I fish wish spinning gear and I've primarily been a plastics guy.  Recently I've gotten more into crank baits and it seems impossible to find a decent crank bait spinning rod.  I'm looking for something more forgiving than the typical IM6 (or stiffer) graphite rods.  To make my search even more difficult, I end up transporting the rod around in my car so I would like a 2-piece.  I've always hated the ugly-sticks, but I may have to give them another try - it's the only non-graphite spinning rods I seem to find.

 

This would be a rod for large mouth, throwing mostly crank baits  and occasionally spinner baits or swim jigs.  I'm thinking a 7'-0" medium to medium heavy rod that really loads up nicely to toss a lure a long way.  My price range is probably $60 to $80... with the absolute top being $120.  

 

Help!

Falcon makes some spinning rods that have a moderate action. And they are right around $100 retail.

 

http://www.falconrods.com/bucoo-sr.html

 

http://www.falconrods.com/bucoo-micro.html

 

They have a M and MH both designed for cranking, so it says. I've not used them (Bucoo) myself. but can vouch for Falcon Caras and Lowriders being a quality rod.

These can be had for about $90 and are a solid rod with moderate actions.

 

http://www.falconrods.com/coastal-xg.html

14 minutes ago, PatrickKnight said:

These can be had for about $90 and are a solid rod with moderate actions.

 

http://www.falconrods.com/coastal-xg.html

Good catch Patrick! To the OP, if you fish bigger waters those longer rods would be even better and help get those lures out there. I have often thought about getting one of these (7'6" rods) just for the Great Lakes.

www2farmer swears by the Lightning Shock rods for treble hooks.  Price is below your budget.  Also I wouldn't worry about the grade of graphite.  Any rod that says it is a cranking rod (or Moderate action) should work great for you.

 

Only saltwater rod I have used is a Hurricane Redbone 7' ML casting rod that is rated 3/8-3/4 oz. and is an IM6.  The new ones are rated lower and made from IM7.  A Medium is now equivalent to my ML.  I have landed several bass on a 3/8 oz. squarebill.  Rod loads very well.  A 3/8 oz. popper casts like a bullet.  The only 2-piece spinning rod in that line is a 7'6" M rated for 8-17lb. line and 3/8-3/4 oz. lures.

 

EDIT:  I am also a fan of Falcon rods.  Not used a Bucoo, tho.

On 9/12/2017 at 2:29 PM, fishindad said:

Falcon makes some spinning rods that have a moderate action. And they are right around $100 retail.

 

http://www.falconrods.com/bucoo-sr.html

 

http://www.falconrods.com/bucoo-micro.html

 

They have a M and MH both designed for cranking, so it says. I've not used them (Bucoo) myself. but can vouch for Falcon Caras and Lowriders being a quality rod.

Thanks,  Bass Pro carries a Falcon-BuCoo-SR-Spinning-Rod with a moderate taper, but it is a Med-Lt action and I was looking for a medium or medium/heavy action (depending on the rod.)

The Falcon website lists a moderate/fast taper with a Medium action as their "cranker spin."

 

I wish there was someplace local I could look at one and actually hold it.

 

(Both rods are one piece, 7 foot rods.  Ideally I was looking for a 2 piece, but it's not a deal breaker.)

 

Definitely worth looking into.  Thanks again.

IM6, 7 & IM8 has nothing to do with stiffness or modulus strength or flex strength, it's a material trade name that has been misused by the fishing rod folks. 

Wanting a 2 piece rod with moderate action under $120 puts you into trout/walleye category of marketing arena. I would take a look at Fenwick because they have excellent 2 piece rod ferrule design.

Tom

 

Although I said any rod that has a Moderate action would work, you have to realize that not all cranking rods have a Moderate action.  I have 2 that are listed as Fast, 1 as Moderate-Fast, 1 as Medium-Fast and 1 as Regular.  I used to not have a "cranking rod".  I always used whichever Medium power, Fast action rod was handy.  I am guessing any fish I lost on a treble hook lure probably wouldn't have been landed if the rod had been a Moderate action.

+1 for the Falcons. I have a MH MF falcon bucoo casting rod that flings 1/4 oz cranks plenty far, their spinning rods should do that even better.