Shallow Cranking Rod

[tstone]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new cranking rod. I'm currently using a Team All-Star 6'10" MH Mod-Fast with a BPS 6.4:1 Extreme reel. I mostly throw square bills. The one tied on most of the time is the SK series 1, which is a small 1/4 oz crankbait. The Extreme doesn't like casting it much at all, so I ordered a 200E5 Curado. I'm looking to pick up a new rod to go with this new reel, but having a hard time deciding between a medium or medium heavy rod.

The reason I like the idea of a MH is since I throw around alot of grass. I have been looking at the Falcon BuCoo 7' MH moderate. I also fish alot of fallen docks, stumps etc. I'd like this rod to work for cranking down to 7-8 ft max.

Should I be looking at a medium, or am I on the right track picking up a MH?

I'm debating between a Veritas and a BuCoo. I've heard the Veritas run a littile heavier than listed, maybe a good compromise? Maybe I'm just thinking way too much into it.

Also, I have been using mono to give some stretch, but I'm thinking of switching to flouro for a better feel of the bait.

Looking forward to hearing some of your opinions and experiences. Thanks

[Packard]

Squarebills are my favorite bait. I am running them on a 6'6" M/F St Croix Premier rod with a Shimano Chronarch 100B 6.2:1 reel. I love the combo and have caught some nice fish on it. St Croix's power ratings are underrated so the M is more like a MH. I had used a 6'6" M/M Bucoo but got rid of it because it was too flimsy and weak. I wouldn't recommend that rod. The veritas is alright for it's price but I prefer the premier's full cork grip for squarebills. No matter what rod you get you are going to want a Medium-Heavy power with a fast or extra fast tip. Why, because with squarebills you are fishing in shallow cover and need to move that fish and with a moderate tip you cannot do that. In the way of line you are going to want 10-17 lb. copolymer or fluoro depending on your cover. I have used McCoy Mean Green, Seaguar InvisX, Sunline FC Sniper, Sunline Super Fluoro, Seaguar AbrasX, P Line CX and CXX, and Yo Zuri Hybrid. My top three favorites would be Mean Green, InvisX, and FC Sniper.

Now after re reading your post I realized I looked over that you use a 1/4oz Crankbait. I don't understand why you use such a small bait especially in Florida and you have caught a 9-10lb Largie. With most baitcasters you are going to have hard time throwing that light of a bait. May I suggest trying the SK KVD 1.5 Squarebill. This is my favorite Squarebill and I have tried the RC 1.5's, Little John's, BDS, and more. But since you already have the 200e5 I suggest you flush the bearings to get that extra casting distance.

Hope I somewhat helped but it is late and I am mostly rambling.

[roadwarrior]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/93832-optimus-xlt-dhc5-701camcb/page__pid__1059372#entry1059372

[ww2farmer]

For smaller baits like KVD 1.5's, Bandit 100's, 1/2 and 1/4 oz lipless cranks, SK series 1's, etc... I use a 7' M power/fast action St Croix Legend Tournament/ Curado 51E spooled with 20lb braid, and a 12lb fluorocarbon leader if needed. For bigger baits like 2.5's, 4s's, DTFat3's, 3/4 oz lipless.....I use a 7' MH power/fast action, St Croix Legend Tournament/Citica 201E with 30lb braid and a 17lb fluorocarbon leader if needed. I tried shallow cranking with moderate action rods....I don't care for it, most of my shallow cranking is heavy cover fishing, either is grass or wood, so I want stout rods and heavy line, I have no problem keeping fish hooked up.

[tstone]

Now after re reading your post I realized I looked over that you use a 1/4oz Crankbait. I don't understand why you use such a small bait especially in Florida and you have caught a 9-10lb Largie. With most baitcasters you are going to have hard time throwing that light of a bait. May I suggest trying the SK KVD 1.5 Squarebill. This is my favorite Squarebill and I have tried the RC 1.5's, Little John's, BDS, and more. But since you already have the 200e5 I suggest you flush the bearings to get that extra casting distance.

Where I fish, the bass love those little series 1 SKs. I have 1.5 and 2.5 KVDs in the tackle box, but they see less use than the smaller baits. Definately going to pick up some SK 1.0 to try out too.

Thanks for all the advice so far guys, planning on going to check out some rods on thursday.

[roadwarrior]

Another to consider: St. Croix Avid AVC70MM

[J Francho]

For square bills, traps, and shallow cranks I like a fast action. I use a Legend Tournament Bass LTB70MF. It's fast enough to snap off weeds, yet enough give to keep treble hooked baits pinned.

If we're talking about tiny baits 3/8 oz. or less, then the Avid AVC70MM is a better choice for flinging distance.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I've been using my 200e on a Powell Endurance 7'2" MH F and have been liking it quite well for my medium sized cranks. For my 1/4 oz and less cranks I've been using a Calcutta 100b on either a ETHOS 6'6" M F or a 6'6" GLoomis GLX M F.

[Rangerjoe]

I also use the Series 1 Sk a lot. The Combo that has worked well for me is a St Croix pro glass 6'6" MM and Luna 103.

[ChiCityBasser]

My three shallow cranking setups consist of a Cabelas Prodigy 2pc 7' M/F with a Quantum Catalyst PTi-B20, this is my spinning outfit. I also have 2 casting outfits, a Kistler 7' CRR M/MF with a Quantum Energy XMPT and a Cabelas Prodigy 7'MH/MF with a Cabelas Prodigy 6.3:1 reel.

[Fishes in trees]

I think that rod is ok for throwing square bills. I think that the new Curado will solve the distance problem for the most part. One thing with square bills, for me, I don't see enough difference in strikes to justify throwing a smaller square bill most of the time. I stick with a 1/2 ounce Timber Tiger DC8 on 14 or 17 lb test and distance isn't an issue. Most of the other square bills I experiment with are also in that 1/2 ounce range.

Should you want to solve the square bill distance problem forever, go for a stronger reel upgrade and get a Calcutta 200 TEGT. With the 11 ball bearings you'll have to re-educate your thumb, but that reel is built like a tank and will last forever.