig/ soft plastics rod.

[Raul]

Rod sensitivity in a rod for crankbaits is not as important as it is when you fish with "feel" baits like jigs and soft plastics, any mid/mid upper end rod will do the trick.

In that 100 bones budget you got I would recommend a Shimano Compre Crankbait, you get it from Tackle Warehouse and you get free shipping.

[Mike 12345]

Great information, I really appreciate the help!  Thanks all!

[adclem]

Lets not forget St Croix, they have some excellent rods in the $100 range.

Later,

[bigfruits]

for a crankbait rod you want a moderate or moderate fast  rod

for jigs/worms you want a fast action (some use extra fast) rod

for shakey jigs and drop shotting an extra fast action rod is generally used

im not sure what the general consensus is on spinnerbaits, but i throw them on a fast rod.

[KevO]

One other thing,  The 200DHSV is a burner reel and it's better used for throwing worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, and traps.  Your arm will be ready to fall off after a long day of throwing crankbaits with that reel.

[DTuck9]

Kistler Graphite Plus best rods for the money.

[cart7t]

You don't need to spend $100 to get a pretty darn good crankbait rod.

The BPS Crankin sticks, when on sale are a tremendous cranking rod at a great price point.

American Rodsmiths's David Fritts series rods are also nice.  Again, usually they sell for $20-30 shy of the $100 mark.

All Star Classic GT2's.  You can still get them on Ebay.  Around $50.  Another really good cranking rod for the money.

[Roger S]

I would suggest the American Rodsmith (David Fritts Model) for cranking or the BPS Crankin Stick (7' M).  However, I would also recommend a slow retrieve reel for it (5:1).  

Like the others said - a worm/jig rod makes all the difference when it comes to "feel" and is my favorite way to catch bass.  I would suggest the BPS Pro Qualifier 6'6" MH for a $100 rod, but if you can afford $140 get the G Loomis GL2 6'6" MH.  This was my first quality rod with a Shimano Bantam Curado.  This rod is still one of my favorites.

It is great reading posts like these - it reminds me of my posts when I started bass fishing a couple years ago.

[Sam]

Selecting a rod can be a stressful adventure, unless you have done your homework.

First, you need a review of the various cranking rods on the internet, which you have done.

Second, you have to determine the size of the crankbaits you will be throwing; the line test; and if you do better with a 6'6" or 7' rod.

Third, you need to find a rod that is a "cranking" rod that meets your specifications. Some guys, like me, use graphite, while others swear by glass.

For example, I put a new Curado E5 (5:1:1 ratio) reel on my BPS cranking 7' medium heavy rod with 20 pound Stren mono (use mono for treble hook baits) and then added the 1.5 Ghost Minnow, set up the rod, went to local lake and caught seven (7) bass in 60-minutes.

(When I fish a tournament I will switch to Yo-Zuri Ultra Soft Hybird for my line.)

It is a smooth setup and the rod can handle the bait's weight and line size with no problem. And it casts beautifully, with no backlashes.

Yesterday I threw this setup at a pond and caught two (2) of my four (4) bass on the same setup, and the two (2) bass were the largest I caught all day.

So you need to decide:

Graphite or Glass?

Length of Rod?

Line Size?

Bait Size?

Any brand should meet your specifications.  Just make sure the rod's specifications meet what you will be throwing.

Let us know what you buy.  

[The_Natural]

I'll agree that you should upgrade your jig/worm rod first, but $100 will buy you a nice crankin' stick.  I'm with Raul...gotta go with the new Shimano Compre.  The crankbait model has the TC4 construction only found on the higher end sticks from Shimano.  Good looking rods, too.  

[Mike 12345]

Tell you what,

I have learned more about rods, and what I need *and don't need* for different applications, from this thread and the stickies at the top of the forum over the past few days that I have ever known before.

I appreciate everyone giving me such insight on what I really need to be looking at. Thanks again, and keep 'em coming!

[Bassboss]

If you want a rod that is gonna be primarily for cranking? Make sure it's a pretty light action and fiber glass, ML to L. Rod sensitivity is not needed or wanted when cranking, the less feel you have the fatigue.

7' rods are what I want for cranking rod, this way I can dip the rod in the water and get a good 5, 6 foot deeper.

I'm still trying to find the line between the "cheep stuff" and expensive stuff, so I can't really advised a brand, I know Fenwick makes good rods.  I also started by getting a Curado!! Great ain't they!! ;D

Next I'll be getting a BPS extreme or Quantum Accurist CX, I'm leaning more to the extreme!

[Mike 12345]

Here is a related question to show how uneducated I am-

If I have a 7:1 reel as I mentioned, and it is best used for jigs/worms/spinnerbaits,   and a 5:1 is better for cranks, where do the 6:2 or 6:3 reels fit in with rod selection?

[The_Natural]

Here is a related question to show how uneducated I am-

If I have a 7:1 reel as I mentioned, and it is best used for jigs/worms/spinnerbaits, and a 5:1 is better for cranks, where do the 6:2 or 6:3 reels fit in with rod selection?

Slow speed reels dominated crankbait fishing starting in the 80's, but now days, there are a lot of anglers that like higher speed reels for cranking.  Not a 7.1:1 (only KVD does that), but I like a 6.2:1.  You can fish a whole lot faster by being able to reel your bait in quickly when you are finished with a cast.  

[Certified Public Angler]

Here is a related question to show how uneducated I am-

If I have a 7:1 reel as I mentioned, and it is best used for jigs/worms/spinnerbaits,   and a 5:1 is better for cranks, where do the 6:2 or 6:3 reels fit in with rod selection?

A 6.2:1 is considered an all-around reel I believe.  You can fish any technique, but as people learn the sport and the bait monkey steps in they begin to build technique specific combos to give them an edge when using the application.

7.1:1 for buzzbaits, and baits that require reeling in slack quickly

5.1:1 for crankbaits

I only own a 6.3:1 btw.  I can't speak to whether it makes a big difference or not.

[adclem]

Darn Bait Monkey, you have to watch out for him.

I believe that the 7.0:1 reel is mainly for buzz baits, 6.2:1, 6.3;1 and 6.4:1 reels are your overall reels(plastics, jigs, top water etc...) and the the 5.2:1 are for your cranks.

I may be wrong but this is the information I have compiled from reading different forums.

Later,

[BirdNestBen]

a Team Allstar Rod would be super nice......... or a Shimano Crucial..... I know these are both high quality rods.........

[shimanogloomis man]

Like said before shimano compre are great rods for the money...also there warranty is top notch