TW has exclusive Daiwa DX rods that looked pretty interesting. I like the cork handles and how they look. I was looking at the 7’6/8 models in particular for deep cranking. Has anyone heard about them or used them at all?

Any other options around the $150 mark you’d recommend for deep cranks?

http://www.***.com/Daiwa_DX-Bass_Crankbait_Casting_Rods/descpage-DXCCR.html

Could opt for the new 13 Black *** 7'9" cranking rod, if you look around you can find the Quantum Tour KVD Cranking rod 7'4"MH or the 7'11" on E bay for around $80 (not bad considering if you buy it from TW you're going to spend $170).  Also have the Phenix Glass Crankbait rods that are between $129 and $160.  I personally have the Tour KVD's in both 7'11MH and 7'4"MH.  The 7'4" is a good all around cranking rod.  I use it for squarebills and could easily handle the deeper cranks I fish (5XD's) without an issue and is really light. The 7'11" is my dedicated deep cranking rod though when I know I'm going to be doing a lot of that kind of fishing.

Could opt for the new 13 Black *** 7'9" cranking rod, if you look around you can find the Quantum Tour KVD Cranking rod 7'4"MH or the 7'11" on E bay for around $80 (not bad considering if you buy it from TW you're going to spend $170). Also have the Phenix Glass Crankbait rods that are between $129 and $160. I personally have the Tour KVD's in both 7'11MH and 7'4"MH. The 7'4" is a good all around cranking rod. I use it for squarebills and could easily handle the deeper cranks I fish (5XD's) without an issue and is really light. The 7'11" is my dedicated deep cranking rod though when I know I'm going to be doing a lot of that kind of fishing.

Those kvds have a moderate tip, how does that hold up with something like a DD22 or a 6xd? Most of the rods I've seen have a mod-fast tip. Just wondering if there's a big difference.

They do have a moderate action but they are made to fish cranks.  Have a few DD22's and they aren't a problem.  Fish 5XD's which is just under the 6XD. I like the action of them.  The major difference is on the hookset/strike.  The rods feel whippy but when the bite occurs the rod takes the brunt of the impact and helps keep from ripping the hooks.  Then the action also lends itself to constant pressure being applied to the fish.  They unfortunately don't have the cork handles though but for being a composite rod are extremely light. 

 

Let me add this as well.  I fish my cranks with braid with short 4-6ft leaders of either FC or Mono depending on what I'm fishing and how.  So the moderate action is great for my cranking needs.  Now when I fish say a bladed bait or ripping a rattle-trap, then I do use a Mod-Fast rod.  And one of my favorite rods Ive fished this year has been a 7M moderate action rod which I've had a hard time putting down with the really shallow crankbait bite I've had most of this year.

Edited October 21, 201510 yr by gulfcaptain