Listen I know that there are alot of posts about which rod to get for crankin, BUT my question is, is it necessary to have one in my setup?

Ive got three combos.

7' MF LTB

7'3 MF ***

7"3 MH Duckett Ghost

 

If im wanting to do just some shallow to maybe medium cranking do I need to invest in a crank rod, or will one of those rods handle it?

The biggest advantage to "Cranking" rod is the slower action which helps keep fish hooked up with treble hook lures and gives the fish time to eat it good without yanking it away. Try what you have and see for yourself. If you lose a bunch look for a more suitable rod. 

Employ a sweep set with the ***.

 

 

oe

what about  powell diesel crank rod? any good?

To answer your initial question; no, you don't "need" an application specific crankbait rod. I have two of the same LTB rods you have, and they are the most versatile rods I own. Try it. You might like it. Try all of your rods for cranking. You just may find something you like.

Try all of your rods for cranking.

 

Then go buy a crankbait rod.

Needed ??? NO.......especially for shallow cranking, in fact, sometimes, depending on the cover, a cranking rod is counter productive. That being said, IMHO there are only two techniques in bass fishing where specialized gear is a must....Punching, and Deep cranking. Everything else can be done with M or MH powered, fast action rods.

what about powell diesel crank rod? any good?

I've got several of them and it is an excellent rod for the money.

Toliet paper isn't necessary but it's the best application for the job.  Do you want to have the best, or do you want to get by?  

 

That's up for you to decide. 

Necessary? No. I caught plenty of fish on crankbaits on a MH/F spinning rod when I was first starting out. But if you decide to expand your rod and reel arsenal to technique specific setups, you'll definitely want to get one, IMO.

_{No, not necessary i use a 7 mhm and hardly ever miss any fish.  I also have a 6.6 that is fine also.}

Unless you're already using it, go with a quality monofilament line instead of braid. 

 

Should help you out.

 

A-Jay

I also noticed you have a St Croix LTB 7' M/F.....if that is the casting rod AKA "Teaser" and not he spinning version, that's about as "do-all" of a rod there is. I used mine for shallow, mid depth, and lipless cranks  FOR YEARS and it was great.

i used my *** 7'3 M for squarebills, rattle traps, topwaters, and cranks that went down about 12ft. worked great, and didnt loose a fish on it. try it out!

I also noticed you have a St Croix LTB 7' M/F.....if that is the casting rod AKA "Teaser" and not he spinning version, that's about as "do-all" of a rod there is. I used mine for shallow, mid depth, and lipless cranks  FOR YEARS and it was great.

it is the teaser model and yeah i was thinking it would do the job fine, most of my cranks only go about 6-10 and then alot of them only go to 0-4 depending on how they are fished

I also noticed you have a St Croix LTB 7' M/F.....if that is the casting rod AKA "Teaser" and not he spinning version, that's about as "do-all" of a rod there is. I used mine for shallow, mid depth, and lipless cranks  FOR YEARS and it was great.

 That's the most versatile rod I own. Enough so I bought a second.

For over 30 years I fished cranks with a M fast rod, then one day I purchased a Mag TS Cranking rod, I have no complaints about the blank, I hated everything else so I end up selling it and back to M fast ( if it ain't broke why fix it ? ) , nowdays I still think about getting me another cranking stick, I feel that for 1/2 oz or less cranks you don't need a cranking stick, at half ounce the M power feels like you're in the limits the rod can handle so if you're going to purchase a cranking stick then I suggest you think about getting at least a MH, not needed but desirable.

Toliet paper isn't necessary but it's the best application for the job.  Do you want to have the best, or do you want to get by?  

 

That's up for you to decide. 

 

Bingo. I love softer action rods for all treble hook baits and even spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

Needed ??? NO.......especially for shallow cranking, in fact, sometimes, depending on the cover, a cranking rod is counter productive. That being said, IMHO there are only two techniques in bass fishing where specialized gear is a must....Punching, and Deep cranking. Everything else can be done with M or MH powered, fast action rods.

This. I personally like a mod. Action rod rod for almost all my treble hook lures, but there are other rods I will just as quickly put the same lures on.

Toliet paper isn't necessary but it's the best application for the job.  Do you want to have the best, or do you want to get by?  

 

That's up for you to decide.

  

Bingo. I love softer action rods for all treble hook baits and even spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

I do like a softer action toilet paper as well.

I started throwing cranks on the standard MHF rods and was really enjoying the tecnique.  I figured i woudl jump in and see if a lower ear ratio reel and a cranking specific stick would make a difference.  I picked up a BPS PQ in 4.7:1 and a kistler helium cranking rod used and it made a big difference.  I am fishing the same way i was before and catching more fish.  I am convinced the rod is giving me more feedback on the crank and i am realizing more bites.....

You don't have to have a cranking rod. You can definitely get by without one. One tip I give you if you are fishing cranks on a faster action is to lighten your drag. You'll keep a lot more fish buttoned up that way.

 

_{No, not necessary i use a 7 mhm and hardly ever miss any fish.  I also have a 6.6 that is fine also.}

A moderate action rod is pretty much what defines a crankbait rod as a crankbait rod. Even though you may not think it's technique specific, you've got yourself a crankin stick there. haha 

Thanks guys appreciate it!

what about  powell diesel crank rod? any good?

 

Yes. If mine broke, I'd have another one in the mail tomorrow. It's made enough money for me that it's more than paid for itself several times over.

I used a 6'6" lews heavy made in 85 I threw 1/2 oz rattletraps all the time in Florida never lost a fish.. I flipped with it.. Pitched with it...

Shallow squarebills is shorter target work so you can use a medium heavy fast just fine.

If you become a crankin guru then sort out and find a more so called perfect rod!