Advice needed for new crankbait rod

[CVX21]

I have been using a 7 foot MH glass Browning SilaFlex for cranking deep water. The rod casts and fishes pretty well, but it is too insenstive, I just can't always tell when I get a bite, unless the fish runs the away from me!

I was considering getting another rod, any suggestions? All my rods are Falcons or Kistlers (except the SilaFlex), I'd kinda like to stay with one of those.

Thanks!

[Austin15]

well bps has great rods like the bionic blade, but if you would like to stick with those rods just try getting a medium action there is a big difference in medium and mediumheavy

[shawn706]

I second the medium action, better feel, and won't shake your hand to deat when throwing deep divers. Also stay with at least 7' for distance.

[Luke]

i have 2 crankbait rods 1 is a Falcon Cara Reaction series 7"' M action its a freat rod for throwing the smalle baits like 100 and 200 series bandits
the other one that i have is a Coustom made rod by one of the members here Tyson Oakes (Bassman25) it is a 7'MH for throwing the bigger baits like DD22s it is made on a Rainshadow blank and it is awsome i havent got to use it yet but it is one of the lightest rods that i have ever held.......if you want a awsome rod for not a lot of $$ get in touch with Tyson and he can hook you up

[fishincreeks]

I've played around with many different rods for crankbaits and a good all around rod is a St Croix Premier 7' MHM. It is medium-heavy power with a moderate action. This has actually become one of my favorite rods for throwing topwater as well.

[Hoosier fisherman]

Which is better fiberglass or graphite?

[FireBassr]

I use a Kistler Helium LTA for crankbaits. A 6'6" Medium for most, and a 7' Medium for big cranks. It is a great crankbait rod. Extremely light, very sensitve, and a soft upper half that is perfect for crankbaits.

[Bass Hawk 87]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hoosier fisherman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Which is better fiberglass or graphite?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I won't fish a crankbait on a rod without a glass tip. Some rods are all glass and some are composite, but if you go with all graphite you will miss as many fish as you land. You may hook them, but they will come off before you land them because you won't have the soft tip action to work as a shock absorber when the fish makes a run at the boat, which they always do.

I also never fish a crankbait rod under 7' and prefer that they be 7 1/2'. After the cast, the tip is pointed down at the water's surface and never comes up. I will work the bait to the side, same as dragging a Carolina rig, and when a fish gets hooked, I actually push 6-8" underwater. You do not want the fish to jump.

[Luke]

i have 2 Crankbait rods both are 7' one is a M action Falcon Cara Reaction series for throwing the small baits like bandits and wiggle warts and the other is a 7' MH action custom rod made by Bassman25 on here made out out of a Rainshadow blank......very nice rod havent got to use it a lot yet but i got it for throwing the heavier baits like DD22s

[CVX21]

Bass Hawk,

Some how I just knew this "Graphite vs Glass" thing would come up, which is alright. The reason I posted was to gather information about crankbait rods in an effort to buy the right rod the first time. (Brand name really doesn't matter, as long as the rod is of good quality.)

I have to ask, and maybe I'm thinking about this too much, but wouldn't the shock absorbing action of a medium graphite rod be about the same as that of a medium heavy glass rod?

I'm a little tentative about buying another all glass rod, who makes a rod with a glass tip?

Thanks

[20_lb_sack]

Don, here's one I'll differ with you on. I've been using graphite as my only crankbait rods for several years, good crankbait rods are not all glass any more. Mainly I fish wiggle warts, various Norman cranks, Deep Little N, DD14, DD22, a few square bills, and all my jerkbaits are on graphite. The best graphite rods demonstrate the same soft tip and a deep enough bend to cushion like the older glass rods. I actual think I lose fewer fish now than before I switched over. I know I've caught fish I'd have never know hit with my older GT-2's, and I'm not half as tired at the end of the day.

[Bass Hawk 87]

I have used all graphite crankiing rods too, and they did have better feel, but when I was playing large fish near the boat and they made a run, the rod would not give like the glass and the hooks ripped out. I always have my drag set looser on crankbaits than anything else I throw, but there just didn't seem to be enough "Give" for me.

Of course it could be the angler and not the rod David I am not perfecvt, and just feel that the glass tip gives me an advantage, and as we all know it's the confidence we have that makes more of a difference than anything else.

[basspro]

Try an Ordella Rods 7' Fiberglass cranking stick. This rod out fishes any graphite rod I have ever used and when the fish surges the rod gives so that the hooks don't rip out. I have not lost any fish on this rod due to its softness. You can cast 1/4 to whatever size cranks you got in your box.

They are located in washington state and can be found on the web. I believe Ordellarods.com

Russ

[Ticman]

I use the Gloomis CBR-843 and 845 and I almost never loose a fish after he's hooked. These are all graphite, sensitive, and very light.

[CVX21]

Ticman,

I visited the G Loomis website and looked up the CBR-485. This looks like the kind of rod I'm looking for, but I'm scared of shelling out the bucks for it only to find out that I got the wrong model.

Do you throw DD-22's on the CBR 485?

Thanks, and thanks to everyone else who has chimed in, too!

[Ticman]

Yes, I do throw the DD-22's and Mann's 20+'s on the 845. A lot of people like the 847 for the DD-22 but with the 847 you are pretty much limited to those size baits. The 845 is more versatile. I know it's a lot of money but IMHO it's the best treble hook bait rods made. It's light weight (I can throw them all day) and I don't loose fish after hooking. It has a parabolic bend so it's very forgiving when fighting fish.

I throw a lot of rattle trap type baits and fish them deep like ripping them off the bottom then letting them fall. The light graphite rod is much more sensitive than glass rods.

I really think the CBR-845 works great with other moving baits as well like spinner baits. (read versatile) You won't regret getting one.

[ChadASX]

I'll second the Loomis crankbait rods. They are awesome. I do a lot of cranking and they are all I'll throw crankbaits with. I've got 2 841's for small crankbaits, 2 of the 843's for throwing mid size baits from Norman Deep Baby N's all the way up to the DLN's. 1 of the 845's for throwing the big crankbaits and 1 of the 903's which will handle any size bait you want to throw. I actually like it best of all because I can throw everything from a Deep TINY N to a DD 22 on it. It handles them all very well. These rods will absorb shock as good and most likely better than any glass rod, at least any glass rod I've had. Their about 1/4 the weight of a glass rod and 10 times more sensitive at least. The 845 does do a great job for topwaters, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, about any moving bait. Its a really versatile rod. They have a new 905 model out that should be incredible for the deep cranks. I'll have one first time I see one on the shelf somewhere. When I went to these cranking rods my hooked fish/catch ratio went way up instantly.

[CVX21]

Guys,

Thanks for all the help, my search is over. I picked up a CBR-845 and I can't wait to try it out.