Hey guys, I'm looking for a spinning rod that will do a good job handling smaller crankbaits, square bills to medium divers. I don't want to spend more than $150 and would REALLY prefer to keep it closer to $100. I plan on fishing in it in pretty much all situations. I'll be using a cheap shakespear dimension spooled with 10# Yo Zuri ultra soft until I upgrade around Christmas. Thanks!

I like the Shimano Crucial CRS-DX68M for $150. It's rated for 1/8 to 3/8 oz baits, has a soft flexible fast 18" tip section transitioning to M power down the blank. Alconite guides, split grip. I use mine mostly for dropshots, for which it is designed per the "DX" spec, plus for shaky heads and will throw anything down to 1/8 oz very well and is quite sensitive. When I want to throw Shadraps on 8 lb line it works great. Shimano also sells the Compre line of rods for around $100 but I don't think they have the same "softer tip to M power action" design as the Crucial dropshot rods. The CRS-DX rods were recommended by a couple of noted dropshot pros a couple of years ago. I hate spinning rods but love this one.

Funny you should ask... I just picked up 2 Falcon BuCoo (Micro) spinning rods and they are absolutely fantastic for this purpose. I bought the 6'6"M and the 7'M. The 7" handles soft plastics very well, and Rat-L-Traps up to 1/2 oz with no issues. Extremely light and sensitive.

I used to have a 7' ML St.Croix Premier spinning rod that was an awesome light crankbait rod. Now I have a 6' 8" M Mojo and a 6' 8" M/L Crucial that both work really well. I have a 6' 10" M/L LTB on the way in the mail that I think will be the perfect light cranking rod. I was mainly fishing 0.5 or 1.0 size square bills, #5 shad raps, or 65 size pointers with them.

I have a BPS Tourney Special IM-7 6'6" med paired with a Plueger President. An abosultely affordable setup and the rod feels and performs like it should cost $200. Very sensitive with plenty of backbone to get those quick hooksets and pull those big ones out of cover and onto the boat. love this rod and reel

Very nice. Thanks for the feedback yall.

falcon original. 7' medium action 8-17lb line. the best spinning rod i have ever used for cranks. it has a nice slow taper to it

The BPS Johnny Morris CorbonLite is a great value too imo.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Johnny-Morris-CarbonLite-Series-Spinning-Rods/product/10205013/#description

Check your local fishing forums for excellent buys. N. Carolina will have more

than a few I'm sure. Guys are ALWAYS selling stuff that "never gets used".