Looking into buying a new CB rod, I know this is a dumb questions but iv always wondered about it, I have a few quantum 7'11 and halo 7'11 cranking rods and my dad has all Shimano, my rods are light but very big around and very limber on the other hand his 7'11(Shimano and st.croix) are small in diamnter and I like the feeling of his more than mine! I just don't like the feel of a fat rod that's that limber just wondering what is the differnce in the blanks the rods are made out of or the material! They are both for deep divers but why the size difference. I do not want another fat rod just want to know the differnce so I'll stay away! Thanks

Typically the fat rods are more "empty space" inside the blank. They might be a little less sensitive, heavier, possibly a lower graphite rating (im6, im7, etc.) If graphite. But for the most part it doesn't make much difference. I have a few rods that are fatter than normal; I just build a fiberglass crankbait rod that is pretty big around and sounds like the ones you are use to, but i made it lIke that on purpose. And I built a 14' float rod out of an im6 spey blank for steelhead that's big around.

Danny-716 has it just about right. Some of the "fatter" rods may be built that way due to the type of graphite and also what the maker was going for. Sometimes there is less sensitivity.  I also heard a quote from G Loomis that they could build you the thinnest, most sensitive, and lightest rod but nobody would want to fish it because it would not be durable enough.  There are plenty of really good rods out there in all types of diameters and materials.  I have a friend that loves the Abu Veritas rods in a 7 foot medium action for throwing crankbaits and rattle trap type baits.  Those rods are really nice and durable except for the guides. Occasionally he has a guide ring come out. He just has our rod builder replace all of his guides and even plans on it when he buys the rod.  But he loves the durability and feel he gets on those blanks and can not buy a similar blank for the cost of the completed rod. Now I frog fish with the same rod in a MH  and have never had a guide replaced.  He is tough on gear and also catches BIG snakeheads and strippers while also bass fishing. For crankbaits and rattle traps I throw an Irod GenesisII 7 foot Gabes Rip Rap Special.  It might fit in your larger diameter rod category. There are not very many rods more lite weight, sensitive and well built than that rod.  Keep in mind the rod costs $150 not $350 or more.  When looking for a good crankbait rod just go look for a rod that is lite in weight, feels balanced in your hand with the reel you intend to fish with and most of all make sure it has a medium action with a more moderate taper.  That medium action moderate taper means the bend of the rod goes back further in the blank.  You need to have that forgiving blank so you do not pull the treble hooks out, but the rod also needs with plenty of backbone behind it.