Okay, I am totally new to bait casting, I bought a Lew's Tournament Pro last Fall just before Winter so it didn't get used (it's still in the box in my sock drawer as a matter of fact). I have 2 bait cast rods, one is a 7ft. MH Abu Garcia ProMax (bought the ProMax reel too but sold it) and the other was given to me is a 6'8" Medium (I believe) KVD Tour cranking rod. My question is which would be the better rod for me to learn on? I've toyed with the idea of getting a better all-around rod but convinced myself to wait and try one of these rods I already have first to make sure i even like bait casting. I fish a wide variety of lures, everything from plastics like senkos and craws to top water to crankbaits (have quite a few) to buzz baits to frogs...which rod out of the 2 that I have would be best for this variety of lures? I was going top start practicing my casting but it just started snowing again here in Vermont where I live and it's about 30 degrees out...lol.

The abu

Just curious as to why the Abu?

Because the KVD cranking rod is a graphite composite with a moderate action. it is okay for crankbaits but that is about it. You would never get the hook to penetrate a fish with soft plastics.. Not to mention how heavy (weight wise) they are, it would wear you out fishing t-rigs all day. I have the 7'4 MHM KVD tour and it gets used for one bait, square bill crankbaits, and that is IT. 

Personally I think the cranking rod is a better bet.  Tip is softer.  Will load easier and maybe help smooth out a jerky casting stroke.

 

EDIT:  I say it is better to learn before getting on the water.  When you are fishing...you want to be fishing.  Not pulling out backlashes.  However, Kevin is correct.  The Abu is definitely a better all-around rod.

Sounds like what you really need is not another rod, but another reel (why sell the pro max reel? I think I would have kept the reel and sold the rod, if anything). You have two different powers and actions, already suitable for some specialization. Buy a reel, use them both -- the KVD for trebled baits, the Abu for everything else. Spend some time learning what your preferences are, take your time, and plan some upgrades once you are ready to make some informed decisions!

The ProMax was a RH reel and too unnatural for me as I have always used LH reels even though I'm a RH person.

24 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

The ProMax was a RH reel and too unnatural for me as I have always used LH reels even though I'm a RH person.

Not unusual for a spinning guy use to cranking with the left had to prefer a LH baitcast reel.  That was me 7 years ago.  Today slightly over half my b/c reels are LH.  I actually enjoy switching...both for cranking and for casting.  Quite possible you will learn to like both hand reels as well.  Why?...you ask.  Well not all reels come in either hand.  There may come a time when you want to try a specific reel, but it only comes in RH.  That is when you will learn to use both hands.

Abu MH/F ! You'll be able to cover some of those techniques better with that rod than the KVD which sounds like a crankbait rod!