So, I'm looking for my first cranking rod to round out my line up.  Generally speaking, I'm likely to use it for everything from jerkbaits to traps to square bills to medium divers and the occasional deep diving bait. 

 

Gander Mountain currently has nice rebates on St. Croix rods.  I'm not tied to getting a St. Croix, though I do have several and like them all. 

 

The three St. Croix rods I'm looking at are all 7' MH M, and all are graphite.  I know that a lot of people like longer cranking sticks, but I don't want to go much beyond 7' or 7'2" due to space considerations.      

 

With the rebate applied, the 7' MH M Avid would be $149; the 7' MH M Premier would be $79; and the 7' MH M Mojo would be $75.  (The rebate on the Premier is double the rebate on the Mojo, which accounts for the close price spread between the two.)   I guess I'm kinda leaning towards the Premier.   

 

Thoughts on the MH M as a multi-purpose cranking stick?  If I decide to bite the bullet, is the Avid worth nearly double the Premier?  Any other rods you'd recommend?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Rick

I'd look at a Powell Diesel. What you want, is what I used it for and it works great.

My all purpose cranking rod is a St. Croix Mojo 7" MH M that was given to me. It has been a great rod and I enjoy fishing it. With the rebate all 3 of those rods are a great price.Obviously the Avid will be the most sensitive. If your choosing between the premier and the mojo i'd decide based on, do you want a full grip or split grip rod. 

I have a 7'10" H/M St Croix LTB for my big deep cranks, and a 7' MH/M Mojo for everything else. It's new to me this season, and so far all I have used it for is 1/2 oz. lipless cranks, but I am digging it. I can't wait to try it with squarebills, and mid depth cranks.

I have a 7'MH/M St. Croix LTB I use for mid to deep cranks.  Works great for that.  I have used it for squarebills and didn't like it when it came to snapping the bait from weeds.  Seemed a little too soft for that and didn't clear weeds like my Avid 7' M/F.   Perhaps a Premier, Mojo or Avid would be a little less soft and be better in that department, I don't know?

just make sure it has some tip to it. I like a rod that will have a real forgiving tip that blends into a solid back bone

Its tough handling a crank on a broomstick

I have a 7'6 Duckett Crankin Rod that i use for exactly what you just said and i love it! Im sure there are plenty of good rods out there, thats just what i use and i know i like it. Not saying its the only good one.