Checked out crankbait rods today at BPS

keithdog · 06-12-10, 04:53 PM

Well I wasn't able to check out everything I wanted to but got to check out several different ones. All the rods I'm looking at are 7 foot crankbait specific rods. The ones I was most impressed with were the red KVD Tour Crankbait rod, St Croix Premier Glass Crankbait, the Skeet Reese Crankbait rod, and the Shimano Compre rod. The Compre unfortunately was not the exact version I wanted to see, and they didn't even have the Crucial crankbait rod which was the one I also really wanted to see.

The St Croix was actually more impressive than I expected. Good action and feel, but 2 less eyes than the Skeet Reese rod. The Skeet Reese rod really felt good, although it felt a bit too noodleish so to speak for a large deep diving crankbait which is what I plan to use this rod for. But it also felt like it had the guts to take a heavy load. Just not too sure about the VERY flexible action with a large crank. It was much more flexable than the other MH action rods I looked at. The KVD Tour rod no doubt would be a very good choice. I thought it looked like a broom stick at first. Looks huge and fat! But that must be due to it's color of bright red. When I held it side by side to the St Croix Premier glass rod, and the Skeet Resse rod, the 3 rods were very close in actual size, though very different in action. Unfortunately they didn't have any Falcon rods in the house, which is just as well as I don't want to spend $200.00 on a rod, although I'd love to have the one Reb told me about.

The Shimano Compre had a much narower blank that I expected. Not that that is a bad thing. I just wish they had the 7' MH version there to check out. I was not at all impressed with the Mojo rods from St Croix as far as a crankin rod goes. I really wanted to look at an American Rodsmith too, but they didnt have any. UGH!!! One rod I looked at which I was suprised with was the BPS Carbonlite rod. Although not identified as a crankbait rod persay, the 7' MH-fast action model felt suprisingly good. Note..I don't mind the power hump as I know others do. Although the rod is a fast action rod, it had what felt more like a MF action tip to it. Anyways, my search is still on, and I got to play while it rained outside. Bought myself a new Redhead hat, a Strike King #4 crankbait and a KVD 1/4oz. bluegill pattern swim jig. Now it's time to get that steak cookin!

Jim80 · 06-12-10, 06:26 PM

I guess the only logical question is which one are ya gonna pick ? btw great report thanks

Jim

bcklash · 06-12-10, 06:57 PM

Keith, if the lightning holds off in the morning we'll be able to give you a report on the Skeet Reese 7'10" crankbait rod. It does feel noodleish (is this a word- lol) but I bet you can cast a crankbait a mile which is a plus when deep crankin.

keithdog · 06-12-10, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcklash

Keith, if the lightning holds off in the morning we'll be able to give you a report on the Skeet Reese 7'10" crankbait rod. It does feel noodleish (is this a word- lol) but I bet you can cast a crankbait a mile which is a plus when deep crankin.

I was wondering about "noodleish" myself, haha. Looking foreward to your report.

Rebbasser · 06-12-10, 09:54 PM

Well, you can tell we are bass fishermen. when you say "noodlish" we know exactly what you are talking about!

Keith-had a thought, sent you a PM

BigBassin144 · 06-12-10, 10:21 PM

Thanks for posting your findings Keith. May be in the market for a crankbait rod myself in the future (not anytime soon though, lol). My 7' M M works great for shallow cranks, but is stressed when throwing deep divers and heavier medium divers.

BB

Bender · 06-13-10, 07:05 AM

I played around with the red KVD rods at probably the same store that you went to in Portage. I agree, they look HUGE! But they aren't heavy and felt really good. If I get in the market for a deep cranking rod I'll have to look at those again.

bassboogieman · 06-13-10, 08:30 AM

If you're looking at rods in the $100 range, I am going to say it again - there is NO BETTER rod right now for that price than a Kistler ARGON. On close out these rods are a steal. This is the rod I use for deep cranks, I absolutely love it - and I PAID $229 for mine directly from Kistler. I've bought from this dealer and he's great to deal with. For $99 - you can buy any number of rods - but they WILL NOT be in the same league as this stick. It will also do very well with the smaller swim baits like the Strike King or True Tungston baits in the 4" - 5" sizes. http://cgi.ebay.com/KISTLER-ARGON-AF...item35a9124673
I really do use the Argon crankbait series of rods, actually added another of the 6'9" rods a couple months ago. The big 7'9" rod is on the left.

MIbasser · 06-13-10, 09:34 PM

Keith, I have two of the KVD Tour crankbait rods. Both of them are 7' but one is a M and the other is a MH. I use the MH with a Revo Winch for the DD22's and the M for pretty much everything else. I really like them both, however I don't use the MH rod very often.

walkeraviator · 06-14-10, 10:40 AM

we use "buggy whip" instead of noodleish for describing crank bait rods round these parts...

back before crankbait specific rods started to be designed my uncle would by spinning rods and use em upside down w/ his baitcasters....

keithdog · 06-14-10, 06:04 PM

I'm leaning towards the St Croix Premier crankbait rod in graphite. I checked it out and it's got a great action and feel, 5 year warrenty, and is right where I want to be as far as cost. The 7' MH MOD model.

fish_hunter · 06-17-10, 04:41 PM

bcklash - the Skeet Reese rods are great! I love how flexible they are, and you bet ya! Those crankbaits soar! Which is good for deeper waters and handles heavier baits! I love mine

BassMan83 · 06-17-10, 05:15 PM

I have the BPS Carbonlite in 7' Med. Mod. for my crankbaits. The rod is light and flexible. Ive used it with DT20's and the like and it works great. The whip-like action throws the lure far and the moderate action keeps them buttoned. I have yet had a fish throw a lure with this rod.

tomegun · 06-18-10, 10:55 PM

I got 4 St Croix's, 2 Loomis' and a KVD. I've been using the St Croix's alot more cuz they are easier on my hands, neck, and back. Caught Pike, largemouth, smallies, rainbows, browns, and cutthroats with my St Croix's.

keithdog · 06-19-10, 04:02 PM

Picked up my new rod today. The St Croix 7' MHM. Will let you know how it performs. Feels great in the hands for sure!

BigBassin144 · 06-19-10, 04:54 PM

Congrats Keith, I love new tackle, even if it's not mine.

BB

bcklash · 06-19-10, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

Congrats Keith, I love new tackle, even if it's not mine.

BB

OH MY!!!! only 18 yrs old and already a junkie--a bait and tackle junkie--ain't it great!!!

Keith we still haven't tried the Skeet Reese rod yet (motor problems

).
Let us know how your new rod feels to ya.

Jrob78 · 06-19-10, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcklash

OH MY!!!! only 18 yrs old and already a junkie--a bait and tackle junkie--ain't it great!!!

Keith we still haven't tried the Skeet Reese rod yet (motor problems

).
Let us know how your new rod feels to ya.

Trust me, BigBassin has it worse than most.

BigBassin144 · 06-20-10, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcklash

OH MY!!!! only 18 yrs old and already a junkie--a bait and tackle junkie--ain't it great!!!

Keith we still haven't tried the Skeet Reese rod yet (motor problems

).
Let us know how your new rod feels to ya.

Ron, send me the Skeet Reese rod. I'd be happy to test it for you; I've even got a reel that may match it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrob78

Trust me, BigBassin has it worse than most.

Worse than most, yes. Worse than Bryce, no.

BB

Bassboss · 06-20-10, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithdog

Picked up my new rod today. The St Croix 7' MHM. Will let you know how it performs. Feels great in the hands for sure!

Sweet Keith! Congrats on the rod!

What reel you got for it!

keithdog · 06-20-10, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcklash

OH MY!!!! only 18 yrs old and already a junkie--a bait and tackle junkie--ain't it great!!!

Keith we still haven't tried the Skeet Reese rod yet (motor problems

).
Let us know how your new rod feels to ya.

I'll let ya kow as soon as I can. Looks to be next weekend before I'll get to work it out.

keithdog · 06-20-10, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassboss

Sweet Keith! Congrats on the rod!

What reel you got for it!

I've got it paired up with my BPS David Fritts 4.7:1 ratio casting reel. It's spooled with 12 pound Sufix Elite mono.

06-12-10, 04:53 PM	#1
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Checked out crankbait rods today at BPS Well I wasn't able to check out everything I wanted to but got to check out several different ones. All the rods I'm looking at are 7 foot crankbait specific rods. The ones I was most impressed with were the red KVD Tour Crankbait rod, St Croix Premier Glass Crankbait, the Skeet Reese Crankbait rod, and the Shimano Compre rod. The Compre unfortunately was not the exact version I wanted to see, and they didn't even have the Crucial crankbait rod which was the one I also really wanted to see. The St Croix was actually more impressive than I expected. Good action and feel, but 2 less eyes than the Skeet Reese rod. The Skeet Reese rod really felt good, although it felt a bit too noodleish so to speak for a large deep diving crankbait which is what I plan to use this rod for. But it also felt like it had the guts to take a heavy load. Just not too sure about the VERY flexible action with a large crank. It was much more flexable than the other MH action rods I looked at. The KVD Tour rod no doubt would be a very good choice. I thought it looked like a broom stick at first. Looks huge and fat! But that must be due to it's color of bright red. When I held it side by side to the St Croix Premier glass rod, and the Skeet Resse rod, the 3 rods were very close in actual size, though very different in action. Unfortunately they didn't have any Falcon rods in the house, which is just as well as I don't want to spend $200.00 on a rod, although I'd love to have the one Reb told me about. The Shimano Compre had a much narower blank that I expected. Not that that is a bad thing. I just wish they had the 7' MH version there to check out. I was not at all impressed with the Mojo rods from St Croix as far as a crankin rod goes. I really wanted to look at an American Rodsmith too, but they didnt have any. UGH!!! One rod I looked at which I was suprised with was the BPS Carbonlite rod. Although not identified as a crankbait rod persay, the 7' MH-fast action model felt suprisingly good. Note..I don't mind the power hump as I know others do. Although the rod is a fast action rod, it had what felt more like a MF action tip to it. Anyways, my search is still on, and I got to play while it rained outside. Bought myself a new Redhead hat, a Strike King #4 crankbait and a KVD 1/4oz. bluegill pattern swim jig. Now it's time to get that steak cookin! Last edited by keithdog; 06-12-10 at 04:59 PM.

06-12-10, 06:26 PM	#2
Jim80 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thomaston CT Posts: 3,862	I guess the only logical question is which one are ya gonna pick ? btw great report thanks Jim __________________ In memory of Zooker 1/11/73-7/2/2010. You will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

06-12-10, 06:57 PM	#3
bcklash BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Elliston, Va. Posts: 4,372	Keith, if the lightning holds off in the morning we'll be able to give you a report on the Skeet Reese 7'10" crankbait rod. It does feel noodleish (is this a word- lol) but I bet you can cast a crankbait a mile which is a plus when deep crankin. __________________ The soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box. keep us free:

06-12-10, 09:54 PM	#5
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,142	Well, you can tell we are bass fishermen. when you say "noodlish" we know exactly what you are talking about! Keith-had a thought, sent you a PM __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

06-12-10, 10:21 PM	#6
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Thanks for posting your findings Keith. May be in the market for a crankbait rod myself in the future (not anytime soon though, lol). My 7' M M works great for shallow cranks, but is stressed when throwing deep divers and heavier medium divers. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

06-13-10, 07:05 AM	#7
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	I played around with the red KVD rods at probably the same store that you went to in Portage. I agree, they look HUGE! But they aren't heavy and felt really good. If I get in the market for a deep cranking rod I'll have to look at those again.

06-13-10, 08:30 AM	#8
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	If you're looking at rods in the $100 range, I am going to say it again - there is NO BETTER rod right now for that price than a Kistler ARGON. On close out these rods are a steal. This is the rod I use for deep cranks, I absolutely love it - and I PAID $229 for mine directly from Kistler. I've bought from this dealer and he's great to deal with. For $99 - you can buy any number of rods - but they WILL NOT be in the same league as this stick. It will also do very well with the smaller swim baits like the Strike King or True Tungston baits in the 4" - 5" sizes. http://cgi.ebay.com/KISTLER-ARGON-AF...item35a9124673 I really do use the Argon crankbait series of rods, actually added another of the 6'9" rods a couple months ago. The big 7'9" rod is on the left. Last edited by bassboogieman; 06-13-10 at 09:06 AM.

06-13-10, 09:34 PM	#9
MIbasser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 1,447	Keith, I have two of the KVD Tour crankbait rods. Both of them are 7' but one is a M and the other is a MH. I use the MH with a Revo Winch for the DD22's and the M for pretty much everything else. I really like them both, however I don't use the MH rod very often.

06-14-10, 10:40 AM	#10
walkeraviator BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,119	we use "buggy whip" instead of noodleish for describing crank bait rods round these parts... back before crankbait specific rods started to be designed my uncle would by spinning rods and use em upside down w/ his baitcasters....

06-14-10, 06:04 PM	#11
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	I'm leaning towards the St Croix Premier crankbait rod in graphite. I checked it out and it's got a great action and feel, 5 year warrenty, and is right where I want to be as far as cost. The 7' MH MOD model.

06-17-10, 04:41 PM	#12
fish_hunter BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 15	bcklash - the Skeet Reese rods are great! I love how flexible they are, and you bet ya! Those crankbaits soar! Which is good for deeper waters and handles heavier baits! I love mine

06-17-10, 05:15 PM	#13
BassMan83 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fraser, MI Posts: 15	I have the BPS Carbonlite in 7' Med. Mod. for my crankbaits. The rod is light and flexible. Ive used it with DT20's and the like and it works great. The whip-like action throws the lure far and the moderate action keeps them buttoned. I have yet had a fish throw a lure with this rod.

06-18-10, 10:55 PM	#14
tomegun BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 50	I got 4 St Croix's, 2 Loomis' and a KVD. I've been using the St Croix's alot more cuz they are easier on my hands, neck, and back. Caught Pike, largemouth, smallies, rainbows, browns, and cutthroats with my St Croix's.

06-19-10, 04:02 PM	#15
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Picked up my new rod today. The St Croix 7' MHM. Will let you know how it performs. Feels great in the hands for sure!

06-19-10, 04:54 PM	#16
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Congrats Keith, I love new tackle, even if it's not mine. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

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