So I'm looking for suggestions hoping to find a rod I haven't yet. 

I want something close to 8 foot for deep cranking.  8xd 10 xd etc.

I was looking at Fred's Crank Launcher and Lews speed stick but There have been little things about each I haven't quite liked.

Any other suggestions?

The older Abu Garcia Ike rods.  There is an 8' H mod/fast for around $100.  Might fit the bill.

 

http://www.abugarcia.com/abugarcia-rods-casting-rods/abu-garcia-ike-signature-casting-rod/1373583.html#gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6o7Upfar3QIVBw5pCh2yVQC7EAAYASAAEgLO3_D_BwE&kwid=299364928739x45364077783x934188169&start=1

Check out the Phenix line of composite deep cranking rods. 

There "X" series of rods goes all the way to thier 3oz Max lure rating. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

13 minutes ago, Mike L said:

Check out the Phenix line of composite deep cranking rods. 

There "X" series of rods goes all the way to thier 3oz Max lure rating. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

Thanks for the tip!. That rod looks awesome. Its a bit more than I was hoping to spend but I'm going to keep an eye out for one one clearance or something.

Don't know what your budget is, but I've got a 7'2" Medium Mod and 7'4" MH Mod St. Croix Legend glass and they are amazing cranking rods.  They make a 7'11" Heavy Mod.  They're amazing light and balanced.  $250 though so a little pinch on the wallet.  

Irod Fred's crank launcher and Powell 7' 11" max 3d. 

I bought the 7’5” Powell endurance composite rod about 6 months ago. I would HIGHLY recommend. Most of my setups are different brands as I like to see whats out there ( also like a good sale on a nicely reviewed rod )  but this powell made me want to buy another one. Light, perfectly balanced and great taper for some deep cranking.

 

Actually caught a tiger muskie on it yesterday at a local lake by accident. Thought it was my PB bass for a second till it peeled drag for 20 seconds haha. Made me love that Rod even more. Have fun picking out a new setup....almost as fun as fishing

22 minutes ago, robbiez111 said:

I bought the 7’5” Powell endurance composite rod about 6 months ago. I would HIGHLY recommend. Most of my setups are different brands as I like to see whats out there ( also like a good sale on a nicely reviewed rod )  but this powell made me want to buy another one. Light, perfectly balanced and great taper for some deep cranking.

 

Actually caught a tiger muskie on it yesterday at a local lake by accident. Thought it was my PB bass for a second till it peeled drag for 20 seconds haha. Made me love that Rod even more. Have fun picking out a new setup....almost as fun as fishing

Thank you for the reply. I never heard of Powell until I posted this. I was offered a powell 7'11" for a little over 100 used which seemed like a decent deal. So far I have 5 or 6 finalists.

 

I was thinking of getting the 7’11” powell for deep cranking. But also wanted to throw square bills on this Rod if need be and thought might be tough on such a long rod. The 7’5” works for my mid cranking and deep cranking. Also squarebills if my 6’9” squarebill rod has a jerkbait tied on it....

Building on that Phoenix x13 blank.  TT did a review and it got great reviews, but who wants to crank a 10xd with a 9.5 inch handle.  That would become a wrist breaker in very few casts.  Handle length for two handed casting and bracing the rod while deep cranking is critical to me, and even an 11" handle is not enough.  There are not a ton of options that will be rated for the 10xd and a lit of rods say they will but are not rated to do so.  The rain shadow blanks were ones that made me scratch my head.  Rated to 1.5 but 10 xd????