Cranking Rods

[onion man]

Hey Guys,

So after a long thought process, I have decided to go ahead and get a nice crankbait rod. I have a deep cranking rod and a small crankbait/jerkbait rod.

Now I need to fill that gap to be able to have a rod that is an all around cranker. I'm talking cranks that go from my dt 4's to my little john md's and my dt 10's, maybe even a little deeper. I have set myself a limit of $200, so that I can save some $$ for tackle. I have looked at the new micro guide carrot stix, the st. croix avid crankbait rod, and maybe the cumara reaction series if it is worth it.

My birthday is in a month, so I figured why not go for a high end cranking stick and get a good reel later on....

[ChiCityBasser]

I was in the same boat and picked up the Kistler Mag Crank bait 7' M rod.

[GLoomis711]

I have two crankin rods, A cumara reaction series, and a Loomis Crankbait series.

They are both some of the best rods on the market.

The loomis crankbait rods are simply amazing though, I would put some look into them.

A crankbait rod is like a flipping stick, you REALLY need to feel it before purchasing.

[onion man]

I know what you are talking about. Gone through it all too many times. I think I will make a small list of options and go to Bass Pro and see for myself.

As for the reel, it doesn't really matter... I already have an idea of that. I just wanted to hear the opinions of cumara reaction owners, carrot stix micro guide owners, st. croix avid crankbait owners, loomis owners, or an owner of a rod that simply owns.

I am sure at that price, that these rods better be d**n good and come with something to write home about or else it is back to the factory.....

Also, I think another cool question to ask is what crankbait companies do you guys like? I love Rapala and Spro. I am also happy with strike king as long as the hooks are changed... I hate Normans

Man there should be a forum solely devoted to reaction baits.....

[Bluebasser86]

I have one of the Skeet Reese crankbait rods and like it really well. I bought it to replace a St. Croix Glass crankbait rod that got into an unfortunate accident  :'( . I was going to buy another one but I decided to get the Skeet Reese rods because they were about 20 dollars cheaper.

[BASSclary]

Take a look at the SHIMANO Crucial cranking sticks. They come in a variety so there sure will be one to fit your middle cranking needs.

You can find them on TW and they run about 175-180

[The Rooster]

$200 for a cranking rod is a lot for what I'd do with one. I'd spend $100 on a Shimano Compre and $100 on crankbaits. ;D  That's just me though.  Is there really a big difference in one that costs that much more??  I could see it if it was a bottom contact rod, but cranks??

[onion man]

Well, with crankbaits, it is good to feel exactly where that bait is and know whether it is in the strike zone or not. Throwing cranks is my best/favorite technique, so I guess I would spend more money on a cranking rod and less on the diamond dozen jig & worm rods out there. Also, micro guides are a big thing. I have never owned one personally but I am pretty sure that they increase casting distance.

Normally, I wouldn't be able to buy something this nice, but I am selling something on ebay that is big bucks, plus I got some bass pro gift cards for Christmas. I still will buy my crankbaits, cannot forget those....

[BassThumb]

Check out this thread. I think you might like the Loomis CBR 845 as an all-around cranker. I fished a day with one using mid-depth cranks, and it's a sweet rod. I may end up getting one myself. You can find used G. Loomis Crankbait rods pretty often in various flea market forums online for $125-175 shipped, and that will leave a few bucks left over for baits.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1256327690

[onion man]

Man, those G-Loomis cranking series rods are nice. I just don't know if I can afford them at that price. Really like them though, they sound and look great.

I have kind of picked up on the Kistler Magnesium series of rods. There is this site that has them on sale for a price that is cheap as dirt. I am a bit confused between the crankbait special and the crank rattle n' roll. Is there a difference? Is the crankbait special a good choice for medium depth cranks? I like the look of the rod and they have a retail that is close to the higher end of the spectrum.

If I am happy with what people have to say about their experiences with Kistler, than I will be able to not only get the cranking rod for a cheap price, but also get a magnesium spinnerbait rod! And the price of the two combined will still be less than one Carrot stick micro or a Cumara reaction..... So how do you guys like the Magnesiums? Is their a difference between the 09' magnesiums and the 10' magnesiums?

Also, are the Helium rods any better? I can get the Heliums for a low price too, but they are still a bit higher. Is it worth it?   

[bryand82487]

I've got the Loomis 843 and 847 and they are great rods.  I've got the 845 in the mail now.  I just bought it from ohya.com for 184 with free shipping.  I'm not sure how long the sale will last but go there and add the rod to your cart and put in coupon code "holiday25" and it will give you 25% off.  Free shipping on Loomis rods right now as well.  Anyone wanting an NRX rod, now is the time.  I believe with the 25% off there about the price of a GLX or maybe even a little cheaper. 

[onion man]

I have been looking at Kistler a lot. What is the difference between the Magnesium and the Magnesium ts? I am really confused about Kistlers whole lineup although I love their rods. I just don't know which model is which! 

[ChiCityBasser]

I have been looking at Kistler a lot. What is the difference between the Magnesium and the Magnesium ts? I am really confused about Kistlers whole lineup although I love their rods. I just don't know which model is which!

Log into the Kistler site and post a question and I'm sure you will get a prompt response from one of the kistler staff will get back to you on the forum.

I have the Kistler Mag TS MgCBSAGM70 Crankbait rod which is a 09 Model and the 2010 Model is the Mag/Mag TS CRR which is essentially the same rod per the kistler staff.

[DTack]

I'm not sure if you have the opportunity in your area, but since you seem somewhat open to brands the Dobyns 764rm is a great crankbait rod for what you mentioned.  I realize it is slightly out of your price range so I apologize if it's too much, but for me it's a great rod for the baits you mentioned.

[onion man]

I have been looking at Kistler a lot. What is the difference between the Magnesium and the Magnesium ts? I am really confused about Kistlers whole lineup although I love their rods. I just don't know which model is which!

Log into the Kistler site and post a question and I'm sure you will get a prompt response from one of the kistler staff will get back to you on the forum.

I have the Kistler Mag TS MgCBSAGM70 Crankbait rod which is a 09 Model and the 2010 Model is the Mag/Mag TS CRR which is essentially the same rod per the kistler staff.

Is your Mag TS MgCBSAGM70 the Alton Jones Model? How much was the retail price? Do you like it? Thanks.

Yeah Dobyns is great I threw one once.... I don't know if it is worth it.

[ChiCityBasser]

I have been looking at Kistler a lot. What is the difference between the Magnesium and the Magnesium ts? I am really confused about Kistlers whole lineup although I love their rods. I just don't know which model is which!

Log into the Kistler site and post a question and I'm sure you will get a prompt response from one of the kistler staff will get back to you on the forum.

I have the Kistler Mag TS MgCBSAGM70 Crankbait rod which is a 09 Model and the 2010 Model is the Mag/Mag TS CRR which is essentially the same rod per the kistler staff.

Is your Mag TS MgCBSAGM70 the Alton Jones Model? How much was the retail price? Do you like it? Thanks.

No my rod isn't the Alton Jones model and the retail was I believe $159 but I got the rod off ebay for around $60 with shipping and handling. My rod is a 09 model and the current equivalent would be the MgCRR rod for 2010 which is now on sale for $89 on the Kistler site. Its the same blank for both rods per the Kistler staff. I've only had it out a couple of times to test before the freeze over here but I really like the rod. I've only used it with shallow cranks but plan to try it with traps and spinnerbaits as well.

[BassThumb]

Is your Mag TS MgCBSAGM70 the Alton Jones Model? How much was the retail price? Do you like it? Thanks.

Yeah Dobyns is great I threw one once.... I don't know if it is worth it.

I own the MgAJCBSGGM70 Alton Jones Composite 7' M/M. It does an OK job for throwing small diving cranks in the 1-6' range, like you mentioned. For cranks over 1/2 oz or with larger diving bills than a DT-10, I think it's a little overmatched.

[onion man]

Okay, that helps. I thought the AJ cranking rod looked good, but I will avoid getting that. I have mainly been looking at Kistler because I can get the older Mags for $70, and they are almost the exact same thing as this year's model. I have looked at the MGCBSAGM70 and the MgCRR70. I don't know the difference, but I am leaning towards the MGCBSAGM70 because it can handle 1/8-3/4 oz. lures, while the CRR can only handle 1/8-1/2 oz. lures.

I am also looking to get another one of these rods because they are cheap, and I am debating whether to get the 6'9" MH trigger rod or the 6'9" MH spinning rod.

I have looked at the Carrot Stix micros, too. Are they worth the money and not getting an extra rod?

And I can get the Loomis crankbait sticks for $180, as stated earlier. Should I go for that rod? Thanks guys.

[BASSclary]

Okay, that helps. I thought the AJ cranking rod looked good, but I will avoid getting that. I have mainly been looking at Kistler because I can get the older Mags for $70, and they are almost the exact same thing as this year's model. I have looked at the MGCBSAGM70 and the MgCRR70. I don't know the difference, but I am leaning towards the MGCBSAGM70 because it can handle 1/8-3/4 oz. lures, while the CRR can only handle 1/8-1/2 oz. lures.

I am also looking to get another one of these rods because they are cheap, and I am debating whether to get the 6'9" MH trigger rod or the 6'9" MH spinning rod.

I have looked at the Carrot Stix micros, too. Are they worth the money and not getting an extra rod?

And I can get the Loomis crankbait sticks for $180, as stated earlier. Should I go for that rod? Thanks guys.

I would say get the Kistler, and then get the 6'9" MH Casting rod for spinnerbaits IMO

[mctech]

i picked up a duckett micro guide crankbait rod a bps today and was impressed with how it felt seemed like a nice rod for 160 bucks