Deep Cranking Rod?

[Whack'emGood]

Hey guys. I am looking to buy a new rod to dedicate specifically to deep cranking. I will be matching it up with a David Fritts 4.7:1 reel and will be using 10lb flourocarbon.

I will be flinging DD22s and Fat Free Shad cranks, among others. Is there a specific brand, model, length and/or action that you would recommend? Please keep in mind that I am on a budget with this one, since I will be using it solely for deep cranking... which I don't do alot of, but am looking to do alot more of, starting this spring.

I have been looking at the BPS Crankin' Sticks and the American Rodsmiths David Fritts Cranking Rods just to name a few. Keep in mind that I haven't been able to decide on a make and model, much less an action and length. What do you guys recommend and why?

Any and all tips and info would be much appreciated.

Whack'em

[Flysmallie]

I see a lot of guys asking about new rods lately and it's really hard to make a recommendation. When you purchase a fly rod you get the option of casting the rod and that's what you are mainly looking for, how well does it fit your casting style. But with conventional tackle you have to resort to others recommendations or just stand in the isle and give it a couple of good shakes! Which doesn't really tell you anything. It would be nice to be able to pull a crankbait through the water on a new rod that you were thinking about purchasing. I would like to see how it feels, how it vibrates. The feel of a crankbait moving through the water is the most important thing to me on a crankbait rod. My dad says I'm an idiot, well not idiot but I know how Phil doesn't want us to use profanity, but on a good crankbait rod I swear I can sometimes feel a bite before I actually feel the pressure on the line. I think this is caused by the fish sucking in the bait and the movement of the bait going away for a split second before you feel the pressure of the fish. I'm not sure of the Model, but the rod that I use is a Abu Garcia rod thats about 10 years old and was close to $300.00 at that time.

I know that this gives you no help in determining what rod to purchase, I just wish there was a way to really try a rod before you make the purchase. Because all you are doing when you are standing in the isle giving it a shake is just looking ignorant!

Disclaimer: If you are one of the ones that does shake the rod in the isle, don't worry we all do it. I do it every time I walk through Bass Pro.

[techo]

I am a shaker......looking for a twelve step program.

[Tom Spence]

Last year I started using a flipping stick for deep cranks. Specifically a Johnny Morris 7'6" med heavy with a somewhat fast tip. I got the idea after watching a couple guys I know throwing deep cranks on 7'6" rods. They told me they can cast further and keep the bait deeper longer. I found it to be true and started using them.

[focused fishing]

Im a shaker and a bender........ Techo let me know where the meetings are.

Anyway, Wackem' I have used the BPS 7'6" medium heavy for years for deep crankbaits. Good action and the extra length lets you throw the bait quite a bit further, plus when it comes to crankbait rods I'm a pretty cheap date.

EP

[Doug Weston]

I can't give advice on much, but deep cranking I can. I have used a "flipping stick" for a few years now for deep crankbaits. Mine is 7'6", and its a Johnny Morris rod, but I am looking for a longer rod. I want to try a 7'11" or 7'10". I think I will get enough extra on the cast to make a difference. I may go to a little softer action though. I had a heavy action, but when I bought it I didn't intend to use it to crank with. I can hit 25 feet deep with a Hot lips express (3/4 oz) using 10lb flourocarbon, every time. The extra distance you get from the longer rod helps like you wouldn't believe. I can hit 21 feet deep with 12 lb flouro. I actually used the graph to make sure I was hitting the bottom at 25 feet. I'm thinking about looking at the new KVD rod for cranking. I think its 7'10". Have no idea the price though. I just seen an ad for it. I can't say enough how much difference it makes to move up from 7 to 7'6". So keep that in mind if depth is what you are after.

[mo4packer]

If it helps, I use a 8 ft Baston/Rainshadow rod. It is one piece MH (not extd) and I had to take a 1/2 inch off to keep it legal for tourney fishing. I ordered the blank and had someone finish it for me. I can chuck DD22 a mile. The rod blank is around $100 if I remember correctly. Does it actually catch me more fish? I know my bait is in the water longer. When I do catch a fish it sure is nice on trebels to have that extra foot in the rod to play the fish. The only downfall is storage in the boat, it's kind of long Hope this helps.

[Champ188]

Whack'em,

I use a 7-foot Shimano Clarus in medium heavy/fast action for this application. Works great, and with the fast action the tip has enough "give" that you won't jerk the bait away from the fish. This is their IM7 model and costs only around $79. Sometimes you want high-tech, sometimes you want low-tech. Good thing about this rod is its over-the-counter exchange lifetime warranty.

[Gradyh]

For throwing big cranks I have found nothing better than a 7'10" St. Croix Legend Tournament, this rod was specically designed for throwing DD22s. Teamed up with a 5.0 to 1 reel and you can pull these big cranks all day without getting beat down. The rod handles these large baits well also on the cast. It loads up perfectly and does not try to launch you out the boat behind the bait when it takes off.

[brownieman]

I have a few high dollar rods and to be honest they produce no more fish than my cheaper rods.

For the money I always have to consider Ugly Sticks...they make a good variety to choose from and for me have proven themselves very durable over the years.

bm