What are some good cranking rods for $100 or less? I'm looking for a 7" medium.

Abu Garcia ike series, you can get them for less than 100$ at FFO or manventure.

7" range is a tough market in the $100 range, have you thought about bumping up to a 7'? Probably a lot more choices. In all seriousness I've always liked cabelas xml rods for the money and they usually go on sale $80-100 throughout the year.

dobyns fury 705cb $110 

Cabela's has some St. Croix Rage rods on sale on-line: http://www.cabelas.com/product/St-Croix-Rage-Casting-Rod/1253428.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dst_p%252520croix%252520rage%26CQ_st%3Db

Might be something there that'll work.

...I stopped in one of the stores to look at the rods, asked the price and was told $149.  I drove home, ordered it online for $50 less....

St. Croix has the rage rods for 89$, or if you call two for one hundred.

Ethos from Academy for $60 or $40 on sale. I have the 7' MH/M, it has been a great rod for squarebills to mid depth baits. 

BPS crankin stick is a great crankbait rod. Veritas winch too

I'll 2nd Dobyns Fury 705CB for $110. Sign up for a mailing list at American Legacy or Monster it's $25 off. That's the route to go.

I'm torn between the ethos from academy or the St Croix rage. Has anyone tried both side by side?

What action and power would be best for throwing KVD 1.5 cranks and lipless cranks like the rattling rap and backstabbers?

 

LC

2 hours ago, loudcherokee said:

I'm torn between the ethos from academy or the St Croix rage. Has anyone tried both side by side?

What action and power would be best for throwing KVD 1.5 cranks and lipless cranks like the rattling rap and backstabbers?

 

LC

Have you picked up a Rage yet? Those handle designs were a deal breaker for me. Bought 2 and sold them both.

1 hour ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Have you picked up a Rage yet? Those handle designs were a deal breaker for me. Bought 2 and sold them both.

I havent, no. I do know I'm not a huge fan of EVA grips, and I prefer cork. Hmmm....may go Ethos.

LC

The ethos is a good rod and if you can wait a few weeks academy typically has a rod riot every year and the ethos rods are only $39