What does everyone use for a river crankbait rod? I have a 7'3 mojo glass MM casting rod that I use for most of my lake fishing. The smallmouth in the river haven't been crazy about the fatter shad style cranks typical of squarebills, rapala DT's etc. I've been catching most of them on Shadrap 4's and 5's. Needless to say my baitcaster doesn't cast these light shad raps well, so I've been using a light action ugly stik. Does anyone use a ML OR LIGHT rod for cranking this small balsa cranks? 

7ft medium carbon lite spinning rod for smaller crankbaits.Handles it really good.

702 Dobyns champion spinning works just fine for me.

Edited June 8, 201610 yr by Angry John

I've been using a St. Croix Premier Cranking stick for a handful of years. Along with others. Fixing to pick up another. Majority of my rods are St. Croix, something I just got hooked on. Rods are a funny thing I like to read the opinions but really hate to give one. What feels right to me doesn't to others. Rod feel in a shop is important but you don't know until your out on the boat.

Medium-power spinning sticks for me. I'm not a big fan of trying to cast those light balsa cranks on baitcasting gear. 

I'm mostly a St. Croix, but for small through mid-depth crankbaits, I have a 7' Veritas 1 Med Winch series that's excellent.  You can probably find one used for super cheap.  

Been using an Avid X 7' Medium Moderate with a Chronarch 50e spooled with 10# Stren Original. My river is on the small side and most of my fishing comes in water that is 4' and less. That setup works awesome for anything 3/8th ounce and less. I have thrown Shad Raps on it as well. Not sure on the exact size but either the 3/16th (size 5) or 1/4 ounce (size 6). 

I'm seeing Veritas gen 2 winch series on eBay for $80-$99.  For what you're looking for it's such a good inexpensive rod. 

1 hour ago, Turkey sandwich said:

I'm seeing Veritas gen 2 winch series on eBay for $80-$99.  For what you're looking for it's such a good inexpensive rod. 

Cool. I'll take a look. I've bought a new rod and reel about every 6 months so... I'm going to have to clear this with the boss...

I'm using a 7'2" medium/moderate action older All Star rod for my smaller, shallower cranks.  I do a lot of river and creek cranking with this rod, and usually from the shore so the extra distance helps really chuck those baits.

Medium spinning for me too. I use a 6' Pflueger Trion combo that is several years old, medium, mod-fast. I think it was $50. It's short, but it loads light weight cranks so well that I haven't found myself wishing it was longer.