I can't find a crankbait rod - help!

[TrippyJai]

I've been looking for a crankbait rod for the longest time and when I finally decided to buy the Compre crankbait casting, but Bass Pro only carries the 6.6 MH which is retarded  >. How can you not carry a 6.6-7 M? I can't find this rod anywhere and buying it online does not justify the price because then I can get the Crucial crankbait rod locally, but that is out of my budget.

I have a Curado 200DPV and need to pair it up with a rod which I can feel the sensitivity of my wiggles. I want to know what's going on with them. I am casting mostly lighter crankbaits such as 1/4oz Bandits, 3/8oz Fat Free Guppy'ss and maybe the occasional 1/2oz Fat Free Shad. Currently, I'm using a fenwick elite tech carbon/fibreglass rod for all cranks and I can't feel a thing under 1/2oz crankbaits.

So.. if you have any experiences with these following rods, can I get some detail information. I can't afford to buy the wrong rod or I'll be stuck with it as selling a rod in Canada is impossible.

1) BPS Crankin' Stick

2) Shimano Clarus - 7' M, Medium Fast Action

3) St. Croix Premier if BPS carries it

[midnighthrasher]

I just picked up a crucial crankbait rod in 7' MH med/fast tip matched with a curado e5. Dosnntt have very much usage yet but from what ive done i love it. i prefer the versatility of a MH over a M. I strongly suggest it. As for the ones you suggested i got nothing. hope this helps...

[iceintheveins]

The BPS crankin stick is a good one for a casting rod. I like browning's silaflex too. But my best crankbait rod is an old cheapie called a zebco gatorback. Lots of flex in this slow action rod. They don't make it anymore sadly.

[Sam]

BPS Crankin Sick.

Have had mine for a number of years and it performs well.  

[tritz18]

The St. Croix premier series crankbait rod is very nice. Love the feel of it and its sensitivity. Great rod for cranking, I would highly recommend it.

[TrippyJai]

How is the sensitivity on the BPS Crankin' Stick?

[skunked_again]

How is the sensitivity on the BPS Crankin' Stick?

its good, i like the Extreme better though.

[Chris W]

Kistler makes a great cranking rod too.

[bigtimfish]

BPS EXTREME EXTENDABLE HANDLE. its not as cheesy as you would think.$70 on sale . i got mine andd instantley fell in love. or you could go to rodsbyairrus.com or hendrixrods.com

[uicdent11]

I was in the same boat as yourself. I am lucky enough to have both a BPS and Cabelas within an hour of me. I traded in a Crankin Stick for the 7'MH and plan to trade back my compre 6'10 MHXF for the 6'6M crankbait model you are looking at. Check around and see if you can find a place that would ship it for free. I know *** doesn't carry that model either, but I am sure you could find one somewhere. I love the MH model so I am really looking forward to getting the M action for throwing the lighter stuff. I would take a compre over a crankin stick any day. I could really tell a difference when I switched. Good luck in finding one.

[Hot Rod]

I have 4 BPS Crankin Sticks including a 6.6 M and a 7 M.  For the price I don't think you can beat them for their performance/$.

Now I also have a Falcon Cara 7' M reaction series.  I got a heck of a deal on it last fall since it was last year's model and they changed them this year.   That is one sweet stick!  Wish I would have purchase more at the time.  Sure as heck can't afford them at regular price but they are incredible for cranks and swimbaits.  It will outcast my BPS by at least 10 - 15 yards and is much more sensitive.  But it should be since its about 3.5 times as much$  ;D

[Micro]

I know what you mean about feel.  The Elite Tech Crankshaft does dampen feel some.  That's the price of glass.  I use the 7'3" MH/MF for heavy cranks.

For lighter cranks I use a Fenwick HMG 7'0" M/MF (Model GT70M).  It will handle most types of crank you want to throw as it is rated for 1/4 oz to 1 oz.   It really excells with 1/2 oz baits.  It has tremendous feel.  You can really tell what you are bumping into or running across.   Runs about $120.

[DINK WHISPERER]

How is the sensitivity on the BPS Crankin' Stick?

It is surprisingly sensitive man! I can feel every vibration of a Rat-L-Trap while using 12lb mono!

[TrippyJai]

I guess I'll have to do a bit of shopping before I make a purchase. Hopefully BPS can order me the Compre.

[Big O Tires Angler]

G2 Dobyns 705CB Graphite. Get it! I just got myself one and it's great!

[KYntucky Warmouth]

How is the sensitivity on the BPS Crankin' Stick?

It is surprisingly sensitive man! I can feel every vibration of a Rat-L-Trap while using 12lb mono!

That's what I originally thought but after switching to my Carrot Stix Gold, I can't look at my Crankin Stick the same way again  :-/

[TrippyJai]

BigRickRolled, I heard you say that on another thread. I know the BPS is probably a great rod, but I don't know why I'm just hesitant to get it. Although I can lose due to the price, on the back of my mind, I will always want something better.

Now the struggle begins for me

[river-rat]

I use the BPS Crankin' Stick in 6 1/2' or 7' for all of my crankbait fishing and have done so since they first came out in 1997.

For the lures you listed, I would use the medium action in the 6 1/2' model. In the 7' model, I don't have a problem throwing the Bandit 200's, Model 4A Bombers, Rat-L-Traps, or something similar with the 7' medium heavy action, but you might prefer the medium action.

I have probably tried most of the different brands of crankbait rods at one time or another for as long as there has been a specialty rod built for crankbaits and I still like the BPS Crankin' Stick the best. And the price can't be beat.

[roadwarrior]

"All around" treble hooks: Avid AVC66MF  

This is my dedicated jerkbait and towater rig

Light & medium weight crankbaits: Avid AVC70MM

Heavy & deep-divers: Lamiglas SR705R

8-)

[KYntucky Warmouth]

BigRickRolled, I heard you say that on another thread. I know the BPS is probably a great rod, but I don't know why I'm just hesitant to get it. Although I can lose due to the price, on the back of my mind, I will always want something better.

Now the struggle begins for me

The Crankin Stick is a fine rod and would recommend it to anyone that is in the market for a rod for crankbaits.  My problem is that I switched from my 6'6''M Crankin Stick over to a 6'10''MH e21 Carrot Stix Gold and there IS a difference.  The feel of the bait on the Gold is much more pronounced.  You can feel perfectly well with a Crankin Stick but it's hard to tell grass from bite until you get a head shake.  With the Gold slighter movements can be felt.  I can tell the difference in wiggle between my baits.  In all honesty I should be upset with the Carrot Stix, I bought it for worm fishing and, for my tastes, it is way to soft.  When I first got it I was disappointed with it, until i stuck a Sol on it and started throwing crankbaits.

Now, do I recommend buying a $200 crankbait rod?  No, you don't need the extra sensitivity, it helps but is not necessary.  At the price of the Crankin Sticks there is none better, I actually have two, one a 6'6''M that I have replaced and a 7'M for deep cranks.  Buying a Crankin Stick is nothing to be weary of, there are better, but none at the price you would pay for one.

BTW, are they still on sale?  If so get it...not a bad blow if you want to upgrade later.

[TrippyJai]

Thanks RW and BigRickRolled.

[Micro]

Yesterday I looked at a Berkely Cobalt rod.  Impressive looking rod.  This model was 8 feet long, and rated for 1/2oz to 1 1/2 oz lures.  Power was a medium, and the action felt like a medium or medium fast.  It had blue titanium/stainless guides.

I looked it up a few minutes ago on Berkleys site and it is apparently an inshore rod.  The guides are Pacific Bay TiBlue guides - titanium over stainless.  The cork was very nice (nicer than I've sen on more expensive rods).  It looks like it would make a good heavy crank bait rod.  It was $90.  

[TrippyJai]

Nice, I built up a great list of rods that I'm going to play around with at BPS and my local shops. I still have my Elite Tech for deeper cranks so I'm looking for a shallower rod.

[Micro]

Nice, I built up a great list of rods that I'm going to play around with at BPS and my local shops. I still have my Elite Tech for deeper cranks so I'm looking for a shallower rod.

If you stick with the Fenwick line, you won't be sorry.  The HMG 7' M/MF (GT70M) is great for mid ized cranks.  The HMG 6'6" M/MF (GT66M) is great for smaller cranks and topwaters.  

I have the 7'3" Elite Tech for heavy cranks.  It has a Zillion High Power on it.  I have the 7' HMG with a Zillion 100HA for midsized cranks and lipless.  And the 6'6" HMG with a Daiwa Sol for light cranks and topwaters.  The HMG is a great line of rods.

[TrippyJai]

Thanks. I do have all Fenwick rods at home including my new 7' MH HMG and I absolutely love it already although I haven't taken it out yet this year. It feels so nice in my hands. I wouldn't mind sticking with the Fenwick line, just have to look up that rod too now.

;D