I have been fishing exclusively using soft plastics for past 3 years now,  and I feel I have inadequate knowledge when it comes to crankbaits (in terms of rod characteristics, BC vs. spinning).

 

- most of my rods are MH to Heavy  with fast tips (7ft spinning and BC)

- I have a UL and a ML rod (6'6" spinning rods) for ned rigs 

-thinking of using lures like rapala, yuzuri duel and jerk baits

 

 

should I use spinning or BC?

what rod action and length should i be looking into?

 

For most cranks a 7' medium will work great, same with jerk baits. 

For me, the best fit for most crank baits is a 7'+  M Moderate.  My favorite is the St. Croix Legend Glass 7'2'' M Moderate.  Best crank bait rod I have ever used. 

spinning or bc?

 

4 minutes ago, S-T-R-I-K-E-R said:

spinning or bc?

 

BC, I like a 6.x:1 for cranks with 12 pound fluourocarbon. 

Medium Power, Moderate Fast Action is my favorite for cranks. Of course you need to go up in power for heavy cranks, but keep the same action.

 

Casting. Anything that moves feels terrible with spinning gear.

First and foremost the rod needs to load properly and cast well. A mod or mod-fast action helps keep them pinned. Casting tackle handles deep diving, high resistance baits better IMO. Spinning tackle works well for jerkbaits and small cranks. 

1 minute ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

First and foremost the rod needs to load properly and cast well. A mod or mod-fast action helps keep them pinned. Casting tackle handles deep diving, high resistance baits better IMO. Spinning tackle works well for jerkbaits and small cranks. 

thanks for that point on loading up the rod. 

I like a 6'9 or so medium fast casting rod for jerkbaits and square Bill's with a little more backbone.  For deeper diving cranks I like a 7'2 to 7'5 medium moderate casting rod to absorb some of the hit from the bait as well as the fish. I will use a medium spinning outfit for lighter rapalas and such. Of course different rod companies feel different with the same "specs". I'd have to go put them in my hands if I weren't familiar.  Maybe you have a local bait shop with someone who is knowledgeable and could explain it in person while showing you different rods?

Thanks so much for the replies guys.. now i have a good idea on the rod profile i would need.

 

tight lines and happy fishin

I like a shorter rod (less than 7’) for square bills, because I’m usually making shorter, more precise casts with them. A 7’ MH moderate rod does duty for everything else. But I don’t really fish deep divers, 12-14ft is about as deep as I fish crankbaits.