Ultimate Crankbait Rod?

[BigBassin144]

Alright, Before the get together, I'm looking to get a crankin' rod.

I've looked at the very few they have at our BPS, and lots and lots of them online. I can't wait for teackle tour's next edition in their Year of the Crank rod wars.

I'd like longer than 7'. 7'6" is preferable. Other than that, the normal qualities of a crankbait rod. This will most be for shallow-midium divers. Anywhere from XCalibur wakebaits to about DT10s, so I'd like to have a M power rod.

Some of the rod's I've looked at are:

B&R Outlaw Rods: 7'6" Graphite crankbait rod (don't know the power)
Falcon LowRider: 7'6" M
Phenix 7' MH or 7'6" MH (a bit heavy, but great review on TT)
American rodsmiths (fairly heavy rod though.) (actually one they had at our BPS)
Shimano compre or crucial.

My main problem is that I can't actually look at the rods before I purchase one...

What do you guys think about the rods I've got there and any other suggestions?

Thanks,
BB

[jooleyen]

Let me ask this. Are you considering fiberglass or at least a composite?

[BassBandit]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I'd like longer than 7'. 7'6" is preferable. Other than that, the normal qualities of a crankbait rod. This will most be for shallow-midium divers. Anywhere from XCalibur wakebaits to about DT10s, so I'd like to have a M power rod.

My main problem is that I can't actually look at the rods before I purchase one...

I've had the same problem not able to look at the rods in store so I went with 2 of new 7'6" MH Crankin Sticks for deep divers when it was on sale couple months ago. Really like these rods a lot. Give a 7'6" M Crankin Stick a try. They're new this year. Think you will like it.

[lowrider]

last time i talked to outlaw the crankbait specific's were'nt available. he wasn't happy with the blanks and was shopping different ones, has that changed? if so, get one! you won't be dissappointed with the service you get from robert and his wife.

i can't speak for the other brands you have up but i'll throw in kistler, i've had a chance to get my new one out a few times and it feels GREAT. it's a composite with good feel and not too heavy. it'll flat wing a bandit 100 and i've even put a DT10 on it, both worked good. paired with the revo winch it's gonna be a killer setup.

addition: kistler is a 7' med action

[BigBassin144]

I am definately open to compisite, the Phenix rod is a composite rod i believe.

lowrider, I don't know, but I am going to contact B&R tonight and see if they've got the graphites crankbait rods. I haven't yet looked at Kistler, but I definately plan to. I wish Tackle warehouse would get some kistler rods on the site.

Bassbandit- If you're talking about the bPS Crankin' stick, no thank you... I'm not a big fan of BPS Rods. They're alright, but they blance is way off, and it makes them feel very heavy and I don't like the powerhumpgrip.

BB

[Jigger]

Unless the glass crankbait rods have lightened up in recent years, I'd consider graphite. I bought a glass cb rod 10 or 15 years ago and it was so heavy, I couldn't use it all day. I use a G Loomis CBR 843 7ft med xn crank bait rod and I really like it. I've used this rod oh, 10 or 12 years or so and it's light wt, and has a just right tip for med to shallow cranks with plenty of forgiveness in the action. I broke the tip off several years ago and they sent me a new rod no questions asked. They're expensive is the only downside. Again, unless you're a big ol' boy with arms like Popeye, I'd borrow a glass rod and fish it for a day before buying one.

[zooker]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I don't like the powerhump grip.

BB

your not alone my self and reb both loath the hump..


at the get togather i'll bring at least 3 crankin sticks. two of them will be a lews speed stick.. they weigh less than the fritts rod but for shallow to mids they are one of the best i have tried..

zooker

[BassBandit]

Edit, pointless.

[BigBassin144]

Zook, what brand is that Fritts rod?

Oh, I'd also like to spend about 150, preferably less though.

BB

[Buzz Wing]

BigBassin,

If I were you, I'd really consider you look at the Berkley Bionix Rods.

Before I say what store they are at (although you probably already know from my previous posting of this topic), I would like to say these rods are amazing for the price.

The first time I picked one up, I couldn't believe I was seeing a rod of this quality, at yes, WalMart! This rod was light, sleek looking, and best of all, was easy on the wallet. If you're lucky, they will still have one in your desired length/action at your local carrier.

To my knowledge, I believe the price tag on the 6'6'' MH I was eyeing was $59.99 (with tax, mind you).

Please, please check these rods out. You won't be disappointed in what you see. (How it handles however, is beyond my knowledge...)

-Buzz

[MIbasser]

I was at the BPS today in Detroit and actually asked "the MAN" what I should look for in a crankbait rod. Well Mr. Kevin Van Dam said that for an all around CB rod (lipless, shallow, dd22, series 6), go with the KVD tour 7' M. That is the 1st rod he used before the others were developed. The 7'10" is best for the DD22 and the 60+ yard casts, the 7'4" is more for the series 4 & 5 and the 7' MH rod is good for the big swimbaits as well as the deep divers.

I know that he is going to push his product, but it doesn't hurt to hear it from him first hand.

(oh, did get an autograph from him and Hank Parker - no camera as I was on my way home from a business trip. Will get one tomorrow at his next seminar at D & R Sports)

[BassBandit]

Originally Posted by Buzz Wing

BigBassin,

Please, please check these rods out.

-Buzz

Base on bigbassin post I bet he won't.

[BigBassin144]

Why's that?

BB

[BassBandit]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

B&R Outlaw Rods: 7'6" Graphite crankbait rod (don't know the power)
Falcon LowRider: 7'6" M
Phenix 7' MH or 7'6" MH (a bit heavy, but great review on TT)
American rodsmiths (fairly heavy rod though.) (actually one they had at our BPS)
Shimano compre or crucial.
BB

Not on your list

[BigBassin144]

Yeah, but I'm always open to suggestions, and the less money it costs me the better. the only thing is, we hardly have any fishing stuff at our wal mart, but if I can find, I will definately look at it.

I've been looking more into the Phenix X10 crankbaits rods. Reread the Tackle Tour article. It said the MH rating is a little generous, and from their tests, it's rates closer to the other M rods they're testing. This figures. I'm beginning to like the most expensive one on my list...

BB

[Bender]

I was also going to suggest checking out the new Quantum KVD crankin rods. I held one today at the BPS in Portage, Indiana and it is really light even though it looks huge. They run $150.

[lowrider]

i'm suprised the KVD's are light, i've only seen them in pics but they looked so big it turned me off of even thinking about 'em.

[The Doc]

www.custombassrods.com
I only fish with these. He has 2 series, the Stealth which is $169, and the ESP which is $229. I promise you once you use one, you won't go back to another rod. You can feel a fish fart under a lure with these.

[zooker]

now if you have a mom and pop store that will order stuff for you. i'd have them order a lews speed stick 7 foot mh-you want mh- the model i use is A1294H70 they are a "graphite" rod more like a composite if ya ask me.. the weigh about the same as one of my 7' all graphite fenwick hmx sticks..i belive the rods are $70 or so.these rods were designed around the old lews speed spool bb1n reels and balance is remarkable with a fritts reel..

http://www.lews.com


the fritts rod is a glass american rodsmith 7 foot mh..
the df70mh model..
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...ems#itemDetail

they are a heavy big glass stick made for throwing big heavy deep diving cranks..
the fritts rods excell at the big deep diggers where most of the others are designed for shallow to mid diving baits..

yep i crank alot but do ya notice alot of my pic's show a shallow to mid diver hanggin from the fishs jaw?? i do use a fritts rod sure enough but not nearly as much as i do the lews.. the fritts rods are like my carolina rig rod they get put in the boat from pre spawn till fall then removed and replaced by the jerk bait and lipless rods..

once you try a lews speed stick you'll own one..

zooker

[aikenyounggun]

hope you find a good one ..... i really dont have a more valuable .02 then those guys have already said

[fishin spro]

not real experienced with crank bait rods, because ive only had one that was specifically designed for crank baitin. but i love my BPS crankin stick...its got a nice flimsy tip and u can cast a mile with it. plus its only 69.99

[jooleyen]

I'll say Lamiglas Crankin rods are very nice and so are Quantum Tour KVDs.

Tacklewarehouse has them on sale.

[fish2]

Has anyone used the KVD Crankin' Rods ?

[MIbasser]

Originally Posted by fish2

Has anyone used the KVD Crankin' Rods ?

Not yet, but I have the 7'M, can't believe how light it is. I was able to pick it up for $109 as well.

[fish2]

where did you score that price at?