Inexpensive solution for crankin rod.

[catchnm]

This thread is most directed to those who like myself, are on a pretty tight budget when  it comes to fishing equipment. I usually am looking for bargains and/or limit myself to 50-125 buck purchases. So....I've been looking for a good cranking specific rod for medium divers to set my TrionLPCR onto. Came across the Ugly Stick Lite and it hit me.....why not? Limber tip. fiberglass composite rod, fiberglass tip, cork handles, decent looking rod, good reputation. Maybe not the most sensitive by far but for a dedicated cranking rod.....yep I believe it will work for me. Fish 3-5 times a month, not tourney fishing anymore, got a med/hvy BPS Crankin Stick for the deep divers, but it's too heavy for medium to shallow divers. The Ugly Stick Lite should work. What do you guys think? Is my logic on track?

[gotarheelz14]

I think it could definitely work for you. I have heard other people on here who have suggested the same thing. They don't break, if they do you send them in to get replaced, all the good things you mentioned, what's not to like?

I thin it would be a good choice. Then you could spend the rest of the money on a pretty good reel like a Revo S or a Citica, either used or cheap on Ebay.

Carlos

[B-Dozer]

I'm not big on ugly sticks. Crankin Sticks go on sale at least once a year, and unlike some, I like their grips. Put one on Santa's list

[Primus]

I would buy another BPS crankin' stick, I carry 3 on my boat for different applications. I would suggest a 7' Medium as a complement to the Medium Heavy that you already have. If fishing a hard pulling or deep diving bait I would opt for my 7'6" MH, most other baits that I like to throw I prefer the 7' Med. in my opinion it gives the baits a better action for example my Baby 1 Minus bait will wiggle a little more. BPS will usually have them on sale for 50$ on occasion if your not in a big hurry to get one but even at the regular $70 price they are well worth it in my opinion.

[Raul]

Even cheaper solution ---> use your M rod ( if you happen to have one ) as cranking rod, it has worked for me for 30 years.

[Grey Wolf]

Yes , it should do you.

[OHIO]

An ugly stik would work fine, but I have taken a liking to the Berkley Lightning Rod Shock. It has a very slow tip and it works great for me and just over 50 bucks, it's a great deal.

[shootermcbob]

I have been using a cabelas tournament trail 6 and a half foot medium heavy moderate action rod I bought for 30 bucks about 5 years ago. Even though it is medium heavy, it feels more like a medium to me. I use it for mostly 1/4  or 3/8 ounce shallow to medium divers. Very nice, light rod with a soft tip. They are often on sale for about 30 dollars. Might be worth a look as well.

[Stasher1]

It ought to work fine. You may want to check your local Walmart for the Ugly Stick Lite Pro, which has better guides than the "standard" Lite.

[TrippyJai]

Even cheaper solution ---> use your M rod ( if you happen to have one ) as cranking rod, it has worked for me for 30 years.

I agree on this. I was using my M rod for a really long time until I found a Clarus M, Mediun/Fast action rod. It has a soft tip and it has worked for me even better.

I was at BPS the other day and saw a 7' ML St. Croix Premier baitcasting rod and though it would be an even better crankbait rod.

A good choice I hear a lot of people talking about if the BPS cranking sticks and they go on sale every year. I did not pick this rod because I didn't like the reel seat. It was too big for my likes and the tip was pretty stiff so I ended up using my M rod until I found the clarus.

[ChiCityBasser]

The Cabelas Prodigy rod PDC705-1 MH MF 1/4-1oz is my baitcasting crankbait rod. I got it when they were on sale for $59.99 but they are no longer for sale on the internet site but if you go into the store they still have some marked down to the sale price.

[SDoolittle]

Even cheaper solution ---> use your M rod ( if you happen to have one ) as cranking rod, it has worked for me for 30 years.

I did the same thing for a long time. I finally broke down and bought a crankbait rod in 2008.

[0119]

There really is nothing wrong w/ an Ugly Stick for cranking.  The poster is right though, the Lightning Rod Shock is a suprising rod. Very light much more so than the Ugly Stick and about the same price as the Lite too.

[Dave P]

Are you all SURE that you can have a cranking rod without spending $154,972.67??? I'm not sure that's possible...LOL

[kikstand454]

it is a great rod for cranking. i used it for a long time until i lost it overboard and then had an abugarcia crank rod fall into my lap. the ugly stick lite is a great rod all around and i still use them exclusively/religiously for saltwater.  the fiberglass action doesnt really work too well for some or most bass techniques.... or id use them for that too. the ugly stick lite pro is the way to go.

[iceintheveins]

Ugly stick lites make good cheap crank rods, but the best cheap crank rod in my mind is the Browning silaflex from BPS. It's only $40 but it has great flex and a nice slow action.

[5bass]

Ugly stick lites make good cheap crank rods, but the best cheap crank rod in my mind is the Browning silaflex from BPS. It's only $40 but it has great flex and a nice slow action.

I was about to post the Silaflex as well. I used them for several years and still have a couple in the boat as spares.

Probably the best inexpensive crankbait rod around. It's glass too.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_58485____SearchResults

[Dave P]

Just stumbled over them (Silaflex) in the catalog today in the reading room. Thanks for answering my question!!!