Flippin & Pitchin Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I still consider myself new to the bass fishing game, and crankbaits is something that I really want to learn how to use. I'd like to keep the price down, as I learn the basics before I fully take the plunge on a high dollar rod and reel. Anyone care to throw out some qaulity rods and baitcasters? I'm wanting something over 7' to get the deep cranks down there. I've looked over the BPS Crankin Stick, All Star Crankin Rods, and the W&M Skeet Reese rods. I'm not sure if any of these are worth the money, or if there are some better options in this price range. As far as reels, I was thinking about getting another Citica or Revo S, or maybe saving some cash on a Caenan. Quote
riverfish86 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I haven't used it yet but I picked up a BPS crankin stick 7' MH for throwing bigger cranks. It is paired with a 4.7:1 Pro qualifier. I've heard they are decent rods and with a buddy that works at bass pro I couldn't pass up the $42 dollar price tag. Quote
lsufan334 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 The most important thing is the gear ratio on the reel for bigger cranks. The lower the gear ratio the better it is on you. I suggest a 4:7.1 or 5:2.1 BPS pro-qualifier great cheap low gear ratio reel. It has made it through a whole year of series 6xd and norman dd22's with no problems Quote
Flippin & Pitchin Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 Next time I'm at BPS, I'll definantly check out the Pro-Qualifier Thanks Quote
MonarkMcfaster Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I have a BPS Crankin Stick and I love it. Quote
Super User KYntucky Warmouth Posted February 3, 2011 Super User Posted February 3, 2011 I would go with a Crankin' Stick and either an Extreme or Pro Qualifier in the 5.x:1 ratio Quote
central.PA.bass Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 agreed with these guys.. for the price.. I would go with a PQ or Extreme from Bass pro.. they are great reels and are available in low gear ratios.. Wait for the spring classic to come out and I bet you can snag one up for cheap! Quote
Flippin & Pitchin Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 For the Crankin Stick, I want to get the 7' 6", but would you go with the M or MH? Quote
Flippin & Pitchin Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 I've also thought about the Daiwa Exceler Crankbait reel, as it has a 4:9:1 and TW has it priced at $80. Quote
smallwatermayhem Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 I agree with everyone else, a BPS Crankin' Stick 7' M or MH (depending on Crank size) with a 5.3:1 Pro Qualifier. Quote
Super User deep Posted February 4, 2011 Super User Posted February 4, 2011 One little piece of advice; get the longest rod you can. Quote
ChiCityBasser Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 I've also thought about the Daiwa Exceler Crankbait reel, as it has a 4:9:1 and TW has it priced at $80. I have the Exceler 6.3:1 and its a great reel but don't have any experience with the 4.9:1 model. I've been using the 6.3 for shallow and medium diver cranks and it has handled very well down to 1/4 oz cranks. I like it so much I'm getting the 7.X:1 model during the reel trade at BPS at the end of the month. Quote
Super User KYntucky Warmouth Posted February 4, 2011 Super User Posted February 4, 2011 I would get a M if you are looking for an all around rod. I fished with a 7'M for a little while and threw everything from wakers to DD22s without any problems. Now, it wasn't the best rod for deep cranks but it handled them ok. Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted February 4, 2011 Super User Posted February 4, 2011 My first dedicated cranking set up several years ago was a 7' M BPS cranking stick, and a 5:1 BPS Extreme. Back then All I cranked were bandit 100's, storm wiggle warts, mann's baby 1-'s, and 1/2 oz rat-l-traps, handled them all very well. I don't regret upgrading, but that is one combo that I could still fish with. Quote
Evans Posted February 6, 2011 Posted February 6, 2011 My first cranking setup was a 7'ML BPS Cranking stick paired with a BPS rick clunn reel(6.4:1). I threw mainly the strike kign series 5 and bandit 300's with shad raps mixed in. It handled them all very well. Then I stepped it up with a W&M Skeet 7' cranking rod paired with an Abu Garcia Winch.....the difference is amazing. I really like the skeet cranking rods and the winch! I have the 7' and the 7'10" now and love them both. The BPS cranking stick is now a loaner rod to my buddy that fishes with me. The BPS rod can definatley handle it's own, but I think the W&M is better. The 7'10" is really heavy compared to most rods, but I like it a lot for the dd22's and other deep divers. IMO though, you can't go wrong with a BPS cranking stick for the price, just don't get the 7'ML like I did, because it can't handle the deep divers at all! I was limited on reels because I can only use lefties, but anything in a low gear ratio should work pretty well. I actually prefer the 6.4:1 ratio, but the 5.4:1 works really good too. Quote
ChiCityBasser Posted February 6, 2011 Posted February 6, 2011 Right now I have 2 casting crankbait setups and a spinning crankbait setup. I have a 7' M/MF Kistler Mag TS with a Daiwa Exceler 6.3:1 and my other casting setup is a 7' MH/MF Cabelas Prodigy rod with a Cabelas Prodigy 6.3:1 reel. My spinning setup was a 6'6" Daiwa D Force fiberglass rod with a Quantum Catalyst PTI-B20 but the rod will be upgraded this spring to a Cabelas Prodigy 7' M 2pc for traveling. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted February 6, 2011 Super User Posted February 6, 2011 IMO, there is a significant difference between shallow/mid cranking, and deep cranking. I posted the photo below once before to illustrate a typical mid-crank (the popular Bomber 6A) and a bigger deep crank (a Mann's 30+). You have to decide how much of what type of cranking you intend to do. If you are sure that you want a dedicated deep-cranking rod - then a 7'6" MH BPS Crankin' Stick and a BPS PQ 5.4 or 4.7 ratio reel would work well. If you want a combo that's a bit more versatile, with more emphasis in shallow/mid cranking - then the 7" M Crankin' Stick and a PQ 6.4 ratio might be better for you. This would still work for occasional deep cranking - but would not be ideal for it. The rod power and lure rating would be a little light for the heaviest deep cranks, and the 6.4 ratio may not be the most comfortable for all-day use with deep divers. As always with BPS stuff, wait for the sales if you can. Crankin' Sticks get marked down to $60 on sale, PQs have been as low as $70 but the usual sale price is $80. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 6, 2011 Super User Posted February 6, 2011 I think you should buy something you will never need to replace. That's how you "build" an arsenal! My suggestion is a St. Croix Avid AVC70MM/ Citica 200E. 8-) Quote
jamarkwe Posted February 6, 2011 Posted February 6, 2011 I think you should buy something you will never need to replace. That's how you "build" an arsenal! My suggestion is a St. Croix Avid AVC70MM/ Citica 200E. 8-) x2 My first was a Shimano Crucial 7' Medium/Medium fast paired with a Shimano Citica 201e... I love this rod for shallow and lipless cranks... Quote
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