Crankbait Rod

[Stykbowslim]

I recently purchased a Powell 704, for crankbaits. I'm thinking about using a low speed Curado DPV, however the reel "seems" to be large for the rod. My questions are:

1) What does your crankbait setup look like?
2) Do you suggest high speed or low speed reels and why?

Thank you for your help....

[AUFred]

lipped crankbait I use a low speed reel. Allows the bait to reach a greater depth.

lipless crankbait I prefer a higher speed reel.

[BigBassin144]

My best advice is if it seems off to you, you probably shouldn't use it. You need to fish what you're comfortable with.

I fish shallow cranks 90% of the time, and my crankbait setup is a 7' Medium power Moderate action crankbait rod with a 6.4:1 gr reel. However, that reel only reels in 24" of line per handle turn opposed to the avg of 28" for 6:1 reels. The reel also has a longer handle than most, providing more torque.

I don't know what kinds of cranks you'll be fishing, but from what you've told us, I'm assume you bought the 704CB (7' M MF). This rod will work great with shallow and medium running cranks, and should be able to throw big deep divers like a DD22 ok.

If you'll be throwing shallow cranks, any reel should work fine, use what you prefer. If you like to retrieve them faster, you may want to go with a 6:1 reel.

If you'll be throwing big deep divers like the DD22, then you will probably want to use a low speed reed because it will give you more torque. Torque is the key in not getting worn out when cranking deep cranks all day.

BB

[Jrob78]

Do you have the 704C or the 704CB? Big difference, one is MHXF, the other is MHMF. Is it blue or green?

Anyway, my cranking setup is a 7' MM custom, built on a composite Lamiglas blank. It has a graphite butt section with a fiberglass tip. It is paired with a Curado E5. I use it for shallow running sq bills and traps mainly. If I were fishing traps in heavy grass or throwing deeper diving cranks I would probably lean towards a MH power.

I have no complaints about the reel, other than it being a Shimano! j/k I like the cranking power it gives me and the IPT seems to suit this type of fishing very well.

[Stykbowslim]

Thanks guys for the great info, this is a learning curve for me and I greatly appreciate the replies...

BigBassin, you're correct, the 704 is the CB version and yes, I'll be throwing mostly shallow and medium running cranks.

[BassinNC]

Originally Posted by AUFred

lipped crankbait I use a low speed reel. Allows the bait to reach a greater depth.

lipless crankbait I prefer a higher speed reel.

Same here.

[txriebe]

I use a Shimano Voltaeus 6'6 mh fast action rod with a cabelas prodigy 6.1:1 ratio and love it

[Rebbasser]

Originally Posted by AUFred

lipped crankbait I use a low speed reel. Allows the bait to reach a greater depth.

lipless crankbait I prefer a higher speed reel.

Agree, but for a different reason: Fishing a big bruiser like a DD-22 will flat wipe you out fishing it on a high speed reel. A slow reel gives you more winching power which makes it MUCH easier to reel in. With a 6.3:1 reel I'm good for about 5 casts with a DD-22. With the 4.7:1 I use for them I can throw them all day.

[zooker]

imo it completely depends on the bait i use.as to which rod i tie it on.in my opinion the deep you get the slower you need to go..



left to right
a 7 foot medium spinning rod for those tiny bandit 1000-1100's and the shad rap #4..
a cut down medium heavy short handle for twitching lucky craft pointers or the lil x-raps.
a 7 foot medium composite rod with a quick 6.3 reel
a 7 foot medium heavy composite rod with a 5.1 reel
a 7'6'' medium heavy LIMBER graphite rod with a 4.7 reel
a 7 foot medium heavy GLASS stick with a 3.8 reel

any questions??

zooker

[Backwater Charlie]

I think, personally a reel with a 6.1 or lower ratio, a 7' M fiberglass rod will do fine for most Crankbaits.

I use mainly a 6.3 or 6.4 reel with a 7' M or 6'6 M rod. Both graphite. But I'd have glass if I fished Crankbaits more often...

[Backwater Charlie]

Zooker, the black 'n gold reel, 2nd from the right reminds me of an Ardent, but I'm about certain it's a David Fritts Signature Series reel. So...

What is it?

[zooker]

a bps fritts reel in 4.7. which are copys of an old lews baitcaster...


zooker

[lilmule]

I use the old lews in that 4/7/1 ratio,but seldom use more than a dd16.
The old poes 300 is still a fish getter,and the lil deep lil n norman works quite well here.
Making the use of say the dd22 less and less,often being better than any of the dd line or dt line.

[Rebbasser]

Originally Posted by zooker

a bps fritts reel in 4.7. which are copys of an old lews baitcaster...


zooker

...and if you throw a big bruiser like a DD-22 or Strike King Series 5 or 6 on a regular basis I highly recommend getting one or something similar with the low GR. Makes winching in those huge baits a LOT easier.

[zooker]

i used to use an old reliable lews-i have few-then i found the gold quantum mag gear with a 3.8 gear. belive me a dd22 puts some torque on a stick. but i have found the big lucky craft baits to be a LEAST twice that torque on the retrieve..

if you toss those big 3/4 oz baits for 8 hours with a standard reel you wont be able to raise your arm above your shoulder for two days.-i know i have done it..-

zooker