In the market for...

[BassMoJo]

A new crankbait set up...

Rod $120 Below
Reel $200 Below

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Go

[carolina-rig-01]

Rod - Whatever you like.

Reel - Revo Winch. I have them on all my cranking rods and they are an unbelievable crankbait reel. They cast a mile, are very smooth, have a great gear ratio for crankbaits, and a very smooth drag.

[keithdog]

Your going to get 100 different opinions, so here is what I use and love to death! I have more than one but the same components for the most part.
Rod. St Croix Premier Crankbait Casting Rod $120.00
7'0" M/Mod for shallow to small to medium size cranks.
7'0" MH/Mod for larger deepwater applications.
Reel. BPS Pro Qualifier Casting reel $99.00
5.2:1 ratio for shallow to medium size cranks
4.7:1 for large deep water cranks.

[bassboogieman]

Rod - something in a medium power w/moderate action. That should do well with most cranks other than the deep divers. Many brands offer crankbait specific rods and that's what I'd look at. Reel - something in a ratio in the 5's, but for brand I have to agree with Kory above, the Revo Winch is one fine crankbait reel. I have a couple, and they are the only reels I have that are not Pflueger and that's because they do not have a comparable reel in their product line.

[BassMoJo]

Revo winch ...Ive had my eyes on that one now I just need to find the right rod. I really dont do much cranking beyond the 14 ft mark most square bills and rattles.

[carolina-rig-01]

I am a little different than a lot of other guys when it comes to cranking sticks. I know that most guys like medium powered rods for crankbaits but when I went to a medium powered cranking rod I started losing a ton of fish. I went back to a medium heavy powered cranking rod and my problem was solved, not saying that I don't ever lose crankbait fish because that is just part of dealing with treble hooks but it has gotten to the point of not being a plague anymore like it was. I won't recommend a brand of rod because opinions vary so much more for rods than reels and the rods that feel great to me might not feel good to you. I will say though, if you throw a lot of squarebill crankbaits I think a medium heavy powered rod deserves a little thought. A lot of guys want a really soft rod to help keep from pulling treble hooks out of the fish' mouth, which is fine. But don't overlook the fact that as a general rule crankbaits have bulky bodies and I think the medium heavy powered rod helps generate enough power to move the bait in the mouth of the fish to get hook penetration. That's what works for me anyways.

[BassMoJo]

Originally Posted by carolina-rig-01

I am a little different than a lot of other guys when it comes to cranking sticks. I know that most guys like medium powered rods for crankbaits but when I went to a medium powered cranking rod I started losing a ton of fish. I went back to a medium heavy powered cranking rod and my problem was solved, not saying that I don't ever lose crankbait fish because that is just part of dealing with treble hooks but it has gotten to the point of not being a plague anymore like it was. I won't recommend a brand of rod because opinions vary so much more for rods than reels and the rods that feel great to me might not feel good to you. I will say though, if you throw a lot of squarebill crankbaits I think a medium heavy powered rod deserves a little thought. A lot of guys want a really soft rod to help keep from pulling treble hooks out of the fish' mouth, which is fine. But don't overlook the fact that as a general rule crankbaits have bulky bodies and I think the medium heavy powered rod helps generate enough power to move the bait in the mouth of the fish to get hook penetration. That's what works for me anyways.

Thanks for the information Kory! Like you said I am just gonna have to get the rods in my hands now

[Jrob78]

Check out the St. Croix Mojo Glass Cranking Sticks, if I were looking for a new cranking stick, that's what I'd get.

I will agree with the other guys on the Winch, it's a great reel. The other cranking reels I would look at are the Curado E and Chronarch E.

[keithdog]

The Winch is a great reel, but your going to have to find a used one on EBAY to get one at $200.00 or below which is the price range requested. Just thought I'd point that out.

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by keithdog

The Winch is a great reel, but your going to have to find a used one on EBAY to get one at $200.00 or below which is the price range requested. Just thought I'd point that out.

The Winch retails for $199 and I would think should qualify for the $30 rebate.

EDIT: The Winch does not qualify for the rebate.

[BassMoJo]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

The Winch retails for $199 and I would think should qualify for the $30 rebate.

EDIT: The Winch does not qualify for the rebate.

Under $200 before taxes is good enough for me

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by BassMoJo

Under $200 before taxes is good enough for me

No tax and free shipping at TW, can't beat that!

[BassMoJo]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

No tax and free shipping at TW, can't beat that!

Your gonna get me in trouble

[woody]

It sounds like you got your reel already picked out, you can't go wrong with the Winch.

As far as rods go I prefer a medium power rod with moderate action. Case in point, you can cast those lite weight 1/4oz. shallow divers much further.


-Mark

[carolina-rig-01]

Originally Posted by woody

It sounds like you got your reel already picked out, you can't go wrong with the Winch.

As far as rods go I prefer a medium power rod with moderate action. Case in point, you can cast those lite weight 1/4oz. shallow divers much further.


-Mark

That's a good point Mark. I was talking about bigger crankbaits because that is what I assumed he was talking about. I do have two 7' medium/moderate Falcons that I use for small crankbaits like Bandit 100s and such. You are right, with a soft tip you can really launch light baits. But those rods are absolutley worthless for throwing bigger crankbaits on them, at least mine are anyways because they are much too light.

[woody]

Originally Posted by carolina-rig-01

...But those rods are absolutley worthless for throwing bigger crankbaits on them at least mine are anyways because they are much too light.

Exactly, Kory.

I use a MH/Glass rod w/ a David Fritts BC reel 4.7:1 when casting the heavier baits.


-Mark

[bassboogieman]

I got mine (Revo Winch) here http://www.ebay.com/itm/Abu-Garcia-R...item256ed73992
I paid $155 w/free shipping, price varies but NIB under $170/free ship/no tax is a decent buy.

[BigBassin144]

If you can spring an extra $20 on the rod, go with a Powell Max.

BB

[BassMoJo]

Thanks for all the input guys I toss my far share of light cranks, but I am trying to fish those deep cranks more often so I think ill be leaning towards MH rod with that being said it will double as a trap rod aswell.

[3dkicker]

Check out the Shimano TC4 rods. I have one of the lighter models for smaller baits and I love it. The KVD cranking rods will work. The Major uses them all the time. I've got a couple St. Croix glass rods that I throw my deeper cranks with and it's time for me to start replacing them.

Reels I stick with are 5.3 to 6.3 Abu's. Mine are all older versions but still work just fine.

[T7HeadTurner]

Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool w/ Falcon Bucoo Micro Guide

For Cranks I get 7' MH or the 6'10 H

[keithdog]

HEY! I just want to appoligize for my mistake when blabbing about having to go on Ebay to get a Winch for $200.00 or less. My bad. I was looking at the BPS catalog at the time and did not realize there are two Winches. The one I was looking at was the "Toro" Winch. I didn't know there was such a thing. It sells for $269 to $279.00. But I still stand by my choice of the Pro Qualifier for a reel. It has basically the same components as the Revos at a price that is considerably cheeper. But if you can swing a Winch and want that, then by all means go for it. It's one hell of a reel.

[LittleBigBass]

I have been catching a ton of bass on the johnny Morris Carbon black combo from BPS, it might not be your kind of brand/ pole, but I got the 6:3:1 and it has worked wonders. It is perfect for crank baits, and spinner baits. You can also get an abu garcia vendetta which would be my second choice for pole

[keithdog]

Originally Posted by LittleBigBass

I have been catching a ton of bass on the johnny Morris Carbon black combo from BPS, it might not be your kind of brand/ pole, but I got the 6:3:1 and it has worked wonders. It is perfect for crank baits, and spinner baits. You can also get an abu garcia vendetta which would be my second choice for pole

I bought a Carbon Black a couple years ago. It's an awsome reel! But I would only use it on smaller shallow to mid depth cranks.

[BERKLEY83]

I agree with big bassin on the powell or a falcon rod very good rods. For the reel I like the the new lews reels any of the in a 6.3.1 would be good unless you throw alot of deep diver then go lower gear.